Tender Specifications or Technical Specifications: What They Are
Tender Specifications Definition: The tender specifications are a technical-administrative document, generally attached to the contract, which defines the rules governing the relationship between the client and the contractor. Therefore, it is the document that contains the obligations and rights of the parties entering into the contract, the materials used for construction, and the construction techniques defined for the project. It usually also includes a financial reference for each item.
Furthermore, two types of tender specifications can be identified: general tender specifications and special tender specifications.
Tender Meaning
In general, a tender refers to a contract by which a person (called the contractor) undertakes to perform work or provide a service in exchange for financial compensation.
General Contract Specifications
The General Contract Specifications are defined by Ministerial Decree No. 145 of April 19, 2000, with the aim of standardizing the general terms and conditions of procurement contracts. It is the document that regulates the contractual conditions and relationships between the principal and the contractor.
The document consists of the following fourteen articles:
Content of the General Contract Specifications
Contractor’s domicile
Indication of persons entitled to collect payments
Contractor’s conduct of work
Construction sites, tools, expenses, and general obligations borne by the contractor
Construction site regulations and good order
Contract, registration, and ancillary costs
Supply of materials
Replacement of the places of origin of materials specified in the contract
Construction defects
Inspections during the execution of the work
Daily duration of the work
Ownership of found objects
Ownership of demolition materials
When are the General Tender Specifications Required?
The General Tender Specifications are mandatory only for contracts awarded by public administrations, including those for construction work (therefore, they are not mandatory for private individuals).
Special Tender Specifications
The Special Tender Specifications are more detailed than the General Tender Specifications and vary based on the work to be performed and the project being worked on. Like the General Tender Specifications, they define the works to be performed, but pay particular attention to the method of execution of the work and the type of materials used. They are used, for example, in the 110% Superbonus application process.
The Special Tender Specifications can be divided into an administrative section and a technical section:
The administrative section, containing the description of the work, illustrates the elements necessary for both a technical and economic definition of the project being considered and also includes aspects not fully deducible from the executive drawings;
The second, containing the technical specifications, outlines the standards to which each process must adhere, the acceptance requirements for materials and components, and, when necessary, the order in which each process must be performed. Even for prefabricated components, the main characteristics, documentation certifying approval, and the results of laboratory tests must be specified by the project manager, who will contact the designer to ensure consistency with the design choices.
When are Special Tender Specifications Required?
Like the general specifications, the special tender specifications are only required for public contracts, while they are not required for private projects.
That said, the document can also be very useful for private projects, as it guarantees the client that the work will be performed by the company in a workmanlike manner and within the agreed timeframe. Furthermore, the specifications provide legal protection in the event of any issues.
For the sake of completeness, please note that, in addition to the specifications (whether general or special), the contract for the work is usually accompanied by the executive project for the works to be carried out, the bill of quantities, the time schedule (a document that shows the distribution of costs for the work over time and indicates the dates of progress reports), the safety plan, and the list of unit prices.
Article written by the staff of Inside Project, architects in Verona and throughout Italy.