Works Contracts - Types 
Lump Sum Contracts: 
- A contract under which the
     contractor engages to carry out a work or effect supply as specified and
     within a given period for a fixed total sum;
 
- His receipt of this sum being
     dependent on his completing the work or supply to specification and time,
     irrespective of the actual quantities and kind of work done or materials
     supplied in achieving his result. 
 
  
- In case of departure from the work
     or supply as specified  - Reduction from the consideration may be
     made at the discretion of the Competent authority for failure on the part
     of the Contractor. 
 
In simple: 
- Fixed Total sum - To be paid to
     the Contractor. 
 - Complete the Work / Supply to the
     specification. 
 - Within a given period.  
 - Not relevant: Actual quantities of
     work or material supplied.   
 - Suitable for Contracts like
     Construction of 100 Nos of Type I Quarters, Replacement of wiring in 200
     Type I Quarters, etc.
 
 
Schedule Contract: 
- It is simplest form of
     Contract 
 
- The contractor engages to carry
     out a work or effect supply as specified and within a given period at
     fixed unit rates or prices for each of the various items comprising such
     work or supply,
 
- the sum he is to receive depending
     on the actual quantities and kinds or work done or materials supplied in
     completing the work or supply to specification and time.  
 
 
- It is not repugnant to the above
     definition to show in such contracts the approximate amount of the
     contract, based on approximate quantities and the fixed unit
     rates.   
 -  
 
In simple: 
- The sum paid to the
     Contractor  - Depends on the actual Quantities of work or material
     supplied 
 - Fixed unit rates or prices for
     each of the various items (Not Total work value)  
 - Within a given period as per
     specifications.  
 - Contract rates and quantity of
     various activities are fixed beforehand at the time of the award the
     Work. 
 - Most commonly used type of
     Contract in Indian Railways.  
 - No lump sum payment is permitted
     except in Earth work. 
 
Piece Work Contracts: 
- A contract under which only unit
     rates or prices for various kinds of work or materials are agreed upon,
 - without reference either to the
     total quantity of work to be done or material supplied; 
 - The Railway may indicate its
     intention as to the maximum value of the orders it is likely to place;
 - but the contractor cannot claim to
     be given an order for more than one unit of work or supply. 
 - After the contract is executed,
     specific orders for work or supply may be placed against it. Maximum value
     of One Work Order is Rs.5 Lakhs 
 - The rate of progress may not be
     specified;
 - but if it is not satisfactory the
     contract can be terminated. 
 
In Simple: 
- Agreed only unit rates or prices
     for various kinds of works / materials 
 - No reference of Total work to be
     done  or  Materials to be supplied. 
 - Railways indicate maximum value of
     work to be executed or material to be supplied. But there is no
     guarantee. 
 - Contractor cannot be claimed to be
     given for more than one order. 
 - After the contract is executed,
     specific orders for work or supply may be placed against it. 
 - Maximum value of One Work Order is
     Rs.5 Lakhs  
 -  Also called Fixed Rate
     Contracts 
 - Generally Time period is One
     year. 
 
  
Example: Zonal
Contracts