A contract provision allowing the prime contractor or owner to pause work without terminating the agreement. Subcontractors may be entitled to standby rates or cost recovery during the suspension period. Review these clauses carefully, as payout terms and notice requirements vary widely.
Suspension Clause
Related Terms
Blanket Authorization
Cash FlowA standing approval that allows subcontractors to perform recurring work up to a set dollar limit without requiring a new work order each time. It simplifies billing and reduces administrative delays on long-term contracts. Subcontractors should confirm spending thresholds in writing before mobilising crews.
Seasonal Norms
Cash FlowExpected fluctuations in workload, crew demand, and billing cycles tied to specific times of year. In oil & gas and construction, busy seasons drive higher rates and faster payments. Slow seasons often mean delayed invoices, reduced headcount, and tighter cash flow.
Direct Connector
Cash FlowA company that hires subcontractors directly, without a staffing agency or broker in between. This typically means faster payments and clearer communication on scope and rates. Subcontractors often secure better margins by working with direct connectors.
Contingent Payment
Cash FlowPayment tied to a specific condition being met, such as project completion or client approval. Subcontractors must track these triggers carefully to invoice on time. Delayed conditions can create serious cash-flow gaps in the field.
ITC (Investment Tax Credit)
Cash FlowA federal tax incentive that reduces the taxes a subcontractor owes based on eligible capital investments, such as purchasing equipment or machinery. Field service companies can apply ITCs to offset costs on qualifying assets used in operations. This can improve cash flow by lowering overall tax liability at year-end.
Consignment Inventory
Cash FlowMaterials or equipment stored at your job site but owned by the supplier until you use them. You only pay when items are consumed, reducing upfront capital tied up on remote projects. Common for frequently used consumables like fittings, gaskets, and PPE on long-duration field contracts.
Latest Cash Flow News
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BP will give Louisiana an accelerated $350 million payment for Deepwater Horizon claims and resolve remaining parish coastal lawsuits. Here is what coastal civil subcontractors should do this quarter.
5 days agoCash FlowKinder Morgan Lifts Force Majeure, Restores Mexico Gas Flows on Tennessee Gas
Kinder Morgan has resumed US-Mexico gas deliveries on its Tennessee Gas Pipeline and lifted force majeure after repairs. Here is what the restart means for integrity, outage-window and callout crews, and for their cash flow.
16 days agoCash FlowHudson Tunnel Boring Starts on $16B Project Amid Funding Fights
Tunnel boring machines are set to start cutting through 5,100 feet of Palisades rock on the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel project. Subcontractors should weigh payment and federal funding exposure before signing on.
1 month agoCash FlowClaremore Data Center Deal Sends $172M to Oklahoma Schools, County
A Beale Infrastructure data center project near Claremore, Oklahoma will pay $172 million in PILOT funds to local schools and county agencies over 25 years, with Sequoyah Public Schools receiving the largest share at $100 million.
1 month agoRelated Guides
What Happens to Subcontractor Billing When a Project Stalls, Goes Over Budget, or Never Gets Commissioned
You did the work. The project was cancelled, shelved, or never activated. Here is what subcontractors need to know about billing rights, legal remedies, and how to get paid when no one wants to discuss the invoice.
Cash Flow GuidePost-Completion Warranty and Punch Work: Protecting Your Margins After the Job Ends
Warranty walks, punch lists, and post-completion callbacks eat into subcontractor margins. Learn how MSA warranty clauses work, when you can push back on mobilization costs, and how to document your way out of disputes.
Cash Flow GuideMechanic's Lien Rights for Subcontractors: What to Do When You're Not Getting Paid
A practical guide to mechanic's lien and materialman's lien rights for oilfield and construction subcontractors in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alberta — deadlines, filing steps, and leverage tactics.
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