Centralised purchasing activities and central purchasing bodies
53.—(1) A utility may acquire supplies and services from a central purchasing body offering the centralised purchasing activity referred to in regulation 2(1).
(2) A utility may acquire works, supplies and services, or any one or more of them, by using—
(a)a contract awarded to the utility by a central purchasing body;
(b)a dynamic purchasing system operated by a central purchasing body; or
(c)a framework agreement concluded by a central purchasing body offering the centralised purchasing activity.
(3) Where a dynamic purchasing system which is operated by a central purchasing body may be used by another utility, this must be mentioned in the call for competition setting up that dynamic purchasing system.
(4) Subject to paragraph (5), where a utility makes an acquisition in accordance with paragraphs (1) or (2), the utility fulfils its obligations under these Regulations in relation to such acquisition.
(5) A utility referred to in paragraph (4) is responsible for fulfilling the obligations imposed by these Regulations in respect of any part of the procedure that the utility conducts itself, such as—
(a)awarding a contract under a dynamic purchasing system which is operated by a central purchasing body;
(b)conducting a reopening of competition under a framework agreement that has been concluded by a central purchasing body.
(6) A procurement conducted by a central purchasing body must be performed using electronic means of communication, in accordance with the requirements set out in regulation 38 (rules applicable to communication).
(7) A utility may, without applying the procedures provided for in these Regulations, award a service contract for the provision of centralised purchasing activities to a central purchasing body.
(8) A service contract referred to in paragraph (7) may also include the provision of an ancillary purchasing activity.
(9) Procurement carried out by a central purchasing body in order to perform a centralised purchasing activity shall be deemed to be procurement for the pursuit of an activity referred to in regulations 8 to 14.