5.30

1. Government Departments should undertake some contracts under the New Engineering Contract as soon as possible to gain experience in using it. The DOE should provide advice to other public sector agencies on the contract, and the range of options suitable for use. A target should be set of one third of Government funded projects started over the next four years to use the NEC. Departments which have been using GC/ Works/1 or their own contracts should begin to change to the NEC. Any special conditions which they need to add relating to security, prevention of corruption or of discrimination can be included under option U of the NEC. It would, however, be desirable if they were in a standard format. It will also be open to them to use JCT or ICE Forms, as amended to meet the principles of paragraph 5.18.

2. Use of the NEC (as amended) by private sector clients should be strongly promoted by client and industry bodies.