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Contracts & Legal

Project Manual

In Plain English

The written portion of the contract package, containing specs, contract terms, and bidding requirements.

Definition

A project manual is the bound document containing the written portion of the contract documents, including the bidding requirements, contract forms, conditions of the contract, and specifications. It is issued alongside the drawings as part of the bid documents. The project manual provides the written information that cannot be shown on drawings.

Why It Matters in Bidding

The project manual carries the specifications and bidding requirements that frequently control more cost than the drawings, so estimators who price from plans alone miss product standards, allowances, and submittal demands that shape the number. Failing to read the conditions of the contract and instructions to bidders is a common cause of non-responsive bids and missed scope.

Example

While preparing a bid, the estimator cross-references each drawing detail against the project manual specifications to confirm the finishes, fixtures, and quality standards being priced match what the documents actually require.

Related Terms

SpecificationContract DocumentsConditions of the ContractBid Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

The project manual holds the written contract documents: instructions to bidders, bid forms, general and supplementary conditions, and the technical specifications. The drawings show geometry, dimensions, and locations. Together they form the complete bid documents, and the manual governs quality, materials, and procedures the drawings cannot fully convey.
Specifications dictate product quality, manufacturers, installation standards, allowances, and submittal requirements that drive real cost. Pricing from drawings alone risks carrying cheaper materials or omitting required testing and warranties. Reading the specs ensures your number is responsive and that your subcontractors are quoting the same scope you are.
Bidding requirements appear at the front of the project manual, typically in the instructions to bidders, invitation to bid, and bid form sections. They define submission deadlines, required documents, bid security, and how to handle addenda. Missing these details can make an otherwise strong bid non-responsive and disqualified.

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