The C.1 contingency is intended to represent cost uncertainties based on the state of the project design development at the time the CEF Spreadsheet is prepared. The project should be evaluated to determine the level of detail in the available scope definition based on the level of design completion at the time the estimate is prepared.
The percentages reflect the gradual decrease of unknowns as design development progresses. As the engineering design becomes more detailed, the scope of work and the means and methods of construction can be better determined. Therefore, later estimates generally include a smaller contingency for uncertainties.