Common use of Provisional Sums Clause in Contracts

Provisional Sums. provision for physical contingencies (quantity overruns) may be made by including a provisional sum in the Summary Bill of Quantities. Similarly, a contingency allowance for possible price increases should be provided as a provisional sum in the Summary Bill of Quantities. The inclusion of such provisional sums often facilitates budgetary approval by avoiding the need to request periodic supplementary approvals as the future need arises. Where such provisional sums or contingency allowances are used, the Contract Data should state the manner in which they will be used, and under whose authority (usually the Project Manager’s).