Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 18 July 2018
on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (revoked)

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Regulation revoked (31.12.2020) by The European Union Budget, and Economic and Monetary Policy (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/484), regs. 1, 2(l); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

PART ONE FINANCIAL REGULATION

TITLE I SUBJECT MATTER, DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Article 1 Subject matter
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Article 2 Definitions
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Article 3 Compliance of secondary legislation with this Regulation
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Article 4 Periods, dates and time limits
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Article 5 Protection of personal data
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TITLE II BUDGET AND BUDGETARY PRINCIPLES

Article 6 Respect for budgetary principles
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CHAPTER 1 Principles of unity and of budgetary accuracy

Article 7 Scope of the budget
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Article 8 Specific rules on the principles of unity and budgetary accuracy
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CHAPTER 2 Principle of annuality

Article 9 Definition
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Article 10 Budgetary accounting for revenue and appropriations
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Article 11 Commitment of appropriations
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Article 12 Cancellation and carry-over of appropriations
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Article 13 Detailed provisions on cancellation and carry-over of appropriations
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Article 14 Decommitments
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Article 15 Making appropriations corresponding to decommitments available again
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Article 16 Rules applicable in the event of late adoption of the budget
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CHAPTER 3 Principle of equilibrium

Article 17 Definition and scope
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Article 18 Balance from financial year
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CHAPTER 4 Principle of unit of account

Article 19 Use of euro
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CHAPTER 5 Principle of universality

Article 20 Scope
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Article 21 Assigned revenue
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Article 22 Structure to accommodate assigned revenue and provision of corresponding appropriations
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Article 23 Contributions from Member States to research programmes
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Article 24 Assigned revenue resulting from the participation of EFTA States in certain Union programmes
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Article 25 Donations
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Article 26 Corporate sponsorship
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Article 27 Rules on deductions and exchange rate adjustments
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CHAPTER 6 Principle of specification

Article 28 General provisions
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Article 29 Transfers by Union institutions other than the Commission
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Article 30 Transfers by the Commission
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Article 31 Transfer proposals submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council by Union institutions
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Article 32 Transfers subject to special provisions
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CHAPTER 7 Principle of sound financial management and performance

Article 33 Performance and principles of economy, efficiency and effectiveness
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Article 34 Evaluations
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Article 35 Compulsory financial statement
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Article 36 Internal control of budget implementation
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CHAPTER 8 Principle of transparency

Article 37 Publication of accounts and budgets
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Article 38 Publication of information on recipients and other information
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TITLE III ESTABLISHMENT AND STRUCTURE OF THE BUDGET

CHAPTER 1 Establishment of the budget

Article 39 Estimates of revenue and expenditure
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Article 40 Estimated budget of the Union bodies referred to in Article 70
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Article 41 Draft budget
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Article 42 Letter of amendment to the draft budget
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Article 43 Obligations of Member States as a result of the adoption of the budget
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Article 44 Draft amending budgets
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Article 45 Early transmission of estimates and draft budgets
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CHAPTER 2 Structure and presentation of the budget

Article 46 Structure of the budget
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Article 47 Budget nomenclature
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Article 48 Negative revenue
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Article 49 Provisions
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Article 50 Negative reserve
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Article 51 Emergency Aid Reserve
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Article 52 Presentation of the budget
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Article 53 Rules on the establishment plans for staff
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CHAPTER 3 Budgetary discipline

Article 54 Compliance with the multiannual financial framework and Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom
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Article 55 Compliance of Union acts with the budget
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TITLE IV BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION

CHAPTER 1 General provisions

Article 56 Budget implementation in accordance with the principle of sound financial management
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Article 57 Information on transfers of personal data for audit purposes
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Article 58 Basic act and exceptions
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Article 59 Budget implementation by Union institutions other than the Commission
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Article 60 Delegation of budget implementation powers
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Article 61 Conflict of interests
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CHAPTER 2 Methods of implementation

Article 62 Methods of budget implementation
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Article 63 Shared management with Member States
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CHAPTER 3 European offices and Union bodies

Section 1 European offices

Article 64 Scope of competences of European offices
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Article 65 Appropriations regarding European offices
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Article 66 Non-obligatory tasks
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Article 67 Accounting records of European offices
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Section 2 Agencies and Union bodies

Article 68 Applicability to the Euratom Supply Agency
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Article 69 Executive agencies
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Article 70 Bodies set up under the TFEU and the Euratom Treaty
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Article 71 Public-private partnership bodies
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CHAPTER 4 Financial actors

Section 1 Principle of segregation of duties

Article 72 Segregation of duties
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Section 2 Authorising officer

Article 73 Authorising officer
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Article 74 Powers and duties of the authorising officer
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Article 75 Keeping of supporting documents by authorising officers
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Article 76 Powers and duties of Heads of Union Delegations
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Section 3 Accounting officer

Article 77 Powers and duties of the accounting officer
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Article 78 Appointment and termination of duties of the accounting officer
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Article 79 Powers which may be delegated by the accounting officer
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Article 80 Accounting rules
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Article 81 Organisation of the accounts
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Article 82 Keeping the accounts
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Article 83 Content and keeping of budget accounts
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Article 84 General accounts
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Article 85 Bank accounts
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Article 86 Treasury management
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Article 87 The inventory of assets
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Section 4 Imprest administrator

Article 88 Imprest accounts
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Article 89 Creation and administration of imprest accounts
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CHAPTER 5 Liability of financial actors

Section 1 General rules

Article 90 Withdrawal of delegation of powers to and suspension of duties of financial actors
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Article 91 Liability of financial actors for illegal activity, fraud or corruption
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Section 2 Rules applicable to authorising officers responsible

Article 92 Rules applicable to authorising officers
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Article 93 Treatment of financial irregularities on the part of a member of staff
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Section 3 Rules applicable to accounting officers and imprest administrators

Article 94 Rules applicable to accounting officers
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Article 95 Rules applicable to imprest administrators
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CHAPTER 6 Revenue operations

Section 1 Making own resources available

Article 96 Own resources
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Section 2 Estimate of amounts receivable

Article 97 Estimate of amounts receivable
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Section 3 Establishment of amounts receivable

Article 98 Establishment of amounts receivable
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Article 99 Default interest
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Section 4 Authorisation of recovery

Article 100 Authorisation of recovery
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Section 5 Recovery

Article 101 Rules on recovery
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Article 102 Recovery by offsetting
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Article 103 Recovery procedure failing voluntary payment
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Article 104 Additional time for payment
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Article 105 Limitation period
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Article 106 National treatment for entitlements of the Union
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Article 107 Fines, other penalties, sanctions and accrued interest imposed by Union institutions
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Article 108 Recovery of fines, other penalties or sanctions imposed by Union institutions
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Article 109 Compensatory interests
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CHAPTER 7 Expenditure operations

Article 110 Financing decisions
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Article 111 Expenditure operations
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Article 112 Types of budgetary commitments
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Article 113 Commitments for EAGF appropriations
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Article 114 Time limits for commitments
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Article 115 Types of payments
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Article 116 Time limits for payments
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CHAPTER 8 Internal auditor

Article 117 Appointment of the internal auditor
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Article 118 Powers and duties of the internal auditor
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Article 119 Work programme of the internal auditor
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Article 120 Independence of the internal auditor
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Article 121 Liability of the internal auditor
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Article 122 Action before the Court of Justice of the European Union
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Article 123 Internal audit progress committees
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TITLE V COMMON RULES

CHAPTER 1 Rules applicable to direct, indirect and shared management

Article 124 Scope
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Article 125 Forms of Union contribution
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Article 126 Cross-reliance on assessments
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Article 127 Cross-reliance on audits
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Article 128 Use of already available information
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Article 129 Cooperation for protection of the financial interests of the Union
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CHAPTER 2 Rules applicable to direct and indirect management

Section 1 Rules on procedures and management

Article 130 Financial framework partnerships
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Article 131 Suspension, termination and reduction
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Article 132 Record-keeping
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Article 133 Adversarial procedure and means of redress
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Article 134 Interest rate rebates and guarantee fee subsidies
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Section 2 Early-detection and exclusion system

Article 135 Protection of the financial interests of the Union by means of detection of risks, exclusion and imposition of financial penalties
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Article 136 Exclusion criteria and decisions on exclusions
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Article 137 Declaration and evidence of absence of an exclusion situation
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Article 138 Financial penalties
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Article 139 Duration of exclusion and limitation period
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Article 140 Publication of exclusion and financial penalties
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Article 141 Rejection from an award procedure
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Article 142 The early-detection and exclusion system
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Article 143 Panel
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Article 144 Functioning of the database for the early-detection and exclusion system
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Article 145 Exception applicable to the Joint Research Centre
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Section 3 IT systems and e-government

Article 146 Electronic management of operations
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Article 147 e-Government
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Article 148 Electronic exchange systems
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Article 149 Submission of application documents
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CHAPTER 3 Rules applicable to direct management

Article 150 Evaluation committee
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Article 151 Clarification and correction of application documents
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Article 152 Guarantees
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Article 153 Guarantee on pre-financing
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TITLE VI INDIRECT MANAGEMENT

Article 154 Indirect management
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Article 155 Implementation of Union funds and budgetary guarantees
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Article 156 Indirect management with international organisations
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Article 157 Indirect management with Member State organisations
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Article 158 Indirect management with third countries
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Article 159 Blending operations
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TITLE VII PROCUREMENT AND CONCESSIONS

CHAPTER 1 Common provisions

Article 160 Principles applicable to contracts and scope
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Article 161 Annex on procurement and delegation of powers
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Article 162 Mixed contracts and common procurement vocabulary
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Article 163 Publicity measures
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Article 164 Procurement procedures
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Article 165 Interinstitutional procurement and joint procurement
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Article 166 Preparation of a procurement procedure
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Article 167 Award of contracts
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Article 168 Submission, electronic communication and evaluation
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Article 169 Contacts during the procurement procedure
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Article 170 Award decision and information to candidates or tenderers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 171 Cancellation of the procurement procedure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 172 Performance and modifications of the contract
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 173 Performance guarantees and retention money guarantees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2 Provisions applicable to contracts awarded by Union institutions on their own account

Article 174 The contracting authority
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 175 Thresholds applicable and standstill period
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 176 Rules on access to procurement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 177 Procurement rules of the World Trade Organisation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 3 Provisions applicable for procurement in the field of external actions

Article 178 External action procurement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 179 Rules on access to procurement in the field of external actions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE VIII GRANTS

CHAPTER 1 Scope and form of grants

Article 180 Scope and form of grants
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 181 Lump sums, unit costs and flat-rate financing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 182 Single lump sums
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 183 Checks and controls on beneficiaries related to lump sums, unit costs and flat rates
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 184 Periodic assessment of lump sums, unit costs or flat-rates
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 185 Usual cost accounting practices of the beneficiary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 186 Eligible costs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 187 Affiliated entities and sole beneficiary
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2 Principles

Article 188 General principles applicable to grants
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 189 Transparency
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 190 Co-financing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 191 Principle of non-cumulative award and prohibition of double funding
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 192 No-profit principle
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 193 Principle of non-retroactivity
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 3 Grant award procedure and grant agreement

Article 194 Content and publication of calls for proposals
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 195 Exceptions to calls for proposals
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 196 Content of grant applications
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 197 Eligibility criteria
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 198 Selection criteria
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 199 Award criteria
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 200 Evaluation procedure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 201 Grant agreement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 4 Implementation of grants

Article 202 Amount of the grant and extension of audit findings
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 203 Supporting documents for payment requests
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 204 Financial support to third parties
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 205 Implementation contracts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE IX PRIZES

Article 206 General rules
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 207 Rules of contest, award and publication
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE X FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, BUDGETARY GUARANTEES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

CHAPTER 1 Common provisions

Article 208 Scope and implementation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 209 Principles and conditions applicable to financial instruments and budgetary guarantees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 210 Financial liability of the Union
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 211 Provisioning of financial liabilities
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 212 Common provisioning fund
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 213 Effective provisioning rate
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 214 Annual reporting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2 Specific provisions

Section 1 Financial instruments

Article 215 Rules and implementation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 216 Financial instruments directly implemented by the Commission
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 217 Treatment of contributions from funds implemented under shared management
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 2 Budgetary guarantees

Article 218 Rules for budgetary guarantees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 219 Implementation of budgetary guarantees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 3 Financial assistance

Article 220 Rules and implementation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE XI CONTRIBUTIONS TO EUROPEAN POLITICAL PARTIES

Article 221 General provisions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 222 Principles
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 223 Budgetary aspects
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 224 Call for contributions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 225 Award procedure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 226 Form of contributions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 227 Guarantees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 228 Use of contributions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 229 Report on the use of the contributions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 230 Amount of the contribution
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 231 Control and penalties
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 232 Record keeping
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 233 Selection of external audit bodies or experts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE XII OTHER BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION INSTRUMENTS

Article 234 Union trust funds for external actions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 235 Implementation of Union trust funds for external actions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 236 Use of budget support
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 237 Remunerated external experts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 238 Non-remunerated experts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 239 Membership fees and other payments of subscriptions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 240 Expenditure on the members and staff of Union institutions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE XIII ANNUAL ACCOUNTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL REPORTING

CHAPTER 1 Annual accounts

Section 1 Accounting framework

Article 241 Structure of the accounts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 242 Supporting documents
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 243 Financial statements
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 2 Budget implementation reports

Article 244 Budget implementation reports
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Section 3 Annual accounts timetable

Article 245 Provisional accounts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 246 Approval of the final consolidated accounts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2 Integrated financial and accountability reporting

Article 247 Integrated financial and accountability reporting
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 3 Budgetary and other financial reporting

Article 248 Monthly reporting on budget implementation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 249 Annual report on budgetary and financial management
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 250 Annual report on financial instruments, budgetary guarantees and financial assistance
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 251 Status report on accounting issues
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 252 Reporting on Union trust funds for external actions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 253 Publication of information on recipients
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE XIV EXTERNAL AUDIT AND DISCHARGE

CHAPTER 1 External audit

Article 254 External audit by the Court of Auditors
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 255 Rules and procedure on the audit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 256 Checks on securities and cash
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 257 Court of Auditors’ right of access
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 258 Annual report of the Court of Auditors
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 259 Special reports of the Court of Auditors
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2 Discharge

Article 260 Timetable of the discharge procedure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 261 The discharge procedure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 262 Follow-up measures
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 263 Specific provisions regarding the EEAS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE XV ADMINISTRATIVE APPROPRIATIONS

Article 264 General provisions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 265 Payments made in advance
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 266 Specific provisions regarding building projects
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 267 Early information procedure and prior approval procedure
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TITLE XVI INFORMATION REQUESTS AND DELEGATED ACTS

Article 268 Information requests by the European Parliament and by the Council
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 269 Exercise of the delegation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART TWO AMENDMENTS TO SECTOR-SPECIFIC RULES

Article 270 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 271 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1301/2013
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 272 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 273 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 274 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 275 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 276 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 223/2014
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Article 277 Amendments to Regulation (EU) No 283/2014
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Article 278 Amendment to Decision No 541/2014/EU
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART THREE FINAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 279 Transitional provisions
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 280 Review
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 281 Repeal
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Article 282 Entry into force and application
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ANNEX I

CHAPTER 1 Common provisions

SECTION 1 Framework contracts and publicity

1. Framework contracts and specific contracts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1. The duration of a framework contract shall not exceed four years, save in exceptional cases duly justified in particular by the subject matter of the framework contract.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2. Where a framework contract is concluded with a single economic operator, the specific contracts shall be awarded within the limits of the terms laid down in the framework contract.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.3. Where a framework contract is to be concluded with several economic operators (‘multiple framework contract’), it may take the form of separate contracts signed in identical terms with each contractor.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.4. A multiple framework contract with reopening of competition shall be concluded with at least three economic operators, provided that there is a sufficient number of admissible tenders as referred to in point 29.3.
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1.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2. The contracting authority may make known its intentions of planned procurement for the financial year through the publication of a prior information notice. It shall cover a period equal to or less than 12 months from the date on which the notice is sent to the Publications Office of the European Union (the Publications Office).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3. The contracting authority shall send to the Publications Office an award notice on the results of the procedure no later than 30 days after the signature of a contract or framework contract with a value equal to or greater than the thresholds referred to in Article 175(1).
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2.4. The contracting authority shall publish an award notice:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.3. Contract award information shall contain the name of the contractor, the amount legally committed and the subject matter of the contract and, in the case of direct contracts and specific contracts, it shall comply with Article 38(3).
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3.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. Publication of notices
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4.2. The Publications Office shall publish the notices referred to in points 2 and 3 in the Official Journal of the European Union no later than:
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4.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5. Other forms of advertising
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SECTION 2 Procurement procedures

6. Minimum number of candidates and arrangements for negotiation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.3. Points 6.1 and 6.2 shall not apply in the following cases:
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6.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.5. During a negotiation, the contracting authority shall ensure equal treatment for all tenderers.
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6.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7. Innovation partnership
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7.1. An innovation partnership shall aim at the development of an innovative product, service or innovative works and the subsequent purchase of the resulting works, supplies or services, provided that they correspond to the performance levels and maximum costs agreed between the contracting authorities and the partners.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7.2. Before launching an innovation partnership, the contracting authority shall consult the market as provided for in point 15 in order to ascertain that the work, supply or service does not exist on the market or as near-to-market development activity.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7.3. In the procurement documents, the contracting authority shall specify the arrangements applicable to intellectual property rights.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8. Design contests
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.1. Design contests shall be subject to the rules on advertising set out in point 2 and may include the award of prizes.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.2. The jury shall be appointed by the authorising officer responsible. It shall be composed exclusively of natural persons who are independent of candidates in the contest. Where a particular professional qualification is required from candidates in a contest, at least one third of the members of the jury shall have the same or an equivalent qualification.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8.3. The proposals of the jury, based on the merits of each project, and its ranking and remarks, shall be recorded in a report signed by its members.
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8.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9. Dynamic purchasing system
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9.3. The contracting authority shall give any economic operator, throughout the period of validity of the dynamic purchasing system, the possibility of requesting to participate in the system. It shall complete its evaluation of such requests within 10 working days of their receipt. That deadline may be prolonged to 15 working days where justified. However, the contracting authority may extend the evaluation period provided that no invitation to tender is issued in the meantime.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9.5. The contracting authority shall indicate the period of validity of the dynamic purchasing system in the contract notice.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10. Competitive dialogue
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10.1. The contracting authority shall specify its needs and requirements, the award criteria and an indicative timeframe in the contract notice or in a descriptive document.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10.2. The contracting authority shall open a dialogue with the candidates satisfying the selection criteria in order to identify and define the means best suited to satisfying its needs. It may discuss all aspects of the procurement with the selected candidates during that dialogue but it cannot alter its needs and requirements and award criteria as provided for in point 10.1.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10.3. The contracting authority shall continue the dialogue until it can identify the solution or solutions which are capable of meeting its needs.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11. Use of a negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11.1. Where the contracting authority uses the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice, it shall comply with the arrangements on negotiation set out in Article 164(4) and in point 6.5.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12. Use of a competitive procedure with negotiation or competitive dialogue
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12.1. When the contracting authority uses the competitive procedure with negotiation or the competitive dialogue, it shall follow the arrangements on negotiation set out in Article 164(4) and in point 6.5. The contracting authority may use those procedures, regardless of the estimated value of the contract, in the following cases:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12.2. A tender shall be considered irregular in any of the following cases:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12.3. A tender shall be considered unacceptable in any of the following cases:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13. Procedure involving a call for expression of interest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13.1. For contracts with a value below the thresholds referred to in Article 175(1) or in Article 178(1), and without prejudice to points 11 and 12, the contracting authority may use a call for expression of interest to do either of the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13.2. The list drawn up following a call for expression of interest shall be valid for not more than four years from the date on which the notice referred to in point 3.1 is published.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13.3. Where a contract is to be awarded, the contracting authority shall invite all candidates or vendors entered on the relevant list or sub-list to do either of the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14. Middle, low and very low value contracts
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

15. Preliminary market consultation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16. Procurement documents
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16.1. The procurement documents shall include the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16.2. The invitation to tender shall:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16.3. The tender specifications shall contain the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16.4. The draft contract shall:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17. Technical specifications
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17.1. Technical specifications shall allow equal access of economic operators to the procurement procedures and not have the effect of creating unjustified obstacles to the opening up of procurement to competition.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17.2. The characteristics referred to in point 17.1 may include as appropriate:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17.3. The technical specifications shall be formulated in any of the following ways:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17.5. Where the contracting authority uses the option provided for in point (b) of point 17.3 to formulate technical specifications in terms of performance or of functional requirements, it shall not reject a tender which complies with a national standard transposing a European standard, a European technical approval, a common technical specifications, an international standard or technical reference systems established by a European standardisation body, if those specifications address the performance or functional requirements which it has laid down.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17.6. Where a contracting authority intends to purchase works, supplies or services with specific environmental, social or other characteristics, it may require a specific label or specific requirements from a label, provided that all of the following conditions are satisfied:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17.7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

17.8. Unless justified by the subject matter of the contract, technical specifications shall not refer to a specific make or source, or a particular process which characterises the products or services provided by a specific economic operator, or to trade marks, patents, types or a specific origin or production with the effect of favouring or eliminating certain products or economic operators.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18. Exclusion and selection criteria
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.1. For the purpose of Article 137, the contracting authority shall accept the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) referred to in Directive 2014/24/EU, or, failing that, a declaration on honour signed and dated.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.2. The contracting authority shall indicate in the procurement documents the selection criteria, the minimum levels of capacity and the evidence required to prove that capacity. All requirements shall be related and proportionate to the subject matter of the contract.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.3. With regard to capacity to pursue the professional activity, the contracting authority may require an economic operator to fulfil at least one of the following conditions:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.4. When receiving requests to participate or tenders, the contracting authority shall accept the ESPD or, failing that, a declaration on honour stating that the candidate or tenderer fulfils the selection criteria. The requirement to submit an ESPD or a declaration on honour may be waived for very low value contracts.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.5. The contracting authority may, depending on its assessment of risks, decide not to require evidence of the legal, regulatory, financial, economic, technical and professional capacity of economic operators in the following cases:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.6. An economic operator may, where appropriate and for a particular contract, rely on the capacities of other entities, regardless of the legal nature of the links which it has with them. It shall in that case prove to the contracting authority that it will have at its disposal the resources necessary for the performance of the contract by producing a commitment by those entities to that effect.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18.7. The contracting authority shall verify whether the entities on whose capacity the economic operator intends to rely and the envisaged subcontractors, when subcontracting represents a significant part of the contract, fulfil the relevant selection criteria.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18.9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19. Economic and financial capacity
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19.1. To ensure that economic operators possess the necessary economic and financial capacity to perform the contract, the contracting authority may require in particular that:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

19.3. The contracting authority shall define in the procurement documents the evidence to be provided by an economic operator to demonstrate its economic and financial capacity. It may request in particular one or more of the following documents:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20. Technical and professional capacity
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

20.2. The contracting authority shall define in the procurement documents the evidence to be provided by an economic operator to demonstrate its technical and professional capacity. It may request one or more of the following documents:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21. Award criteria
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21.2. The contracting authority shall specify in the procurement documents the relative weighting which it gives to each of the criteria chosen to determine the most economically advantageous tender except when using the lowest price method. Those weightings may be expressed as a range with an appropriate maximum spread.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21.4. Life-cycle costing shall cover parts or all of the following costs, to the extent relevant, over the life cycle of works, supplies or services:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

21.5. Where the contracting authority assesses the costs using a life-cycle costing approach, it shall indicate in the procurement documents the data to be provided by the tenderers and the method which it will use to determine the life-cycle costs on the basis of those data.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22. Use of electronic auctions
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22.1. The contracting authority may use electronic auctions, in which new prices, revised downwards, or new values concerning certain elements of tenders are presented.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22.2. In open, restricted or competitive procedures with negotiation, the contracting authority may decide that the award of a public contract is preceded by an electronic auction when the procurement documents can be established with precision.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22.3. The contracting authority which decides to hold an electronic auction shall state that fact in the contract notice.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22.4. All tenderers who have submitted admissible tenders shall be invited simultaneously by electronic means to participate in the electronic auction using the connections in accordance with the instructions. The invitation shall specify the date and time of the start of the electronic auction.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22.5. The invitation shall be accompanied by the outcome of a full evaluation of the relevant tender.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

22.7. The contracting authority shall close an electronic auction in one or more of the following ways:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22.8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23. Abnormally low tenders
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23.1. If, for a given contract, the price or costs proposed in a tender appears to be abnormally low, the contracting authority shall request in writing details of the constituent elements of the price or costs which it considers relevant and shall give the tenderer the opportunity to present its observations.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23.2. The contracting authority shall only reject the tender where the evidence supplied does not satisfactorily account for the low price or costs proposed.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24. Time limits for receipt of tenders and requests to participate
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24.1. The time limits shall be longer than the minimum time limits set out in this point where tenders can only be drawn up after a visit to the site or after an on-the-spot consultation of the documents supporting the procurement documents.
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24.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24.6. In the procedures after a call for expression of interest referred to in point 13.1, the time limit shall be:
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24.7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25. Access to procurement documents and time limit to provide additional information
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25.1. The contracting authority shall offer direct access free of charge by electronic means to the procurement documents from the date of publication of the contract notice or, for the procedures without contract notice or referred to in point 13, from the date of dispatch of the invitation to tender.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25.2. The contracting authority shall provide additional information linked to the procurement documents simultaneously and in writing to all interested economic operators as soon as possible.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

25.3. The contracting authority shall extend the time limit for receipt of tenders where:
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26. Time limits in urgent cases
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26.1. Where duly substantiated urgency renders impracticable the minimum time limits laid down in points 24.2 and 24.3 for open or restricted procedures, the contracting authority may set:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27. Electronic catalogues
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27.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27.2. Where the presentation of tenders in the form of electronic catalogues is accepted or required, the contracting authority shall:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27.3. Where a multiple framework contract has been concluded following the submission of tenders in the form of electronic catalogues, the contracting authority may provide that the reopening of competition for specific contracts takes place on the basis of updated catalogues by using one of the following methods:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27.4. When using the method referred to in point (b) of point 27.3, the contracting authority shall notify contractors of the date and time at which they intend to collect the information needed to constitute tenders adapted to the requirements of the specific contract in question and shall give contractors the possibility to refuse such collection of information.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

28. Opening of tenders and requests to participate
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

28.2. Where the value of a contract is equal to or greater than the thresholds referred to in Article 175(1), the authorising officer responsible shall appoint a committee to open the tenders. The authorising officer may waive that obligation on the basis of a risk analysis when reopening competition within a framework contract and for the cases referred to in the second subparagraph of point 11.1 except points (d) and (g) of that subparagraph.
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28.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

29. Evaluation of tenders and requests to participate
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30. Results of the evaluation and award decision
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30.1. The outcome of the evaluation shall be an evaluation report containing the proposal to award the contract. The evaluation report shall be dated and signed by the person or persons who carried out the evaluation or by the members of the evaluation committee. That report may be signed in an electronic system providing sufficient identification of the signatory.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30.2. The evaluation report shall contain the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30.3. The contracting authority shall take its award decision providing any of the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30.4. The authorising officer may merge the content of the evaluation report and the award decision into a single document and sign it in any of the following cases:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31. Information for candidates and tenderers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31.1. The contracting authority shall inform all candidates or tenderers, simultaneously and individually, by electronic means of decisions reached concerning the outcome of the procedure as soon as possible after any of the following stages:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
31.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31.3. When the contracting authority communicates by electronic means, information shall be deemed to have been received by candidates or tenderers if the contracting authority can prove to have sent it to the electronic address referred to in the tender or in the request to participate.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2 Provisions applicable to contracts awarded by Union institutions on their own account

32. Central purchasing body
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

32.1. A central purchasing body may act as any of the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33. Lots
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33.2. Where the subject matter of a contract is subdivided into several lots, each one being the subject of an individual contract, the total value of all the lots shall be taken into account for the overall evaluation pursuant to the applicable threshold.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34. Arrangements for estimating the value of a contract
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34.1. The contracting authority shall estimate the value of a contract based on the total amount payable, including any form of options and any renewal.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34.2. For framework contracts and dynamic purchasing systems the value to be taken into account shall be the maximum value of all the contracts envisaged during the total duration of the framework contract or dynamic purchasing system.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34.3. For service contracts, account shall be taken of the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34.4. In the case of service contracts which do not specify a total price or of supply contracts for leasing, hire, rental or hire purchase of products, the basis for calculating the estimated contract value shall be:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34.5. In the case of service or supply contracts which are awarded regularly or are to be renewed within a given period, the basis for calculating the estimated contract value shall be any of the following:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34.7. In the case of concession contracts, the value shall be the estimated total turnover of the concessionaire generated over the duration of the contract.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35. Standstill period before signature of the contract
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35.1. The standstill period shall run from either of the following dates:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35.2. The period set out in point 35.1 shall not apply in the following cases:
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CHAPTER 3 Procurement in the field of external actions

36. Special provisions relating to thresholds and the arrangements for awarding contracts in the field of external actions
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37. Advertising
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38. Thresholds and procedures
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38.1. The procurement procedures in the field of external actions shall be as follows:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38.2. The use of procurement procedures according to thresholds shall be as follows:
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38.3. In the restricted procedure referred to in point (a) of point 38.1, the contract notice shall state the number of candidates who will be invited to submit tenders. For service contracts at least four candidates shall be invited. The number of candidates allowed to submit tenders shall be sufficient to ensure genuine competition.
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38.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38.5. Under the simplified procedure referred to in point (d) of point 38.1, the contracting authority shall draw up a list of at least three tenderers of its choice, without publication of a notice.
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38.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39. Use of the negotiated procedure for service, supply and works contracts
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39.1. Contracting authorities may use the negotiated procedure with a single tender in the following cases:
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39.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40. Tender specifications
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41. Time limits for procedures
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41.1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41.4. In open procedures, the time limits for receipt of tenders, running from the date following that on which the contract notice is published, shall be at least:
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41.5. In local open procedures, the time limits for receipt of tenders, running from the date when the contract notice is published, shall be at least:
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41.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ANNEX II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .