What does FIDIC stand for?

It is the French short name of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers. The World Bank document writes it as Federation Internationale Des Ingenieurs-Conseils.

What is the difference between the FIDIC Red and Yellow Books?

The main difference is who designs. Under the Red Book, the employer designs the works. Under the Yellow Book, the contractor designs them.

Do World Bank tenders always use the Red Book?

No. The Red Book is used in the Bank's Request for Bids for large unit-rate works. The Bank's framework page also lists other documents, such as design and build, EPC/Turnkey and underground works.

Can I get the FIDIC text free from the tender?

Usually not in World Bank tenders. The bidding document refers to the General Conditions without printing them, and says the original must be obtained from FIDIC.

What is the Pink Book?

The MDB Harmonised Edition of the Construction Contract, Version 3, June 2010. FIDIC says it builds standard wording into the General Conditions that development banks had added through Particular Conditions. It is not among the nine contracts in the 2023 World Bank notice.

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Answer · Tender terms explained

What is FIDIC, and why does it matter in a tender?

FIDIC is the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, founded in 1913. It publishes standard construction contracts known by colour, such as the Red, Yellow and Silver Books. It matters because the contract in your tender may be built on one. The World Bank's standard works document uses the 2017 Red Book, reprinted 2022, with amendments.

So FIDIC conditions shape your risk and your price. Facts here were checked in November 2026. The tender's own documents always decide.

Create your workspace Reviewed 01/11/26

Which FIDIC book is which?

The main question is who does the design. FIDIC's own guide, written for its 1999 books, starts there. The editions below come from its bookshop and its 2023 World Bank notice.

Book	Title	Used for	Edition
Red	Construction	Works designed by the employer. Payment by bills of quantities or lump sums.	2nd, 2017, reprinted 2022
Yellow	Plant and Design-Build	Works designed by the contractor. Payment generally by milestones on a lump sum.	2nd, 2017, reprinted 2022
Silver	EPC/Turnkey	Contractor takes total design and construction responsibility, for more price and time certainty.	2nd, 2017, reprinted 2022
Green	Short Form	FIDIC's guide suggests small value, short duration, or simple or repetitive work.

Guide · Development-bank tendersWorld Bank bidding documentsA section-by-section guide to the World Bank Request for Bids for works: ITB and Bid Data Sheet, qualification, ESHS, local labour and FIDIC conditions.Answer · Tender terms explainedPerformance securityA performance security protects the employer if the contractor breaches the contract. World Bank works tenders require it within 28 days of acceptance.Answer · Tender terms explained

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What is FIDIC, and why does it matter in a tender?

Which FIDIC book is which?

Find the risks before you price

Why does FIDIC matter to a bidder?

How do development banks use FIDIC?

What are the Particular Conditions?

What must a bidder read in the Contract Data?

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What is FIDIC, and why does it matter in a tender?

Which FIDIC book is which?

Keep reading

Find the risks before you price

Why does FIDIC matter to a bidder?

How do development banks use FIDIC?

What are the Particular Conditions?

What must a bidder read in the Contract Data?

Where Bidligence fits

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