James Newland is presenting a fourteen-part webinar series for Federal Publications Seminars. This fourteen-part webinar series is a deep dive into construction contracts, claims, and risk management as it presents and analyzes the risks that arise on construction projects, the contract clauses and drafting considerations in allocating those risks, and the claims and disputes methods and procedures used in documenting, presenting, mediating, arbitrating, or litigating the claims when they arise.  Along the way, the course presents and analyzes those topics from the perspective of the owner, general contractor and subcontractors operating on public or private construction projects. The topics are presented from both a legal and practical standpoint and the program discusses the substantive and administrative aspects of the key clauses, risks and claims prevalent on public and private construction projects.

See the full list of programs below, and register on the Federal Publications Seminars website.


1. February 16that Noon ET – Changes and Constructive Changes on Public and Private Projects

This program presents a thorough review of the changes process on construction projects using the federal government and private contract clauses, analyzing and discussing express, constructive and cardinal changes.  Coverage includes a thorough review of the mechanics of the clauses and a practical review of how express and construction changes arise, recognizing changes, documenting the claim, and consideration of the risk management practices from the Owner, General Contractor and Subcontractor’s perspectives. The discussion includes the analysis of potential revisions to the private form clauses and subcontract forms to consider in managing the risk of changes during construction.

 Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the language and parts of the Changes clause under the FAR government contract clause and the private construction AIA contract clause.
  • Determine how the government and private clauses differ particularly as regards notice requirements and constructive changes, and how claims are preserved and presented.
  • Recognize the difference between express and constructive changes and the Owner’s obligations, the Contractor’s rights, and the obligation to perform.
  • Recognize changes claims and preserve the right to an REA or Claim.
  • Identify the basic risk assignment issues among the Owner, the General Contractor and the Subcontractor(s).
  • Identify potential language to amend and adjust the clauses according to your risk assessment.

2. February 23rdat Noon ET: Construction Contract Notice Requirements

Understanding the notice requirements associated with express changes, constructive changes, differing site conditions and claims using the USG and private contract clauses is vital to the perfection, administration and the defense of construction contract claims.  Course coverage includes an advanced discussion of the legal and practical aspects including recovery where a formal notice is lacking, potential savings theories such as the lack of prejudice and constructive or actual notice, and the authority of those with whom we deal.  Also, the program offers a review of risk management issues involved in notice requirements in the chain of privity from the owner to general contractor to subcontractor.

Learning Objectives: After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the notice requirements associated with express changes, constructive changes, differing site conditions and claims using the USG and private contract clauses
  • Have knowledge of risk management issues involved in notice requirements in the chain of privity from the owner to general contractor to subcontractor.
  • Understand the legal and practical aspects including recovery where a formal notice is lacking, potential savings theories such as the lack of prejudice and constructive or actual notice, and the authority of those with whom we deal.

3. March 9that Noon ET: Differing Site Conditions: The Standard Clauses and the Claims

This webinar covers the contractual methods of dealing with the prospect of encountering and paying for concealed, unforeseen or unknown conditions encountered during construction, including the use of Type 1 and Type 2 differing site conditions under the USG and private construction contracts.  The course covers the legal and practical aspects of recovery, including the implications of pre-bid site investigations, preconstruction services, the use of contingencies, documenting the conditions and notice requirements.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the language and parts of the Differing Site Conditions clauses under the FAR government contract clause and the private construction AIA contract clause.
  • Identify and understand the difference between a Type I and a Type II Differing Site Condition.
  • Recognize the Owner’s obligations, the Contractor’s rights and the obligation to perform.
  • Recognize Differing Site Conditions claims and how to preserve the right to an REA or Claim.
  • Identify the basic risk assignment issues among the Owner, the General Contractor and the Subcontractor(s).

4. March 16that Noon at ET. Wage & Hour Compliance in Construction: Davis-Bacon, CWHSSA, and the FLSA

Taught by a former Acting Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, this course provides practical guidance on the application of the Davis Bacon Act, the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act to construction projects funded by the USG.  Course coverage includes a review of compliance techniques and practices for general contractors and subcontractors.

Learning Objectives: After completing this course you will have:

  • Practical guidance on the application of the Davis Bacon Act
  • Practical guidance on the application of the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act as well as the Fair Labor Standards Act to construction projects funded by the USG.
  • Review of compliance techniques and practices for general contractors and subcontractors.

5. March 30that Noon ET Specifications: Methods of Specifying and Defective Specification Claims

Recognizing the method of specification and the associated allocation of risk is critical to contract performance.  This webinar explains the types of specifications and analyzes the legal and risk management aspects associated with the detailed design and performance specifications prevalent in construction contracts.  The program includes a review of the notice and claim aspects of the changes clauses as well as associated issues of delay and suspension of the work that may arise from defective specification cases.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the mechanics of the two basic types of specifications: detailed design and performance specifications.
  • Identify mixed specifications and to assess responsibility thereunder.
  • Recognize defective specifications as constructive changes and understand the Owner’s obligations and the Contractor’s rights.
  • Recognize how defective speciation claims are preserved and what is recoverable.
  • Identify the basic risk assignment issues among the Owner, the General Contractor and the Subcontractor(s).

6. April 6that Noon ET: Construction Contract Risk Management: The Owner’s Perspective

Presented from the owner’s perspective and recognizing its interests, this course provides an in-depth analysis of the risks arising from the construction project including the claims and notice requirements associated with changes, differing site conditions, delays, disputes, and payment terms, allowing the owner to recognize the risks and properly account for them in negotiating and administering the construction contract during performance.

Learning Objectives: After completing this webinar you will have

  • An in-depth analysis of the risks arising from the construction project
  • An analysis of the risks arising from claims and notice requirements associated with changes, differing site conditions, delays, disputes, and payment terms
  • The ability to recognize the risks and properly account for them in negotiating and administering the construction contract during performance

7. April 20that Noon ET: Construction Contract Risk Management: The General Contractor’s Perspective

Analyzing the General Contractor’s perspective and how it may protect its interests, this course provides an in-depth analysis of pass-through aspects of construction contracts and the methods of recognizing and accounting for the risks arising from the construction project.  The program covers the claims and notice requirements associated with changes, differing site conditions, delays, disputes, and payment terms, including methods of dealing with Subcontractor claims and disputes when they arise from Owner conduct or when arising from General Contractor conduct.  The object of the course is to recognize the risks and account for them in negotiating and administering the prime contract and its subcontracts during performance.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the General Contractor’s perspective regarding the language and parts of the Changes clause under the FAR government contract clause and the private construction AIA contract clause.
  • Recognize how flow-through among the Owner, General Contractor and the Subcontractor(s) affects the rights and obligations of the General Contractor.
  • Understand the Disputes Clause and how the concept of flow-through and contract drafting can protect the General Contractor.
  • Understand how bond claims from Subcontractors can be addressed through contract drafting and flow-through.
  • Identify the General Contractor’s position on the basic risk assignment issues among the Owner, the General Contractor, and the Subcontractor(s).
  • Identify potential language to amend and adjust the clauses according to your risk assessment.

8. April 27that Noon ET Construction Contract Risk Management: The Subcontractor’s Perspective

Focusing on the Subcontractor’s perspective and its interests, this course provides an in-depth analysis of pass-through aspects of construction contracts and the methods of recognizing and accounting for the risks arising from the construction project, including the claims and notice requirements associated with changes, differing site conditions, delays, disputes, and payment terms.  The course addresses methods of perfecting and presenting Subcontractor claims and disputes whether they arise from General Contractor conduct, other Subcontractor’s conduct, or from the Owner’s conduct.  The discussion focuses on the contract terms as they impact the Subcontractor in recognizing the risks and properly account for them in negotiating the subcontract and administering it during performance.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the Subcontractor’s perspective regarding the language and parts of the Changes clause under the FAR government contract clause and the private construction AIA contract clause.
  • Recognize how flow-through among the Owner, General Contractor and the Subcontractor(s) affects the rights and obligations of Subcontractor.
  • Understand the Disputes Clause and how the concept of flow-through and contract drafting can protect the Subcontractor.
  • Understand how bond claims can be addressed through contract drafting and flow-through.
  • Identify the Subcontractor’s position on the basic risk assignment issues among the Owner, the General Contractor, and the Subcontractor(s).
  • Identify potential language to amend and adjust the clauses according to your risk assessment.

9. May 11that Noon ET: Mechanic’s Liens and Payment Bonds: Claims and Defenses

On private construction projects mechanic’s liens and payment bond claims are an important remedy in the event the Owner or General Contractor fail to make payment when due.  This webinar covers the practical aspects of mechanic’s lien and payment bond claims, notice requirements and removing liens with bonds or cash payments into court.  The coverage includes the terms and coverage of lien and claim releases including partial, final, conditional and unconditional releases, as well as the impact of pending changes on the releases given during performance.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the rights granted the contractors, laborers and material providers by way of their right to have a mechanic’s lien.
  • Recognize how mechanic’s liens are perfected and enforced.
  • Recognize that state law governs the mechanics of perfecting and enforcing mechanic’s liens and how the law may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
  • Understand how liens are bonded-over or removed of record and what happens thereafter to the claimant’s right to recover and the Owner’s obligation to pay.
  • Identify and understand the basic types of periodic and final lien waivers and how they are used.
  • Identify potential language to amend and adjust the lien waiver forms according to your risk assessment.

10. May 18that Noon ET – Construction Contract Claims: Delay Claims Preparation and Presentation

Time is money and that phrase has particular relevance to the construction project and contract claims.  Whether delays are unexcused, excusable or compensable depends on an analysis of the causes of delay and the terms of the contract.  This webinar discusses the causes and classifications of delay, key contract clauses allocating the risk of delays and extended performance claims as well as topics such as acceleration and inefficiency claims, concurrency, notice requirements, documentation of delay claims and presentation of the claims in dispute resolution processes.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the concept of the critical path and how delays interact with the overall completion date or a Subcontractor’s critical path.
  • Identify when delays arise under the Changes clause or the Suspension of Work clause and the ramifications on cost recovery.
  • Recognize and understand the different techniques of schedule analysis and delay presentation.
  • Understand concurrent delay and the rights and obligations arising when concurrent delay occurs.
  • Recognize the difference between excusable and unexcused delay and the subcategories of compensable and noncompensable delay.
  • Understand the No Damages for Delay Clause, the impact thereof on claims, and whether the Severin doctrine affects a pass-through delay claim.
  • Understand the difference between a Differing Site Conditions claim and a claim for defective specifications.

11. June 15that Noon ET: Construction Contract Claims: Preparation and Documentation

Claims management is a vital aspect of private construction projects.  This webinar analyzes the types of claims arising on construction projects and the methods of proof and presentation of the claims in mediation, arbitration or litigation.  Issues of entitlement and quantum are covered along with the categories of cost and the records used in the factual presentation and calculation of delays and damages, the use of expert witnesses, and consideration of the contract clauses as they affect the interests of the Owner, General Contractor and Subcontractor.  The course concludes with a discussion of the substantive and procedural aspects of the claims and modifications to contract clauses to address the assignment of risk.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand the burden of proof as it relates to the concepts of entitlement to recover and the quantum or the amount of the claim.
  • Understand the types of records used to present the claim.
  • Recognize the differences between the methods of presenting the quantum or amount of the claim.
  • Understand the text of the contract clauses as they affect the Contractor’s right to have a claim and the Owner’s rights in response.
  • Identify the flow-through aspects of claims presentation and apportionment of recovery between the General Contractor and the Subcontractor(s).
  • Identify potential language to amend and adjust the clauses according to your risk assessment.

12. June 22ndat Noon ET: Prosecution and Defense of Government Construction Contract Claims

Claims against the Government on federal government construction contracts is a normal aspect of public construction projects.  This webinar analyzes the types of claims arising on government construction projects and the methods of proof and presentation of those claims in mediation or litigation.  The course covers issues of entitlement and quantum along with the categories of cost and the records used in the factual presentation and calculation of delays and damages, the use of expert witnesses, and consideration of the contract clauses as they affect the Prime Contractor and the Subcontractors.  The course concludes with a discussion of the substantive and procedural aspects of the claims and modifications to contract clauses to address the assignment of risk.

Learning Objectives:  After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand techniques to identify when constructive changes or events giving rise to a claim occur, and how to document the claim.
  • Identify techniques to preserve claims, to satisfy notice requirements, and how to address the Government’s defense when notice is lacking.
  • Understand the difference between entitlement and quantum and how best to present the claim.
  • Identify techniques to track costs and present the quantum or damages.
  • Recognize the procedural aspects of the Disputes clause and how the concept of flow through can address the risk profile of the General Contractor and the Subcontractor(s).

13. June 29that Noon ET:  Performance and Payment Bonds: Liabilities, Claims and Defenses

This webinar analyzes the use of performance and payment bonds on private construction projects as well as the requirements and use of those bonds on federal government construction projects.  Liability of the principal and surety for performance failures in connection with performance bond claims is addressed along with the defenses of the principal and its surety.  Payment bond claims, defenses to the claims, and potential modifications to the construction contract forms is analyzed in order to understand and to mitigate the risk of defective performance or non-payment.

Learning Objectives: After this webinar you will have:

  • Knowledge of the use of performance and payment bonds on private construction projects as well as the requirements and use of those bonds on federal government construction projects.
  • Understanding of payment bond claims, defenses to the claims, and potential modifications to the construction contract forms
  • Ability to Mitigate the risk of defective performance or non-payment

14. July 13that Noon ET: Changes in the Work: Key Aspects of the Public and Private Contract Changes Clauses

The final installment in the construction contract webinar series, this program provides a thorough analysis of changes in the scope of the work. Coverage includes both the substantive aspects such as entitlement to a claim for additional cost or time of performance, and administrative aspects such as notice, documentation, pass-through and payment bond issues.  The focus of the webinar is recognition of change events and how to mitigate the risk of delays and payment claims from the sometimes disparate perspective of the owner, general contractor and subcontractor.

Learning Objectives: After this webinar you will have:

  • A thorough understanding of changes in the scope of work.
  • Knowledge of the substantive aspects such as entitlement to a claim for additional cost or time of performance, and administrative aspects such as notice, documentation, pass-through and payment bond issues.
  • Ability to mitigate the risk of delays and payment claims for the sometimes disparate perspective of the owner, general contractor and subcontractor.