Which Part of Specification Takes Precedence?

A typical specification is broken down into 3 parts:
Part 1 – General
Part 2 – Products
Part 3 – Execution

In a typical specification for sprinkler pipe we often see something like this:
Part 2 - Products
2.2 Steel Pipe and Fittings
Schedule 40 Galvanized and Black steel pipe
Schedule 10 Black steel in pipe NPS 2.5 and larger

Part 3 - Execution
3.12 Piping Schedule
NPS 2 and smaller - Schedule 40 black steel
NPS 2-1/2 and larger - Schedule 40 black steel

When Part 2 and Part 3 of the same spec contradict one another, which part rules?

I know the answer is to write an RFI, but we often don’t get an answer prior to bid time.

Also, what is the thought process of the EOR for providing a spec like this in a bid document to begin with?

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