How the updated MCHW operates contractually

Are there any changes to established practice?

Like the existing MCHW, the updated MCHW would operate contractually by being brought in by reference into contracts.

From the MCHW to the contract documentation

The contract compilation requirements are stated in GP 110. Figure 1 shows the link between the MCHW and the contract documents as described below.

The Specification for Highway Works (SHW) would form the base specification. The Instructions for Specifiers documents give instruction on the compilation of the Works Specific Requirements (WSR), and would not form part of the contract for traditional type contracts. The WSR would be compiled by the Specifier to give the requirements for the specific site or contract.

The combination of the SHW and the WSR would form the contract specification.

The contract specification in combination with the contract drawings would form the contract scope (or works information) to inform on all of the works required for the contract.

The contract scope in combination with the conditions of contract and the pricing documents would form the contract documents. The SHW is brought into the contract using the statement “The contract specification shall be as defined in GC 100“.

Diagram illustrating the relationship between the MCHW, Works Specification, Works Information and Contract documents

Figure 1: Link between MCHW and contract documents

Key MCHW documents relevant to contract preparation

GP 110 ‘Introduction to the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works’ shall be used for the preparation of contracts for:

  1. the construction, improvement, maintenance, demolition and disposal of motorway and all-purpose trunk roads for which the Overseeing Organisation is the highway or road authority;
  2. all assets located on Overseeing Organisation land within the highway boundary:
  3. all assets located on Overseeing Organisation land not within the highway boundary;
  4. where appropriate, assets on land leased by the Overseeing Organisation for which the Overseeing Organisation is responsible.

GP 110 includes the implementation requirements for the updated MCHW. It also provides requirements and advice for the compilation of the contract specification using Work Specific Requirements templates.

GP 100 ‘Introduction to the Specification for Highway Works’ defines what the contract specification is. GP 100 has four WSRs that are required to be compiled for all contracts using MCHW, see Mandatory WSRs to be completed for more details.

GP 101 ‘General requirements for the Specification for Highway Works’ gives overarching and default requirements for general aspects including correspondence, documentation, records, quality management, designated standards, product certification schemes, product acceptance schemes, verification and contractor design. All other SHW documents reference back to GP 101.