FieldNews
Subscribe
Cash Flow Glossary Term

Lease Bid

A formal pricing submission to secure a contract for equipment, vehicles, or workspace on a lease basis. Subcontractors use lease bids to compete for longer-term site access or equipment rental agreements. Winning a lease bid typically locks in your daily or monthly rate for the contract duration.

Related Terms

Net 30/Net 45/Net 60

Cash Flow

Payment terms indicating when payment is due after invoice date. Net 30 means payment within 30 days. Many operators use Net 45 or Net 60, extending subcontractor cash cycles.

Fixed-Price Contract

Cash Flow

A contract where the subcontractor agrees to complete a defined scope of work for a set price regardless of actual labour, equipment, or material costs incurred — meaning cost overruns come directly out of your margin. Unlike time-and-material agreements, these contracts reward efficiency but expose field service companies to significant financial risk if scope creep or unforeseen site conditions arise.

Fuel Cost Escalator

Cash Flow

A contract clause that adjusts your billing rate when diesel or fuel prices shift beyond a set threshold. It protects subcontractors from absorbing sudden fuel cost spikes on long-term or remote field assignments. Negotiate the trigger percentage and index reference before signing.

DSO (Days Sales Outstanding)

Cash Flow

The average number of days it takes to collect payment after a sale. For field service companies, DSO measures how long between completing work and receiving payment. Industry benchmarks range from 30-60 days.

Operating Breakeven

Cash Flow

The minimum revenue a subcontractor must generate to cover all field operating costs without profit or loss. It includes direct costs like labour, fuel, and equipment. Knowing this figure helps crews avoid underpriced bids that drain cash.

Commercial Misalignment

Cash Flow

A disconnect between what a subcontractor quoted and what the client expects to pay for. This often surfaces during invoicing when scope, rates, or billing terms were not clearly agreed upon upfront. It can delay payments and strain relationships with prime contractors.

Stay sharp on field operations

Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe to FieldNews
A community project by Aimsio