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This trial edition of Sample Bidding Documents for Simple Works (SABD-SW) has been prepared by the World Bank for use by its borrowers. It is intended to serve as a model for the procurement of works of a simple nature and complexity that are contracted under National Competitive Bidding procedures. Use of this SABD-SW is not mandatory, but the procedures and practices presented have been developed through broad experience, and represent the state of the art in the contracting of simple works. Local customs and regulations play a large part in the procurement of simple works and the documents should be adapted as necessary to the requirements of the specific works to be procured. More complex works or works to be contracted under ICB procedures should be procured using the Bank’s “Standard Bidding Documents, Procurement of Works” or the “Standard Bidding Documents, Smaller Contracts”.
These SABD-SW are intended to be used where the proposed works are of simple nature, small value (say less than US$1.0 million), short contract duration (less than a year), and where the magnitude of the potential risks involved is small for both the Employer and the Contractor.
The General Conditions of Contract of the SABD-SW are based on the first edition, 1999 of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers’ (FIDIC) “Short Form of Contract”, and the balance of the document on the Bank’s experience. This approach has introduced a contrast in the style between Section III, where the Short Form of Contract has been fully integrated, and the remainder of the document which is based on existing Bank documentation.
A particular feature of the SABD-SW is the single form of Agreement containing Offer and Acceptance, which, together with the documents listed in the accompanying Appendix, constitute the Contract. Details to be entered by the Employer prior to the release of the bidding documents for a particular project are limited to the Bid Data Sheet (BDS), the proposed Agreement, and the Particular Conditions. Details not entered by the Employer are the responsibility of the Bidder. In addition, the Employer provides the Specification, Drawings, and Bill of Quantities or Schedule of Payment(when necessary). Whoever prepares the bidding documents should be thoroughly familiar with the Instructions to Bidders and Conditions of Contract included in the SABD-SW, as well as with the law applicable to the contract and any specific requirements of the specific contract. Where the user has little experience in writing bidding documents or where complicated circumstances apply, expert advice should be sought. In drafting these SABD-SW an effort was made to:
• keep in mind that the documentation needs to be tailored to the specific characteristics of the market place where the Contractors and Employers are established;

• include provisions which were considered applicable to most cases; Deleted: ,
• keep the need for cross-referencing between clauses to a minimum;
• avoid repetition of requirements.
Except for the agreement, no standard forms such as forms for qualification of bidders, have been included as many Employers have standard forms containing their own requirements. Furthermore, sample forms are included in the Bank’s “Standard Bidding Documents, Procurement of Works” that can be adapted as needed.
Since the intention is that these SABD-SW should only be used for contracts of short duration and of low risk, there is neither a provision for price adjustment nor for foreign currency payments. Furthermore, there is no reference to an impartial “Engineer” or “Project Manager” but the Employer must appoint an authorized person to act for him, and if he wishes to engage a consultant to administer the contract, he may appoint a representative with specific delegated duties and authority.
The use of bid and performance securities is optional in these SABD-SW. A decision to require such securities should be part of the overall approach to risk management and should take into account available measures to reduce the risk of contractor’s default. The brevity and simplicity of the SABD-SW is, however, more apparent than real because its implementation depends to a large extent on the manner in which the applicable law will be applied in implementing the contract. This edition of SABD-SW has been identified as a “Trial Edition”. The Bank intends to publish a “First Edition” during the first part of year 2001 and welcomes comments on this Trial Edition. Any feedback and comments should be directed to the Procurement Policy and
Services Group of the World Bank, Pdocuments@worldbank.org. The charts on the next two pages illustrate the sequence of events during contract award and execution.