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Cash Flow Glossary Term

Miller Act

A U.S. federal law requiring prime contractors on government projects to post payment bonds protecting subcontractors and suppliers. If unpaid, subs can file a claim directly against the bond. This provides a critical payment remedy when the prime contractor defaults.

Related Terms

Lease Bid

Cash Flow

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.

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.

Backcharge

Cash Flow

A charge issued by an operator or general contractor to a subcontractor for costs incurred due to defective work, delays, or failure to meet contractual obligations.

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.

CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries)

Cash Flow

A centralised system used by operators to consolidate and process contractor timesheets, work records, and billing entries. Subcontractors submit field data through CAPE to trigger payment and compliance verification. Accurate, timely entries are critical to avoiding payment delays.

LEM (Labour, Equipment, Materials)

Cash Flow

A breakdown of costs on a field ticket or invoice, separating charges into labor hours, equipment usage, and materials consumed.

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