Puerto Rico has specific contracts and agreements that are designed to govern the relationship between engineers and their clients. These contracts outline the rights, obligations, and terms of the professional engagement, ensuring a clear understanding between both parties involved. The contracts can be categorized into two main types: Public sector contracts and Private sector contracts. 1. Public sector contracts: These contracts are applicable when the engineer is providing services to a government entity or a public agency in Puerto Rico. They often involve projects of public interest, including infrastructure development, public buildings, or transportation systems. The two most common public sector contracts used in Puerto Rico are: a. Professional Services Agreement: This contract is typically used when an engineer is appointed by a government agency for a specific public project. It specifies the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and compensation for the services rendered. It also includes provisions related to quality assurance, project changes, termination, and dispute resolution. b. Construction Management Agreement: In cases where the engineer is responsible for managing the construction process of a public project, a construction management agreement is used. This contract outlines the engineer's roles and responsibilities, the terms of their employment, and the scope of work related to overseeing construction activities. It includes provisions for coordination with contractors, inspections, change orders, and dispute resolution mechanisms. 2. Private sector contracts: These contracts are used when the engineer is engaged by a private client for various engineering services, such as consulting, design, or project management. The most common private sector contracts in Puerto Rico are: a. Engineering Services Agreement: This contract is used when an engineer provides professional services for clients in the private sector. It encompasses a range of services, including feasibility studies, design, technical consulting, and project management. The agreement outlines the scope of work, compensation, project deadlines, intellectual property rights, confidentiality, and provisions for dispute resolution. b. Design-Build Agreement: In certain cases, the engineer may enter into a design-build agreement where they are responsible for both the design and construction of a project for a private client. This contract combines engineering services with construction responsibilities and specifies the terms, obligations, and compensation for both aspects of the project. In conclusion, Puerto Rico has distinct contracts and agreements in place to govern the relationship between engineers and their clients, whether they are working for public agencies or private entities. These contracts ensure clarity, define liability, and establish a framework for successful completion of engineering projects in Puerto Rico.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.