New Contract - Deliverable Dates in SoW

[GalContractor2873]

The incorrect SoW, mixed story about the project and no interview, sound a wee bit strange. It'll be interesting to hear what's actually going on once the contract starts.

Yes, this sounds curious and also seems a bit unclear if the new contractor is picking up old work. From the outside, and if the conversations don't line up - the Agency don't really know whats going on and have been tasked with getting bodies in the room ASAP. I would personally get dates on SoW changed, esp in these circumstances.

[krytonsheep]

recruiter is not being fully transparent?

The incorrect SoW, mixed story about the project and no interview, sound a wee bit strange. It'll be interesting to hear what's actually going on once the contract starts.

[zonkkk]

I've had the same sort of issue (estimated effort + start date would take me over the delivery dates). I have raised it with the client and they changed the dates, even though my contract did not specify any penalties if the delivery dates were not met.

If your contract doesn't state penalties for late delivery, just make sure the client acknowledges the dates are rubbish, and you will discuss them after you start.
It may save a couple of weeks it takes to sign these things off in the public sector.

[BlasterBates]

If the dates of the deliverables are before the start date of the contract then they clearly aren't the dates on which delivery is expected. You can easily argue that the delivery dates were verbally agreed as the end of the contract.

[FunkyPigeon]

I have spoken further with the agency this morning and they have told me it that it is new piece of work with a new team that they are putting in from scratch. From my initial conversations last week, I was under the impression that I was going in to do my role within a fully functional team as this work has been ongoing for the past 12 months or so not sure if they are taken over the contract from another supplier.

I have asked further questions around the engagement because the conversations do not align with what was discussed last week, but they agree the deliverable dates should not be in the contract and are going to try to reword it.

When we discussed the work last week it was 77 days for 3-4 months, but the contract end date is until 31st July so roughly 52 days depending on when it starts next week. I have not had to interview for the role and have been selected based on my CV and references.

What does not make sense is if the work does not kick off for another week or so then why there is any reference to these lapsed deliverables dates in the contracts. As it is a high profile piece of work you can work out what the rough deliverable dates are from the news alone and the dates in the contract did match what's in the media so maybe they have missed their initial deadlines and the recruiter is not being fully transparent?

[Eirikur]

What does the contract say what happens if you don't meet the delivery dates?

[GigiBronz]

You are signing a contract that opens you to litigation. Unless it is quite obvious that the timeline can’t be met or they absolve you of the legal responsability I personally would not touch it.
Don’t think your insurance would cover this as well if it comes to it and you mention that you signed with full knowledge it could not be delivered.
It is absurd I am afraid.

[krytonsheep]

Are you working on this project - if not you are merely making assumptions

Yes, I'm making assumptions the SoW is purely box ticking, however I think FunkyPigeon has done the right thing requesting the SoW gets updated. For a public sector client, I may have left discussions around updating the SoW until after starting, if it ever got brought up. At least then it's easier to have conversations about deliverable dates instead of having them pre-set before you've even looked at the project.

[eek]

We're talking about a public sector gig. The SoW is just a box ticking exercise. If it was anything more, they would have at the very least updated the deliverable dates to be after the contract start date.

Are you working on this project - if not you are merely making assumptions

[krytonsheep]

Hey Kryton, it's 2020 on the phone. Can they have their out of date advice back please?

We're talking about a public sector gig. The SoW is just a box ticking exercise. If it was anything more, they would have at the very least updated the deliverable dates to be after the contract start date.

[northernladuk]

As a contractor all you need to do is get your timesheets signed and invoice for the work, the rest will take care of itself.

Hey Kryton, it's 2020 on the phone. Can they have their out of date advice back please?

[Lance]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some advice please.

I have been offered a new short-term contract (until the end of July) with a public sector body on a high profile piece of work which is really exciting but having received the contract the deliverable dates in the SoW have all lapsed.

I have asked the agency to update the contract which were reluctant to as they said the work was agreed with the end client, but my argument is that how can I sign a contract with deliverable dates that I can't meet. They have now said they will speak to the end client in the morning to see if they can update the SoW.

Am I being a pain in the backside or doing the right thing?

Both
It's the right thing, but it will make pain for them. They need to get it right though so you are helping them by being professional.




Ignore this..... It's the reason we have the current problems.

As a contractor all you need to do is get your timesheets signed and invoice for the work, the rest will take care of itself.

A permitetractor only thinks about timesheets and invoices.

[eek]

As a contractor all you need to do is get your timesheets signed and invoice for the work, the rest will take care of itself.

Not if things are based on a statement of work and the deliverables are not delivered on the expected dates

[krytonsheep]

As a contractor all you need to do is get your timesheets signed and invoice for the work, the rest will take care of itself.

[FunkyPigeon]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for some advice please.

I have been offered a new short-term contract (until the end of July) with a public sector body on a high profile piece of work which is really exciting but having received the contract the deliverable dates in the SoW have all lapsed.

I have asked the agency to update the contract which were reluctant to as they said the work was agreed with the end client, but my argument is that how can I sign a contract with deliverable dates that I can't meet. They have now said they will speak to the end client in the morning to see if they can update the SoW.

Am I being a pain in the backside or doing the right thing?