Which sequence correctly describes payment applications and approvals under the A201 contract?

• A. The Owner approves after the Contractor submits and Architect certifies; payment is made within the contract time frame.
• B. The Architect approves the payment request and the Owner signs, with payment due after certification.
• C. The Contractor submits, the Architect certifies, and the Owner pays within the time frame specified in the contract.
• D. The Contractor submits, the Owner certifies, and the Architect pays at the end of the period.

Answer: (C)

In this contract flow, the payment process follows a clear three-step order: the contractor submits an application for payment to the architect, the architect certifies the amount due, and the owner pays that certified amount within the time period stated in the contract. This sequence shows who asks for payment, who verifies the amount, and who makes the payment, in that exact order. The best answer matches this flow: the contractor submits, the architect certifies, and the owner pays within the contract timeframe. The other options mix up roles—such as who certifies or who pays—or add steps (like the owner signing or the architect paying) that aren’t part of the standard A201 process.