During which phase of a project must the Contractor provide the Subcontractor Agreement to avoid refusal to sign?

The correct phase during which the Contractor should provide the Subcontractor Agreement is the Bidding Phase. This is because the Bidding Phase involves the process of soliciting bids from various subcontractors to determine who will be awarded specific work within the project. Providing a Subcontractor Agreement at this stage is crucial, as it sets clear expectations regarding terms, conditions, and scope of work, giving subcontractors the necessary information to prepare accurate and relevant bids.

When subcontractors understand the contractual conditions upfront, they are more likely to participate in the bidding process, reducing the chances of disagreements later. If this agreement is not provided during the Bidding Phase, subcontractors might decline to sign the agreement later, feeling uncertain about their obligations and rights based on the bid they submitted.

In contrast, during the Design Phase, the focus is on project plans and specifications rather than subcontractor agreements. The Execution Phase primarily involves the actual work on-site, while the Completion Phase deals with finalizing and closing out the project. At these stages, providing an agreement may not address the critical need for early clarity and engagement during the bidding process.