Which document comes first in the governing order of documents?

Which document comes first in the governing order of documents?

• A. Plans (including revisions)
• B. Special Provisions
• C. Supplemental Specifications
• D. Design Standards

Answer: (B)

Mastering how contract documents interact hinges on precedence. Special Provisions are project-specific changes that tailor the contract to this particular job, outlining exact requirements, exceptions, and conditions for execution. Because they modify and override the standard plans, specifications, and design guidelines for this project, they take priority. If a detail in the plans or in the design standards contradicts what the Special Provisions require, the Special Provisions govern the work. After them, you reference the plans for drawings, the supplemental specifications for added or modified standard specs, and the design standards for general guidelines. So the document that governs first is the Special Provisions.

Mastering how contract documents interact hinges on precedence. Special Provisions are project-specific changes that tailor the contract to this particular job, outlining exact requirements, exceptions, and conditions for execution. Because they modify and override the standard plans, specifications, and design guidelines for this project, they take priority. If a detail in the plans or in the design standards contradicts what the Special Provisions require, the Special Provisions govern the work. After them, you reference the plans for drawings, the supplemental specifications for added or modified standard specs, and the design standards for general guidelines. So the document that governs first is the Special Provisions.