JCT Major project construction contract
The term ‘major project’ typically refers to; ‘A bespoke project, programme or portfolio characterised by its complexity, level of investment and stakeholder involvement. Such a project is likely to have its own project control office established and have a dedicated project team under the direct control of a nominated person.' (Ref GRIP Manual, Introduction to the Project Management manual, published by Network Rail in 2006).
Major project construction contracts (such as JCT MP 2016), are intended for use by employers who are involved in procuring large-scale construction projects.
JCT MP 2016 is a design and build contract, under which responsibility for the design, as well as completing the construction works, lies with the contractor.
The design can be produced by the contractor from the outset, using specialist designers or an in-house team; or it can be produced based on a concept provided by the employer’s advisers. If the initial concept is prepared by the employer's advisers, they may then be novated to work for the contractor to develop the detailed design and inspect the construction works as they proceed.
The employer will have prepared employer's requirements on which the contractor can base their design, and the employer will usually appoint an employer's representative to exercise their powers and functions.
The contract is suitable for use on framework agreements, and for both the public and private sector. It may also be used with a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (General Contractor) (PCSA) or Pre-Construction Services Agreement (Specialist) (PCSA/SP).
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