How are changes made to the construction contract documents after issuance but before bids are due?

Changes to construction contract documents after their issuance and before bids are due are typically made through addenda. An addendum is a formal change or addition to the original contract documents that is issued to clarify, modify, or provide additional information that affects the bidding process. The purpose of an addendum is to ensure that all bidders have the same updated information before submitting their bids, promoting fairness and transparency in the bidding process.

Amendments typically refer to changes made to the executed contract after it has been awarded, not during the bidding phase. Notifications may not provide the detailed information or formal acknowledgment required for changes impacting bids. Updates could imply a more general revision or refreshment of documents, which may lack the specificity and legal acknowledgment that an addendum requires. Therefore, utilizing addenda is the established and effective method for communicating changes in the contract documents to prospective bidders before the submission of bids.