National Highways uses the New Engineering Contracts (NEC) primarily for construction and associated services
Commercial & Procurement (C&P) are currently using the NEC4 standard as the base document and modifying to reflect National Highways’ specific requirements.
The Contract Development and Assurance team (CD&A) (part of the C&P Directorate in National Highways) are responsible for developing and maintaining a base-set of standardised model contracts that provides uniformity across procurements for users.
These models capture all appropriate changes to reflect wider central government requirements, National Highways’ corporate requirements, project lessons learnt and best external practice.
The model contracts which includes the Scope and conditions of contract are updated by CD&A every six months to ensure the version used in procurements is the most up to date possible.
CD&A’s aim here, is to:
- Make accessible our model contracts and any periodic updates,
- Share guidance material on key topics identified within the model contracts, to include podcasts suppliers requested greater clarity. Currently we are developing podcasts on:
- Intellectual Property Rights,
- Project Bank Accounts and
- Z clauses.
The first step in this process to create greater awareness and understanding is the publication of Supplier specific training and awareness guides, these are:
- Contracting with National Highways – Guide A: Our Model Contracts
- Contracting with National Highways – Guide B: Using NEC4 and
- Contracting with National Highways – Guide C: Insurance, Liabilities & Quality Requirements.
Read our Model Contract Documents FAQs here.
For further information on Model Contract Documents contact [email protected].
Please scroll down to access our video guides.
NEC4 Introduction
National Highways are working to raise awareness and increase the Supply Chain’s understanding of our standard model contracts with the aim to:
- Improve the tender process by providing better clarity on National Highways’ contract requirements
- Improve overall understanding of National Highways specific terms and conditions in live contracts
- Through awareness and understanding Avoid ambiguities leading to disputes and compensation events and
- Make National Highways the client of choice
Guide A: Our Model Contracts
Watch this video, the first of three to help you understand NEC4 contracts and how they are used by National Highways.
Download slidesGuide B: Using NEC4
Watch this video, the second of three to help you understand NEC4 contracts and how they are used by National Highways.
Download slidesGuide C: Insurance, Liabilities & Quality Requirements
Watch this video, the third of three to help you understand NEC4 contracts and how they are used by National Highways.
Download slidesPodcast 1 - Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
Hosted by Liz Swinstead and featuring input from Philippa Hoddell – Legal Services and Jemma Ward – Contracts Development and Assurance.
Podcast 2 - Project Bank Accounts
Hosted by Liz Swinstead and featuring input from Matt Powell – Cost Intelligence.
Podcast 3- Contract Development and Assurance Awareness NEC4
Hosted by Liz Swinstead and featuring input from Jemma Ward
If you would like further information or training on the above videos, or on other aspects of National Highways contracts, please email us at [email protected] and we may be able to arrange further sessions with you