We are a subcontractor on an NEC3 Engineering and Construction Subcontract (ECS) option A (priced contract with activity schedule). Dispute resolution option W2 is incorporated. We have previously submitted our monthly applications against completed activities and these have all been paid in full. We have just received the assessment our last month’s application. The contractor has retrospectively revalued some of our activities to a lesser amount, without consultation, and applied these as a negative sum against this month’s application for payment. Can the contractor do this?
The prices in the activity schedule can only be changed in accordance with the contract, for example in the case of compensation events, see clauses 60 to 65. Even then, the processes in the contract need to take place before those changes can take place.
You should speak to the contractor and ask why the revaluation has been done. If you cannot reach agreement, your ultimate remedy is to take the dispute to adjudication in accordance with the provisions of option W2.