XL EagleNotice to Proceed (Notice to Proceed (NTP))
Notice to Proceed stands for Notice to Proceed (NTP). A notice to proceed, or NTP, is the written direction from the contracting officer telling the contractor to start work. It is most common in construction, where the contract often says work must begin within a set number of days after receiving the NTP and be finished within a set number of days after that.
The government may hold the NTP until required items are in place, such as performance and payment bonds, insurance certificates, safety plans or submittals. Some contracts also use an NTP to start a phase or an option.
Why it matters to a small contractor
The NTP date usually starts your clock. Know exactly how many days you have, and plan material orders and crews around it. Get your bonds, insurance and paperwork in early so the NTP is not delayed on your end.
Example
A contractor wins a sidewalk repair project with 60 calendar days to complete after NTP. The NTP arrives on May 1, so it schedules the work to finish well before June 30, leaving buffer for rain.
Notice to Proceed: common questions
Can I start before the NTP?
Generally no. Work started before the NTP may not be covered, and you could take on risk without being paid.
What if the government delays the NTP?
Long delays can affect your costs. Talk with the contracting officer and keep records, since the contract may allow an adjustment in some situations.
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