---
title: Reason Code Taxonomy — 9 Domains
created: 2026-05-07
type: reference
canonical_source: Airtable `_methodology_Reason_Code_Taxonomy` (`tblt6UKtvUR91yS5u`)
related_skill: lfcs-override-capture
---

# Reason Code Taxonomy

Multi-tag reason codes for `Bid Line Item Overrides.reason_codes`. A single override can tag multiple domains. Per Stage 4 § 1.3.2 + § 3.2.

## 9 domains

### 1. SCOPE-SHIFT
**Definition:** Supply-boundary moved or scope-line shifted between LFCS and head-contractor or by-others.
**Typical stage:** 3 (Scope decomposition) + 5 (BoQ audit)
**Examples:**
- 2629 BW1 blocklayer in→out (CC included LFCS-internal blocklay; Liam excluded as by-others blocklayer scope)
- 2602 props/falsework excluded (Rocky A3 grill answer overrode initial draft including)

### 2. RATE-BASIS
**Definition:** Different basis applied for the rate (Rate Card hourly × productivity vs. actuals × area benchmark vs. external-QS rate).
**Typical stage:** 8 (Rate building)
**Examples:**
- 2629: CC priced at $85/hr Rate Card V1.7 × productivity = $219,800; Hasibul priced at $94.58/m² EC actuals = $264,767. Hasibul's basis won internally.

### 3. PRELIM-VISIBILITY
**Definition:** Preliminaries folded into unit rates vs. shown as separate line items.
**Typical stage:** 8 (Rate building) + 9 (Exclusions)
**Examples:**
- HCB submitted shows $120,793 PRELIMS as discrete section (Mob $11,654 + PM $13,461 + Inductions $3,431 + Telehandler $15,850 + LAFHA $49,984 + Inclement Weather $20,586 + Temp Works $5,827)
- 2629 CC folded prelims into m²/m³ rates

### 4. STRUCTURAL-ADD
**Definition:** Missing element caught and added.
**Typical stage:** 5 (BoQ audit)
**Examples:**
- HCB diaphragm beams ($14,611 across 3 lines: $11,094 formwork + $3,046 reo + $470 concrete) — LFCS noted *"We have added diaphragm beams at the abutment, which is missing from the pricing schedule."*

### 5. STRUCTURAL-DEDUCT
**Definition:** Over-priced element removed or scope tightened.
**Typical stage:** 4 (Temp works pass) + 8 (Rate building)
**Examples:**
- 2602 v2-blind STANDING-SCOPE CORRECTION removed concrete pumps + EWP per LFCS standing FRP scope (-$11,500 direct, -$12,880 lump after prelim+margin removed)
- 2626 rev3→rev4→rev5 progressive tightening (-$8,847 across rev3-5) per Rocky's expanding exclusions list

### 6. POSTURE-MISMATCH
**Definition:** Variation rate-card values diverge from submission rate basis (or other internal-discipline mismatch).
**Typical stage:** 9 (Exclusions/qualifications)
**Examples:**
- 2602 CC variation rate-card shows $98/hr trade vs. $85/hr submission, $108/hr supervisor vs. $95, materials cost+12.5% vs. +10% — despite Pre-Pricing-Grill claim "variation rate basis = submission rate basis (defensible-for-variations)"
- HCB internal: BoQ line 9.2.2 says "Cranage Included" but Assumptions block says "cranage by client" — same kind of mismatch at boilerplate level

### 7. BOILERPLATE-CARRY
**Definition:** A default clause/uplift applied where job attributes don't match.
**Typical stage:** 8 (Rate building) + 9 (Exclusions)
**Examples:**
- 2602 CC v1 applied 5% saltwater consumables uplift on Hammond Canal despite Pre-Pricing-Grill Q-G7 explicitly confirming *"LAKE — not seawater, not tidal."* Boilerplate carry-over from coastal precedent.

### 8. PRODUCTIVITY-CALIBRATION
**Definition:** Productivity assumption adjusted from actuals or scope context.
**Typical stage:** 8 (Rate building)
**Examples:**
- 2629 CC dropped concrete-pour productivity -10% for irregular pentagon + heavy reo + plinth congestion (22 m³/day vs. 25 m³/day baseline)
- 2629 reo install -15% for cogged-edges-everywhere + 5N24/8N20 banded zones
- Hasibul's lightpole footing diary: actual hours ran under projected on cage and formwork; "the more you do together the lower the price" — batch-economy

### 9. LOSS-CATEGORY
**Definition:** Outcome-driven reason captured post-submission.
**Typical stage:** post-10 (Outcome)
**Examples:**
- 2602 Hornsby v1 ($324K, Submitted, outcome unknown) — would tag here when outcome known
- Hornsby execution-loss (delays / groundwork wrong / foreman issues / pulled off site) tags here on Commercial Events row