My contractors claim that they cannot reveal their price agreements with their suppliers

Using CPI and benchmarking the cost of supplies as charged on contractor supplier invoices does not entail revealing the price agreements that contractors have with their suppliers.

It is perfectly right and proper that clients have the ability to independently assess the charges the contractors’ suppliers are charging and the contractors invoice for operational costs that include those charges.

Tip

Ensure that contract with contractor clearly states that supplies will be audited using independent benchmarking by CPI and stipulate agreed tolerance levels with the contractor at the outset of the contract.