FAR 52.236—[Reserved]

Performance of Work by the Contractor.

FAR 52.236-1, Performance of Work by the Contractor, is a construction clause that requires the prime contractor to self-perform a specified minimum percentage of the total contract work using its own organization and on the site. The clause also addresses how the required percentage is selected at award, tying it to the complexity and magnitude of the project and the amount of specialty subcontracting that is customary or necessary for the work. It further allows the required percentage to be reduced later by supplemental agreement if the contractor requests a reduction during performance and the contracting officer determines the change would benefit the Government. In practice, this clause is meant to ensure the prime contractor remains substantively engaged in the project, prevents excessive pass-through performance, and gives the Government a tool to preserve accountability, control, and quality on construction contracts. It matters both at award and during performance because the percentage requirement can affect teaming strategy, subcontracting plans, staffing, and whether the contractor is compliant with the contract’s self-performance obligation.

Differing Site Conditions.

FAR 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions, addresses how the parties handle unexpected physical conditions encountered at the work site and how those conditions can affect price and schedule. The clause covers two separate categories: (1) subsurface or latent physical conditions that differ materially from what the contract indicated, and (2) unknown physical conditions of an unusual nature that differ materially from conditions ordinarily encountered in similar work. It also sets out the contractor’s duty to give prompt written notice before disturbing the conditions, the contracting officer’s duty to investigate promptly, and the standard for an equitable adjustment when the differing conditions increase or decrease the cost or time required to perform the work. The clause further limits recovery by requiring timely notice, allowing the contracting officer to extend the notice period, and barring requests for adjustment after final payment. In practice, this clause is designed to reduce bidding uncertainty, encourage fair pricing, and allocate the risk of hidden or unusual site conditions in a way that protects both the government and the contractor when the actual site differs from what was reasonably expected.

Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting the Work.

FAR 52.236-3, Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting the Work, is a construction clause that allocates risk for site conditions and pre-bid due diligence. It covers the contractor’s duty to investigate the site and surrounding conditions, including transportation, disposal, handling, and storage of materials; availability of labor, water, electric power, and roads; weather, river stages, tides, and similar physical conditions; ground conformation and subsurface conditions; and the equipment and facilities needed before and during performance. It also addresses the contractor’s responsibility to assess surface and subsurface materials or obstacles to the extent reasonably ascertainable from site inspection, Government exploratory work, and the contract drawings and specifications. In practical terms, the clause prevents a contractor from later claiming relief simply because it failed to investigate obvious or reasonably discoverable conditions before bidding or starting work. It also protects the Government by stating that it is not responsible for the contractor’s interpretations of information it provided, or for pre-award statements by Government personnel unless those statements are expressly included in the contract. The clause is intended to encourage careful site review, realistic pricing, and disciplined reliance on the contract documents rather than informal assurances.

Physical Data.

FAR 52.236-4, Physical Data, is a construction clause used in fixed-price construction solicitations and contracts when the Government will furnish or make available physical data to offerors before award. It addresses what kinds of pre-award information may be provided, including site investigation data such as test borings and other subsurface or field investigation results, weather records and warnings, transportation access information, and any other pertinent physical data the Government chooses to identify. The clause also states that the data is for the contractor’s information only and that the Government is not responsible for the contractor’s interpretation of, or conclusions drawn from, the data. In practice, this clause helps bidders understand site conditions and logistics, but it also puts contractors on notice that they must independently evaluate the information rather than assume the Government guarantees its completeness or meaning. For contracting officers, the clause is a disclosure tool that should be tailored to include all pre-award physical information relevant to performance and to describe the investigative methods used so bidders can assess the reliability and limits of the data.

Material and Workmanship.

FAR 52.236-5, Material and Workmanship, sets the baseline quality and approval requirements for construction contract inputs and performance. It covers four main topics: the requirement that incorporated equipment, materials, and articles be new and of the most suitable grade unless the contract says otherwise; the treatment of brand-name, trade-name, make, catalog, or patented-process references as quality standards rather than competition limits; the contractor’s right to propose equal items subject to the contracting officer’s judgment; the contracting officer’s approval authority over machinery, mechanical and other equipment, and in some cases materials or articles, including the right to require detailed product information and samples; and the requirement that all work be performed in a skillful, workmanlike manner, including the contracting officer’s authority to require removal of objectionable employees. In practice, this clause protects the Government from inferior substitutions, ensures that proposed products meet the intended performance standard, and gives the contracting officer a direct tool to control quality before defective items are installed. It also creates a clear risk allocation: if the contractor uses unapproved items, they do so at the risk of later rejection, replacement, or rework. For contractors, the clause means product submittals, approvals, and workmanship standards are not optional administrative steps—they are contract performance requirements with real cost and schedule consequences.

Superintendence by the Contractor.

FAR 52.236-6, Superintendence by the Contractor, is a simple but important construction clause that addresses on-site management of the work. It requires the contractor to either directly supervise performance or place a competent superintendent at the worksite for the entire period of performance until the work is completed and accepted. The clause also gives the contracting officer approval authority over the superintendent, requiring that person to be satisfactory to the government and empowered to act for the contractor. In practice, this clause is meant to ensure continuous, responsible, and responsive leadership on the jobsite so the government has a clear point of contact for day-to-day coordination, safety, quality, scheduling, and issue resolution. It matters because lack of effective superintendence can lead to delays, defective work, communication breakdowns, and disputes over who had authority to make decisions or correct problems.

Permits and Responsibilities.

FAR 52.236-7, Permits and Responsibilities, allocates several core performance risks to the contractor on construction and similar work. It covers three main subjects: obtaining any required licenses and permits, complying with all applicable Federal, State, and municipal laws, codes, and regulations, and bearing responsibility for damages to persons or property caused by the contractor’s fault or negligence. It also addresses when responsibility for materials and work transfers from the contractor to the Government by stating that the contractor remains responsible for all materials delivered and work performed until final completion and acceptance, except for any completed unit that has been separately accepted. In practice, this clause means the contractor must plan for regulatory compliance, secure approvals before starting work, and manage site and performance risk carefully. It also helps protect the Government by making clear that the contractor—not the Government—generally bears the cost and consequences of compliance failures, negligent acts, and loss or damage before acceptance.

Other Contracts.

FAR 52.236-8, Other Contracts, addresses how a construction contractor must operate when the Government has other work going on at or near the same site. The clause gives the Government the right to award or perform additional contracts for nearby or overlapping work and requires the contractor to cooperate with those other contractors and with Government personnel. It also requires the contractor to adjust its scheduling and performance to fit around the added work, while following any direction from the Contracting Officer. Just as important, the clause prohibits the contractor from doing anything that would interfere with the work of other contractors or Government employees. In practice, this clause is meant to reduce site conflicts, coordinate multiple trades or projects, and protect the Government’s ability to manage concurrent work efficiently and safely.

Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements.

FAR 52.236-9, Protection of Existing Vegetation, Structures, Equipment, Utilities, and Improvements, is a construction-site protection clause that tells the contractor how to avoid unnecessary damage to property during performance. It covers preservation of existing structures, equipment, and vegetation on or near the work site; limits tree removal to situations specifically authorized by the Contracting Officer; requires careful handling of broken limbs or branches, including clean trimming and application of tree-pruning compound when directed; and requires protection of existing improvements and utilities both at or near the site and on adjacent third-party property whose location is known or should be known. The clause also establishes a repair obligation for damage caused by contract noncompliance or lack of reasonable care, including damage to third-party property, and gives the Contracting Officer the right to arrange repairs and charge the contractor if the contractor does not act promptly. In practice, this clause allocates responsibility for avoiding collateral damage, supports site preservation and safety, and gives the Government a clear remedy when contractor operations harm existing property. It is especially important on renovation, utility, civil works, and site-development projects where work occurs around occupied facilities, landscaping, buried utilities, or neighboring property.

Operations and Storage Areas.

FAR 52.236-10, Operations and Storage Areas, governs how a contractor may use Government premises during construction or other on-site work. It addresses four main subjects: where operations and storage may occur, the contractor’s duty to protect the Government from liability arising from the contractor’s performance, the approval and ownership/removal rules for temporary buildings and utilities, and the use of roadways plus protection and repair of curbs, sidewalks, and roads. In practice, the clause gives the Contracting Officer control over site layout and site impacts so the Government can manage safety, security, access, and property protection. It also places the cost and risk of temporary facilities and site damage on the contractor unless the Contracting Officer expressly agrees otherwise. For contractors, this means site use is not automatic: every storage area, temporary structure, and roadway decision must be coordinated with and, where required, approved by the Contracting Officer. For contracting officers, the clause provides a clear basis to direct where work may occur and to require restoration or reimbursement for damage caused by the contractor.

Use and Possession Prior to Completion.

FAR 52.236-11, Use and Possession Prior to Completion, addresses the Government’s right to take possession of or use completed or partially completed work before the construction contract is finished, and the contractor’s rights and obligations when that happens. It explains that the contracting officer must provide the contractor a list of remaining work or corrections for the portion the Government intends to occupy or use, but that omission of an item from that list does not waive the contractor’s contractual responsibilities. The clause also makes clear that Government possession or use is not acceptance of the work, so the contractor still remains responsible for completing and correcting the work under the contract. At the same time, once the Government takes possession or uses the work, the contractor is relieved of responsibility for loss of or damage to that work caused by the Government’s possession or use, even if other contract language such as Permits and Responsibilities would otherwise suggest contractor liability. Finally, the clause provides for an equitable adjustment to price or time if early Government possession or use delays the work or increases the contractor’s costs, and requires the contract to be modified in writing to reflect that adjustment. In practice, this clause is important because it allocates risk, preserves the Government’s operational flexibility, and creates a mechanism to compensate the contractor when early occupancy interferes with performance.

Cleaning Up.

FAR 52.236-12, Cleaning Up, is a construction-site housekeeping clause that sets the contractor’s basic obligation to keep the work area orderly throughout performance and to leave the site clean at completion. It covers three related topics: maintaining the work area and storage areas free of waste accumulations, removing non-Government rubbish/tools/scaffolding/equipment/materials before finishing the work, and delivering the site in a clean, neat, and orderly condition acceptable to the Contracting Officer. In practice, the clause gives the Government a clear contractual basis to require routine debris control during performance and final cleanup at closeout. It is intended to reduce safety hazards, prevent interference with other work, protect Government property, and avoid disputes over whether cleanup is included in the contract price. Because the standard is tied to the Contracting Officer’s satisfaction, contractors should treat cleanup as an enforceable performance requirement, not an optional courtesy or a task limited to final demobilization.

Accident Prevention.

FAR 52.236-13, Accident Prevention, is the construction safety clause used to protect people, property, and contract performance from avoidable hazards. It requires the contractor to maintain safe work environments and procedures that safeguard the public, Government personnel, property, materials, supplies, and equipment; avoid interruptions to Government operations and delays in completion; and control performance costs. For construction and demolition-type work, it adds specific safety obligations such as barricades, signs, signal lights, compliance with OSHA standards in 29 CFR parts 1910 and 1926, and any additional safety measures the Contracting Officer reasonably requires. For Department of Defense construction, demolition, dismantling, or removal work, it also incorporates compliance with the latest EM 385-1-1 safety manual in effect on the solicitation date. The clause gives the Contracting Officer authority to act when noncompliance or an imminent danger is identified, including oral notice with written confirmation, immediate corrective action, and stop-work orders without entitlement to equitable adjustment for the resulting delay. It also requires flowdown to subcontracts. Alternate I adds a pre-work safety planning requirement for long-duration or hazardous work, including a written hazard analysis and a meeting with the Contracting Officer’s representatives to establish a shared understanding of safety program administration.

Availability and Use of Utility Services.

FAR 52.236-14, Availability and Use of Utility Services, addresses when the Government may provide utility services on a Government site for fixed-price construction and fixed-price dismantling, demolition, or removal contracts, and how those services are to be used and paid for. It applies only when the contracting officer determines both that the existing utility system can meet the needs of the Government and the contractor and that furnishing utilities is in the Government’s interest; when used, the contracting officer must identify the utilities available in the contract. The clause then sets the basic payment rule for utility consumption, including charges at prevailing Government rates or reasonable rates for Government-produced utilities unless the contract says otherwise, and it requires the contractor to conserve any free utilities. It also assigns the contractor responsibility for installing, maintaining, and later removing temporary utility connections, distribution lines, and meters needed to measure usage. In practice, this clause helps avoid disputes over who pays for site utilities, how usage is measured, and who is responsible for temporary infrastructure during performance and closeout.

Schedules for Construction Contracts.

FAR 52.236-15, Schedules for Construction Contracts, requires the contractor to create and maintain a construction progress schedule and gives the contracting officer tools to monitor and enforce timely performance. The clause covers the initial submission of a practicable schedule within five days after work starts (or another period set by the contracting officer), the required content and format of that schedule, and the contractor’s obligation to show the order of work and the planned start and finish dates for major features, including procurement of materials, plant, and equipment. It also addresses the government’s right to withhold approval of progress payments if the schedule is not submitted on time, the contractor’s duty to update the schedule with actual progress, and the requirement to provide annotated copies to the contracting officer. If the contractor falls behind schedule, the clause allows the contracting officer to require corrective action—such as added shifts, overtime, more workdays, or more construction plant—at no additional cost to the government, along with supplementary schedules showing how the contractor will recover. Finally, the clause explains that failure to comply with these scheduling and recovery requirements can support a finding that the contractor is not prosecuting the work with sufficient diligence, which may lead to termination for default under the contract’s default clause. In practice, this clause is a core project-control tool: it helps the government track progress, identify delays early, and enforce timely completion, while also giving contractors a clear obligation to plan, report, and recover from slippage.

Quantity Surveys.

FAR 52.236-16, Quantity Surveys, addresses how quantities of work are measured and documented on fixed-price construction contracts that use unit pricing and payment based on quantity surveys. It covers when the clause may be inserted, who performs the original, interim, and final surveys, how the resulting data are used to compute quantities of work performed and construction completed and in place, and who performs the related computations. The clause also explains the Government’s role in conducting the original and final surveys under the basic clause, the contractor’s role in conducting surveys for progress payment periods, and the requirement that contractor surveys be performed under the direction of a contracting officer’s representative unless waived. It further requires the contractor to promptly provide original field notes and related records to the contracting officer and retain copies. The alternate clause shifts responsibility for the original and final surveys to the contractor when higher-level approval determines Government performance is impracticable, while leaving the Government responsible for the necessary computations for final quantities. In practice, this clause is important because quantity surveys directly affect progress payments, final payment, and disputes over measured quantities, so accurate surveying, documentation, and coordination are essential.

Layout of Work.

FAR 52.236-17, Layout of Work, is a construction clause that allocates responsibility for establishing and preserving the physical layout of the work on a fixed-price project. It addresses when the clause is used, namely in solicitations and contracts for fixed-price construction when accurate layout and siting verification are important during performance. The clause explains that the contractor must lay out the work from Government-established baselines and benchmarks shown on the drawings, perform all measurements needed for layout, and provide at its own expense the stakes, templates, platforms, equipment, tools, materials, and labor needed to do the layout. It also requires the contractor to build to the lines and grades established or indicated by the Contracting Officer and to protect Government-set stakes and marks until authorized removal. Finally, it gives the Government a remedy if the contractor destroys those marks through its own actions or negligence: the Contracting Officer may replace them and deduct the cost from amounts due or to become due. In practice, this clause is about preventing disputes over field layout, ensuring the contractor bears the cost and risk of ordinary layout work, and protecting the Government’s control points so the project is built in the correct location and elevation.

Work Oversight in Cost-Reimbursement Construction Contracts.

FAR 52.236-18 is a short but important clause used in solicitations and contracts for cost-reimbursement construction work. It tells the contractor that the extent and character of the work are subject to the Contracting Officer’s general supervision, direction, control, and approval. In practical terms, the clause confirms that the Government retains a strong oversight role over how the construction work is carried out, which is consistent with the higher level of Government involvement typically associated with cost-reimbursement contracting. The clause does not eliminate the contractor’s responsibility to perform the work, manage the site, or comply with the contract; instead, it clarifies that the Contracting Officer may direct, review, and approve the work as it progresses. This section matters because it affects day-to-day administration, the flow of instructions, the approval process for work, and the boundary between Government oversight and contractor performance responsibility. Contractors and contracting officers should read it as a control-and-approval provision, not as a license for the Government to take over means and methods or to shift all construction management duties away from the contractor.

Organization and Direction of the Work.

FAR 52.236-19, Organization and Direction of the Work, is a construction-specific clause used only when a cost-reimbursement construction contract is contemplated. It addresses two main subjects: first, the contractor’s duty to provide and keep current an organization chart showing the general executive and administrative structure, the personnel assigned to the work, and their duties; and second, the requirement that the work be under full-time resident direction by the contractor’s own leadership, with limited flexibility if the contracting officer approves another specific representative. In practice, the clause gives the government visibility into who is managing the project and how the contractor is organized, which is especially important on cost-reimbursement jobs where oversight of staffing, accountability, and management control matters. It also helps ensure there is a clearly identified, on-site decision-maker with authority and continuity, reducing confusion about who is directing the work. For contractors, the clause creates an ongoing administrative obligation to keep organizational information current and to maintain an approved management structure that satisfies the resident-direction requirement. For contracting officers, it provides a tool to verify that the contractor has adequate supervision and that the project is being managed by appropriate personnel.

[Reserved]

Specifications and Drawings for Construction.

FAR 52.236-21, Specifications and Drawings for Construction, sets the basic rules for how construction contractors, subcontractors, and the Government use contract drawings, specifications, and shop drawings during performance. It addresses the contractor’s duty to keep current contract documents at the job site and provide the Contracting Officer access; how to resolve conflicts between drawings, specifications, and figures; how to interpret common contract words such as “directed,” “approved,” and “as shown”; what “provided” means in construction specifications; the definition and Government use rights for shop drawings; the contractor’s duty to coordinate, review, and submit shop drawings; the effect of Government approval or disapproval; how to handle variations from contract requirements; and the number of copies and record-set requirements, including the two alternates for final record shop drawings. In practice, this clause is a core administration tool for construction contracts because it establishes document hierarchy, clarifies interpretation, and controls the submittal/approval process for fabrication and installation details. It helps prevent field disputes by requiring prompt submission of discrepancies to the Contracting Officer rather than unilateral contractor action. It also protects the Government by making clear that approval of shop drawings does not waive contract requirements except for approved variations handled through the proper process. For contractors, the clause is especially important because mistakes in coordination, premature work, or undocumented deviations can shift cost and schedule risk back to the contractor.

Design Within Funding Limitations.

FAR 52.236-22, Design Within Funding Limitations, is a clause used in architect-engineer and design contracts to keep the project’s design aligned with the Government’s available construction funding. It addresses the contractor’s duty to design a facility so the resulting construction contract can be awarded at or below the estimated construction contract price stated in the clause, and it requires the contractor to perform redesign and related services without extra compensation if bids or proposals come in too high. The clause also covers the contractor’s duty to promptly notify the Contracting Officer when the project appears likely to exceed the funding limitation or cannot be designed as a usable facility within that limit. It gives the Government options to review the contractor’s revised estimate, authorize changes in scope or materials, or adjust the estimated construction contract price. It also explains how compliance is measured when bids or proposals are not solicited or are unreasonably delayed, by allowing the Government to prepare its own construction estimate and use that estimate instead. In practice, this clause is a cost-control and risk-allocation tool: it pushes the design professional to stay within budget, but it also recognizes that some cost overruns may result from conditions beyond the contractor’s reasonable control.

Responsibility of the Architect-Engineer Contractor.

FAR 52.236-23, Responsibility of the Architect-Engineer Contractor, allocates professional and legal responsibility for architect-engineer (A-E) services to the contractor. It covers the contractor’s duty to ensure the professional quality, technical accuracy, and coordination of all designs, drawings, specifications, and related services; the obligation to correct or revise errors and deficiencies at no extra cost; the effect of Government review, approval, acceptance, and payment on liability; the contractor’s continuing liability for damages caused by negligent performance; the Government’s retention of all other legal and contractual remedies; and joint-and-several liability when the contractor is made up of more than one legal entity. In practice, this clause makes clear that Government review does not shift design responsibility away from the A-E firm, and that payment does not equal a waiver of claims. It is intended to protect the Government from defective professional services and to reinforce that A-E contractors are accountable for the quality and coordination of their work throughout performance and after submission. For contractors, the clause underscores the need for strong internal quality control, coordination among disciplines, and careful management of subconsultants and joint venture partners. For contracting officers, it provides a contractual basis for seeking correction, damages, or other remedies when A-E services are negligent or deficient.

Work Oversight in Architect-Engineer Contracts.

FAR 52.236-24, Work Oversight in Architect-Engineer Contracts, is a short but important clause that defines who controls the performance of architect-engineer (A-E) work after award. It addresses the extent and character of the contractor’s work, and it makes clear that the Contracting Officer has general oversight, supervision, direction, control, and approval authority over that work. In practice, this clause reinforces that A-E services are not performed independently without government review; instead, the government retains the right to guide, review, and approve the work as it develops. The clause helps protect the government’s interests by ensuring technical quality, consistency with the contract, and alignment with project requirements, while also clarifying that the contractor must work within the government’s oversight framework. For contractors, it means deliverables, design decisions, and work processes may be subject to government direction and approval at multiple stages, not just at final acceptance. For contracting officers and project teams, it provides a contractual basis for active management of A-E performance and review of technical work products.

Requirements for Registration of Designers.

FAR 52.236-25, Requirements for Registration of Designers, is a construction clause that addresses who may prepare, review, and approve the design of the project’s professional engineering and architectural features. It requires that architects or engineers who are registered to practice in the relevant professional field in a State, the District of Columbia, or an outlying area of the United States perform that design responsibility. The clause specifically covers architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, and other engineering features of the work, so it applies to the technical disciplines that affect the safety, integrity, and compliance of the construction effort. In practice, the clause is meant to ensure that design work is performed or checked by properly licensed professionals under applicable state or territorial registration laws, which helps protect the Government from defective design and supports code-compliant construction. It also signals to contractors that design responsibility cannot be assigned casually to unregistered personnel when professional licensure is required. Because the clause is brief, its practical effect depends heavily on the underlying licensing rules of the jurisdiction and the scope of the design services being performed.

Preconstruction Conference.

FAR 52.236-26, Preconstruction Conference, is a simple but important clause used in construction contracting to establish whether the Government will hold a preconstruction meeting before work begins. The clause covers the Contracting Officer’s discretion to decide whether to conduct the conference, the requirement to notify the successful offeror if a conference will be held, the successful offeror’s obligation to attend, and the contents of the Government’s notice, including the date, time, location, whether subcontractors must attend, and the topics to be discussed. In practice, this clause is a coordination tool: it helps align the contractor and Government on administrative, technical, safety, scheduling, site access, submittals, quality control, and other project-start issues before field work starts. It does not itself create detailed meeting procedures, but it ensures the parties know that a formal kickoff meeting may be required and that attendance is mandatory once the Contracting Officer elects to hold it. For contractors, the clause signals that mobilization planning should include readiness for a Government-led conference and possible subcontractor participation. For contracting officers, it provides a straightforward mechanism to set expectations early and reduce misunderstandings at the start of performance.

Site Visit (Construction).

FAR 52.236-27, Site Visit (Construction), is a solicitation provision used in construction acquisitions to tell offerors that they are expected to inspect the project site before submitting an offer or quotation. It specifically ties the site-visit requirement to the construction clauses that will be included in the resulting contract: FAR 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions, and FAR 52.236-3, Site Investigations and Conditions Affecting the Work. The provision explains how site visits will be handled in two ways: either by giving offerors contact information so they can arrange visits during normal duty hours, or, under Alternate I, by announcing an organized site visit with a set date, time, and meeting location. In practice, this provision helps reduce later disputes about site conditions, access, and contractor assumptions by encouraging pre-bid inspection and making clear that the contractor bears responsibility for understanding visible site conditions. It is especially important in construction because site conditions can materially affect cost, means and methods, scheduling, and risk allocation. The provision also supports fair competition by giving all prospective offerors the same opportunity to inspect the site and gather information before pricing their work.

Preparation of Proposals-Construction.

FAR 52.236-28, Preparation of Proposals-Construction, tells offerors how to prepare and submit construction proposals and gives contracting officers a basis for rejecting nonconforming offers. It covers four main topics: use of the Government-furnished proposal forms or exact copies, the requirement for a manual signature, the need to initial erasures or changes, and the types of pricing that may be requested on the form, including lump-sum prices, alternate prices, unit prices, or combinations of those methods. It also addresses how offerors must respond when a solicitation requires pricing on all items versus when pricing on only selected items is allowed, including the use of the words "no proposal" for items not priced. Finally, it states that alternate proposals are considered only if the solicitation expressly authorizes them. In practice, this provision is meant to keep construction bids standardized, comparable, and administratively clean, while reducing ambiguity, unauthorized alternates, and disputes over altered bid entries.