ABSTRACT
Partnering is a medium- to long-term relationship between contracting parties, whereby the contractor and in turn consultants and various other parties are not required to tender for each project, but is awarded the work, normally by negotiation. Deciding the procurement strategy is the foundation stone to a successful outcome to a contract, and a well-considered and appropriate procurement strategy together with a clear, robust and unambiguous tender document is the key to avoiding or minimising contractual problems at a later date. Provisional and Prime Cost Sums are used in other contracts where there are elements of work which cannot be sufficiently defined at the time of tender and therefore a sum of money is included by the client within the bill of quantities or other pricing document to cover the item. The cost of preparing tenders is a significant element of the overheads, both of the contractors and in turn their subcontractors.
