Policies and Procedures

Commercial Department Policies and Procedures – A 360-Degree Approach

Ensuring Financial, Contractual, and Procurement Compliance for Mega Construction Projects


1. Introduction

The Commercial Department at BEC Arabia plays a critical role in cost control, contract administration, procurement, and financial compliance. Well-defined policies and procedures ensure:

  • Accurate cost estimation and financial planning

  • Full compliance with contract terms and legal requirements

  • Efficient procurement, supplier management, and budget control

  • Effective risk mitigation in financial and commercial transactions

  • Alignment with Saudi regulatory frameworks, FIDIC/NEC contract laws, and Etimad e-Procurement System

A 360-degree approach ensures that all commercial operations are structured, auditable, and aligned with project financial objectives.


2. Cost Estimation and Budgeting Policies

2.1 Project Cost Estimation Policy

  • All project cost estimates must be based on market rates, historical data, and quantity take-offs (QTOs).

  • Estimates must be reviewed and approved by Finance and Senior Management before submission.

  • Cost estimates must comply with FIDIC, NEC, and KSA regulatory standards.

Key Deliverables:

  • Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and Cost Estimation Reports

  • Project Financial Feasibility Studies

  • Budget Approval Documentation

Benchmark: 90% accuracy between estimated and actual project costs.


2.2 Budget Control and Financial Planning

  • All projects must have pre-approved budgets aligned with cost forecasts.

  • Budget variances exceeding 5% require financial re-assessment and approval.

  • Financial risk assessments must be conducted quarterly to avoid cost overruns.

Key Deliverables:

  • Cost Deviation Analysis Reports

  • Budget Forecasting and Risk Mitigation Strategies

  • Quarterly Cost Control Reports

Benchmark: Project budget deviations must remain below 5%.


3. Contract Administration Policies

3.1 Contract Drafting and Approval Procedures

  • All contracts must follow FIDIC and NEC frameworks for risk allocation, payment terms, and dispute resolution.

  • Contracts must include liability clauses, variation management terms, and legal protections.

  • The Legal and Commercial teams must review all contracts before execution.

Key Deliverables:

  • Contract Approval and Risk Assessment Reports

  • Standardized Contract Templates (FIDIC/NEC-Based)

  • Legal Compliance and Contract Review Logs

Benchmark: 100% of contracts must be legally reviewed before approval.


3.2 Change Orders and Variation Procedures

  • Any change orders exceeding 10% of the original contract value must be approved by Senior Management.

  • Variation orders must be justified with cost impact assessments.

  • All contract amendments must be documented in Aconex and approved by clients/consultants.

Key Deliverables:

  • Change Order Justification Reports

  • Contract Variation Logs

  • Client and Consultant Approvals for Variations

Benchmark: Zero unauthorized variation orders exceeding 10% of the contract value.


3.3 Claims and Dispute Resolution Procedures

  • All claims must be processed in compliance with FIDIC dispute resolution guidelines.

  • Legal and Commercial teams must review claims before submission to clients.

  • Dispute settlements must be documented in contract records to prevent financial liabilities.

Key Deliverables:

  • Claims Assessment and Justification Reports

  • Dispute Resolution Case Logs

  • Legal Review and Approval Documents

Benchmark: 95% of claims must be resolved within contractual deadlines.


4. Procurement and Supply Chain Policies

4.1 Procurement Approval and Supplier Management

  • All procurement transactions must comply with BEC Arabia’s financial policies and KSA regulations.

  • Vendors must undergo prequalification and risk assessments before contract approval.

  • High-value procurement transactions require dual-level approvals (Commercial and Finance teams).

Key Deliverables:

  • Supplier Prequalification and Performance Evaluation Reports

  • Procurement Risk Assessment Logs

  • Purchase Order Approval Records

Benchmark: 100% of vendors must pass compliance checks before contract execution.


4.2 Procurement Risk Management and Compliance

  • Ensures all procurements comply with Etimad e-Procurement System requirements for public sector projects.

  • Enforces ethical procurement practices to prevent fraud and financial risks.

  • Tracks procurement cycle times to ensure efficiency and timely material deliveries.

Key Deliverables:

  • Procurement Risk and Compliance Audits

  • Supplier and Subcontractor Performance Reports

  • Procurement Lead Time and Cost Optimization Strategies

Benchmark: Procurement cycle time must be reduced by 15% through efficiency improvements.


5. Payment Processing and Financial Compliance Policies

5.1 Invoice Verification and Payment Processing

  • Payments must only be processed for contractually approved invoices.

  • Payment approvals require financial verification and reconciliation with project budgets.

  • Delayed payments due to disputes must be tracked and resolved within 30 days.

Key Deliverables:

  • Invoice Approval and Reconciliation Reports

  • Payment Processing and Cash Flow Analysis

  • Dispute Resolution and Payment Delay Tracking Logs

Benchmark: 100% of payments must be processed within contractual deadlines.


5.2 VAT Compliance and Taxation Procedures

  • All invoices must be VAT-compliant as per Saudi tax laws (15%).

  • Tax reports must be submitted quarterly for regulatory compliance.

  • Financial audits must be conducted annually to verify tax compliance.

Key Deliverables:

  • VAT-Compliant Invoice Records

  • Quarterly Tax Reporting Documents

  • Audit Reports for Financial Compliance

Benchmark: Zero tax violations or compliance penalties.


6. Digital Compliance and Financial Control Integration

6.1 Digital Financial and Contract Tracking Systems

Technology

Functionality

Application in Commercial Policies

SAP ERP

Cost Tracking, Budget Control

Ensures real-time financial monitoring and compliance

Aconex

Contract Documentation and Compliance

Manages claims, variations, and contract approvals

Primavera P6

Procurement and Cost Forecasting

Aligns procurement and financial scheduling

Power BI Dashboards

Financial Reporting and Risk Analysis

Tracks KPIs for contract performance and cost control

Benchmark: 100% of commercial transactions must be digitally stored for auditability.


7. Conclusion

The Commercial Department at BEC Arabia ensures:

  • Accurate financial planning and budget control for mega construction projects

  • Strict adherence to contract terms, claims management, and dispute resolution policies

  • Efficient procurement and supplier management to optimize costs and reduce financial risks

  • Full compliance with Saudi tax laws, FIDIC frameworks, and financial reporting standards

  • Integration of digital tracking systems for enhanced commercial oversight

By implementing structured policies and procedures, BEC Arabia ensures financial integrity, contract compliance, and cost efficiency in all commercial operations.

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