BOQ (Bill of Quantities)

A Bill of Quantities (BOQ) breaks a works (construction) project down into individual items — e.g. cubic metres of excavation, square metres of brickwork, running metres of pipe — each with an estimated quantity.

Bidders fill in their own unit rate for every item; multiplying rate by quantity and summing every line gives the bidder's total bid price. A BOQ lets the procuring agency compare bids item-by-item (not just on total price), and it becomes the basis for measuring and paying actual work done as the contract progresses.