PARTNERING, COMMUNICATIONS AND COOPERATION. In recognition of the fact that conflicts, disagreements and disputes often arise during the performance of construction contracts, the Contractor and the Principal Representative aspire to encourage a relationship of open communication and cooperation between the employees and personnel of both, in which the objectives of the Contract may be better achieved and issues resolved in a more fully informed atmosphere. The Contractor and the Principal Representative each agree to assign an individual who shall be fully authorized to negotiate and implement a voluntary partnering plan for the purpose of facilitating open communications between them. Within thirty days (30) of the Notice to Proceed, the assigned individuals shall meet to discuss development of an informal agreement to accomplish these goals. The assigned individuals shall endeavor to reach an informal agreement, but shall have no such obligation. Any plans these parties voluntarily agree to implement shall result in no change to the contract amount, and no costs associated with such plan or its development shall be recoverable under any contract clause. In addition, no plan developed to facilitate open communication and cooperation shall alter, amend or waive any of the rights or duties of either party under the Contract unless and except by written Amendment to the Contract, nor shall anything in this clause or any subsequently developed partnering plan be deemed to create fiduciary duties between the parties unless expressly agreed in a written Amendment to the Contract. It is also recognized that projects with relatively low contract values may not justify the expense or special efforts required. In the case of small projects with an initial Contract value under $500,000, the requirements of the preceding paragraph shall not apply.
