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Chapter 6
Subcontracting
Review Questions:
1. Why do general contractors use subcontractors rather than performing all the work
on a project?
2. What risks do general contractors incur by using subcontractors?
3. Why might a project manager require performance and payment bonds from a
subcontractor?
4. Why is a termination or suspension provision included in most subcontracts?
5. Why is subcontractor “bid shopping” considered unethical behavior?
6. Why do subcontractors need reasonable notice regarding the scheduled start times
for their phases of work? Why does the superintendent not determine the exact start
times for each subcontractor at the beginning of the project?
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committed to numerous projects with conflicting labor and material requirements.
An exact start date is not established early on, as it may easily change as the project
progresses, but target dates are still established.
7. What are mock-ups, and how are they used for project quality control?
8. How are subcontractors’ requests for payment processed on a typical project?
9. Why is a subcontractor’s ability to finance its cash flow requirements on a project of
concern to the project manager?
10. What is the difference between a request for quotation and a request for proposal?
What type of subcontract is awarded using a request for quotation? What type is
awarded using a request for proposal?
1. Write a clear scope of work for a subcontract for the site work subcontract for the
NanoEngineering Building.
Subcontractor agrees to provide all materials, labor, supervision, equipment
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feet of the building.
2. What are five criteria that you suggest be used to prequalify site work contractors for
the NanoEngineering Building?
3. What basis do you suggest the project manager use to select the electrical
subcontractors for the NanoEngineering Building?