Determination of construction contract duration for public projects in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This thesis surveyed and evaluated the current practice applied by Government Authorities to determine construction contract duration (CCD) for public projects. Mail surveys were sent to 70 Government Agencies believed to be the population of the study. The results, generated from 47 responses, were analyzed using the computer statistical package (SAS). It was found that there are no specific engineering methods or formal procedures followed by Government Agencies to determine CCD. Rather, three cases seem to exist. These cases are: CCD is set or determined by environmental constraints (budget allocations, certain need, etc.), CCD is set by owner (based on subjective or objective judgement), and CCD is set by other parties (consultants, contractors). The Government Procurement Regulations should establish guidelines to improve the practice of setting CCD. Concerned government authorities are urged to develop engineering methods and written procedures to help engineers determine a reasonable CCD. A model for CCD determination is recommended at the end of this study. The model consists of seven steps and is depicted in a flow chart.