Construction tender glossary: DCE, CCTP, RC, BPU, DPGF…

AEActe d'engagement (Letter of commitment): Contractual document by which the company commits to execute the contract under the conditions of the tender pack and at the price it proposes. Signed by the bidder and then by the client if awarded.
AOAppel d'offres (Tender): Competitive procedure by which a client requests offers for a contract. Can be open (any candidate may bid) or restricted (prior selection).
BPUBordereau des prix unitaires (Schedule of unit prices): Document listing the contract's services with their unit price (per m², per linear metre, per unit). Mainly used in framework contracts.
CCAGCahier des clauses administratives générales: Reference document that sets the general administrative rules applicable to a category of public contracts (works, supplies, services). The CCAG-Works 2021 is the current version.
CCAPCahier des clauses administratives particulières: Document that sets the administrative rules specific to the contract: price, deadlines, penalties, guarantees, payment conditions. Complements the CCAG.
CCTGCahier des clauses techniques générales: Document that defines the general technical rules applicable to a category of works (DTU, NF standards). Referenced by the CCTP.
CCTPCahier des clauses techniques particulières (Technical specifications): Key piece of the tender pack: describes in detail the technical services expected, lot by lot. The document the company must address requirement by requirement in its technical proposal.
DCEDossier de consultation des entreprises (Tender pack): All the documents given to candidates to respond to a tender: rules, AE, CCAP, CCTP, drawings, BPU, DPGF, appendices. The "subject" the technical proposal answers to.
DOEDossier des ouvrages exécutés (As-built file): File handed by the company to the client at project delivery: as-built drawings, technical notes, certificates. Not to be confused with the DCE.
DPGFDécomposition du prix global et forfaitaire (Lump sum price breakdown): Table detailing the global price of the contract item by item. Allows the client to understand the structure of the proposed price.
DQEDétail quantitatif estimatif (Quantitative estimate): Document that crosses quantities and unit prices to estimate the total amount of the contract. Often provided as an indication by the client.
DTUDocument technique unifié (Unified technical standard): Technical reference standard that sets the rules of the trade for the execution of a work (e.g.: DTU 21 for concrete, DTU 31.2 for timber framing).
MAPAMarché à procédure adaptée (Adapted procedure contract): Lighter public procurement procedure, usable below European thresholds. The client freely defines the consultation arrangements.
MOAMaîtrise d'ouvrage (Client / Project owner): Public or private entity for which the work is built. Funds the project, defines the need and awards the contract.
MOEMaîtrise d'œuvre (Project management): Team (architect, engineering office) that designs the project and oversees its execution on behalf of the client. Drafts the tender pack and evaluates offers.
OPCOrdonnancement, pilotage, coordination: Mission that consists of planning, harmonising and steering over time the interventions of the different trades on a site.
OSOrdre de service (Service order): Written document by which project management notifies the company of a decision relating to contract execution (start, modification, suspension).
PAQPlan d'assurance qualité (Quality assurance plan): Document describing the organisation set up by the company to guarantee the quality of services. Mandatory in most public contracts.
PICPlan d'installation de chantier (Site installation plan): Plan defining the layout of site equipment (base camp, cranes, storage, access). Expected piece in the methodology section of the technical proposal.
PPSPSPlan particulier de sécurité et de protection de la santé: Mandatory document on coordinated sites, describing the prevention measures specific to the company for its interventions.
RCRèglement de la consultation (Tender rules): Piece that sets the rules of the tender: scoring criteria, weighting, expected plan for the proposal, submission terms. Document to read first.
SOGEDSchéma d'organisation et de gestion des déchets (Waste management scheme): Document describing how the company manages site waste: sorting, collection, recovery, traceability. Increasingly required in public contracts.
SPSSécurité et protection de la santé (Safety and health protection): Coordination mission for safety and health on building and civil engineering sites. The SPS coordinator is appointed by the client.
VRDVoirie et réseaux divers (Roads and utilities): All the external development works of an operation: roads, sewerage, drinking water, electricity, telecoms, green spaces.

French construction tender glossary

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