The Accepted Programme isn't a Gantt chart you submit once.
Under NEC3 ECC3 Clause 31, the programme submitted for acceptance must show — among other things — the order and timing of operations, dates for access and Possession, dates for provision of information by Others, and the float, time risk allowances and Health and Safety requirements.
We see B2–B5 contractors submit a clean Microsoft Project file with bars and dates. No float disclosed. No time risk allowance shown. No access requirements flagged. No information dates programmed.
The Project Manager has two options. Accept it and live with what's in it. Or reject under 31.3 with reasons.
Once a contractor's programme is rejected, they cannot claim under 60.1(2) that the Project Manager didn't give access in time, because they didn't submit access dates. They cannot claim under 60.1(3) for late information, because they didn't programme the information dates. They cannot claim float erosion, because they never disclosed float.
The programme is the contractor's primary claim instrument. Submitted properly, it protects time and cost. Submitted as a Gantt chart, it does neither.
We coach contractors on NEC3 programme submissions and we administer NEC3 contracts for employers.