Kosovo Law on public procurement in kosovo 2003

The Assembly of Kosovo,

Taking into account United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Regulation No. 1999/1 of 25 July 1999, “On the Authority of the Interim Administration in Kosovo,” as amended; UNMIK Regulation No. 1999/24 of 12 December 1999, “On the Law Applicable in Kosovo,” as amended; UNMIK Regulation No. 2001/9 of 15 May 2001, “On a Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government in Kosovo,” especially Sections 5.1(b), 5.7, 9.1.1, 9.1.26(a), 9.3.3 and 11.2 thereof; and UNMIK Regulation 2001/19 of 13 September 2001, “On the Executive Branch of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo,” especially Sections 1.6 and 1.7 thereof and point (ix) of Annex II and point (vi) of Annex IX thereto; and

Recognizing the need to bring procurement activities in Kosovo generally into compliance with European Union requirements and internationally recognized best standards and practices;

Hereby adopts the following,

TITLE I  GENERAL MATTERS

Chapter 1

Purpose, Scope, Exemptions, Definitions

Section 1  Purpose Section 2  Scope Section 3  Exemptions Section 4  Definitions

Chapter 2 General Principles

Section 5  Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency Section 6  Equality of Treatment/Non-Discrimination

Chapter 3 General Requirements

Section 7  Procurement Forecast Section 8  Determination of Needs to Be Satisfied Section 9  Transparency Section 10 Confidential Business Information Section 11 Currency and Payment Section 12 Languages Section 13 Grantees of Special or Exclusive Rights

Chapter 4 Rules for Valuing and Classifying Public Contracts and Design  Contests

Section 14 Classifying Mixed Contracts Section 15 Calculating the Estimated Value of a Supply Contract Section 16 Calculating the Estimated Value of a Service Contract Section 17 Calculating the Estimated Value of a Works Contract Section 18 Classifying a Public Contract by Estimated Value Section 19 Classifying a Design Contest by Estimated Value

Chapter 5 Authority to Initiate a Procurement Activity and to Sign a Public Contract

Section 20 Initiation of a Procurement Activity Section 21 Contracting Authorities to Establish Procurement Departments Section 22 Procurement Officers to Conduct Procurement Activities Section 23 Training of Procurement Officers Section 24 Signing of Public Contracts Section 25 Review of Contract Award Section 26 Contract Award Committees TITLE II  RULES GOVERNING PUBLIC CONTRACTS

Chapter 1 Rules Governing Technical Specifications and Tender Dossiers

Section 27 General Provisions Section 28 Technical Specifications Section 29 Variants of Technical Specifications Chapter 2 Types and Applicability of Procurement Procedures

Section 30 Open Procedures Section 31 General Restricted Procedures Section 32 Special Restricted Procedures Section 33 Negotiated Procedures After the Publication of a Contract Notice Section 34 Negotiated Procedures Without the Publication of a Contract Notice Section 35 Price Quotation Procedures Section 36 Procedures for Minimal Value Contracts Chapter 3 Rules on Advertising and Transparency

Section 37 Indicative Notice Section 38 Contract Notice Section 39 Contract Award Notice Section 40 Publication of Notices Section 41 Form and Content of Notices Section 42 General Rules for Setting a Time Limit for the Receipt of Requests to Participate or Tender Section 43 Special Rules for Setting a Time Limit for the Receipt of Tenders for a Public Contract Covered by an Indicative Notice Section 44  Special Rules Permitting Reduction of time Limit Section 45 Commencement of Time Limits Section 46 Delivery of Tender Dossiers Section 47 Means of Transmission of Requests to Participate Section 48 Dispatch and Content of Invitations Section 49 Notification of Qualification Requirements and Criteria Section 50 Notification of Contract Award Criteria Section 51 Providing Additional Information to Candidates and Tenderers Section 52 Notification to Eliminated Candidates and Tenderers Section 53 Means of Communication

Chapter 4 Conduct of Procurement Procedures

Section 54 General Provisions on the Selection of Participants and the Award of    Contracts Section 55 Tender Security Section 56 Opening of Tenders Section 57 Examination, Evaluation and Comparison of Tenders Section 58 Contract Award Criteria Section 59 Abnormally Low Tenders Section 60 Performance Security

Chapter 5 Eligibility Requirements Section 61 Eligibility of the Candidate or Tenderer Section 62 Professional Suitability Section 63 Economical and Financial Standing Section 64 Technical and/or Professional Capability Section 65 Quality Assurance Standards Section 66 Groups of Economic Operators

TITLE III  RULES GOVERNING DESIGN CONTESTS Section 67 General Provisions Section 68 Scope Section 69 Design Contest Notices Section 70 Design Contest Results Notice Section 71 Publication of Design Contest Notices Section 72 Form and Content of Design Contest Notices Section 73 Means of Communication Section 74 Composition and Decisions of the Jury

TITLE IV  ADDITIONAL RULES ON WORKS CONCESSION CONTRACTS

Chapter 1 Rules Governing the Award of a Works Concession Contract by a Contracting Authority

Section 75 Applicability of the Rules Governing the Award of Works Contracts Section 76 Subcontracting Section 77 Compulsory Stipulation

Chapter 2 Rules on Contracts Awarded by Concessionaires

Section 78  Rules Applicable when the Works Concessionaire is a Contracting Authority Section 79 Rules Applicable when the Works Concessionaire is not a  Contracting Authority Section 80 Contracts with Related Undertakings

TITLE V PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATORY COMMISSION

Section 81 Establishment of the Public Procurement Regulatory  Commission Section 82 Enforcement of the Present Law Section 83 Monitoring and Investigative Functions Section 84 Implementation of Procurement Review Procedures Section 85 Other Functions of the PPRC Section 86 Appointment of Members Section 87 Organization and Voting of the PPRC Section 88 Confidentiality Section 89 Removal and Suspension of Members

TITLE VI  PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AGENCY

Section 90  Establishment of Public Procurement Agency Section 91  Procurement Activities of the PPA Section 92  Maintenance of a Public Procurement Register Section 93  Other Functions of the PPA TITLE VII  PUBLIC PROCUREMENT RULES COMMITTEE

Section 94  Establishment of the Public Procurement Rules Committee Section 95  Development and Adoption of the Public Procurement Rules Section 96  Appointment of Members Section 97  Chairman of the Public Procurement Rules Committee Section 98  Organization and Work of the Public Procurement Rules Committee

TITLE VIII  PROCUREMENT REVIEW PROCEDURES

Chapter 1 General Provisions Section 99  Scope Section 100 Basic Principles

Chapter 2 Review Panels Section 101  Establishment of Review Panels by the PPRC Section 102  Composition of Review Panels Section 103  Rules of Procedure for Review Panels Section 104  Confidentiality

Chapter 3 Invitation and Initial Conduct of Review Proceedings

Section 105 Time Limits for Submission of Complaint Section 106  Filling and Basic Content of Complaint Section 107  Automatic Suspension of Procurement Activity Section 108  Engagement of Review Expert Section 109  Responsibilities of the Review Expert and the Contracting Authority Section 110  Decision of the Contracting Authority

Chapter 4 Proceedings Before a Review Panel

Section 111 Competence and Responsibility of the Review Panel Section 112 Decision-Making Deadline Section 113 Security, Penalties and Damages Section 114 Actions in the Courts

Chapter 5 Reporting

Section 115 Reporting to the Assembly Section 116 Conveying Information

TITLE IX  REMEDIAL AND PENALTY PROVISIONS AND FINAL MATTERS

Chapter 1 Violation and Penalties Section 117 Illicit Influence Section 118 Violations by a Contracting Authority Section 119 Procurements Concluded in Violation of the Present Law

Chapter 2 Final Provisions

Section 120 Abrogation of the previous Legislation Section 121 Entry into Force

TITLE I GENERAL MATTERS

Chapter 1 Purpose, Scope, Exemptions, Definitions

Section 1 Purpose

1.1   The purpose of the present law is to ensure the most efficient, cost-effective, transparent and fair use of public funds and public resources in Kosovo by establishing the requirements and rules that shall be observed, the procedures that shall be followed, the rights that shall be respected, and the obligations that shall be performed, by persons, economic operators, undertakings, contracting authorities, works concessionaires, and public bodies conducting, or involved, participating or interested in, a procurement activity involving or relating to the use of such funds and/or resources.

1.2   The present law also aims to ensure the integrity and accountability of public officials, civil servants and other persons conducting or involved in a procurement activity by requiring that the decisions of such individuals, and the legal and factual bases for such decisions, are free of any personal interest, are characterized by non-discrimination and a high degree of transparency, and are in compliance with the procedural and substantive requirements of the present law.

1.3   Finally, the present law is intended to promote the establishment of an institutional culture of unbiased, ethical and materially disinterested professionalism among all public officials, civil servants and other persons conducting or involved in a procurement activity by requiring such individuals to conduct themselves in a manner that is informed solely by the objective of achieving the most efficient, cost-effective, transparent and fair use of public funds and public resources while strictly complying with the procedural and substantive requirements of the present law. . Section 2 Scope

2.1   The present law shall apply to the procurement activities of contracting authorities and works concessionaires, as those terms are defined herein. Such authorities and concessionaires are required, in the conduct of their procurement activities, to observe and comply with the applicable procedural and substantive requirements of the present law. . 2.2   The present law also applies to all persons, economic operators, undertakings, as those terms are defined herein, involved, participating or interested, directly or indirectly, in a procurement activity covered by the present law; such persons, operators, undertakings are also required to observe and comply with the applicable procedural and substantive requirements of the present law.

Section 3 Exemptions

3.1   Notwithstanding any other provision of the present law, a contracting authority shall not be required to use or comply with any specific procurement procedure nor to observe the provisions of the present law on transparency to the extent that such compliance and/or observance would compromise legitimate secrecy or security concerns when conducting procurement activities leading to the award of a public contract that the SRSG and the Prime Minister have agreed to exempt from the application of the present law because (i) the performance of such contract requires, under the law applicable in Kosovo, the use of special security measures, or (ii) the SRSG and the Prime Minister have agreed to classify the subject matter of such contract as secret. Without prejudice to the powers of the SRSG  in respect of reserved responsibilities, exemptions under this section in respect of reserved matters shall be granted in conformity with the principle  set out in section 4.2 of the Law on Access to Official documents as promulgated by UNMIK- Regulation No.2003/32.

3.2   The present law shall not apply to procurement activities leading to the award of a public contract falling within the scope of an agreement providing for the application of other procurement rules and/or procedures where (i) such agreement makes the availability of financing for the concerned contract conditional on the application of such other rules and/or procedures, and (ii) such agreement has been entered into between UNMIK or the Government and an intergovernmental, bilateral, multilateral or international financing institution. 3.3   The present law shall not apply to a procurement activity leading to the award of employment or an employment contract if such procurement activity is subject to other rules established by another law or an UNMIK regulation.

3.4   The present law shall not apply to a socially owned enterprise under the administration of the Kosovo Trust Agency if such enterprise does not receive public funds and does not engage, on the basis of special or exclusive rights granted by a competent public authority, in a public service activity.

Section 4 Definitions

4.1   Whenever used in the present law, each of the following terms shall have the indicated meaning unless the context within which such term appears clearly intends another meaning.

“Authorizing Officer” shall mean, with respect to a contracting authority that is a public authority, (i) the highest ranking civil servant in such public authority, or (ii) if no employee of such public authority has the status of a civil servant, the highest ranking employee in such public authority whose employment is not the result of a political appointment. “Authorizing Officer” shall mean, with respect to a contracting authority that is not a public authority, the highest ranking person in charge of the day-to-day management of such contracting authority.

“Body governed by public law" means a person, undertaking or body that (i) has been established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest that do not have an industrial or commercial character, and (ii) meets any of the following three criteria: (a) it receives 50% or more of its financing from public funds and/or one or more public authorities and/or other bodies governed by public law, (b) it is subject to management supervision by one or more public authorities and/or bodies governed by public law, or (c) it has an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, 50% or more of the votes of which are exercisable by  members  appointed by one or more public authorities and/or bodies governed by public law.

“Candidate” means an economic operator that has sought an invitation or has been invited to take part in a procurement activity that is being conducted with restricted or negotiated procedures or price quotation procedures.

“Commodities” means all products that are highly fungible and the prices for which are quoted in an established commodities market.

“Common technical specification” shall mean a technical specification drawn up in accordance with a procedure recognized by the Member States of the EU with a view to uniform application in all such Member States and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

“Common use items” means products or services required by more than one contracting authority and for which a more cost-effective or efficient use of public funds may be achieved through the conduct of a central, common or consolidated procurement.

“Complainant” shall mean an interested party who is filing or has filed a complaint in accordance with the provisions of Section 106 of the present law.

“Confidential business information” means information described in Section 10.1 or 10.2 of the present law.

“Contracting authority” means a public authority, public service operator, public undertaking and/or any person, committee or undertaking carrying out a procurement activity on behalf of or for the benefit of a public authority, public service operator or public undertaking.

“Date of publication” shall mean (i) with respect to an indicative notice or a contract notice, the date on which such notice is first published in accordance with Section 40.3, and (ii) with respect to a contract award notice, the date on which it has been dispatched to concerned economic operators in accordance with Section 40.4.

"Design contest" means a procurement procedure having the objective of enabling a contracting authority to acquire, mainly in the fields of area planning, town planning, architecture, engineering, data processing, and the design of works of art, a plan or design selected by a jury after being put out to competition with or without the award of prizes.

“Dominant influence” means, but is not limited to, a situation where a contracting authority or an undertaking, directly or indirectly, holds a majority of an undertaking's subscribed capital, controls a majority of the votes attaching to shares issued by such undertaking, or can appoint more than half of such undertaking's administrative, management or supervisory body.

“Economic operator” is a general term meaning and covering a supplier, service provider and/or a works contractor. “Electronic means” means the use of electronic equipment for the processing (including digital compression) and storage of data transmitted, conveyed and received by wire, by radio, by optical means or by other electromagnetic means.

“European specification” shall mean a common technical specification, a European technical approval or a national standard implementing a European standard. “European standard” shall mean a standard approved (i) by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) or by the European Committee for Electro technical Standardization (Cenelec) as a “European Standard” (EN) or “Harmonization Document” (HD), according to the common rules of those organizations, or (ii) by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) according to its own rules as a “European Telecommunications Standard” (ETS).

“European technical approval” shall mean a favorable technical assessment issued by an approval body of an EU Member State on the fitness for use of a product for a particular purpose, based on fulfillment of the essential requirements for building works, by means of the inherent characteristics of the product and the defined conditions of application and use, as provided for in Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products.

“Government” means the Government established pursuant to Sections 1.5(c) and 9.3 et seq. of UNMIK Regulation 2001/9 “On a Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government in Kosovo” and any successor government or central executive authority.

“Immovable Property Contract” means a contract for pecuniary interest concluded between a contracting authority and any person, undertaking or contracting authority that relates exclusively to the acquisition of immovable property or an interest in immovable property.

“Interested party” shall mean a person who, or an undertaking that, has or had a specific material interest in the outcome of a procurement activity conducted by a contracting authority and relating to a specific public contract or design contest.

“Large value contract” means a public contract falling within the Scope of Section 18.1 of the present law.

“Large value design contest” means a design contest falling within the scope of Section 19.1 of the present law.

“Low value contract” means a public contract falling within the scope of Section 18.3 of the present law.

“Low value design contest” means a design contest falling within the scope of Section 19.3 of the present law.

“Medium value contract” means a public contract falling within the Scope of Section 18.2 of the present law.

“Medium value design contest” means a design contest falling within the scope of Section 19.2 of the present law.

“Minimal value contract” means a public contract falling within the scope of Section 18.4 “Negotiated procedures" means procurement procedures allowing a contracting authority to invite and consult with the economic operators of its choice and to negotiate the terms of contract with one or more of these.

“Open procedures” means procurement procedures allowing for any interested economic operator to submit a tender.

“Person” means a natural person or an undertaking or organization having separate legal personality.

“PPA” –means the Public Procurement Agency within the Government of Kosovo, specially referred to section VI of this Law

“PPRC” means the Public Procurement Regulatory Commission established pursuant to Title V of the present law.

“Present law” means the present law and the subsidiary normative acts and instruments issued in furtherance of or under the authority of the present law, including the public procurement rules and code of ethics issued pursuant to or under the authority of the present law.

“Procurement activity” means any activity connected with the initiation or conduct of a procedure or other activity that leads to or is intended to lead to the award of a public contract.

“Public authority” means any of the following: (i) a central, regional, municipal or local executive authority, public body, ministry, department, agency, or other authority that exercises, pursuant to any normative or sub-normative act, executive, legislative, regulatory, public-administrative or judicial powers; (ii) a body governed by public law; and (iii) an association of one or more of such authorities and/or bodies.

“Public contract” is a general term covering any and all of the following specific types of contract entered into by a contracting authority: (i) a service contract, (ii) a supply contract, (iii) a works contract, including a works concession contract, and/or (iv) an immovable property contract.

“Public funds” means (i) money or financial assets in the custody or under the control of any public authority, including money that is held by a public authority for the benefit of a person, body, organization or undertaking other than a public authority; (ii) money or financial assets in the custody or under the control of any person, body, organization or undertaking maintaining such custody or exercising such control for or on behalf of a public authority and (iii) any money or financial assets provided or appropriated, directly or indirectly, to any contracting authority or undertaking under the Kosovo Consolidated Budget or from the Kosovo Consolidated Fund.

“Public Procurement Register” means the register established pursuant to Section 88 of the present law.

“Public procurement rules” means the instructions, rules, documents, code of ethics, and standardized forms adopted by the Rules Committee in accordance with Title VII of the present law.

“Public service activity” means an activity involving (i) the provision or operation of a fixed physical network intended to provide a service to the public in connection with, inter alia, the production, transport, distribution or treatment of water, electricity, gas or heat, (ii) the supply of water, electricity, gas or heat to such a network, (iii) the exploitation of a geographical area for the purpose of exploring for or extracting oil, gas, coal or other solid fuels, (iv) the provision of airport or other terminal facilities, (v) the provision or operation of a public telecommunications network or the provision of one or more public telecommunications or postal services, (vi) the collection or management of waste, or (vii) the operation of a network providing a transport service to the public involving the use of rail, bus, tramway, trolley bus, cable or automated systems; such a network shall exist where such a transport service is provided under operating conditions established by a competent public authority, such as conditions on the routes to be served, the capacity to be made available or the frequency of the service.

“Public service operator” means: (i) a public authority or a public undertaking engaged in a public service activity, and (ii) a person, undertaking, body or organization that is neither a public authority nor a public undertaking and that is engaged, on the basis of special or exclusive rights granted by a competent public authority, in a public service activity.

"Public undertaking” means any undertaking over which one or more public authorities may exercise, directly or indirectly, a dominant influence by virtue of the ownership of such undertaking, financial participation in such undertaking and/or the rules governing such undertaking.

“Related undertaking” means any undertaking (i) over which a works concessionaire may exercise, directly or indirectly, a dominant influence, (ii) that may exercise a dominant influence over the concerned works concessionaire, or (iii) that, in common with the concerned works concessionaire, is subject to the dominant influence of another undertaking by virtue of ownership, financial participation, or the rules that govern it.

"Restricted procedures" means procurement procedures allowing for only those economic operators invited by a contracting authority to submit a tender and refers to both general and special restricted procedures.

"Review panel" means a review panel established by the PPRC pursuant to Title VIII of the present law.

“Rules Committee” means the Public Procurement Rules Committee established pursuant to Title VII of the present law.

“SPAC” means the Senior Public Appointments Committee established pursuant to UNMIK Regulation No. 2001/36, “On the Kosovo Civil Service.”

"Service contract” means a contract for pecuniary interest concluded between a contracting authority and one or more service providers that relates exclusively or mainly to the provision of services.

“Service provider” means any person, undertaking or public body, or group of such persons, undertakings and/or bodies that provides and/or offers to provide services.

“Special or exclusive rights” means rights that arise from a grant or authorization made by a competent public authority pursuant to any legislative, regulatory or administrative provision that (i) has the effect of limiting to one or more entities the right or ability to engage in certain activities, and (ii) substantially affects the right or ability of other persons, undertakings, bodies or organizations to carry out such activity on the same territory under substantially equivalent conditions.

“Supplier" means any person, undertaking or public body, or group of such persons, undertakings and/or bodies that provides and/or offers to supply products.

“Supply contract" means a contract for pecuniary interest concluded between a contracting authority and one or more suppliers that relates exclusively or mainly to the purchase, lease, rental or hire-purchase, with or without option to buy, of one or more products; “products” shall be interpreted broadly to include one or more items of tangible movable property, including - but not limited to - commodities, goods, manufactures, raw materials, and equipment.

“Standard” shall mean a technical specification approved by a recognized standardizing body for repeated or continuous application, compliance with which is generally not mandatory.

“Technical specifications” shall mean technical requirements defining the characteristics of a set of works, material, product, supply or service, and enabling a piece of work, a material, a product, a supply or a service to be objectively described in a manner such that it fulfils the use for which it is intended by the contracting authority. Technical specifications may include quality, performance, safety or dimensions, as well as requirements applicable to the material, product, supply or service as regards quality assurance, terminology, symbols, testing and test methods, packaging, marking or labeling. In the case of works contracts, they may also include rules for the design and costing, the test, inspection and acceptance conditions for works and techniques or methods of construction and all other technical conditions which the contracting authority is in a position to prescribe under general or specific regulations, in relation to the finished works and to the materials or parts which they involve.

“Tender” means a document submitted to a contracting authority by an economic operator setting forth the terms of the economic operator’s offer in response to a specific contract notice, invitation to tender or other solicitation issued or made by such contracting authority. The term “tender” shall include, but not be limited to, a proposal or price quotation.

“Tenderer” means an economic operator that has submitted a tender.

“Tender dossier” has the meaning specified in Section 27.

“Undertaking” means any enterprise (including a personal business enterprise), partnership, joint venture, legal entity, association, project, branch, office, or other organization or establishment.

“Violation” means a failure to comply with one or more provisions of the present law.

“A work” means the outcome of construction or civil engineering works or activities that, taken as a whole, is sufficient to fulfill an economic or technical function.

“Works concessionaire” means (i) a person, undertaking or contracting authority that has received a works concession contract from a contracting authority, and/or (i) any person, undertaking or contracting authority carrying out procurement activities on behalf of or for the benefit of such a person, undertaking or contracting authority. “Works concession contract” means a works contract the performance of which is compensated, in whole or in part, by a grant of a right to exploit the object of such contract.

"Works contract" means a contract for pecuniary interest concluded between a contracting authority and one or more works contractors that has as its principal object the execution, design and execution, or realization, by whatever means, of a work or construction or civil engineering activities, i.e. activities that are directly involved in the construction, restoration, repairing or demolition of buildings, facilities, civil engineering structures, other structures, or any part(s) thereof.

“Works contractor” means any person, undertaking or contracting authority, or group of such persons, undertakings and/or authorities, offering to execute, design and execute, or realize, by whatever means, a work or construction or civil engineering activities, i.e. activities that are directly involved in the construction, restoration, repairing or demolition of buildings, facilities, civil engineering structures, other structures, or any part(s) thereof.

"Writing" means any expression consisting of words and/or figures that can be read, reproduced and subsequently communicated. It may include information transmitted and stored by electronic means.

4.2   A person or undertaking that intends to award a contract to another person or undertaking shall, if 50% or more of the estimated value of such contract is either subsidized directly by a contracting authority or otherwise financed with public funds, be deemed to be a “contracting authority” within the meaning of the present law with respect to any procurement activities connected with the award of such contract. Such a person or undertaking shall therefore conduct such procurement activities in strict compliance with the applicable procedural and substantive requirements of the present law.

4.3   More detailed definitions of the terms used in the present law, as well as definitions of other terms, may be established by or set forth in the public procurement rules; provided, however,  that such more detailed definitions and definitions of other terms shall not impair the operation of any provision of the present law.

Chapter 2 General Principles

Section 5 Cost-Effectiveness and Efficiency

5.1   All contracting authorities, economic operators, persons, undertakings, and works concessionaires conducting or involved in any procurement activity are under an obligation to ensure that public funds and public resources are used in the most efficient and cost-effective manner taking into account the purpose and object of the procurement.

5.2   Public funds and public resources provided or made available under a public contract may be used only within the scope of such contract and only for the purposes specified in such contract. Section 6 Equality of Treatment/Non-Discrimination

6.1   A contracting authority shall not conduct any aspect of a procurement activity in a manner that reduces or eliminates competition among economic operators.

6.2   A contracting authority shall not conduct any stage or element of a procurement activity in a manner that discriminates against or in favour of one or more economic operators.

6.3   Without reducing the applicability of the foregoing paragraph, a contracting authority is specifically prohibited from determining its needs to be satisfied, specifying the object to be procured, dividing or aggregating lots or other objects to be procured, selecting a procurement procedure, or establishing a selection or award requirement or criterion or technical specification in a manner that favors or discriminates against one or more economic operators.

6.4   A contracting authority shall not create or impose, and shall take all necessary measures to prevent the creation or imposition of, circumstances or requirements resulting in territorial, physical, material, personal or organizational discrimination among economic operators.

6.5   Unless an authorization for the imposition of such a requirement is specifically provided for in the present law, another law or an international agreement, a contracting authority shall not require an economic operator (i) to employ or utilize, or not to employ or utilize, any specific person or undertaking in the performance of any aspect of a public contract, or (ii) to supply or provide, or to not supply or provide, products or services originating from a specific person, undertaking or geographic area. In the event such a requirement is specifically authorized by the present law, another law or an international agreement, the exact parameters of such requirement shall be specified in, as applicable, the contract or design contest notice, the invitation to participate or tender, and the tender dossier.

6.6   When conducting any procurement activity, all contracting authorities shall take reasonable and necessary measures to ensure (i) the widest possible participation, in light of the value and object of the procurement, of potentially interested economic operators; (ii) the proper publication, dispatch and/or availability, as required by the present law, of all notices, invitations, information and documents relating to a procurement activity; (iii) the elimination of practices, criteria, requirements and technical specifications that discriminate in favor or against one or more economic operators; (iv) that all tecnical specifications and all selection and  award requirements and criteria, including the relative importance of each such requirement and criterion, and the methodologies for selection and award, are specified in the concerned contract or design contest notice, the invitation to tender or participate, and/or the tender dossier; (v) that no requirement, criterion or specification that has not been so specified is used in the selection and award process; and (vi) that the selected tender conforms, in all material respects, to the requirements, criteria and specifications that have been so specified. Chapter 3 General Requirements

Section 7 Procurement Forecast

7.1   No less than sixty (60) calendar days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, each contracting authority shall prepare and provide to the PPA, in writing,  a preliminary procurement forecast that identifies in  reasonable detail all supplies, services and works that the contracting authority intends to procure over the course of such fiscal year. Such preliminary procurement forecast shall specify:

a.   in the case of anticipated supply contracts, the estimated total procurement by value and by product classification of the products that the contracting authority intends to procure over the fiscal year;

b.   in the case of anticipated service contracts, the estimated aggregate value by category of each service that the contracting authority intends to procure over the fiscal year; and

c.   in the case of works contracts, the essential characteristics of each works contract that the contracting authority intends to award over the fiscal year.

7.2     No less than ten (10) calendar days after the promulgation of the appropriations legislation for a fiscal year, each contracting authority shall prepare and provide to the PPA, in writing, a final procurement forecast that identifies in reasonable detail all supplies, services and works that the contracting authority intends to procure over the course of such fiscal year. Such final procurement forecast shall contain the information required under points a - c of Section 7.1.

7.3   The PPA shall review and aggregate the information contained in all such forecasts. The PPA shall identify common use items and any other objects and items that may be acquired more efficiently through the application a consolidated or common procurement procedure. The PPA may (i) in accordance with Section 91 of the present law, conduct the procurement of any such items or objects on behalf of the concerned contracting authorities, or (ii) in accordance with Section 26 of the present law, establish a contract award committee to conduct the procurement of any such items or objects on behalf of the concerned contracting authorities.

7.4   If the PPA decides to conduct, or to establish a contract award committee to conduct, the procurement of an item or object on behalf of one or more contracting authorities, the PPA shall provide the concerned contracting authorities with reasonable notice of such decision. After receiving such a notice, the concerned contracting authority shall have no authority to conduct such procurement activity.

Section 8 Determination of Needs to be Satisfied and Availability of Funds

8.1   Prior to initiating the conduct of any specific procurement activity or procedure having as its object the acquisition of any products, services or works, a contracting authority shall conduct a formal needs assessment with respect thereto. This assessment shall determine (i) the precise nature and scope of the specific needs of the contracting authority that the proposed procurement is intended to satisfy; (ii) the estimated value and the proposed type and material terms of the public contract that will be the subject of the envisaged procurement; (iii) the proposed functional specifications of each object to be covered by such contract; (iv) the benefits expected from each such object; (v) in the case of equipment, durable goods and works, an estimate of the cost of ownership over the whole of the object’s operational life, including acquisition, operating, and maintenance costs and residual value; (vi) an indication as to whether such procurement activity was included in the procurement forecast required by Section 7, and, if not, a statement of reasons as to why it was not so included; and (vii) a clear statement as to how the procurement will promote the contracting authority’s institutional objectives.

8.2   After the conduct of the required needs assessment, the contracting authority shall formally ensure that funds have been appropriated for the concerned procurement in an amount sufficient to fulfill any financial obligations that may arise during the course of the then-current fiscal year as a result of such procurement.

8.3   If the concerned procurement will give rise to financial obligations that are to be satisfied from appropriations expected in future fiscal years, the contracting authority shall (i) ensure that there is a reasonable basis to expect that appropriations will be made available to it in such future fiscal years for the purpose of satisfying, and (ii) include in the concerned public contract a provision that clearly conditions the enforceability of such obligations on the availability, under future appropriations legislation, of funds for the purpose of satisfying, and in an amount sufficient to satisfy, such obligations.

8.4   If the contracting authority is a public authority, such public authority shall take reasonable measures to ensure that objects meeting such needs are not available from another public authority.

8.5   As evidence that the contracting authority has complied with Sections 8.1 – 8.4, the contracting authority shall prepare and maintain a written “Statement of Needs and Determination of Availability of Funds.”  Such “Statement of Needs and Determination of Availability of Funds” shall contain the following information: (i) a written statement of needs that summarizes the results of the needs assessment conducted by the contracting authority pursuant to section 8.1, (ii) a written statement affirming the availability of funds that demonstrates that the contracting authority has fulfilled its obligations under Section 8.2, (iii) if applicable, a written statement setting forth the basis, required by Section 8.3, for the contracting authority’s expectation regarding future appropriations; and (iv) if applicable, a written statement describing the measures that the contracting authority took to comply with  Section 8.4. The Rules Committee shall develop a standard form “Statement of Needs and Determination of Availability of Funds” that contracting authorities shall use to comply with this Section 8.5.

8.6   If the public contract is of large value or if the objects of the procurement activity have not been included in the contracting authority’s final procurement forecast provided to the PPA pursuant to Section 7.2, the contracting authority shall provide a copy of the concerned “Statement of Needs and Determination of Availability of Funds” to the PPA at least five (5) business days before initiating the concerned procurement activity. The PPA shall review each such statement to determine if there is another more efficient or cost-effective method of acquiring the concerned objects or other items meeting the needs of the contracting authority. In particular, if the concerned objects were not included in the contracting authority’s final procurement forecast provided to the PPA pursuant to Section 7.2, the PPA shall review such objects to identify any common use items and any other objects and items that may be acquired more efficiently through a consolidated or common procurement procedure. The PPA may (i) in accordance with Section 91 of the present law, conduct the procurement of any such items or objects on behalf of the concerned contracting authority, or (ii) in accordance with Section 26 of the present law, establish a contract award committee to conduct the procurement of any such items or objects on behalf of the concerned contracting authority.

Section 9 Transparency

9.1   A contracting authority shall maintain a well-ordered and comprehensive set of records for each procurement activity that it conducts, regardless of whether such activity results in a contract or design award. At a minimum, the records for each procurement activity shall contain (i) all documents related to, developed or acquired in the course of, or used to initiate, conduct or conclude, a procurement activity, regardless of whether such activity results in a contract or design award, (ii) if the procurement activity has resulted in a contract or design award, all documents related to such award, and (iii) if the procurement activity has resulted in the execution of a public contract, a copy of the public contract and all documents relating to that contract and/or its performance. 9.2   Upon the request of an interested party, a contracting authority shall provide such interested party with immediate access to all records described in Section 9.1, other than confidential business information, that relate to the procurement activities in which such interested party has or had a specific material interest.

9.3   Upon the request of any person, a contracting authority shall provide such person prompt and reasonable access to the records described in Section 9.1, other than confidential business information, relating to any procurement activity that has been concluded for more than ten (10) business days. For the purposes of this Section 9.3, a procurement activity shall be deemed to have been concluded (i) on the date of publication of the concerned contract award notice or design contest results notice, or (ii) if the procurement activity was formally cancelled or otherwise terminated prior to the making of an award or the selection of a winner, on the date that the procurement activity was formally cancelled or otherwise terminated.

9.4   The contracting authority shall provide the access required by Sections 9.2 and 9.3 in a routine, uneventful, and non-obstructive manner. The contracting authority may, however, provide for the supervision of such access or take other reasonable measures to ensure that the integrity of the records is maintained.

9.5   A contracting authority shall, upon the request of a person or an interested party, make and provide to such person or interested party a copy of any material that such person or interested party may access pursuant to Section 9.2 or 9.3.

9.6   The PPRC shall provide to any person who so requests a copy of the present law and/or a copy the public procurement rules.

9.7   The PPA shall electronically publish the present law and the public procurement rules on the website referred to in Sections 92 and 93 of the present law.

9.8   The Rules Committee shall establish in the public procurement rules a reasonable charge that a contracting authority and the PPRC may assess to cover the cost of producing the copies required by Sections 9.5 and 9.6; provided, however, that such charge shall be no more than is deemed reasonably necessary to cover the cost associated with producing such copies.

9.9   A contracting authority shall provide access to and copies of any procurement activity records, including confidential business information, and any other procurement-related information to a review expert, the PPA, the PPRC, a Contract Award Committee and/or a review panel immediately upon the request or order of any of these. A contracting authority shall also provide access to and copies of such records and information to a court of competent jurisdiction if such access and copies are required pursuant to an order issued by such court. The contracting authority shall immediately provide the access and copies required by this Section 9.9 in a routine, uneventful, and non-obstructive manner.

Section 10 Confidential Business Information

10.1   Without prejudice to its obligations to provide access to interested parties and members of the public to procurement activity records, a contracting authority shall respect and safeguard items classified as confidential business information in accordance with this Section 10.

10.2   With the exception of the information that Section 56.3 requires to be announced and recorded at the public opening of tenders, the contents of a tender shall be confidential business information.

10.3   A contracting authority may classify other information as confidential business information only if such information meets the following three criteria:

a.   it has been furnished by an economic operator pursuant to a requirement established by such contracting authority under Section 63 or 64 of the present law;

b.   the concerned economic operator has provided the contracting authority with a written request expressing its desire that the contracting authority maintain such item as confidential; and

c.   such written request contains a statement (i) attesting that such item is not in the public domain and is protected from intentional and negligent disclosure by the economic operator, and (ii) setting forth reasons that convincingly demonstrate, in the reasonable judgment of the contracting authority, that public access to such item would result in material harm to the legitimate commercial interests of such economic operator.

10.4   A contracting authority that has classified an item of information as confidential business information pursuant to Section 10.3 shall, if such item is contained in a document that also contains non-confidential information, prepare a “sanitized” version of such document. Such sanitized version shall be included in the material to which interested parties and members of the public are entitled to access under Sections 9.2 and 9.3. The contracting authority shall attach to the front of such sanitized version a notice that (i) the contracting authority has classified certain items of information in the original document as confidential business information at the request of the concerned economic operator, and (ii) the attached sanitized version has been prepared by the contracting authority and is an accurate copy of the original after the removal or deletion of such confidential business information.

10.5   If a document contains only information that a contracting authority has classified as confidential business information pursuant to Section 10.3, and such contracting authority therefore decides to withhold such document from the material to which interested parties and members of the public are entitled to access under Sections 9.2 and 9.3, the contracting authority shall prepare and include in the accessible material a document containing a general summary of the contents of the withheld document. The contracting authority shall attach to the front of such summary a notice that (i) the contracting authority has classified all the information contained in the original document as confidential business information at the request of the concerned economic operator and (ii) the attached document has been prepared by the contracting authority and is a general non-confidential summary of the original.

10.6   If, in connection with the conduct of any procurement activity, a contracting authority requires an economic operator to submit information covered by Section 63 and/or 64 of the present law, such contracting authority shall include a statement in the tender dossier notifying economic operators that, if they desire any or all of such information to be classified and treated as confidential business information, they must submit a written request conforming to Section 10.3 of the present law. Section 11 Currency and Payment

11.1   All prices and values specified in any public contract, any tender dossier, notice or invitation to tender or participate shall be stated, and all payments with respect thereto shall be required to be made, in Euro.

11.2   The terms and conditions of public contracts shall conform to usual and customary public and commercial practices applicable to the specific type and subject matter of the concerned contract.

Section 12 Languages Used in Public Procurement Documents

12.1   A contracting authority shall prepare all tender dossiers, notices, invitations and other documents published or provided to economic operators during the conduct of a procurement activity leading to the award of a minimal, low or medium value contract or design contest in the Albanian and the Serbian languages which shall be equally authentic. A contracting authority may also prepare such documents in the English language.

12.2   A contracting authority shall prepare all tender dossiers, notices, invitations and other documents published or provided to economic operators during the conduct of a procurement activity leading to the award of a large value contract or design contest in the Albanian, Serbian and English languages.

12.3   In the event that there is an inconsistency among the different language versions of the same document, the English language version, if one has been prepared, shall control. If an English version has been prepared, the fact that such version shall control any inconsistencies among the different language versions shall be clearly stated on the first page of all concerned documents.

12.4   If no English language version has been prepared, and there is an inconsistency between the Albanian and Serbian versions that can reasonably be expected to cause material prejudice to an economic operator’s ability to timely submit a responsive tender or request to participate, the contracting authority shall, as soon as it becomes aware of such an inconsistency, comply with Section 51.9 of the present law by providing all concerned economic operators with whatever clarifying information is needed and extending any applicable deadlines. If such measures would be insufficient to eliminate such potential prejudice, or if the time established by Section 51.9 for using such measures has passed, the contracting authority shall cancel the concerned procurement activity.

12.5   An economic operator may submit a tender, a request to participate or other document required or permitted to be filed during the conduct of a procurement activity in the Albanian, Serbian or English languages. 12.6   All tender dossiers, notices and invitations shall clearly indicate that an economic operator may, as provided for in Section 12.5, submit a tender, request to participate and other documents required or permitted to be filed during the conduct of a procurement activity in the Albanian, Serbian or English language

Section 13 Grantees of Special or Exclusive Rights to Engage in a Public Service Activity

If a person, or undertaking other than a contracting authority – regardless of its legal status – receives or has received a grant of special or exclusive rights to engage in any public service activity, such person, or undertaking shall observe the rules and procedures of the present law when awarding medium or large value public contracts to third parties.

Chapter 4 Rules for Valuing and Classifying Public Contracts and Design Contests

Section 14 Classifying Mixed Contracts

14.1   If a supply contract includes provisions requiring the supplier(s) to deliver, site and/or install the concerned item(s), the existence of such provisions shall not affect the classification of such contract as a supply contract. 14.2   A contract covering both products and services shall be considered a service contract if the estimated value of the services exceeds the estimated value of the products. If the contract includes provisions for the delivery, sitting and/or installation of the concerned products, the estimated value of such activities shall be included in the valuation of the product’s component of such contract. 14.3   A contract having as its principal object the provision of a professional construction-related service (e.g., architectural and/or engineering services, geotechnical or geodetic site investigation services, structure or structure design assessment services, or construction supervision or construction management services) shall be considered a service contract even if such contract also covers, by way of addition to such principal object, the performance of one or more activities referred to in the definition of “works contract.” 14.4   A contract having as its principal subject the conduct of activities referred to in the definition of “works contract,” but that also covers the provision of professional construction-related services, shall be considered a “works contract” if such services are necessary for the performance of such contract. 14.5   A contract that has as its subject both the supply of products and the conduct of activities referred to in the definition “works contract” shall be classified as a “works contract” unless such activities consist only of sitting and/or installation activities.

Section 15 Calculating the Estimated Value of a Supply Contract

15.1   The estimated value of a proposed supply contract shall equal the estimated price to be paid by the contracting authority for all products, services and other objects covered thereby. The estimated price of such products, services and objects shall be their estimated price on the day of dispatch of the contract notice with respect thereto. In determining the estimated value of a proposed supply contract, the contracting authority shall include all reasonably foreseeable elements of the ultimate price to be paid by the contracting authority for such products, services and objects, including any and all applicable taxes, duties and other charges.

15.2   In the case of contracts for the lease, rental or hire-purchase of products, the value to be taken as the basis for calculating the estimated value of the contract shall be: a.   in the case of a fixed-term contract, the total contract value including the estimated residual value; or b.    in the case of a contract for an indefinite period or where there is doubt as to the duration of the contract, the monthly value multiplied by 48. 15.3   Where a proposed contract contains an option, the basis for calculating the estimated contract value shall be the maximum potential total amount of the purchase, lease, rental, or hire-purchase, including any amounts that may become payable as a result of the exercise of the option clause. 15.4   A contracting authority shall not select or use a valuation method for the purpose of lowering the value of a supply contract below a threshold specified in Section 18; nor shall any contracting authority split up a procurement requirement for a given quantity of products for the purpose of lowering the value of a supply contract below a threshold specified in Section 18. Section 16 Calculating the Estimated Value of a Service Contract

16.1   The estimated value of a proposed service contract shall equal the estimated total remuneration and reimbursable amounts to be paid by the contracting authority under the contract throughout the term of the contract, taking account of the provisions set out in this Section 16. In determining the estimated value of a proposed service contract, the contracting authority shall include all reasonably foreseeable elements of the ultimate price to be paid by the contracting authority for the services and other objects covered by such contract, including any and all applicable taxes, duties and other charges. 16.2   Where a proposed service contract contains an option, the basis for calculating the estimated contract value shall be the maximum potential total amount to be paid under the proposed service contract, including any amounts that may become payable as a result of the exercise of the option clause. 16.3   For the purposes of calculating the estimated value of a proposed service contract covering insurance services, banking and other types of financial services, or design services, account shall be taken, where appropriate: a.   in the case of insurance services, of the premium payable; b.   in the case of banking and other financial services, of fees, commissions and interest as well as other types of remuneration; or c.    in the case of design services, of fees or commissions. 16.4   Where services are subdivided into several lots, each one the subject of a separate contract, the aggregate estimated value of all such lots shall be used to determine the classification of each such contract under Section 18. 16.5   In the case of proposed service contracts that do not specify a total price, the value to be taken as the basis for calculating the estimated contract value shall be: a.   in the case of a fixed-term contract having a term of 48 months or less, the total estimated contract value for its duration; b.   in the case of a contract of indefinite duration or with a term of more than 48 months, the average estimated monthly value multiplied by 48. 16.6   Where it is reasonably foreseeable that a proposed service contract may be extended, renewed or followed by a successor contract for new services within the meaning of Section 34.2.c(iii), the basis for calculating the estimated contract value of such proposed service contract shall be the maximum potential total amount to be paid under the proposed service contract, including the maximum potential total amount to be paid under any such reasonably foreseeable extension, renewal or successor contract. 16.7   A contracting authority shall not select or use a valuation method for the purpose of lowering the value of a service contract below a threshold specified in Section 18; nor shall a contracting authority split up a procurement requirement for a given amount of services for the purpose of lowering the value of a service contract below a threshold specified in Section 18. Section 17 Calculating the Estimated Value of a Works Contract and an Immovable Property Contract

17.1   The estimated value of a proposed works or immovable property contract shall equal the estimated price to be paid by the contracting authority for all works, services, products, immovable property, and other objects covered thereby; including – in the case of a works contract - objects that are needed to execute such contract and that are to be made available to the works contractor by the contracting authority. In determining the estimated value of a proposed works or immovable property contract, the contracting authority shall include all reasonably foreseeable elements of the ultimate price to be paid by the contracting authority for such works, services, products and objects, including any and all applicable taxes, duties and other charges. 17.2   Where a work is subdivided into several lots, each one the subject of a separate contract, the aggregate estimated value of all such lots shall be used to determine the classification of each such contract under Section 18. 17.3   Where a proposed works contract contains an option clause, the basis for calculating the estimated contract value shall be the maximum potential total amount to be paid under the proposed works contract, including any amounts that may become payable as a result of the exercise of the option clause. 17.4   Where it is reasonably foreseeable that a proposed works contract may be extended, renewed or followed by a successor contract for new works within the meaning of Section 34.2.d, the basis for calculating the estimated contract value of such proposed works contract shall be the maximum potential total amount to be paid under the proposed works contract, including the maximum potential total amount to be paid under any such reasonably foreseeable extension, renewal or successor contract. 17.5   A contracting authority shall not split up a work or a works contract for the purpose of lowering the value of a work or works contract below a threshold specified in Section 18. Section 18 Classifying a Public Contract by Estimated Value

18.1   The following shall be considered as a “large value contract:”

a.   a supply contract or a service contract the estimated value of which is equal to or greater than, or can reasonably be expected to be equal to or greater than, 100,000 Euros; or

b.   Works or immovable property contracts the estimated value of which is equal to or greater than, or can be reasonably expected to be equal to or greater than, 250,000 Euros.

18.2   The following shall be considered as a “medium value contract:”

a.   a supply contract or a service contract the estimated value of which is equal to or greater than, or can reasonably be expected to be equal to or greater than, 10,000 Euros, but less than 100, 000 Euros; or

b.   Works or immovable property contracts  the estimated value of which is equal to or greater than, or can reasonably be expected to be equal to or greater than, 10,000 Euros, but less than 250,000 Euros.

18.3   The following shall be considered as a “low value contract:” Any public contract the estimated value of which is equal to or greater than, or can reasonably be expected to be equal to or greater than, 500 Euros, but less than 10,000 Euros.

18.4   The following shall be considered a “minimal value contract:” Any public contract the estimated value of which is less than, or can reasonably be expected to be less than, 500 Euros.

18.5   The Rules Committee shall have the authority to issue, no more often than once every two years, a public procurement rule revising the value thresholds established by this Section 18, the first such revision not to occur prior to 1 January 2005. Section 19 Classifying a Design Contest by Value

19.1   The following shall be considered as a “large value design contest:”

a.   design contest that is organized as part of a procedure leading to or involving the award of a service contract the estimated value of which is equal to or greater than, or can be reasonably expected to be equal to or greater than, 100,000 Euros; or

b.   a design contest where the total amount of contest prizes and payments to participants is to be equal to or greater than, or can be reasonably expected to be equal to or greater than, 100,000 Euros.

19.2   The following shall be considered as a “medium value design contest:”

a.   a design contest that is organized as part of a procedure leading to or involving the award of a service contract the estimated value of which is equal to or greater than, or can be reasonably expected to be equal to or greater than, 10,000 Euros, but less than 100,000 Euros; or

b.   a design contest where the total amount of contest prizes and payments to participants is to be equal to or greater than, or can be reasonably expected to be equal to or greater than, 10,000 Euros but less than 100,000 Euros.

19.3   A design contract that does not fall within the scope of Section 19.1 or 19.2 shall be considered a “low value design contest.” 19.4   The Rules Committee shall have the authority to issue, no more often than once every two years, a public procurement rule revising the value thresholds established by this Section 19, the first such revision not to occur prior to 1 January 2005. Chapter 5 Authorization to Initiate a Procurement Activity and to Sign a Public Contract

Section 20 Initiation of a Procurement Activity

20.1   A contracting authority may not initiate a specific procurement activity unless and until the Authorizing Officer of such contracting authority has consented in writing to the initiation of such procurement activity.

20.2   An Authorizing Officer shall not consent to the initiation of any specific procurement activity unless and until the requirements of Sections 8.1 - 8.4 of the present law have been complied with.

Section 21 Contracting Authorities to Establish Procurement Departments

21.1   Each contracting authority shall establish a Procurement Department to conduct the procurement activities of such contracting authority. Each contracting authority shall ensure that its Procurement Department is staffed with a sufficient number of trained personnel to enable it to efficiently and professionally conduct the contracting authority’s procurement activities in strict accordance with the present law.

21.2   The contracting authority shall designate one person to serve as its Procurement Officer. The Procurement Officer shall serve as the head of the contracting authority’s Procurement Department. The contracting authority may only designate a person to serve as its Procurement Officer if such person holds a current and valid “procurement professional certificate,” issued by the PPRC, evidencing that such person has satisfactorily completed the PPRC’s course of training on the present law. If the contracting authority is a public authority, its Procurement Officer shall have the status of a civil servant.

21.3   No person may serve as a Procurement Officer or as a staff member of a Procurement Department if he/she would be ineligible to participate in a procurement activity by reason of a provision of Section 61.2 of the present law.

21.4   No person may serve as a Procurement Officer or as a staff member of a Procurement Department unless and until he/she has executed a written declaration under oath declaring that he/she shall honestly and faithfully conduct the procurement activities of the contracting authority in conformity with the present law.

21.5   Each contracting authority shall ensure that the person designated as its Procurement Officer meets the requirement of Section 21.2, is not ineligible under Section 21.3, and executes the declaration required by Section 21.4. Each contracting authority shall ensure that all other staff members of it Procurement Department are not ineligible under Section 21.3 and execute the declaration required by Section 21.4.

Section 22 Procurement Officers to Conduct Procurement Activities

22.1   All procurement activities of a contracting authority shall be conducted by its Procurement Department, except in those cases where the PPA, in accordance with Section 91 or section 26 of the present law, has determined that such an activity shall be conducted by the PPA or a contract award committee. 22.2   The Procurement Officer of a contracting authority shall be responsible for ensuring that all procurement activities of such contracting authority are conducted by the Procurement Department and in strict compliance with the present law.

22.3   The Procurement Officer of a contracting authority shall be responsible for immediately reporting to the PPRC any procurement activities of such contracting authority that are inconsistent with the present law.

22.4   If, in the opinion of the PPRC, a Procurement Officer or a staff member of a Procurement Department fails during the course of his/her duties to demonstrate either a sufficient level of competence, diligence or professional ethics, the PPRC shall require the contracting authority to remove the concerned individual from such position. If such person holds a “procurement professional certificate,” the PPRC shall also revoke and cancel such certificate. If the concerned person is a Procurement Officer, the concerned contracting authority shall be required to designate, in accordance with Section 21, a new person to serve as its Procurement Officer.

Section 23 Training of Procurement Officers

23.1   The PPRC shall develop and deliver, at least three times per year, a procurement professional training course. Each such course shall cover all material aspects of the present law and shall last at least ten (10) business days. The PPRC shall issue a “procurement professional certificate” to all persons who, on the basis of objective testing, satisfactorily complete such course. Such certificate shall be valid for a period of one year.

23.2   A contracting authority may sponsor one of its current civil servants or a current employee whose employment is not the result of a political appointment to attend a procurement professional training course. The concerned contracting authority shall ensure that such person is available to attend every day of such training. The concerned contracting authority shall treat such training time as time spent at work and shall compensate its Procurement Officer for such time in the same manner as that applicable to time spent at work. The contracting authority may also provide such person, in accordance with any other applicable normative or sub-normative acts, reimbursement for expenses that such person necessarily incurs in order to attend such training.

Section 24 Signing of Public Contracts

24.1   Except as provided for in Section 24.2, the Procurement Officer of a contracting authority shall be the only person authorized to enter into or sign a public contract on behalf of such contracting authority. A public contract that is not signed by the contracting authority’s Procurement Officer shall be void and unenforceable. A public contract signed by a Procurement Officer in violation of this Section 24 or in disregard of an order or notification received from the PPRC, the PPA, a review panel or a court of competent jurisdiction shall be void and unenforceable.

24.2   If the PPA, in accordance with Section 91 of the present law, conducts a procurement activity on behalf of a contracting authority, the only person authorized to enter into or sign the concerned contract shall be the Procurement Officer of the PPA. If the PPA, in accordance with Section 26 of the present law, establishes a contract award committee to conduct a procurement activity on behalf of a contracting authority, the only person authorized to enter into or sign the concerned contract shall be the chairman of such committee. In either event, the Procurement Officer of the concerned contracting authority shall have no authority to enter into or sign the concerned contract.

24.3   The person having signing authority under Section 24.1 or Section 24.2 may sign such contract only if the following conditions are met:

a.   at least three (3) business days have passed since the date of publication of the concerned contract award notice; provided, however, that this condition shall not apply to an emergency procurement conducted pursuant to Section 34.2.a(iv) or 35.2;

b.   such person has reconfirmed that the information contained in the concerned “Statement of Needs and Determination of the Availability of Funds” is still accurate;

c.   such person has no reason to believe that a complaint has been filed or will be filed within the time period specified in Section 105.2; provided, however, that this condition shall not apply if the PPRC has issued a decision pursuant to Section 107 that the filing of a complaint shall not bar the signing of the contract; and

d.   such person has received no communication from the PPA or the PPRC indicating that such contract should not be signed.

24.4   Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 24, if the concerned public contract is of large value, the person having signing authority under Section 24.1 or Section 24.2 may, for ceremonial purposes only, permit a senior public official who is not a civil servant to also sign such contract. In such event, the person having signing authority shall ensure that such contract contains an additional signature line for this purpose. However, the concerned senior public official shall not sign until the person having signing authority has signed.

24.5   Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 24, if a complaint is filed within the applicable time period, the person specified by Sections 24.1 and Section 24.2 as having signing authority may sign the concerned public contract if he/she thereafter receives a written communication from the PPRC stating that the PPRC has determined, pursuant to Section 107.2, that the filing of the complaint shall not bar the signing of such contract.

Section 25 Review of Contract Award

25.1   The PPRC shall, at any time after the award but prior to the signing of any public contract, have the authority to require that such award and the procedure leading to such award be reviewed in detail by the PPRC or an award review committee. If the PPRC desires to exercise this authority it shall immediately notify the concerned Procurement Officer not to execute the concerned contract until the PPRC or the award review committee has completed its review and the Procurement Officer has received a formal written communication from the PPRC stating that the PPRC does not object to the signing of such contract.

25.2   Whether the concerned review is conducted by the PPRC or an award review committee, such review shall be completed within the thirty (30) day period following the dispatch of the notification to the concerned Procurement Officer required by Section 25.1. However, the Procurement Officer shall have no authority to sign a contract that is subject to such review until the Procurement Officer has received a formal written communication from the PPRC stating that the PPRC does not object to the signing of such contract. 25.3   If the PPRC requires an award and/or the procedure leading to such award be reviewed by an award review committee, the PPRC shall have the authority to establish such an award review committee to conduct such review.

25.4   Each such award review committee shall be established on an ad hoc basis and shall be comprised of three (3) persons named by the PPRC. In selecting the individuals to serve on such a committee, the PPRC shall make best efforts to select individuals who are highly familiar with the requirements of the present law and the public procurement rules and at least one individual who has special expertise in the subject matter of the concerned procurement.

25.5   The PPRC shall select a person who holds a valid and current “procurement professional certificate” issued by the PPRC to serve as the chairman of an award review committee.

25.6   No person may serve as a member of an award review committee if he/she would be ineligible to participate in a procurement activity by reason of a provision of Section 61.2 of the present law.

25.7   No person shall serve as a member of an award review committee unless and until he/she has executed a written declaration under oath declaring that they shall honestly and faithfully conduct the concerned review in conformity with the present law.

25.8   The PPRC shall ensure that (i) the chairman of an award review committee meets the requirement of Section 25.5, (ii) no member of an award review committee is ineligible under Section 25.6, and (iii) all members execute the declaration required by Section 25.7. Section 26 Contract Award Committee

26.1   If the PPA determines that a proposed procurement involving a large value contract or technically complicated matters should - for reasons of professional expertise or other legitimate concerns - be awarded by a contract award committee, the PPA shall notify the concerned Procurement Officer of the concerned contracting authority of such determination, and the concerned contracting authority shall no longer have any authority to conduct the concerned procurement and the Procurement Officer of such contracting authority shall no longer have any authority to sign the concerned contract.

26.2   If the PPA exercises its authority under Section 26.1, the PPA shall have the authority to establish such a contract award committee to conduct the concerned procurement and to award and sign the concerned contract on behalf of the contracting authority.

26.3   Each such contract award committee shall be established on an ad hoc basis and shall be comprised of three (3) persons named by the PPA. In selecting the individuals to serve on such a committee, the PPA shall make best efforts to select individuals who are highly familiar with the requirements of the present law and the public procurement rules and at least one individual who has special expertise in the subject matter of the concerned procurement.

26.4   The PPA shall select a person who holds a valid and current “procurement professional certificate” issued by the PPRC to serve as the chairman of a contract award committee.

26.5   No person may serve as a member of a contract award committee if he/she would be ineligible to participate in a procurement activity by reason of a provision of Section 61.2 of the present law.

26.6   No person shall serve as a member of a contract award committee unless and until he/she has executed a written declaration under oath declaring that they shall honestly and faithfully conduct the concerned procurement in conformity with the present law

26.7   The PPA shall ensure that (i) the chairman of a contract award committee meets the requirement of Section 26.4, (ii) no member of an award review committee is ineligible under Section 26.5, and (iii) all members execute the declaration required by Section 26.6.

TITLE II RULES GOVERNING PUBLIC CONTRACTS

Chapter 1 Rules Governing Technical Specifications and Tender Dossiers

Section 27 General Provisions

For each proposed public contract, other than a minimal value contract, a contracting authority shall draw up a tender dossier providing all relevant information on the concerned contract, including all material terms and conditions thereof, the applicable procurement procedure, any applicable eligibility requirements or selection criteria, the procedure governing complaints and such other information as the present law may require or the contracting authority deems necessary. If the concerned procurement activity requires the publication of a contract notice, the tender dossier shall contain a copy of such notice and such other relevant information that may be necessary to clarify and supplement the information contained in such notice. A contracting authority shall designate in the tender dossier the applicable technical specifications and, where appropriate, indicate its willingness to consider variants, but only in accordance with Sections 28 and 29 of the present law.

Section 28 Technical Specifications

28.1   The contracting authority shall set forth all mandatory technical specifications in the tender dossier. If the concerned procurement activity requires the publication of a contract notice, the contracting authority shall (i) to the extent practicable, set forth such specifications in such notice or (ii) provide a clear statement in such notice indicating where such technical specifications may be obtained.

28.2   A contracting authority shall establish technical specifications in a manner that is both consistent with the purpose of the procurement and directed at providing the greatest possible access to all potentially interested economic operators and tenderers. A contracting authority is specifically prohibited from establishing a technical specification that favors or disfavors one or more economic operators.

28.3   A contracting authority shall formulate a technical specification by reference to (i) a Kosovo standard implementing a European standard, (ii) a European standard, (iii) a European technical approval, (iv) a common technical specification, and/or (v) an international standard.

28.4   If an applicable standard, specification or approval required by Section 28.3 does not exist, or if its use would either require a contracting authority to use products or materials incompatible with equipment already in use or would entail disproportionate costs or technical difficulties, such contracting authority may formulate the concerned technical specification by reference to (i) a Kosovo standard, (ii) a Kosovo technical approval, or (iii) any other technical reference produced by European standardisation bodies; provided, however, that such a reference shall be accompanied by the words "or equivalent."

28.5   If an applicable standard, specification, approval or technical reference required by Sections 28.3 and 28.4 do not exist, or if its use would either require a contracting authority to use products or materials incompatible with equipment already in use or would entail disproportionate costs or technical difficulties, such contracting authority may formulate the concerned technical specification in terms of either a performance or a functional requirement; however, it shall be sufficiently precise to allow tenderers to determine the subject matter of the contract and to allow a contracting authority to award the contract.

28.6   If, in the case of a works contract, there is no applicable European standard, European technical approval or common technical specification, and it is impossible to formulate the specification in terms of a performance or functional requirement, the technical specification may be defined by reference to a Kosovo technical specification relating to the design, method of calculation or execution of works or to the use of material; provided, however, that such a reference shall be accompanied by the words "or equivalent."

28.7   A contracting authority shall not establish a technical specification that refers to a specific make or source, or a particular process, or to trademarks, patents, types or a specific origin or production. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a contracting authority may, on an exceptional basis, establish a technical specification making such a reference if the contracting authority can clearly demonstrate that it is not possible to develop a sufficiently precise and intelligible description of the subject matter of the contract in accordance with Sections 28.3 – 28.6 or otherwise; provided, however, that any such reference shall be accompanied by the words "or equivalent".

28.8   If a tenderer can show in his tender, by any appropriate means (such as a technical dossier or a test report by an independent third party), that the solution proposed by the tenderer satisfies in an equivalent manner the requirements defined by a technical specification, a contracting authority may not reject a tender on the grounds that the product or service tendered does not comply with a Kosovo standard implementing a European standard, a European standard, a European technical approval, a common technical specification, an international standard, Kosovo standard, Kosovo technical specification or   Kosovo technical approval.

28.9   Where a contracting authority has prescribed a technical specification in terms of a performance or functional requirement, it may not use such requirement as a basis for rejecting a tender of a product or service that complies with a standard, specification or technical approval   referred to in Section 28.3 or 28.4, if such standard, specification or approval addresses the same performance or functional requirement and is appropriate. The tenderer must demonstrate in his tender, by any appropriate means (such as a technical dossier or a test report by an independent third party), that the product or service complying with the standard, specification or approval also meets the functional or performance requirements of the contracting authority.

Section 29 Variants of Technical Specifications

29.1   If a contract is to be awarded to the tenderer submitting the most economically advantageous tender, a contracting authority may consider a tender proposing an item or service that complies with a variant of a designated technical specification and meets the minimum functional or performance requirements or the minimum specification of the contracting authority. 29.2   A contracting authority shall state in the tender dossier the minimum specifications to be respected by a variant and any specific requirements for the presentation of a variant.

29.3   If a tenderer may not propose an item or service that complies with a variant of a designated technical specification, the contracting authority shall indicate this in the tender dossier.

Chapter 2 Types and Applicability of Procurement Procedures

Section 30 Open Procedures

30.1   Unless a provision of Sections 31 – 36 specifically authorizes the use of different procurement procedures, a contracting authority shall select and use open procedures when conducting procurement activities leading to the award of a public contract.

30.2   If, without any intent to discriminate against or in favor of any economic operator, a contracting authority determines that (i) the concerned product, service or works can only be  supplied, provided or performed by an economic operator having adequate technical, professional and/or financial capacity, and (ii) such contracting authority will therefore only accept tenders from economic operators possessing certain minimum qualifications, the contracting authority   shall comply with all applicable requirements of Section 49. 30.3   If less than three (3) responsive tenders are received, the contracting authority shall cancel the procurement activity; in such event, the contracting authority shall, if it still desires to procure the concerned objects, initiate a new procurement activity for such objects. 30.4   Notwithstanding the requirement established by Section 30.3, if there are compelling reasons to believe that canceling the current procurement activity and initiating a new procurement activity will not result in an increased number of responsive tenders, the PPRC may waive the requirement of Section 30.3 if (i) the PPRC receives a written request setting forth such reasons from the concerned contracting authority, and (ii) the PPRC determines that such reasons provide a convincing basis to waive the requirement of Section 30.3. Section 31 General Restricted Procedures

31.1   A contracting authority may use general restricted procedures to conduct a procurement activity leading to the award of any public contract if such contracting authority has complied with this Section 31 and received a written authorization to use such procedures from the PPA. If the contracting authority is the PPA or a contract award committee established by the PPA, it shall also comply with this Section 31; however, in such a case, the authorization request and the statement required by this Section 31 shall be submitted to the PPA’s chief executive officer, and the written authorization required by this Section 31 may be issued only by such officer.

31.2   A contracting authority desiring to obtain the authorization required by Section 31.1 shall first prepare a written statement affirming that the contracting authority has, without any intent to discriminate against or in favour of any economic operator, made the following determinations: (i) the concerned product, service or works – by reason of its highly complex or specialized nature -can only be supplied, provided or performed by an economic operator having adequate technical, professional and/or financial capacity, and (ii) it would be more economically efficient for the contracting authority to first review the qualifications of interested economic operators and then to invite those possessing certain specified minimum qualifications to submit tenders. The contracting authority shall also set forth in the statement required by this Section 31.2 a detailed explanation of the reasoning used and the factors considered by the contracting authority in reaching these determinations.

31.3   The contracting authority shall then submit to the PPA in writing an authorization request and the statement specified in Section 31.2. The PPA shall either issue the authorization or deny the request in writing within five (5) business days after receipt. 31.4   The PPA may authorize a contracting authority to use general restricted procedures only if (i) the PPA has received from such contracting authority in writing the authorization request and statement specified above, and (ii) the PPA has reviewed such statement and determined that, objectively considered, such statement convincingly demonstrates that the determinations made by the contracting authority pursuant to Section 31.2 are valid.

31.5   Whenever the PPA authorizes a contracting authority to use general restricted procedures, the PPA shall publish a copy of such authorization in the Public Procurement Register. 31.6   A contracting authority shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 49 when establishing the minimum qualification requirements that an interested economic operator is required to meet. 31.7   If less than three (3) requests to participate are received from qualified candidates, or if less than three (3) responsive tenders are received from qualified candidates that were invited to submit a tender, the contracting authority shall cancel the procurement activity; in such event, the contracting authority shall, if it still desires to procure the concerned objects, initiate a new procurement activity for such objects. 31.8   Notwithstanding the requirement established by Section 31.7, if there are compelling reasons to believe that canceling the current procurement activity and initiating a new procurement activity will not result in an increased number of requests to participate from qualified candidates or an increased number of responsive tenders from qualified candidates, the PPRC may waive the requirement of Section 31.7 if (i) the PPRC receives a written request setting forth such reasons from the concerned contracting authority, and (ii) the PPRC determines that such reasons provide a convincing basis to waive the requirement of Section 31.7. Section 32 Special Restricted Procedures

32.1   A contracting authority may use special restricted procedures to conduct a procurement activity leading to the award of a public contract for highly intellectual or complex consulting services if the contracting authority has complied with this Section 32 and received a written authorization to use such procedures from the PPA. If the contracting authority is the PPA or a contract award committee established by the PPA, it shall also comply with this Section 32; however, in such a case, the authorization request and the statement required by this Section 32 shall be submitted to the PPA’s chief executive officer, and the written authorization required by this Section 32 may be issued only by such officer.

32.2   A contracting authority desiring to obtain the authorization required by Section 32.1 shall first prepare a written statement affirming that the contracting authority has, without any intent to discriminate against or in favour of any economic operator, made the following determinations: (i) the desired consulting services – by reason of their technical, financial, professional or other highly intellectual or complex nature - can only be supplied, provided or performed by an economic operator having special technical/professional expertise and – if relevant - financial capacity, and (ii) it would be more economically efficient for the contracting authority to first review the qualifications of interested economic operators and then to invite those possessing certain specified minimum qualifications to submit a tender consisting of two parts: a technical proposal and a financial proposal. The contracting authority shall also set forth in the statement required by this Section 32.2 a detailed explanation of the reasoning used and the factors considered by the contracting authority in reaching these determinations. 32.3   The contracting authority shall then submit to the PPA in writing an authorization request and the statement specified in Section 32.2. The PPA shall either issue the authorization or deny the request in writing within five (5) business days after receipt. 32.4   The PPA may authorize a contracting authority to use special restricted procedures for the procurement of consulting services only if (i) the PPA has received from such contracting authority in writing the authorization request and statement specified above, and (ii) the PPA has reviewed such statement and determined that, objectively considered, such statement convincingly demonstrates that the determinations made by the contracting authority pursuant to Section 32.2 are valid.

32.5   Whenever the PPA authorizes a contracting authority to use special restricted procedures for the procurement of certain consulting services, the PPA shall publish a copy of such authorization in the Public Procurement Register. 32.6   A contracting authority shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 49 when establishing the minimum qualification requirements that an interested economic operator is required to meet. 32.7   If less than three (3) requests to participate are received from qualified candidates, or if less than three (3) responsive tenders are received from qualified candidates that were invited to submit a tender, the contracting authority shall cancel the procurement activity; in such event, the contracting authority shall, if it still desires to procure the concerned objects, initiate a new procurement activity for such objects. 32.8   Notwithstanding the requirement established by Section 32.7, if there are compelling reasons to believe that canceling the current procurement activity and initiating a new procurement activity will not result in an increased number of requests to participate from qualified candidates or an increased number of responsive tenders from qualified candidates, the PPRC may waive the requirement of Section 32.7 if (i) the PPRC receives a written request setting forth such reasons from the concerned contracting authority, and (ii) the PPRC determines that such reasons provide a convincing basis to waive the requirement of Section 32.7. Section 33 Negotiated Procedures After Publication of a Contract Notice

33.1   A contracting authority may use negotiated procedures after publication of a contract notice to conduct a procurement activity leading to the award of a large value service contract described in Section 33.2 if the contracting authority has complied with this Section 33 and received a written authorization to use such procedures from the PPA. If the contracting authority is the PPA or a contract award committee established by the PPA, it shall also comply with this Section 33; however, in such a case, the authorization request and the statement required by this Section 33 shall be submitted to the PPA’s chief executive officer, and the written authorization required by this Section 33 may be issued only by such officer.

33.2   A contracting authority may seek an authorization to use negotiated procedures after publication of a contract notice to conduct a procurement having as its object the award of a large value service contract where the nature of the services to be procured, especially in the case of intellectual or technology-intensive services or insurance, banking or investment services, is such that the contract specifications cannot be established with sufficient precision to permit the award of the contract by selecting the best tender according to the rules governing open or restricted procedures.

33.3   A contracting authority desiring to obtain the authorization required by Section 33.1 shall first prepare a written statement affirming that the contracting authority has, without any intent to discriminate against or in favor of any economic operator, made the following determinations: (i) the technical, financial, professional or other highly intellectual or complex nature of the desired services is such that it is not possible to establish the contract specifications in a manner that would permit the award of the contract by selecting the best tender according to the rules governing open or restricted procedures, (ii) it would therefore be more economically efficient for the contracting authority to first review the qualifications of interested economic operators and then to invite those possessing certain specified minimum qualifications to submit a tender consisting of a proposal that will serve as the basis for further negotiations. The contracting authority shall also set forth in the statement required by this Section 33.3 a detailed explanation of the reasoning used and the factors considered by the contracting authority in reaching these determinations, including a compelling explanation as to why such procurement activity cannot be conducted using special restricted procedures. 33.4   The contracting authority shall then submit to the PPA in writing an authorization request and the statement specified in Section 33.3. The PPA shall either issue the authorization or deny the request in writing within five (5) business days after receipt.

33.5   The PPA may authorize a contracting authority to use negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice only if (i) the PPA has received from such contracting authority in writing the authorization request and statement specified above, and (ii) the PPA has reviewed such statement and determined that, objectively considered, such statement convincingly demonstrates that the determinations made by the contracting authority are valid. The PPA shall strongly disfavour the use of negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice; therefore, whenever it is possible for the concerned contracting authority to procure the concerned services using open or restricted procedures, the PPA shall deny a request to use negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice.

33.6   Whenever the PPA authorizes a contracting authority to use negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, the PPA shall publish a copy of such authorization in the Public Procurement Register.

33.7   A contracting authority shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 49 when establishing the minimum qualification requirements that an interested economic operator is required to meet. 33.8   If less than three (3) requests to participate are received from qualified candidates, or if less than three (3) responsive tenders are received from qualified candidates that were invited to submit a tender, the contracting authority shall cancel the procurement activity; in such event, the contracting authority shall, if it still desires to procure the concerned objects, initiate a new procurement activity for such objects. Section 34 Negotiated Procedures Without Publication of a Contract Notice

34.1   A contracting authority may use negotiated procedures without publication of a contract notice to conduct a procurement activity only after it has complied with this Section 34 and received a written authorization from the PPA. If the contracting authority is the PPA or a contract award committee established by the PPA, it shall also comply with this Section 34; however, in such a case, the authorization request and the statement required by this Section 34 shall be submitted to the PPA’s chief executive officer, and the written authorization required by this Section 34 may be issued only by such officer.

34.2   A contracting authority may seek an authorization to use negotiated procedures without prior publication of a contract notice to conduct a procurement activity having as its object the award of: a. any public contract: (i)   if, for objective and compelling technical or artistic reasons, the contract may be awarded only to a particular economic operator; (ii)   if, for valid legal reasons requiring the respect of exclusive rights, the contract may be awarded only to a particular economic operator; (iii)   for the delivery of water, electricity, gas or heat, if the contract requirements, because of objective and compelling physical or technological constraints, can only be met by one economic operator; or (iv)    if, insofar as is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme urgency brought about by objectively verifiable events that were not reasonably foreseeable by the concerned contracting authority, such contracting authority cannot afford the time required to conduct any other procedure provided for by the present law. Provided, however, that if the circumstances creating the situation of extreme urgency can be attributed to the negligent or purposeful acts or omissions of a contracting authority, this provision may not be invoked. b. a supply contract: (i)   for additional deliveries by the original supplier where such additional deliveries are replacements for previously delivered products or installations or constitute an extension of current product deliveries or installations if a change of supplier would necessarily require the concerned contracting authority to accept products or installations having technical or other characteristics that are materially different from the products or installations previously acquired and these differences would result in significant compatibility or technical difficulties. Provided, however, that this Section 34.2.b(i) can only be invoked to cover one or more contracts for additional deliveries that, alone or in the aggregate, have a value that is not greater than ten percent (10%) of the value of the supply contract covering the original deliveries; or (ii)   if the concerned contracting authority is a public service operator, for the purchase of commodities at a commodities exchange;

c. a service contract: (i)   that follows from a design contest conducted pursuant to open or restricted procedures, and that is required, under the applicable rules, to be awarded to the successful candidate; (ii)   to be awarded to a contracting authority that enjoys, pursuant to a legislative or regulatory normative or sub normative act, an exclusive right to provide such service; or (iii)    for the performance or execution of new services that are highly similar to services that are covered by an earlier works contract, if (a) such new contract is to be awarded to the same economic operator that was awarded such earlier works contract, (b) such new services are connected with the same basic project for which such earlier works contract was awarded, and (c) such earlier works contract was awarded pursuant to open or restricted procedures. Provided, however, that this Section 34.2.c(iii) can only be invoked to cover one or more contracts for new services that, alone or in the aggregate, have a value that is not greater than ten percent (10%) of the value of the earlier works contract; or

d. a service or works contract: (i)   for the performance or execution of additional services or works that were neither included in the original conception of a previously awarded works project nor provided for in the concerned works contract previously concluded, but which have, through unforeseen circumstances, become necessary for the performance of the services or works described in such project and contract. Provided, however, that this Section 34.2.d(i) may only be invoked if (a) the contract covering such additional services or works is to be awarded to the economic operator performing the original services or works and (b) such additional services or works cannot be technically or economically separated from the main contract without major inconvenience to the contracting authority. Provided, further, that this Section 34.2.d(i) may only be invoked to cover one or more contracts for additional services or works that, alone or in the aggregate, have a value that is not greater than ten percent (10%) of the value of the original contract.

34.3   A contracting authority desiring to obtain the authorization required by Section 34.1 shall first prepare a written statement affirming that the contracting authority has, without any intent to discriminate against or in favour of any economic operator, has determined that a provision of Section 34.2 permits the use of negotiated procedures without the publication of a contract notice to conduct such activity. The contracting authority shall also set forth in the statement required by this Section 34.3 a detailed explanation of the reasoning used and the factors considered by the contracting authority in reaching this determination. 34.4   The contracting authority shall then submit to the PPA in writing an authorization request and the statement specified in Section 34.3. The PPA shall either issue the requested authorization or deny the request in writing within five (5) business days after receipt.

34.5   The PPA may authorize a contracting authority to use negotiated procedures without the publication of a contract notice only if (i) the PPA has received from such contracting authority in writing the authorization request and statement specified above, and (ii) the PPA has reviewed such statement and determined that, objectively considered, such statement convincingly demonstrates that the determination made by the contracting authority is valid.

34.6   Whenever the PPA authorizes a contracting authority to use negotiated procedures without the publication of a contract notice, the PPA shall publish a copy of such authorization in the Public Procurement Register.

34.7   If the PPA receives a request from a contracting authority that desires to invoke Section 34.2.a(iv), the PPA shall immediately accord the highest possible priority to the development of a response to such request. The PPA may authorize a contracting authority to use negotiated procedures without publication of a contract notice on the basis of paragraph 34.2.a(iv) only if the PPA first verifies in writing that (i) events necessitating an extremely urgent procurement have occurred, (ii) such events were not reasonably foreseeable by the contracting authority, (iii) such events require the conduct of the concerned procurement on a more accelerated basis than even the time limits provided for in Section 44 allow, and (iv) the occurrence of such events cannot be attributed to the negligent or purposeful acts or omissions of a contracting authority.

34.8   Even if the PPA determines that the criteria specified in Section 34.7 have been fulfilled, if the concerned procurement involves a low or medium value contract for goods or services meeting the description specified in Section 35.1, the PPA shall, whenever feasible, deny the request and instead direct the contracting authority to use the price quotation procedures set forth in Section 35.

34.9   The conduct of a negotiated procedure without publication of a contract notice shall not  in any way relieve a contracting authority of its obligation (i) to play an active role in determining the terms of the contract, with special reference to prices, delivery deadlines, quantities, technical characteristics and guarantees, (ii) to ensure that the contracted price is not higher than the concerned market price, and (iii) to carefully assess the quality of the concerned product, service or works.

Section 35 Price Quotation Procedures

35.1   A contracting authority may use price quotation procedures to conduct a procurement activity having as its object the award of a minimal or low value supply or service contract if (i) the concerned goods or services are readily available from economic operators, (ii) the concerned goods or services do not need to be specially produced or customized in order to satisfy the requirements of the contracting authority, and (iii) there is an established market for such goods or services. 35.2 A contracting authority shall use price quotation procedures to conduct an emergency procurement involving the award of a low or medium value supply or service contract when directed to do so by the PPA, pursuant to section 34.8 35.3   The contracting authority shall simultaneously send a written request for price quotations to at least three (3) economic operators and, to the extent practicable, to as many additional economic operators as is necessary to ensure that effective competition for the concerned contract is not impaired. 35.4   The contracting authority shall select such economic operators and otherwise conduct the procurement activity in a manner that is not intended to discriminate against or in favor of any economic operator. 35.5   An economic operator that did not receive a request for price quotations that was sent to other economic operators shall have the right to obtain, immediately upon request, such request for price quotations from the concerned contracting authority. An economic operator that did not receive a request for price quotations that was sent to other economic operators shall also have the right to submit a price quotation in response to such request, even if such economic operator obtained a copy or information about such request for price quotations from someone other than the contracting authority. 35.6   The written request for price quotations shall satisfy the tender dossier requirements established by Section 27 of the present law. In particular, such a written request for price quotations shall (i) describe, in accordance with Section 28, the concerned goods, services, or works (ii) inform all economic operators that their quotations must contain a lump sum fixed price that the contracting authority would need to pay to obtain the concerned goods or services and that such lump sum fixed price shall include any and all applicable taxes and duties as well as any transportation, insurance, installation or other charges, fees or expenses of any description; and (iii) specify the date by which price quotations must be received. 35.7   For a procurement activity conducted pursuant to Section 35.1, the date by which price quotations must be received shall be no less than ten (10) calendar days from the date of the dispatch of the written request for price quotations. For an emergency procurement conducted pursuant to Section 35.2, the date by which price quotations must be received shall be no less than three (3) business days from the date of the dispatch of the written request for price quotations. 35.8   If, in a procurement activity conducted pursuant to Section 35.1, less than three (3) economic operators that routinely offer the concerned goods or services on the market submit responsive written quotations on or before the specified deadline, the contracting authority shall cancel the procurement activity. In such event, the contracting authority shall, if it still desires to procure the concerned goods or services, initiate a new procurement activity for such goods or services. 35.9   An economic operator may submit only one price quotation during the concerned procurement activity. An economic operator may not change its price quotation after such quotation has been submitted. 35.10   For the purposes of the applicability of the other provisions of the present law, a request for price quotations shall constitute an “invitation to tender.” Section 36 Procedures for Minimal Contracts

The Rules Committee shall have the authority to establish in the public procurement rules a special procedure to govern the award of minimal value contracts. The Rules Committee shall ensure that such procedure provides for adequate competition, transparency and the most cost-effective use of public funds. The Rules Committee shall also ensure that such procedure observes the principle of non-discrimination and all applicable provisions of the present law.

Chapter 3 Rules on Advertising and Transparency

Section 37 Indicative Notice

37.1   When a contracting authority has the intention of awarding, over a future 12-month period, (i) one or more supply contracts having an estimated value, alone or in the aggregate, of 750,000 Euros, (ii) one or more service contracts having an estimated value, alone or in the aggregate, of 750,000 Euros, or (iii) one or more works contracts having an estimated value, alone or in the aggregate, of 1,000,000 Euros, the contracting authority shall prepare an indicative notice that specifies:

a.   in the case of anticipated supply contracts, the total procurement by product area that the contracting authority intends to procure over such 12-month period;

b.   in the case of anticipated service contracts, the estimated aggregate value of each category of service that the contracting authority intends to procure over such 12-month period; and

c.   in the case of anticipated works contracts, the essential characteristics of the works contracts that the contracting authority intends to award over such 12-month period.

37.2   An indicative notice shall be prepared in the Albanian, Serbian and English languages. The contracting authority shall ensure that all language versions of an indicative notice comply with the present law and contain materially identical information.

37.3   In the case of an indicative notice referred to in Section 37.1.a or b, the contracting authority shall prepare such indicative notice as soon as possible after the beginning of the concerned fiscal year.

37.4   In the case of an indicative notice referred to in Section 37.1.c, the contracting authority shall prepare such indicative notice immediately after the decision approving the planning of the concerned works contracts.

Section 38 Contract Notice

When a contracting authority intends to conduct a procurement using open or restricted procedures or negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, the contracting authority shall prepare a contract notice in the languages required by Section 12. The contracting authority shall ensure that all language versions of a contract notice comply with the present law and contain materially identical information.

Section 39 Contract Award Notice

If a contracting authority has awarded any public contract using open, restricted, or negotiated procedures, or price quotation procedures, such contracting authority shall, within two (2) business days after the award of such contract, prepare a contract award notice in the languages required by Section 12. The contracting authority shall ensure that all language versions of a contract award notice comply with the present law and contain materially identical information. Section 40 Publication of Notices

40.1   If a contracting authority is not the PPA, such contracting authority shall immediately submit to the PPA all language versions of any notice that it has prepared pursuant to Section 37, 38 or 39. The Rules Committee shall establish rules governing the submission of notices to the PPA by other contracting authorities.

40.2   Within two (2) business days after the PPA prepares a notice pursuant to Section 37, 38 or 39, or receives such a notice from another contracting authority pursuant to Section 40.1, the PPA shall publish all language versions of such notice on the PPA’s website and in the Public Procurement Register.

40.3.  A contracting authority shall publish a notice that it has prepared in the required languages in a major Albanian language publication of general circulation in Kosovo and a major Serbian language publication, provided, however, that this publication requirement shall not apply to contract award notice for a law or minimal value contract. If the contracting authority is not the PPA, it shall comply with this Section 40.3 within three (3) business days after submitting the concerned notice to the PPA as required by Section 40.1. If the contracting authority is the PPA, it shall comply with this Section 40.3 within three (3) business days after it prepares the concerned notice. All language versions of a notice shall be published on the same date or dates, in the same manner. The Rules Committee shall establish rules governing the publication of notices.

40.4   A contracting authority shall dispatch a contract award notice, immediately after it has been prepared, to all economic operators that received an invitation to tender or submitted a request to participate or tender. A contracting authority shall dispatch such a notice to the concerned economic operators by the most rapid means available.

40.5   Except as provided for in Section 40.4, no notice, nor any information in a notice, may be made public or disclosed to any person or undertaking prior to its publication pursuant to Section 40.2 or 40.3. Section 41 Form and Content of Notices

Every notice shall be drawn up in accordance with the applicable standard form adopted by the Rules Committee.

Section 42 General Rules for Setting a Time Limit for the Receipt of Tenders or Requests to Participate

42.1   Any time limit set by a contracting authority for the receipt of tenders or requests to participate shall be of a duration that is sufficient to give potentially interested economic operators a reasonable amount of time to prepare and submit such documents. In setting such a time limit, a contracting authority shall take into consideration the object and complexity of the concerned procurement and the contract to be awarded as well as the level of difficulty and/or complexity involved in the preparation of a responsive tender or request to participate.

42.2   In a procurement using open procedures, the contracting authority shall set a time limit for the receipt of tenders that is:

a.   if the concerned contract is a large value public contract, not less than 52 calendar days; and

b.   if the concerned contract is not a large value public contract, not less than 30 calendar days.

42.3   In a procurement using restricted procedures, the contracting authority shall set time limits for the receipt of requests to participate and tenders that are:

a.   if the concerned contract is a large value public contract, not less than 37 calendar days for the receipt of requests to participate and not less than 40 calendar days for the receipt of tenders; and

b.   if the concerned contract is not a large value public contract, not less than 21 calendar days for the receipt of requests to participate and not less than 21 calendar days for the receipt of tenders.

42.4   In a procurement using negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, the contracting authority shall set time limits for the receipt of requests to participate and tenders that are:

a.   if the concerned contract is a large value public contract, not less than 37 calendar days for the receipt of requests to participate and not less than 40 calendar days for the receipt of tenders; and

b.   if the concerned contract is not a large value public contract, not less than 21 calendar days for the receipt of requests to participate and not less than 21 calendar days for the receipt of tenders.

42.5   In a procurement using price quotation procedures, the contracting authority shall set a time for the receipt of tenders as specified in Section 35.7. Section 43 Special Rules for Setting a Time Limit for the Receipt of Tenders for a Public Contract Covered by an Indicative Notice

43.1   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 42, in a procurement activity using open or restricted procedures and having as its object a large value contract that has previously been the subject of an indicative notice, the contracting authority may set a time limit for the receipt of tenders that is no less than 36 calendar days from (i) in the case of open procedures, the date of publication of the concerned contract notice,  or (ii) in the case of restricted procedures the date on or by which all invitations to tender are sent. 43.2   The PPA may, in cases where it is convinced that the preparation of a responsive tender should be a relatively simple matter, authorize a contracting authority to set a time limit that is shorter than 36 calendar days, but in no event may the time limit be less than 26 calendar days. Such an authorization shall be in writing. If the PPA or a contract award committee desires to invoke this Section 43.2 for a procurement activity being conducted by the PPA or a contract award committee, the required authorization must be signed by the PPA’s chief executive officer.

43.3   The time limits referenced in Sections 43.1 and 43.2 may only be used if (i) the concerned indicative notice included all the information specified in the applicable standard form adopted by the Rules Committee and (ii) the date of publication of such indicative notice occurred no less than 52 calendar days and no more than 12 months prior to the date of publication of the concerned contract notice.

Section 44 Special Rules Permitting the Reduction of Time Limits

44.1   If circumstances exist that (i) necessitate the conduct of a procurement activity on an urgent basis, (ii) make it impracticable to observe the time limits specified in Section 42 or, if applicable, Section 43, (iii) do not give rise to the kind of extreme urgency anticipated by Section 34.2.a(iv), and (iv) are not attributable to the acts and omissions of a contracting authority, a contracting authority may, with the prior written authorization of the PPA or - if the procurement activity is being conducted by the PPA or a contract award committee – the chief executive officer of the PPA, conduct the procurement using the accelerated time limits established in this Section 44.

44.2   In a procurement activity using open procedures, the contracting authority may be authorized to set a time limit for the receipt of tenders that is:

a.   if the concerned contract is a large value public contract, not less than 20 calendar days; or

b.   if the concerned contract is not a large value public contract, not less than 15 calendar days.

44.3   In a procurement activity using restricted procedures, the contracting authority may be authorized to set a time limit that is (i) not less than 15 calendar days for the receipt of requests to participate and/or (ii) not less than 10 calendar days for the receipt of tenders.

Section 45 Commencement of Time Limits for Receipt of Requests to Participate and Tenders

The time limits specified in Sections 42 - 44 shall commence to run as follows:

a.   for the receipt of tenders in a procurement activity using open procedures, on the date of  publication of the contract notice;

b.   for the receipt of requests to participate in a procurement activity using restricted procedures or negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, on the date of publication of the contract notice.

c.   for the receipt of tenders in a procurement activity using restricted procedures or negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, on the date on which all invitations to submit a tender are sent; and

d.   for the receipt of tenders in a procurement activity using price quotation procedures, on the date on which all invitations to submit a price quotation are sent.

Section 46 Delivery of Tender Dossiers

If an economic operator has timely filed a request to obtain a tender dossier that meets the requirements set forth in the concerned contract notice, the concerned contracting authority is strictly required to send the requested tender dossier to such economic operator as follows:

a.   If the time limit set for the receipt of tenders is more than 30 calendar days, no later than five days after receiving such request;

b.   if the time limit set for the receipt of tenders is more than 20 calendar but less than 30 calendar days, no later than four calendar days after receiving such request; and

c.   if the time limit set for the receipt of tenders is less than 20 calendar days, no later than three calendar days after receiving such a request.

Section 47 Means of Transmission of Requests to Participate

47.1   A request to participate in a procurement activity leading to the award of any public contract may be submitted by electronic means, letter or fax.

47.2   In a procurement procedure using the accelerated time limits authorized by Section 44, a request to participate may be submitted by the most rapid means of communication  possible.

47.3   A request to participate made by fax must be confirmed by letter or electronic means before the expiry of the time-limit set for the receipt of requests to participate.

Section 48 Dispatch and Contents of Invitations to Tender

48.1   In restricted procedures, negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, and price quotation procedures, the contracting authority shall simultaneously dispatch to all selected candidates the concerned invitation to tender.

48.2   In restricted procedures and negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, all invitations to tender shall be sent together with the tender dossier, except to the extent that the contracting authority has made tender dossier material available electronically. If the contracting authority has made such material available electronically, the invitation letter shall provide sufficient information to enable the candidate to access such material.

48.3   In price quotation procedures, the invitation to tender shall contain all material information needed by the candidates to submit responsive price quotations.

48.4   The form and content of any invitation, material or other information sent to a candidate shall be identical to that sent to any other candidate. No candidate shall be given greater or lesser access to any material or information than any other candidate. 48.5   If a procurement activity using restricted procedures is being conducted under accelerated time limits authorized by Section 44.3, the contracting authority shall dispatch the invitations to submit a tender by the most rapid means of communication possible. Section 49 Notification of Qualification Requirements and Selection Criteria

49.1   A contracting authority shall specify in the contract notice and the tender dossier any and all minimum qualification requirements that an interested economic operator is required to meet in order to be considered qualified (i) in the case of open procedures, to be awarded a contract, or (ii) in the case of restricted procedures or negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, to receive an invitation to tender. All such qualification requirements shall be limited to requirements necessary to ensure that only economic operators possessing the professional, financial and technical ability necessary to fulfil the terms of the concerned contract shall be considered qualified to receive a contract award or an invitation to tender. In no case shall a contracting authority establish, specify or use qualification requirements that are based on considerations other than those permitted under the provisions of Sections 61 – 65. 49.2   A contracting authority shall specify in the contract notice and the tender dossier any and all documents or other information that an interested economic operator is required to submit with its tender or request to participate. All such documentary and information requirements shall be limited to such documents and information as may be reasonably necessary to allow the contracting authority to verify that the concerned economic operator (i) is not ineligible under section 61 of the present law, and (ii) if applicable, satisfies the minimum qualification requirements specified in the contract notice and the tender dossier. In no case shall a contract notice or a tender dossier require an interested economic operator to comply with documentary or information submission requirements that are not in conformity with the provisions of Sections 61-65.

49.3   All qualification requirements and documentary and information requirements established and noticed under this Section 49 shall be both directly relevant and proportionate to the subject matter of the concerned contract. Section 50 Notification of Contract Award Criteria

50.1   A contracting authority shall specify in the contract notice and the tender dossier either (i) that the contract shall be awarded to the economic operator submitting the lowest-priced tender or (ii) that the contract shall be awarded to the economic operator submitting the most economically advantageous tender.

50.2   If the contracting authority has specified that the award of a public contract shall be made to the economic operator submitting the most economically advantageous tender, such contracting authority shall specify in the tender dossier the criteria for determining the winning tender and the weighting assigned to each. To the greatest extent practicable, the contracting authority shall specify each criterion in an objective and quantifiable manner and express the weighting assigned thereto in monetary terms. In specifying such criteria, a contracting authority shall ensure that such criteria are directly linked to the objects and requirements of the concerned public contract. Furthermore, a contracting authority may only specify criteria that relate to: (i) the tender price (ii) the terms of payment, (iii) operating, maintenance and other life-time costs, (iv) the delivery date, delivery period or period of completion, (v) functional characteristics, (vi) after-sales service and technical assistance, and/or (vii) the terms of any warranties or guarantees. Section 51 Providing Additional Information to Candidates and Tenderers

51.1   When preparing a tender, any economic operator may make a written request to the concerned contracting authority for additional or clarifying information that the economic operator believes is needed to prepare or submit a responsive tender; provided, however that any such written request shall be received by the contracting authority:

a.   no less than 20 calendar days prior to the date set for the receipt of tenders, if the time limit set for the receipt of tenders is 40 calendar days or more;

b.   no less than 15 calendar days prior to the date set for the receipt of tenders if the time limit set for the receipt of tenders is 30 calendar days or more but less than 40 calendar days;

c.   no less than 10 calendar days prior to the date set for the receipt of tenders if the time limit set for the receipt of tenders is 20 calendar days or more but less than 30 calendar days; or

d.   no less than 6 calendar days prior to the date set for the receipt of tenders if the time limit set for the receipt of tenders is 10 calendar days or more but less than 20 calendar days.

51.2   Such a request may be submitted to the contracting authority by electronic means, letter or fax. 51.3   The contracting authority shall specify the date by which such a request must be received in the tender dossier and, if applicable, the invitation to tender. 51.4   A contracting authority shall immediately review any such request received to determine whether or not economic operators need the requested additional or clarifying information in order to prepare responsive tenders. 51.5   If the contracting authority determines that economic operators do not need the requested information, the contracting authority shall immediately communicate a denial of the request in writing to the concerned economic operator. 51.6   If the contracting authority determines that any of the requested additional or clarifying information is needed by economic operators, the contracting authority shall immediately and simultaneously provide such information in writing, by the most rapid means possible, to all economic operators who have obtained or received from the contracting authority the concerned tender dossier or invitation to tender. The contracting authority shall not reveal the identity of the economic operator that requested the clarifying information. 51.7   If, in a procurement activity involving the use of open, restricted or negotiated procedures, the contracting authority provides any additional or clarifying information to economic operators, and the date on which such information is provided is less than 10 calendar days from the deadline set for the receipt of tenders, the contracting authority shall extend such deadline to give economic operators at least 10 calendar days from the date on which such information is provided to submit their tenders. If an economic operator has already submitted a tender, such economic operator shall be permitted to submit an amendment to such tender, but such amendment shall be limited to changes that are reasonably related to such additional or clarifying information. 51.8   If, in a procurement activity involving the use of price quotation procedures, the contracting authority provides any additional or clarifying information to economic operators, and the date on which such information is provided is less than 5 calendar days from the deadline set for the receipt of tenders, the contracting authority shall extend such deadline to give economic operators at least 5 calendar days from the date on which such information is provided to submit their tenders. If an economic operator has already submitted a tender, such economic operator shall be permitted to submit an amendment to such tender, but such amendment shall be limited to changes that are reasonably related to such additional or clarifying information. 51.9   If, at any time prior to the deadline set for the receipt of tenders, a contracting authority determines or becomes aware – by any means - that any additional or clarifying information is needed by economic operators, the contracting authority shall immediately and simultaneously provide such information in writing, by the most rapid means possible, to all economic operators that have received a tender dossier or invitation to tender from the contracting authority. In such event, the contracting authority shall extend the deadline for the receipt of tenders in accordance with Section 51.7 or Section 51.8, whichever is applicable. Section 52 Notification to Eliminated Candidates and Tenderers 52.1   Whenever a contacting authority eliminates a candidate or tenderer from further participation in a procurement activity, such contracting authority shall immediately notify such candidate or tenderer in writing of such event. 52.2   If a contracting authority receives from an eliminated candidate or tenderer a written request for a statement of the reasons upon which such candidate or tenderer was eliminated, the contracting authority shall, within 15 calendar days from the date on which such request is received, send such eliminated candidate or tenderer a statement specifying such reasons in accordance with the following: a.   In the case of an eliminated candidate, the statement shall specify the reasons for the rejection of that candidate’s request to participate. b.   In the case of an eliminated tenderer who was eliminated for submitting an irregular or otherwise non-responsive tender, the statement shall specify the deficiencies in such tender. c.   In the case of an unsuccessful tenderer who submitted a responsive tender, the statement shall specify the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning tender and the name of the winning tenderer. 52.3   Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, a contracting authority may withhold information if (i) the contracting authority determines that the disclosure of such information would be contrary to some important and specific public interest or would have a significant potential to impede law enforcement efforts, to harm the legitimate commercial interests of one or more economic operators, or to prejudice fair competition among them, and (ii) the PPRC reviews such determination and provides the contracting authority with a written authorization to withhold information otherwise required to be disclosed by Section 52.2. Section 53 Means of Communication

53.1   Except during the conduct of a site visit or a pre-tender meeting, all communication and information exchange between economic operators and a contracting authority shall be performed (i) in writing - whether by letter, fax and/or electronic means - and (ii) in conformity with all other applicable provisions of the present law. . 53.2   Such communication and information exchange shall be carried out in such a way as to ensure that the integrity of data and the confidentiality of tenders and all information supplied by economic operators are preserved, and that a contracting authority examines the content of a tender or request to participate only after the time limit set for the receipt thereof has expired.

Chapter 4 Conduct of Procurement Procedures

Section 54 General Provisions on the Selection of Participants and the Award of Contracts

54.1   All public contracts shall be awarded on the basis of the criteria specified in Section 58 and in accordance with the procedure established pursuant to such section. 54.2   The contracting authority shall disqualify any candidate or tenderer that has failed to submit (i) required certifications or attestations demonstrating or affirming that such candidate or tenderer is not ineligible under Section 61, (ii) a certificate, document or other sufficient evidence that has been reasonably required by a contracting authority under Section 62 for the purpose of verifying the professional suitability of the candidate or tenderer, or (iii) sufficient evidence, as described and evaluated under Sections 63 and 64, reasonably demonstrating that such candidate or tenderer meets the minimum financial, technical and professional capacity requirements specified in the contract notice in accordance with Section 49.

54.3   In the case of restricted procedures and negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, a contracting authority shall select the candidates that will be invited to submit a tender or proposal only on the basis of (i) the selection criteria specified in the contract notice and the tender dossier in accordance with Section 49.2 and (ii) the documents, information and/or evidence of qualifications submitted by candidates in direct response to the requirements stated in the contract notice and the tender dossier. Candidates not so selected shall be eliminated from further participation. The Rules Committee shall establish in the public procurement rules a detailed procedure that contracting authorities shall be required to follow when making such a selection. The Rules Committee shall ensure that such procedure is (i) in accordance with best international practice, (ii) provides for adequate competition and transparency, (iii) implements the principle of non-discrimination, and (iv) otherwise complies with all applicable provisions of the present law 54.4   A tenderer, in the case of open procedures, or a candidate, in the case of restricted procedures and negotiated procedures after the publication of a contract notice, shall not be disqualified, excluded or eliminated from such procedures on the basis of any requirement or criterion not specified in the contract notice and the tender dossier. Section 55 Tender Security

55.1   In a procurement activity leading to the award of large or medium value contract, a contracting authority may require a tenderer to post tender security. Tender security posted by a tenderer shall be forfeited in the event:

a.   the contracting authority determines, on the basis of objectively verifiable evidence, that such tenderer has provided materially false or misleading information to the contracting authority;

b.   such tenderer withdraws its tender after the deadline for the submission of tenders but prior to the expiration of the tender validity period specified in the tender dossier; or

c.   such tenderer is awarded the concerned contract on the basis of its tender and the tenderer then refuses or fails (i) to post any required performance security that was specified in the tender dossier, (ii) to comply with any other condition precedent to the signing of the concerned contract that was specified in the tender dossier, or (iii) to execute a contract that conforms to the terms and conditions specified in the tender dossier.

55.2   If the contracting authority imposes a tender security requirement, such requirement shall apply to all tenderers. The contracting authority shall reject and not evaluate a tender received from a tenderer that has failed to comply with an applicable tender security requirement.

55.3   If the contracting authority imposes a tender security requirement, the amount of the tender security required shall be no less than three percent (3%) and no greater than five percent (5%) of the estimated value of the public contract or design contest, but shall in no case be less than 1000 Euros.

55.4   The contracting authority shall specify in the tender dossier any requirements regarding the nature, form, amount and other terms and conditions applicable to the required tender security. Tender security may always be posted in cash or a cash equivalent, such as a bank wire or bank transfer. Tender security may also be posted in the form of a certified check, surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee; however, the contracting authority shall specify in the tender dossier any requirements that the issuer of such a check, bond, letter of credit or guarantee must meet; provided, however, that such requirements shall not require the issuer to have a place of business in a specific location. The Rules Committee shall include in the public procurement rules detailed provisions on the minimum qualification requirements that issuers of certified checks, surety bonds, letters of credit and bank guarantees must meet in order for such instruments to be acceptable; provided, however, that such minimum qualification requirements shall be non-discriminatory and limited to requirements that are directly related to ensuring the financial stability and reliability of such issuers.

55.5   If the contracting authority decides to impose a tender security requirement, the tender dossier shall contain a section on tender security that sets forth:

a.   the precise amount of the tender security and the required validity period of the tender security;

b.   the deadline for the receipt of the tender security, which shall be the same as that for the receipt of tenders;

c.   a statement of the events, in accordance with Section 55.1, that will cause such security to be forfeited; and

d.   the requirements covered by Section 55.4.

55.6   Each contracting authority shall establish a separate interest-bearing account at a licensed commercial bank in Kosovo for the purpose of receiving and holding funds received as tender security or received under a surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee that had been posted as tender security. A contracting authority shall immediately deposit and hold all such funds in such account. A contracting authority shall not return, transfer, use or make any other disposition or use of such funds except as specifically authorized by Sections 55.7 – 55.9.

55.7   If no event has occurred requiring the forfeiture of tender security, as specified in Section 55.1, a contracting authority shall return the funds or document constituting such tender security within five (5) business days after the occurrence of any of the following events:

a.   the expiration of the tender validity period;

b.   the award and entry into force of the concerned public contract;

c.   the formal cancellation or termination of the procurement activity prior to the award or entry into force of the concerned public contract; or

d.   the withdrawal of the tender prior to the deadline set for the submission of tenders, unless the tender dossier specifically states that no such withdrawal is permitted.

55.8   If a contracting authority determines that an event requiring the forfeiture of tender security, as specified in Section 55.1, has occurred, such contracting authority shall notify the concerned tenderer in writing of such determination. However, if the concerned tender security has been posted in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee, the contracting authority shall first take whatever measures may be necessary to obtain the concerned funds from the issuer before providing the tenderer with the notification required by the preceding sentence. A contracting authority shall leave such funds on deposit in the account specified in Section 55.6 until the concerned tenderer has exhausted all of its rights to appeal the contracting authority’s determination. Once the tenderer has exhausted its rights to appeal such decision, and no order has been received from the PPRC, a review panel or a court of competent jurisdiction requiring the concerned contracting authority to make another disposition of the concerned funds, the contracting authority shall: a.   if the contracting authority is subject to the normative acts on public budgetary and appropriations matters, treat such forfeited tender security as a fine and/or penalty and transfer the concerned funds to the Kosovo Consolidated Fund in accordance with the relevant provisions of such acts; or b.    if the contracting authority is not subject to such acts, transfer the concerned funds to its general operating account and treat such funds, for accounting and tax purposes, in the same manner as other general revenue of such contracting authority. Section 56 Opening of Tenders

56.1   A contracting authority shall specify both the location and the time for the public opening of tenders in the contract notice and in the tender dossier. If a contacting authority issues, in conformity with the present law, a document extending the deadline for the submission of tenders, the contracting authority shall specify in such document a new time for the public opening of tenders. The time set for the public opening of tenders shall be a time occurring immediately after the expiration of the deadline for the submission of tenders. A contracting authority shall not open a tender at any other place or at any other time.

56.2   All tenders that have been submitted prior to the deadline for the submission of tenders shall be opened at the time and location specified in accordance with Section 56.1. Tenders that have been submitted after such deadline shall not be opened and shall be immediately returned, unopened, to the concerned economic operator. Every tenderer shall have the right to have a representative present to observe the opening of tenders.

56.3   As each tender is opened, the concerned contracting authority shall announce to those present (i) the name of the concerned tenderer, (ii) the total tender price specified in such tender, except where the concerned document is only the technical proposal component of a two-part tender, and (iii) any discounts offered in the tender. Any discounts not so announced shall not be considered in the evaluation of tenders. All information so announced shall be immediately recorded in the minutes of the public tender opening, which shall, at the conclusion of such meeting, be signed by the concerned Procurement Officer and each representative of a tenderer who is present at such meeting. Such minutes shall immediately be included in the records for such procurement activity required by Section 9.1 of the present law and copies of such minutes shall immediately be sent to all tenderers.

Section 57 Examination, Evaluation and Comparison of Tenders

57.1   A contracting authority may, in writing, request a tenderer to provide a written clarification of any aspect of its tender in order to assist in the examination, evaluation and comparison of tenders. No change in any material term or aspect of a tender shall be solicited or accepted by a contracting authority or offered by a tenderer. 57.2   A contracting authority shall correct an error in a tender that is of a purely arithmetical nature if such an error is discovered during the examination of tenders. A contracting authority shall promptly provide to the concerned tenderer written notice of any such correction. 57.3   A contracting authority shall regard a tender as responsive only if it conforms to all requirements set forth in the contract notice and the tender dossier. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a contracting authority may regard a tender as responsive if (i) it contains only errors or oversights that are capable of being corrected without altering any material term or aspect of such tender, or (ii) it contains only minor deviations that do not materially alter or depart from the characteristics, terms, conditions and other requirements set forth in the contract notice and the tender dossier; provided, however, that any such deviations shall be quantified, to the extent possible, and appropriately taken account of in the evaluation and comparison of tenders. 57.4   A contracting authority shall evaluate and compare tenders that have been timely submitted by eligible and – if applicable – qualified economic operators in order to ascertain the successful tender. The successful tender shall be chosen in accordance with Section 58. 57.5   Except for the communications that are specifically authorized by Sections 57.1 and 57.2, no communications, discussions or negotiations of any description shall take place between the contracting authority and an economic operator with respect to a tender that has been submitted. 57.6   Notwithstanding the prohibition of Section 57.5, a contracting authority may, in a procurement activity that is being conducted with negotiated procedures, negotiate with the selected economic operator; provided, however, that the Rules Committee shall establish in the public procurement rules a detailed procedure that contracting authorities shall be required to follow when conducting such negotiations. The Rules Committee shall ensure that such procedure is (i) in accordance with best international practice, (ii) provides for adequate competition and transparency, (iii) implements the principle of non-discrimination and (iv) otherwise complies with all applicable provisions of the present law.

Section 58

Contract Award Criteria

58.1   Except as provided for in Sections 58.2 and 58.3, a contracting authority shall make an award of a public contract to the economic operator submitting the lowest-priced tender. 58.2   If, in accordance with Section 50, the contracting authority has specified in the tender dossier that the award of a public contract shall be made to the economic operator submitting the most economically advantageous tender, such award shall be made only on the basis of the criteria and weighting that have been specified in the tender dossier in accordance with Section 50.2. 58.3   The Rules Committee shall establish in the public procurement rules a detailed procedure that contracting authorities shall be required to follow when examining, evaluating and comparing tenders and awarding public contracts. The Rules Committee shall ensure that such procedure is (i) in accordance with best international practice, (ii) provides for adequate competition and transparency, (iii) implements the principle of non-discrimination and (iv) and otherwise complies with all applicable provisions of the present law. Section 59 Abnormally Low Tenders

59.1   If an economic operator submits a tender that, considered objectively, is or appears to be abnormally low in relation to the object of any procurement procedure and the tender therefore gives rise to a reasonable belief that the economic operator has submitted an un-performable tender, the contracting authority shall send a written request to the tenderer asking for the tenderer to supply a detailed breakdown of the relevant constituent elements of the tender.

59.2   The contracting authority may - if appropriate - then conduct a hearing with the concerned tenderer to review the constituent elements of the tender and to allow the tenderer to provide explanations, in accordance with Section 59.3, regarding the bases for the tender.

59.3   The contracting authority shall take into consideration explanations provided by the tenderer relating to:

a.   the economics of the manufacturing process, of the services provided and/or of the construction method;

b.   any technical solutions offered or chosen;

c.   any exceptionally favorable conditions available to the tenderer for supplying the products, providing the services, executing the works project and/or performing the construction activities being procured; and/or

d.   the originality of the supplies, services, work or works proposed.

59.4   After taking into consideration the information and explanations provided by the tenderer pursuant to Sections 59.2 and/or 59.3, if the contracting authority concludes that the tenderer has provided a satisfactory explanation of the bases of its tender, the contracting authority shall treat such tender in the same manner as any other tender.

59.5   After taking into consideration the information and explanations provided by the tenderer pursuant to Sections 59.2 and/or 59.3, if the contracting authority concludes that there is still good reason to believe that the tenderer has submitted an un-performable tender, the contracting authority may award the concerned contract to such tenderer on the condition that the tenderer post performance security in accordance with Section 60.

Section 60 Performance Security

60.1   A contracting authority shall require an economic operator that has been awarded a contract to post performance security as a pre-condition to the signing and entry into force of such contract if (i) such contract is a works contract, (ii) such contract is a service contract for software development services, (iii) there is a risk that a breach of such contract would cause substantial  damage to the contracting authority and/or require the contracting authority to incur substantial expense in obtaining the completion of such contract, (iv) the contract involves many workers, subcontractors, and/or material suppliers that might be left unpaid in the event of a breach of such contract by the economic operator or (v) the contracting authority has, after complying with Section 59, good reason to believe that an economic operator has submitted an un-performable tender.

60.2   A contracting authority shall require an economic operator that has been awarded any other medium or large value contract to post performance security as a pre-condition to the signing and entry into force of such contract if there is a risk that a breach of such contract would cause material damage to the contracting authority and/or require the contracting authority to incur material expense in obtaining the completion of such contract. 60.3   A contracting authority shall ensure that the amount of any performance security that is required by Section 60.1 (i) is equal to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the value of the contract and (ii) is otherwise set at a level that is consistent with usual and customary public and commercial practices applicable to the specific type and subject matter of the concerned contract.

60.4   A contracting authority shall ensure that the amount of any performance security that is required under Section 60.2 (i) is equal to at least ten percent (10%) of the value of the contract and (ii) is otherwise set at a level that is sufficient to cover any damages and expenses that the contracting authority reasonably expects it will incur in the event of a breach of such contract by the economic operator.

60.5   A contracting authority shall ensure that the tender dossier and the concerned public contract contain detailed provisions on the nature, form, amount, status, term, forfeiture, and return of any required performance security. Such provisions shall conform to usual and customary public and commercial practices applicable to the specific type and subject matter of the concerned contract. In particular, the concerned contract shall include provisions (i) requiring the contracting authority to provide the economic operator with written notice of any alleged failure of the economic operator to perform the contract, and (ii) giving the economic operator a usual and customary amount of time to correct such failure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a performance security requirement established pursuant to Section 60.1(v) need not be specified in the tender dossier. 60.6   If the performance security may be posted in the form of a certified check, surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee, the contracting authority shall specify in the tender dossier any requirements that the issuer of such a bond, letter of credit or guarantee must meet; provided, however, that such requirements shall not require the issuer to have a place of business in a specific location. The Rules Committee shall include in the public procurement rules detailed provisions on the matters falling within the scope of this Section 60.6. 60.7   Each contracting authority shall establish a separate interest-bearing account at a licensed commercial bank in Kosovo for the purpose of receiving and holding funds received as performance security or received under a surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee that had been posted as performance security. A contracting authority shall immediately deposit and hold all such funds in such account. A contracting authority shall not return, transfer, use or make any other disposition or use of such funds except as specifically authorized by Sections 60.8 – 60.9.

60.8   If no event has occurred requiring the forfeiture of performance security, a contracting authority shall return the funds or document constituting such performance security in accordance with the terms of the concerned contract.

60.9    If a contracting authority determines that an event requiring the forfeiture of performance security, as specified in the concerned contract, has occurred, such contracting authority shall notify the concerned economic operator in writing of such determination. However, if such performance security has been posted in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee, the contracting authority shall first take whatever measures may be necessary to obtain the concerned funds from the issuer before providing the tenderer with the notification required by the preceding sentence. A contracting authority shall leave such funds on deposit in the account specified in Section 60.7 until the concerned economic operator has exhausted all of its rights to appeal the contracting authority’s determination. Once the economic operator has exhausted its rights to appeal such decision, and no order has been received from the PPRC, a review panel or a court of competent jurisdiction requiring the concerned contracting authority to make another disposition of the concerned funds, the contracting authority shall: a.   if the contracting authority is subject to the normative acts on public budgetary and appropriations matters, treat such forfeited performance security as a fine and/or penalty and transfer the concerned funds to the Kosovo Consolidated Fund in accordance with the relevant provisions of such acts; or b.    if the contracting authority is not subject to such acts, transfer the concerned funds to its general operating account and treat such funds, for accounting and tax purposes, in the same manner as other general revenue of such contracting authority. Chapter 5 Eligibility Requirements Section 61 Eligibility of the Candidate or Tenderer

61.1   An economic operator shall not be eligible to participate in a procurement activity or in the performance of any public contract if such economic operator, or any employee, executive, manager or director thereof:

a.   participated in the preparation of the concerned contract notice or tender dossier, or any part thereof, being used by the concerned contracting authority; or

b.   received assistance in preparation of its tender or requests to participate from a person or undertaking who or that participated in the preparation of the concerned contract notice or tender dossier, or any part thereof.

61.2   An economic operator shall not be eligible to participate in a procurement activity or in the performance of any public contract if such economic operator, or any executive, manager or director thereof, has, in the past ten years:

a.   been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed a criminal or civil offence involving corrupt practices, money laundering, bribery, kickbacks or activities described, or similar to those described, in Section 117.1 of the present law under the laws or regulations applicable in Kosovo or any country, or under international treaties or conventions;

b.   been declared ineligible, by reason of conduct such as that described above, by any bank, institution or organization providing funds for general development, public investment or reconstruction;

c.   been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed a serious offence by participating in the activities of a criminal organization, defined as a structured association established over a period of time and operating in a concerted manner to achieve financial gain through activities that are criminal or otherwise illegal where they take place; or

d.   been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have committed an act of fraud or an act equivalent to fraud;

e.   been determined to have engaged in unprofessional conduct by a court of competent jurisdiction, administrative agency or organization responsible for enforcing standards of professional conduct; or

f.   been determined by the PPRC on the basis of substantial evidence, to have engaged in serious professional misconduct or made serious misrepresentations in documents submitted in connection with a procurement proceeding or activity governed by public law in Kosovo or elsewhere.

61.3   An economic operator shall not be eligible to participate in a procurement activity or in the performance of any public contract if such economic operator:

a.   has, in the past two years, been adjudged to be bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction;

b.   is being wound up or administered, or its affairs are being wound up or administered, by a court of competent jurisdiction;

c.   currently has in place an agreement or arrangement with its creditors providing for extended or reduced terms of payment if such terms were agreed to by such creditors because the economic operator had previously been unable to satisfy its obligations as they came due;

d.   is in any situation analogous to a, b or c above arising from a similar procedure under the laws of its place of establishment or of a place where it conducts business;

e.   is currently the subject of a judicial or administrative order suspending or reducing payments by or to such economic operator and resulting in the total or partial loss of the economic operator’s right to administer and/or dispose of its property;

f.   is currently the subject of legal or administrative proceedings that may result in a judicial or administrative order suspending or reducing payments by or to such economic operator if such proceedings may also result in the economic operator being adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

g.   has, in the past three years, been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to have seriously breached a contract with any public entity, public authority or public undertaking in Kosovo or elsewhere;

h.   is currently delinquent in the payment of any social security contributions in Kosovo or the economic operator’s country of establishment;

i.   is currently delinquent in the payment of taxes in Kosovo or the economic operator’s country of establishment; or

j.   has not yet complied with an order issued by the PPRC or a review panel.

61.4   The historical time periods specified in this Section shall relate to the period immediately preceding the date of publication of the contract notice or, in the case of negotiated procedures without a contract notice, the communication of the invitation to participate or tender.

61.5   The Rules Committee shall develop and adopt the rules regarding the types of documents, evidence and/or declarations that an economic operator must provide in order to demonstrate that such economic operator is not excluded by any provision of this Section 61. The Rules Committee shall ensure that such rules do not strictly require documents or declarations that are not available in certain countries or regions. The Rules Committee shall ensure that such rules reasonably accommodate the abilities of economic operators in this respect by allowing the submission of declarations under oath, notarized statements and the like. In all cases, the submitting economic operator shall be required to acknowledge the possibility of criminal and civil sanctions, penalties and damages if such economic operator intentionally or negligently submits any document, declaration or statement containing materially false or misleading information.

Section 62 Professional Suitability

62.1   A contracting authority may require an economic operator desiring to participate in a procurement activity or the performance of a public contract to submit a document issued by the appropriate public authority in the economic operator’s country of establishment evidencing the economic operator’s registration in that country’s – as appropriate – professional, commercial and/or corporate register.

62.2   If the object of any procurement activity is a public contract involving the provision of professional services, and if such services are of a type that may normally only be provided by an economic operator holding an authorization or license from a public authority or having membership in a particular organization, the contracting authority may require economic operators to provide reasonable evidence that they hold such an authorization or license or have such a membership in their country of establishment  or a declaration under oath that no such requirement exists in their country of establishment.

62.3   The Rules Committee shall develop and adopt rules that allow, where reasonable and necessary, an economic operator to submit, in lieu of a document required under Section 62.1, a certificate, declaration under oath or notarized statement certifying or attesting to such registration. In all cases, the submitting economic operator shall be required to acknowledge the possibility of criminal and civil sanctions, penalties and damages if such economic operator intentionally or negligently submits any document, declaration or statement containing materially false or misleading information.

Section 63 Economic and Financial Standing

63.1   A contracting authority may require economic operators to submit evidence demonstrating that they meet the minimum economic and financial requirements specified in the tender dossier and the contract notice. Economic operators shall, as a general rule, be permitted to satisfy such a requirement by submitting, as may be relevant and appropriate, one or more of the following references: a.   an appropriate statement or statements from one or more banks; b.   evidence of a relevant policy of insurance issued by a reputable licensed insurance company; c.   certified copies of one or more balance sheets or extracts from balance sheets if publication of such balance sheets is required under the law of the economic operator’s country of establishment; or d.    copies of income statements and management reports certified by a reputable licensed auditing firm. 63.2   A contracting authority shall specify, in the contract notice or in the invitation to tender or participate, which of the references mentioned in Section 63.1 and/or other references it requires. 63.3   If, for any valid reason, the economic operator is unable to provide the references requested by the contracting authority, such economic operator may be permitted to demonstrate its economic and financial standing by any other document that the contracting authority, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, considers appropriate.

Section 64 Technical and/or Professional Capability

64.1   A contracting authority may require economic operators to provide reasonable evidence demonstrating they possess the minimum technical and professional qualifications specified in the tender dossier and the contract notice. In establishing such a requirement, a contracting authority may require economic operators to provide, as is relevant and appropriate, any or all of the items specified in this Section 64. 64.2   In procedures leading to the award of a public contract covering the delivery of products, economic operators may be required to prove their technical capability through one or more of the following means, according to the nature, quantity and purpose of the products to be supplied: a.   a list specifying each of the economic operator’s relevant principal deliveries effected in the past three years, specifying the products involved, contract amount, date and recipient; (i) where the delivery was made to a public authority in Kosovo or elsewhere, evidence of such delivery shall be a copy of the relevant certificate(s) issued or countersigned by such public authority; (ii) where the delivery was to a private purchaser, evidence of such delivery shall be a copy of any document executed by the purchaser and evidencing such delivery; b.   a description of the economic operator’s technical facilities, quality assurance measures and research and development facilities; c.   an indication of the technicians or technical bodies involved, whether or not belonging directly to the economic operator, especially those responsible for quality control; d.   product samples, descriptions, graphic representations and/or photographs of the products to be supplied, the authenticity and representative quality of which must be certified if the contracting authority so requests; and/or e.   certificates drawn up by official quality control institutes or agencies of recognised competence attesting the conformity of products clearly identified by references to specifications or standards. 64.3   If, in connection with procedures leading to the award of a public contract covering the delivery of products, any of the products to be supplied are complex or, exceptionally, are required for a special purpose, the contracting authority may require participating economic operators to submit to an inspection for the purpose of verifying their production capacities and, if relevant, research and development facilities and quality assurance measures. Such an inspection may, at the contracting authority’s expense, be carried out by the contracting authority or a competent independent body in the country in which the concerned economic operator is established. 64.4   In procedures leading to the award of a public contract covering the provision of services, a contracting authority may require economic operators to provide evidence demonstrating their ability to provide such services; in particular, evidence may be required with respect to their skills, capacity, efficiency, experience and reliability. Evidence of the economic operators’ technical capabilities may be required to be furnished by one or more of the following means according to the nature, quantity and purpose of the services to be provided: a.   the educational and professional qualifications of the economic operator’s managerial staff and, in particular, those of the person or persons directly responsible for providing the concerned services; b.   a list specifying each of the economic operator’s relevant principal service contracts performed during the past three years, specifying the type of services involved, contract amount, date and recipient; (i) where the services were provided to a public authority in Kosovo or elsewhere, evidence of such provision shall be a copy of the relevant certificate(s) issued or countersigned by such public authority; (ii) where the services were provided to a private purchaser, evidence of such provision shall be a copy of any document executed by the purchaser and evidencing such provision; c.   an indication of the technicians or technical bodies involved, whether or not belonging directly to the economic operator, especially those responsible for quality control; d.   a statement of the economic operator's average manpower and average number of managerial staff for each of the last three years; e.   a statement of the tools, plant or technical equipment available to the economic operator for carrying out the services; f.   a description of the economic operator's measures for ensuring quality and research and development facilities; g.   an indication of the elements of the concerned contract that the economic operator intends to sub-contract; and/or h.   other appropriate and relevant information. 64.5   If, in connection with procedures leading to the award of a public contract covering the provision of services, any of the services to be provided are complex or, exceptionally, are required for a special purpose, the contracting authority may require participating economic operators to submit to an inspection for the purpose of verifying their technical and professional capacities and, if relevant, research and development facilities and quality assurance measures. Such an inspection may, at the contracting authority’s expense, be carried out by the contracting authority or a competent independent body in the country in which the concerned economic operator is established. 64.6   In procedures leading to the award of a public contract covering the execution of works projects or the performance of construction activities, a contracting authority may require economic operators to provide evidence demonstrating their technical and professional ability to execute such projects or to perform such activities; in particular, a contracting authority may require evidence of: a.   the educational and professional qualifications of the economic operator’s managerial staff, and, in particular, those of the person or persons directly responsible for executing the works project or performing the construction activities; b.   a list specifying each of the economic operator’s works projects and construction activities carried out over the past three years, accompanied by certificates of satisfactory execution and/or completion for the most important works projects and/or construction activities; the certificates shall indicate the value, date, nature and site of the works projects and/or construction activities and shall specify whether they were executed and/or performed according to the rules of the trade and properly completed; whenever possible, the economic operator may be required to arrange for the competent public authority in Kosovo or elsewhere to submit the concerned certificates directly to the contracting authority; c.   a statement of the tools, plant and technical equipment available to the economic operator for executing the works project or performing the construction activities; d.   a statement of the economic operator’s average manpower and average number of managerial staff for each of the last three years; e.   a statement of the technicians or technical divisions that the economic operator can call upon for executing the works project or performing the construction activities, whether or not they belong to the economic operator; and/or f.   other appropriate and relevant information. 64.7   A contracting authority shall specify in the tender dossier which of the items specified in this Section 64 it requires. Section 65 Quality Assurance Standards

Should a contracting authority require the production of certificates drawn up by independent bodies attesting the compliance of the economic operator with certain quality assurance standards, the contracting authority shall refer to quality assurance systems based on the relevant European standards series certified by bodies that conduct their activities in conformity with the European standards series on certification activity. A contracting authority shall recognize equivalent certificates issued by any certification body, regardless of location, if such body is recognized by a member state of the EU. A contracting authority shall also accept other reasonably reliable evidence of equivalent quality assurance measures from economic operators who have no access to such certificates or no possibility of obtaining them within the relevant time limits. Section 66 Groups of Economic Operators

66.1   A request to participate or a tender may be submitted by a group of economic operators. No such group may be required to assume a specific legal form in order to submit the tender; however, the group selected may be required to do so after it has been awarded the concerned contract, to the extent that such a requirement is necessary for the satisfactory performance of the contract. 66.2   If a tender is submitted by such a group, the group shall be required to submit with its tender a signed original of the agreement establishing such group. All contracting authorities shall set forth this requirement in their tender dossiers. 66.3   All members of such a group shall be jointly and severally liable to the contracting authority for the contents of the group’s tender and, if the concerned contract is awarded to such group, the performance of such contract. All contracting authorities shall include in their tender dossiers a notice to this effect. TITLE III RULES GOVERNING DESIGN CONTESTS

Section 67 General Provisions

67.1   The rules for the organization and conduct of a design contest shall be in conformity with the provisions set forth in this Title III and shall be communicated to all persons and undertakings expressing an interest in participating in such contest. 67.2   A design contest shall be conducted in the same general manner, and using the same time limits and deadlines, as those applicable to a procurement activity for a large value contract conducted with open procedures. 67.3   If, without any intent to discriminate against or in favor of any person or undertaking, a contracting authority determines that (i) the solicited design can only be  supplied, provided or performed by a person or undertaking having adequate technical or professional qualifications and (ii) such contracting authority will therefore only accept submissions from persons or undertakings possessing certain minimum qualifications, the contracting authority shall establish such qualification requirements in a manner that is clear, objective and non-discriminatory and publish all such requirements in the design contest notice. Section 68 Scope The provisions of this Title shall apply to any design contest described in Section 19 of the present law. Section 69 Design Contest Notices

When a contracting authority intends to conduct a design contest, the contracting authority shall prepare a design contest notice in the languages required by Section 12 of the present law. If the contracting authority is not the PPA, the contracting authority shall immediately submit to the PPA all language versions of such notice to the PPA. Section 70 Design Contest Results Notice

A contracting authority that has held a design contest shall, within two (2) business days of the conclusion of such contest, prepare a notice on the results of the design contest in the languages required by Section 12. If the contracting authority is not the PPA, the contracting authority shall immediately submit to the PPA all language versions of such notice. Section 71 Publication of Design Contest Notices

71.1   The rules governing the publication of a design contest notice shall be the same as those set forth in Section 40 governing the publication of a contract notice for a contract having the same value as the concerned design contest.

71.2   The rules governing the dispatch and publication of a design contest results notice shall be the same as those set forth in Section 40 governing the dispatch and publication of a contract award notice for a contract having the same value as the concerned design contest. 71.3   With the exception of a design contest results notice that has been dispatched by a contracting authority to a participant, no notice, nor any information in a notice, may be made public or disclosed to any person or undertaking prior to its publication in accordance with this Section 71. Section 72 Form and Content of Design Contest Notices

Every notice shall be drawn up and published in accordance with the applicable standard form adopted by the Rules Committee.

Section 73 Means of Communication

73.1   All communication and information exchanges mentioned in this Title may be made or performed by letter, fax or electronic means, according to the choice of the contracting authority. 73.2   The communication and information exchanges covered by this Title shall be carried out in such a way as to ensure that the integrity and confidentiality of all information supplied by participants are preserved, and that a contracting authority may only examine the content of any submitted plans, designs or projects after the time limits set for receiving these has expired. 73.3   The contracting authority shall ensure that the design contest notice and the rules specified in Section 67.1 indicate that, if plans, designs or projects are submitted by electronic means, the submitting participant shall be required to submit to the contracting authority the physical original – or, where appropriate, copies thereof - of any documents, certificates, attestations and declarations required by the contracting authority not later than the deadline set for the receipt of such physical originals or copies. Section 74 Composition and Decisions of the Jury

74.1   The jury shall be composed of an uneven number of natural persons, but in no case less than three (3). These persons shall be selected by the contracting authority and shall not in any way be related to or affiliated with a participant in the contest. If the participants are required to possess a specific professional qualification, at least two thirds of the members of the jury shall also have that qualification or its equivalent.

74.2   The jury shall decide the contest only on the basis of the criteria indicated in the design contest notice. The identity of the participants shall not be disclosed to the members of the jury.

74.3   No person outside the jury shall influence or attempt to influence the decision of the jury or the opinion of any jury member.

74.4   Only the decision of the jury shall be disclosed to a person who is not a jury member. The substance of the deliberations of the jury and the opinions of the individual jury members shall be maintained as confidential by all jury members. Except where required by a written order of the PPRC, a review panel or a court of competent jurisdiction, no jury member shall disclose or discuss the substance of such deliberations or the opinion of any individual jury member with any person who is not also a member of the jury. A jury member who violates the duty of confidentiality specified in this Section 74.4 shall be subject to an administrative penalty of up to 10,000 Euros which shall be determined and assessed by the PPRC.

74.5   A jury shall make reasonable efforts to reach a consensus decision. If, after reasonable efforts, a majority of the members of the jury decide that a consensus decision cannot be reached, the jury shall decide the contest by majority vote. The Rules Committee shall establish clear, rational, non-discriminatory rules and procedures to govern such voting.

TITLE IV ADDITONAL RULES ON WORKS CONCESSION CONTRACTS Chapter 1 Rules Governing the Award of a Works Concession Contract by a Contracting Authority

Section 75 Applicability of the Rules Governing the Award of Works Contracts

The provisions of the present law governing the conduct of a procurement activity having as its object the award of a works contract shall also apply, without limitation, to the conduct of a procurement activity by a contracting authority having as its object the award of a works concession contract; provided, however, that such contracting authority shall prepare, in lieu of a contract notice, a works concession notice drawn up in accordance with the applicable form adopted by the Rules Committee. Section 76 Subcontracting

In conducting a procurement activity leading to the award of a large value works concession contract, a contracting authority may specify in the relevant works concession notice and tender dossier that tenderers are required to specify in their tenders the percentage, if any, of the total value of the concerned works or work that the tenderer intends to assign or subcontract to other economic operators. Section 77 Compulsory Stipulation

When a contracting authority awards to a person, undertaking or any body other than a contracting authority – regardless of its legal status – a works concession contract, the contracting authority shall ensure that such contract contains a provision that references Section 79 of the present law and restates the obligations specified in such section; provided, however, that if such contract fails to contain such a provision, this shall in no way relieve the concerned works concessionaire of its obligation to comply with Section 79.

Chapter 2 Rules on Contracts Awarded by Concessionaires

Section 78 Rules Applicable When the Works Concessionaire is a Contracting Authority

If the works concessionaire is a contracting authority, such works concessionaire shall conduct all of its procurement activities in compliance with the provisions of the present law. Section 79 Rules Applicable When the Works Concessionaire is Not a Contracting Authority

When the works concessionaire is not a contracting authority, such works concessionaire shall, when conducting procurement activities having as their object the award to a third party of a contract having an estimated value in excess of 100,000 Euros, conduct such activities in compliance with the provisions of the present law in the same manner as that required of a contracting authority. A works concessionaire shall comply with Sections 15-17 of the present law when estimating the value of its contracts.

Section 80 Contracts With Related Undertakings

80.1   A related undertaking of a works concessionaire shall not be considered a “third party” within the meaning of Section 79 if, prior to the award of the works concession contract, such works concessionaire formally notified the contracting authority of the existence of such related undertaking. 80.2   If a works concession contract is awarded to a group of economic operators, a member of such group shall not be considered as a “third party” within the meaning of Section 79. A related undertaking of such a member shall also not be considered such a third party if, prior to the award of the works concession contract, the group formally notified the contracting authority of the existence of such related undertaking.

TITLE V PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATORY COMMISSION

Section 81 Establishment of the Public Procurement Regulatory Commission

81.1. Pursuant to this law there shall be established by the government a procurement regulatory commission to be known as the Public Procurement Regulatory Commission (the “PPRC”). The PPRC shall be responsible for (i) the overall development and operation of the public procurement system in Kosovo, (ii) ensuring that such system operates in manner that achieves a highly rational, efficient and transparent use of public funds and public resources, and encourages competition and respects the equality of participants in the public procurement process, and (iii) carrying out the functions assigned to it by the present law.

81.2   The PPRC shall be staffed with a sufficient number of trained support personnel to enable it to efficiently and professionally carry out the functions specified in Section 81.1. Section 82 Enforcement of the Present Law

The PPRC shall have the competence, authority, power and responsibility to enforce the present law and the public procurement rules.

Section 83 Monitoring and Investigative Functions

83.1 The PPRC shall also have the competence, authority, power and responsibility to: a.   monitor and conduct ad hoc and regular audits of any procurement activities governed by the present law;

b.    investigates, on its own initiative or at the request of any public authority, the conduct of any procurement activities that are suspected to involve violations of the present law, the public procurement rules or any previous legislation or rules governing public procurment in Kosovo

c. monitor and supervise the implementation of the provisions of the present law and the public procurement rules; and

d. perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned to the PPRC by the present law.

83.2   In specific connection with the monitoring, investigative, auditing and supervisory functions specified under Section 83.1, the PPRC shall have the competence, authority, power and responsibility to:

a.   issue an order to any person, undertaking or public authority requiring such person, undertaking or authority to produce, transfer, submit and/or grant access to data, information, documents, and/or other items of movable and/or immovable property that the PPRC considers, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, relevant to the conduct of any such function;

b.   issue an order to any person to appear at the PPRC to provide testimony regarding any matter that the PPRC considers, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, relevant to the conduct of any such function;

c.   take any other lawful action necessary and appropriate to ascertain whether a violation of the present law or the public procurement rules has occurred; and

d.   if the PPRC determines or has reason to suspect that a violation has occurred, issue, without delay, an order, as appropriate, (i) setting aside or suspending an award of a public contract or a result of a design contest, (ii) requiring a contracting authority to suspend or terminate the conduct of a procurement activity or the implementation of a decision of such contracting authority; (iii) requiring a contracting authority to cancel or revoke a decision of such contracting authority (iv) requiring a contracting authority to correct the violation, (v) requiring a contracting authority to remove discriminatory technical, economic, financial or selection specifications, requirements or criteria contained in any notice, invitation contract document or other document relating to a procurement activity; and/or (vi) requiring law enforcement officials to assist the PPRC to obtain compliance with another order of the PPRC.

Section 84 Implementation of Procurement Review Procedures

The PPRC shall also be responsible for implementing the procurement review procedures established in Title VIII of the present law.

Section 85 Other Functions of the PPRC

In addition to the matters specified above, the PPRC shall:

a.   provide advice on the requirements of the present law and the public procurement rules to contracting authorities and economic operators;

b.   establish qualification criteria, tests and training requirements for the public procurement professionals of contracting authorities; and conduct training programs for the public procurement professionals of contracting authorities;

c.   develop and maintain (i) a “List of Central Public Authorities” that identifies all central authorities, bodies, ministries, departments, agencies, entities and associations in Kosovo covered by the definition of “public authority” and (ii) a “List of Non-Central Public Authorities” that identifies all other authorities, bodies, ministries, departments, agencies, entities and associations covered by the definition of “public authority;” provided, however, that if the PPRC fails to include an authority, body, ministry, department, agency, entity or association in such a list, such failure shall not be determinative of the question as to whether or not such authority, body, ministry, department, agency, entity or association is a public authority within the meaning of such definition.

d.   develop and maintain a “List of Public Service Operators” that identifies all public authorities, undertakings, persons, bodies and organizations covered by the definition of  “public service operator;” provided, however, that if the PPRC fails to include a public authority, undertaking, person, body or organization in such list, such failure shall not be determinative of the question as to whether or not such public authority, undertaking, person, body or organization is a public service operator within the meaning of such definition.

e.   for each calendar year, prepare and submit to the Government and the Assembly an annual report analyzing public procurement activities occurring in such calendar year, such analysis to be submitted no later than the end of February of the following year; and

f.   prepare and submit to the Government and the Assembly, together with the annual report mentioned immediately above, recommendations for the improvement of the public procurement system and/or the present law.

Section 86 Appointment of Members

86.1   The PPRC shall be comprised of five (5) individuals. All members shall be appointed as provided in this Section 86 for a term of five years.

86.2   Each member of the PPRC shall have the status of a civil servant under the law applicable in Kosovo and shall not be subject to removal or suspension prior to the expiration of their term except by an order of the Government or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction as provided for in Section 89 of the present law.

86.3 The President and the other members of PPRC shall be nominated by the Government and appointed by the Assembly. In making such nominations, the Government shall give regard to the requirements for membership specified in Sections 86.4 – 86.7

86.4   No person may be appointed or serve as a member of the PPRC if he/she would be ineligible to participate in a procurement activity by reason of a provision of Section 61.2

86.5    The Government shall ensure that each member of the PPRC holds a university degree, possesses substantial procurement or other relevant experience and is not ineligible by reason of Section 86.4.

86.6   The Government shall ensure that at least one member of the PPRC possesses the same qualifications as those required under the applicable law for a judicial appointment. The Government shall designate such a member to serve as the Review Panel Chairperson, who shall be responsible for overseeing the PPRC’s proper implementation of the procurement review procedures established in Title VIII of the present law.

86.7   The Government shall ensure that each of the other members of the PPRC meets one of the following criteria:  (i) he/she is a lawyer, accountant, economist or other professional holding a university degree and possessing substantial procurement or other relevant experience, or (ii) he/she holds a university degree in engineering or architecture and has substantial experience in executing works projects.

Section 87 Organization and Voting of the PPRC

87.1   The President shall represent, manage and organize the work of the PPRC.

87.2   The President shall have the authority to designate an individual member to organize and manage the work of the PPRC in a particular subject area; provided, however, that the Review Panel Chairperson shall be responsible for organizing and managing the PPRC’s implementation of the procurement review procedures established in Title VIII of the present law and the work of the review panels established pursuant to such title.

87.3   The President shall convene meetings of the PPRC when and as he considers necessary or when requested by two other members of the PPRC.

87.4   The quorum for meetings of the PPRC shall be three (3) members.

87.5   The President shall chair the PPRC meetings. In exceptional cases where it is necessary for the PPRC to meet in the absence of the President, the President shall authorize one of the other members of the PPRC to chair the meeting.

87.6   The PPRC shall make every effort to reach decisions at its meetings by consensus. In the event that the chairperson of the meeting determines that consensus cannot be reached, the matter shall be put to a vote. Decisions shall require the support of a majority of the members present. In the event of a tie vote, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the deciding vote.

87.7   The PPRC may establish, as it deems necessary, additional procedural rules to govern its operations. The PPRC shall provide to any person who so requests a copy of such rules. Section 88 Confidentiality

88.1   All members, employees, staff and consultants of the PPRC are required to take all appropriate measures to accord a high degree of protection to any confidential information developed or received by the PPRC during the conduct of its work. Such measures shall be sufficient to ensure that such information is protected against intentional and/or negligent disclosure.

88.2   All members, employees, staff and consultants of the PPRC shall be required to execute a written declaration under oath declaring that they shall protect from disclosure and otherwise maintain the secrecy of confidential business information and any other information designated as confidential by the PPRC. In such declaration, the members, employees, staff and consultants of the PPRC shall also be required to acknowledge that they may personally be held criminally and/or civilly liable for the intentional or negligent disclosure of such information.

88.3   The PPRC shall not designate as confidential any information the disclosure, publication, or public accessibility of which is required or permitted by the present law or any other normative act.

88.4   Any intentional violation or repeated negligent violations of the duty of confidentiality specified in this Section 88 shall serve as sufficient basis for the removal of the concerned member or the termination of the concerned employee, staff or consultant. Section 89 Removal and Suspension of Members

89.1   The Government may remove or suspend a member of the PPRC through the adoption, by a majority vote, of an order calling for such removal or suspension.

89.2   A court of competent jurisdiction shall issue an order removing or suspending a member of the PPRC from office if, after the conduct of a full and fair hearing on the issue, such court determines that the concerned member (i) does not meet, or no longer meets, the requirements for membership specified in Section 86, (ii) has committed a criminal or unethical act in the course of or relating to the conduct of his official duties, (iii) has been involved in an event described in Section 117.1 or (iv) has intentionally violated or more than once negligently violated his/her duty of confidentiality specified in Section 88.

89.3   If the court determination specified in Section 89.2 is subject to further proceedings or appeals, the court shall issue an order suspending the member until a final determination on the issue is entered. If the court determination specified in Section 89.2 is not subject to further proceedings or appeals, the court shall issue an order removing the member.

89.4   If a member of the PPRC becomes the subject of a court proceeding involving allegations that the member has committed a criminal or unethical act in the course of or relating to the conduct of his official duties or has been involved in an event of illicit influence as described in Section 117.1, the court may issue an order suspending such member until the court has the opportunity to conduct a full and fair hearing on the allegations and to make a determination thereon..

89.5   A member of the PPRC who is suspended pursuant to this Section 89 shall continue to receive his/her salary until such member is removed or such suspension is cancelled.

TITLE VI PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AGENCY

Section 90 Establishment of the Public Procurement Agency

90.1 Pursuant to this Law, there shall be established within the Government , an executive agency to be known as the Public Procurement Agency (“PPA”).

90.2  The director and the members of the executive board of the PPA shall be nominated by the Governemnt and appointed by the Assembly for a three year term.

90.3  No person may serve as member of the Executive Board or a staff member of the PPA if he/she (i) would be ineligible to participate in a procurement activity by reason of a provision of Section 61.2 of the present law.

90.4  No person may serve as member of the executive Board or a staff member of the PPA unless and until he/she has executed a written declaration under oath declaring that they shall honestly and faithfully conduct the procurement activities of the contracting authority in conformity with the present law and the public procurement rules.

90.5 The Government shall ensure that the person nominated as  a member of the Executive Board of the PPA meets the requirements of Section 90.3 and executes the declaration specified in Section 90.4. The Director of the Executive Board of the PPA shall ensure that all staff members of the PPA meet the requirements of Section 90.3 and execute the declaration specified in Section 90.4. Section 91 Procurement Activities of the PPA

91.1   If the PPA determines that a proposed procurement activity should - for reasons of professional expertise, cost-effectiveness, efficiency or other legitimate concerns - be conducted by the PPA instead of the concerned contracting authority, the PPA shall have the authority to conduct, and shall conduct, the concerned procurement activity on behalf of such contracting authority. In such a case, the PPA shall so notify the concerned contracting authority, and such contracting authority shall no longer have any authority to conduct the concerned procurement activity.

91.2   The PPA may, after receiving a contract or design contest notice from a contracting authority, require such contracting authority to modify or re-prepare such notice in accordance with the instructions of the PPA. The contracting authority may not proceed with the concerned procurement activity until it has complied with the PPA’s instructions.

91.3   The PPA may, after receiving a contract or design contest notice from a contracting authority, require such contracting authority to provide the PPA with the concerned tender dossier. The PPA may, after reviewing the tender dossier, require the contracting authority to modify of re-prepare such tender dossier in accordance with the instructions of the PPA. The contracting authority may not proceed with the concerned procurement activity until it has complied with the PPA’s instructions. Section 92 Maintenance of a Public Procurement Register

92.1   The PPA shall establish and maintain an up-to-date Public Procurement Register that shall serve as the repository for electronic copies of all notices, invitations, declarations, tender dossiers, reports, complaints and decisions filed or issued in connection with each and every procurement activity conducted or initiated by a contracting authority.

92.2   The PPA shall maintain such register electronically in the form of a computer database. The PPA shall develop a web site permitting public access to all information in the register.

92.3   The register shall ensure such access to such information for a period of five years after, as appropriate, (i) the expiration or termination of the concerned public contract, (ii) the conclusion of the design contest, or (iii) if formally cancelled or otherwise terminated without award, the date on which the concerned procurement activity was so cancelled or terminated.

Section 93 Other Functions of the PPA

The PPA shall also:

a.   create and maintain a publicly accessible database and web site containing current information on all public procurement opportunities and activities in Kosovo; such database and website  may contain information on public procurement activities outside of Kosovo;

b.   create and maintain a publicly accessible systematic collection of basic statistical and other material information on the procurement activities of all contracting authorities, including the PPA;

c.   create and maintain a publicly accessible central database for recording and maintaining non-confidential information provided by economic operators in fulfillment of requirements established by contracting authorities pursuant to Sections 61 – 65 of the present law;

d.   create and maintain a central database for recording and maintaining information about the performance of public contracts by economic operators;

e.   prepare and maintain reports on the PPA’s procurement activities; require, receive and maintain reports from other contracting authorities on the procurement activities of such contracting authorities;

f.   arrange for the publishing of notices as required by the present law; and

g.   perform all other duties and responsibilities assigned to the PPA by the present law.

TITLE VII PUBLIC PROCUREMENT RULES COMMITTEE

Section 94 Establishment of the Public Procurement Rules Committee

The PPRC, the PPA and the Ministry of Finance and Economy shall establish a committee to be known as the Public Procurement Rules Committee (the “Rules Committee”).

Section 95 Development and Adoption of the Public Procurement Rules

95.1 The Rules Committee shall develop and promulgate detailed public rules for the implementation of the present law. Such public procurement rules shall consist of rules, instructions, guidelines, documents and forms that contracting authorities, procurement officers, undertakings and persons shall follow, use and/or take into consideration executing or participating to the procurement activities governed by this law.

95.2   If a provision of the present law explicitly requires the Rules Committee to develop and/or establish rules implementing or covering the subject matter of such provision, the Rules Committee is specifically obligated to develop and include such rules in the public procurement rules. If a provision of the present law does not explicitly state such a requirement, the Rules Committee shall, if and to the extent it deems necessary, develop and include rules implementing or covering the subject matter of such a provision in the public procurement rules. The Rules Committee shall also have the authority to develop rules covering matters within the scope of the present law but that are not explicitly covered by a provision of the present law.

95.3   The Rules Committee shall ensure that all such items are consistent with the present law and otherwise promote the integrity and fairness of the procurement process.

95.4  With respect to procurement activities leading to the award of large value contracts, the Rules Committee shall ensure the rules governing the content of tender dossiers and notices require essentially identical information corresponding to the form as required by relevant EU Legislation.

95.5   The Rules Committee shall develop and adopt detailed rules on the precise procedures to be followed, and the forms to be used, for each of the procurement procedures established by Sections 30 -36 of the present law. All such rules shall, at a minimum, be consistent with the present law and best international practice and obligate contracting authorities (i) to play an active role in determining the terms of contracts, with special reference to prices, delivery deadlines, quantities, technical characteristics and guarantees, (ii) to the greatest extent possible under the circumstances, to compare requests to participate and tenders effectively to ascertain their relative advantages and disadvantages, (iii) to ensure that the contracted price is not higher than the concerned market price.

95.6 The Rules Committee shall also develop a procurement code of ethics to be observed by public officials, civil servants and other persons employed by contracting authorities. Such code of ethics shall, at a minimum, contain a clear set of mandatory rules on the avoidance of conflicts to interest.

Section 96 Appointment of Members

96.1   The Rules Committee shall be comprised of three individuals. The three individuals shall include one representative from each of the following public authorities: the PPRC, the PPA, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

96.2   The PPRC, the PPA and the Ministry of Finance and Economy shall each ensure that the individual designated as their representative meets the following criteria:

a.   he/she has the status of a civil servant or is an employee whose employment is not the result of a political appointment;

b.   he/she would not be ineligible to participate in a procurement activity by reason of a provision of Section 61.2;

c.   he/she holds a university degree and possesses substantial procurement or other relevant experience; and

d.   he/she is available to commit substantial time to the work of the Rules Committee. Section 97 Chairman of the Public Procurement Rules Committee

The representative of the PPRC shall be the Chairperson of the Rules Committee.

Section 98 Organization and Work of the Public Procurement Rules Committee

98.1   The Chairperson shall organize and manage the work of the Rules Committee.

98.2   The Chairperson shall have the authority to designate an individual member to organize and manage the work of the Rules Committee in a particular subject area. The Chairperson shall also have the authority to invite outside experts to participate in the work of the Rules Committee.

98.3   The Chairperson shall convene meetings of the Rules Committee when and as he/she considers necessary or when requested by another members of the Rules Committee.

98.4 The quorum for a meeting of the Rules Committee where decisions regarding the content of the procurement public rules are to be made shall be two members (2).

98.5   The Chairperson shall chair the meetings of the Rules Committee. In exceptional cases, where it is necessary for the Rules Committee to meet in the absence of the Chairperson, the Chairperson shall authorize one of the other members to chair the meeting.

98.6   The Rules Committee shall make reasonable efforts to reach a consensus on the content of the public procurement rules. In the event that the Chairperson determines that a consensus cannot be reached on a specific matter, such matter shall be decided in accordance with the consensus of a majority of the members. In the event that the Chairperson determines that such a majority consensus cannot be reached, the Chairperson shall decide the matter.

TITLE VIII PROCUREMENT REVIEW PROCEDURES

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Section 99 Scope

The provisions of this Title establish certain substantive and procedural rights and remedies available to an interested party as that term is defined in Section 4. Section 100 Basic Principles

100.1   In conducting any procurement review proceeding specified in this Title, all participating persons, undertakings and public authorities shall ensure that such proceeding is conducted and concluded in an expeditious, fair and non-discriminatory manner that is directed at achieving a fair, lawful and effective resolution of the subject matter involved.

100.2   Neither the conduct of any review proceeding nor any decision by the PPRC, a review panel established by the PPRC, or a member or employee of the PPRC shall be done or made in any manner that discriminates in favor of or against any participant in the proceeding or any other person or undertaking.

100.3   All interested parties shall have equal access to the procurement review proceedings and remedies established in this Title VIII.

100.4   Any procurement review proceeding shall be carried out in strict conformity with the applicable provisions of this Title.

Chapter 2 Review Panels

Section 101 Establishment of Review Panels by the PPRC

101.1   The PPRC shall establish, as needed, one or more review panels to conduct procurement review proceedings in accordance with the provisions of this Title VIII.

101.2   A review panel established by the PPRC shall have the competence, authority, power and responsibility, under the conditions specified in this Title VIII, to:

a.   review complaints received by the PPRC from interested parties containing allegations of violations of the present law;

b.   conduct investigations and procurement review proceedings for the purpose of determining the facts giving rise to such complaints and allegations;

c.   issue an order to any person, undertaking or public authority requiring such person, undertaking or authority to produce, transfer, submit and/or grant access to data, information, documents, and/or other items of movable and/or immovable property that the review panel considers, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, relevant to the conduct of an investigation or a procurement review proceeding;

d.   issue an order to any person to appear at a procurement review proceeding and provide testimony regarding any matter that the review panel considers, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, relevant to the subject matter of such proceeding;

e.   take any other action necessary and appropriate to ascertain whether a violation has occurred;

f.   issue an order setting aside or suspending an award of a public contract or a result of a design contest;

g.   issue an order to a contracting authority requiring such authority to suspend or terminate the conduct of a procurement activity or the implementation of a decision of such  authority related to or made in the course of such activity;

h.   issue an order to a contracting authority requiring such authority to cancel or revoke a decision of such authority related to or made in the course of a procurement activity;

i.   issue an order to a contracting authority requiring such authority to pay compensation to  a complainant;

j.   issue an order to a contracting authority requiring such authority to correct an alleged violation and/or to prevent further damage to the complainant and/or another interested party;

k.   issue an order requiring a contracting authority to remove discriminatory technical, economic, financial or selection specifications, requirements or criteria contained in any notice, invitation, tender dossier, contract document or other document relating to a procurement activity; and

l.   issue an order requiring law enforcement officials to assist the review panel obtain compliance with another order of such panel.

Section 102 Composition of Review Panels

102.1   A review panel shall be comprised of three (3) persons. The member of the PPRC designated by the Government pursuant to Section 86.6 as the Review Panel Chairperson shall be a member of every review panel. The other two members of a review panel shall be appointed by the President of the PPRC; provided, however any such member shall be either (i) a member of the PPRC or (ii) a person appointed by the Government pursuant to Section 102.4. . 102.2   The Review Panel Chairperson shall preside over the work of all review panels. Such person shall also represent, manage and organize the work of all review panels.

102.3   The Review Panel Chairperson shall have the authority to designate another member of a review panel to organize and manage the work of such review panel in a particular subject area.

102.4   In the event that the number of procurement complaints that must be decided by review panels under this Title VIII places an excessive burden on the PPRC and thereby impairs the PPRC’s ability to timely and efficiently fulfill the functions assigned to it by the present law, the Government may, upon the joint application of the President of the PPRC and the Review Panel Chairperson appoint, on a temporary basis, one or more additional persons to serve as review panel members.

102.5   If the Government exercises its authority under Section 102.4, it shall ensure (i) that no person is so appointed if he/she would be ineligible to participate in a procurement activity by reason of Section 61.2, (ii) that every person so appointed holds a university degree or possesses substantial procurement or other relevant experience, and  (iii) that at least one-third of the persons so appointed are legal experts or possess the same qualifications as those required under the applicable law for a judicial appointment.

Section 103 Rules of Procedure for Review Panels

The PPRC shall have the authority to establish rules of procedure to govern the conduct of review proceedings by review panels. Any rules so established shall be consistent with the present law, especially the provisions of this Title VIII. The Review Panel Chairperson shall be responsible for organizing and managing the development of such rules.

Section 104 Confidentiality

All members of a review panel shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 88.

Chapter 3 Initiation and Initial Conduct of Review Proceedings

Section 105 Time Limits for Submission of a Complaint

105.1   A complaint may be submitted by an interested party at any stage of any procurement activity and with respect to any act or omission of the concerned contracting authority that is alleged to be in violation of the present law.

105.2   If the concerned contract has been awarded or the concerned design contest has been decided, a complaint may be filed only within the eight (8) calendar day period following the date of publication of the concerned contract award notice or design contest results notice. Such eight (8) calendar day period shall begin at midnight of the date of publication of the concerned notice.

105.3   If a complaint is filed after the date of publication of the concerned contract award notice or the design contest results notice, a review panel may reject an allegation set forth in such complaint if:

a.   the allegation concerns an act or omission of a contracting authority that is alleged to have occurred ten (10) or more calendar days prior to such date of publication;

b.   the complainant, in the judgment of the review panel, knew or reasonably should have known -  eight (8) or more calendar days prior to such date of publication – of the act or omission;

c.   the complainant, in the judgment of the review panel, knew or reasonably should have known – eight (8) or more calendar days prior to such date of publication - that the act or omission constituted a violation of the present law; and

d.   the complainant, in the judgment of the review panel, had sufficient time to prepare and file a complaint containing such allegation prior to such date of publication.

Section 106 Filing and Basic Contents of a Complaint

106.1   Any interested party may file a complaint with the PPRC; however, the PPRC shall take action on such complaint only if such complaint:

a.   sets forth the name, address and contact information of the complainant;

b.   sets forth the name of the concerned contracting authority;

c.   sets forth a reasonably specific description of the concerned procurement activity;

d.   attaches a copy of the concerned contract award notice or design contest results notice, if such has been issued or published.

e.   demonstrates that the complainant qualifies as an “interested party,” as defined under Section 4 of the present law;

f.   describes the factual circumstances constituting or giving rise to the alleged violation;

g.   specifies the provision or provisions of the present law that have allegedly been violated; and

h.   describes how the alleged violation has caused, or threatens to cause, material damage to the complainant.

106.2   The complainant shall file the original of such complaint with the PPRC and simultaneously dispatch, by the most rapid means possible, a copy thereof to the contracting authority.

106.3   The PPRC shall, upon the receipt of a complaint, immediately review such complaint to ensure that it meets the requirements of Section 106.1. The PPRC shall complete such review within one (1) business day after receiving the complaint.

106.4   If the PPRC determines that a complaint does not meet the requirements of Section 106.1, the PPRC shall immediately notify the complainant in writing, by the most rapid means possible, of the nature of the deficiencies. If the filing period has expired or will expire in less than two (2) business days, the complainant shall have two (2) business days after receiving such a notification to correct the deficiencies and to resubmit the complaint. If the filing period has not yet expired and will not expire in less than two (2) business days, the complainant may re-submit the complaint anytime prior to the expiration of the filing period.

106.5   If the complainant re-submits a deficient complaint, the PPRC shall dismiss the complaint with prejudice, and the complainant shall have no further right to file a complaint setting forth any allegation contained in the dismissed complaint. 106.6   If the PPRC determines that the complaint has been timely filed and meets the requirements of Section 106.1, the PPRC shall (i) appoint a review expert in accordance with Section 108 and (ii) establish a review panel to review the allegations alleged in such complaint.

Section 107 Automatic Suspension of Procurement Activity

107.1   Unless and until the PPRC makes another determination in writing, the filing of a complaint shall automatically require the concerned contracting authority to suspend the conduct of the procurement activity to which the complaint relates.

107.2   The PPRC may remove the automatic suspension required by Section 107.1 if, taking into account the probable consequences of such suspension for all interests likely to be harmed, including the public interest, the PPRC decides that the negative consequences of such suspension exceed the benefits that may be achieved thereby. The PPRC shall notify the complainant and the concerned contracting authority in writing of such a decision.

107.3   A decision removing such a suspension shall not in any way prejudice or otherwise negatively affect the complaint or the complainant.

Section 108 Engagement of Review Expert

108.1   In order to protect the interests of both the contracting authority and the complainant, and to ensure impartiality in deciding the issues raised by the complaint, a review expert shall be appointed by the PPRC to review the conduct of the concerned procurement activity and to assess the validity of the allegations contained in the complaint.

108.2   The PPRC shall develop and maintain a list of qualified review experts. In selecting review experts, individuals shall be sought that are impartial, professional and familiar with the conduct of procurement activities and with the present law.

Section 109 Responsibilities of the Review Expert and the Contracting Authority

109.1   A review expert shall, within the seven (7) calendar day period immediately following the day of his/her appointment, (i) review the contracting authority’s procurement documentation and related records, (ii) interview, as he/she deems appropriate and necessary, any official, employee or consultant of the contracting authority, and (iii) provide to both the review panel  and the head of the contracting authority a written assessment of the procurement activity and the validity of each of the allegations contained in the complaint. 109.2   The contracting authority is specifically required to (i) cooperate fully with the review expert, (ii) provide the review expert with immediate, open and unfettered access to all documents and records, without regard to location or type, that have any relation to the contracting authority’s procurement activities, and (iii) comply fully, promptly and invasively with any request of the review expert.

Section 110 Decision of the Contracting Authority

110.1   The contracting authority shall, within four (4) calendar days after receiving the review expert’s assessment specified in Section 109.1, issue to the review expert, the review panel and the complainant in writing the contracting authority’s decision regarding the matters set forth in the complaint.

110.2    The written decision required by Section 110.1 shall set forth the contracting authority’s detailed assessment of the validity of each of the allegations contained in the complaint. If the decision sets forth an assessment of an allegation that differs from the assessment provided by the review expert, the contracting authority shall include a detailed statement explaining the reasons for such difference. If the decision rejects an allegation or denies its validity, the contracting authority shall include a statement explaining the reasons for such rejection or denial.

110.3   If, in its decision, the contracting authority determines that any or all of the allegations are valid, it shall, within five (5) calendar days, take whatever corrective action may be necessary to bring the concerned procurement activity into compliance with the present law and to eliminate as far as possible any resulting damage or threat of damage to the complainant or other economic operators. In doing so, the contracting authority may seek the advice and suggestions of the review expert, the review panel, the PPRC, the complainant and/or the other concerned economic operators. The corrective action taken by a contracting authority may involve, as necessary and appropriate under the circumstances: (i) canceling the procurement activity, the contract award or the result of a design contest (ii) extending a deadline (iii) reversing or voiding a decision of the contracting authority and/or (iv) taking any other action needed to correct a violation by the contracting authority.

110.4   The contracting authority shall promptly notify the review panel, the complainant and the other concerned economic operators of any corrective action taken.

110.5   If, within the time limit specified in Section 110.1, the contracting authority fails to issue the required decision or issues a decision that rejects or denies the validity of an allegation or that fails to assess the validity of an allegation,  the complainant may then, within three (3) calendar days after it receives such decision or the expiration of the time limit specified in Section 110.1,  whichever occurs earlier, file a written notice with the review panel and the contracting authority identifying the allegations that the complainant intends to pursue further before the review panel.

110.6   If the contracting authority issues a decision determining that an allegation contained in the compliant is valid, but fails to take appropriate and effective corrective action within the time limit specified in Section 110.4, the complainant may then, within three (3) calendar days of the expiration of such time limit, file a written notice with the review panel and the contracting authority regarding such failure and requesting the review panel to review the matter and to issue an order to the contracting authority under Section 101.2.j of the present law.

110.7   If the contracting authority timely receives a written notice from the complainant pursuant to Section 110.5 or 110.6, the contracting authority shall, within three (3) calendar days after receiving such notice, transfer all documents and records relating to the concerned procurement activity to the review panel.

Chapter 4 Proceedings Before a Review Panel

Section 111 Competence and Responsibility of the Review Panel

111.1   Matters that a complainant has identified in a notice filed pursuant to Section 110.5 or 110.6, shall be reviewed and decided by the review panel established pursuant to Section 106.6.

111.2   The review panel’s proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Title VIII and the rules of procedure established pursuant to Section 103.

111.3   Before making a final decision on a matter, the review panel may require the contracting authority and/or the complainant to provide additional information and/or explanations. The review panel shall have the right to require any person, undertaking or public authority to submit material or evidence that it reasonably believes may have relevance to the matter. Similarly, the review panel shall have the right to require any person, undertaking or public authority to provide testimony that it reasonably believes may have relevance to the matter.

111.4   If any party to the proceedings fails or refuses to participate fully in such proceedings or to comply with a requirement of this Title VIII, the rules of procedure established pursuant to Section 103, or an order issued by the review panel, the review panel may address such refusal or failure by, as it deems appropriate: (i) deciding any concerned legal issue and/or factual matter in favor of the opposing party, and/or (ii) deciding any concerned allegation in favor of the opposing party.

Section 112 Decision-Making Deadline

112.1   In order to protect the interests of the contracting authority and the concerned economic operators, proceedings before the review panel shall be efficient and concluded within the shortest period possible while respecting the provisions of the present law and the rules of procedure established pursuant to Section 103. .

112.2   The review panel shall issue its final written decision, together with a written statement of the bases for such decision, and any order required to give effect to such decision not later than ten (10) calendar days following the expiration of the time limit specified in Section 110.7. Where the matter involves particularly complex issues or facts, the review panel may designate the matter as a particularly complex matter and may then extend the deadline for the issuance of such decision, statement of reasons and order by a maximum of an additional ten (10) calendar days.

112.3   The review panel shall promptly send its final written decision, its written statement of the bases for such decision, and any accompanying order to the contracting authority and the complainant. Section 113 Security, Penalties and Damages

113.1   All complainants are required to post security within three (3) business days after the filing of a complaint. The amount of such security shall be equal to five percent (5%) of the estimated value of the public contract or design contest, but not less than 1,000 Euros and not more than 10,000 Euros. Such security may be posted in cash, by wire or by bank transfer. Such security may also be posted in the form of a certified check, surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee, if the form and the issuer of such an instrument meet the requirements established by the Rules Committee in the public procurement rules.

113.2   If the full amount of such security is not posted within the specified three (3) business days, the PPRC shall dismiss the complaint with prejudice, and the complainant may not again file a complaint setting forth any allegation contained in the dismissed complaint.

113.3 The PPRC shall promptly return any security that is posted in connection with a complaint that has been dismissed for lack of timelines or insufficiency under Section 105 or 106. 113.4   If a complaint has not been dismissed for a reason specified in Section 105,106 or 113.2, the concerned review panel shall, at the conclusion of the review process, review each allegation in such complaint to determine whether the complainant had made such allegation frivolously. The review panel shall determine that an allegation was made frivolously if the review panel determines that, at the time the complainant filed the complaint, the complainant knew or should have known that there was no objective basis in fact or that there was no reasonable basis in law for such allegation.

113.5 The PPRC shall promptly return the security to the complainant if the review panel determines that any allegation in the complaint was not made frivolously. If the review panel determines that all allegations in the complaint were made frivolously, the complainant’s security shall be forfeit. In such event, the PPRC shall notify the complainant in writing of such determination. However, if the concerned tender security has been posted in the form of a surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee, the PPRC shall first take whatever measures may be necessary to obtain the concerned funds from the issuer before providing the complainant with the notification required by the preceding sentence.

113.6   If the review panel determines that all allegations made by the complainant in its complaint are frivolous, the PPRC may require the complainant to pay an additional penalty of up to 10,000 Euros. In such event, the complainant shall be ineligible to participate in any manner in a procurement activity covered by the present law until (i) such penalty is paid in full or (ii) a court of competent jurisdiction rescinds the order of the PPRC requiring the payment of such penalty. If the PPRC assesses a penalty pursuant to this Section 113.6, it shall issue an order to the complainant that (i) requires the complainant to pay such penalty, (ii) references this Section 113.6 and (iii) notifies the complainant that until such penalty is paid in full or a court of competent jurisdiction rescinds the subject order, the complainant shall be ineligible to participate in any manner in a procurement activity covered by the present law.

113.7   If an allegation made by the complainant is determined to be valid, the review panel may (i) assign a member to calculate, in accordance with the applicable normative acts, the damages, if any, suffered by the complainant as a result of the violations committed by the concerned contracting authority and (ii) issue an order requiring such contracting authority to pay the amount of such damages to the complainant.

113.8   The PPRC shall establish a separate interest-bearing account at a licensed commercial bank in Kosovo for the purpose of receiving and holding (i) funds received as security or under a surety bond, letter of credit or bank guarantee that had been posted as security pursuant to Section 113.1 and (ii) funds received in payment of a penalty assessed under Section 113.6. The PPRC shall immediately deposit and hold all such funds in such account. The PPRC shall not return, transfer, use or make any other disposition or use of such funds except as specifically authorized by Section 113.9. 113.9   The PPRC shall leave such funds on deposit in the account specified in Section 113.8 until (i) their return is required by Section 113.3 or 113.5 or (ii) the complainant has exhausted all of its rights to appeal the review panel’s determinations made under Sections 113.4, 113.5 and, if applicable, 113.6. Once a complainant has exhausted its rights to appeal such determinations and no court of competent jurisdiction has issued an order to the PPRC instructing the PPRC to make another disposition of the concerned funds, the PPRC shall treat such forfeited security and, if applicable, assessed penalties as a fine or penalty and transfer the concerned funds to the Kosovo Consolidated Fund in accordance with the relevant provisions of the applicable normative acts on public budgetary and appropriations matters. Section 114 Actions in the Courts

114.1 If a complainant believes that a final decision or determination of a review panel or the PPRC is contrary to the facts or the present law, the complainant may appeal such decision to a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the applicable normative acts establishing the procedure for such an appeal. However, the filing, conduct or outcome of such appeal shall have no further effect on the conduct of the concerned procurement.

114.2 If, after hearing such an appeal, the court finds that an allegation made by the complainant in its earlier complaint before the PPRC was not frivolously made, the Court  shall issue an order requiring the PPRC to return to the complainant any security declared forfeit and any penalty assessed pursuant to the Section 113.

114.3 If after hearing such an appeal, the court finds that an allegation made by the complainant in its earlier complaint before the PPRC was validly made, the court may issue an order (i) rescinding or reversing any order or determination issued or made by the PPRC or the review panel, and/or (ii) if the complainant can show that it has been damaged by the concerned act or omission of the concerned contracting authority, requiring such contracting authority to pay adequate compensation to the complainant.

Chapter 5 Reporting

Section 115 Reporting to the Assembly

The PPRC shall annually report to the Government and the Assembly on the operation of the procurement review procedures established by or pursuant to this Title VIII.

Section 116 Conveying Information

116.1   For each calendar year, the PPRC shall provide to the Government and the Assembly, not later than the end of February of the following calendar year, the following information and data by individual types of proceedings and the object of the concerned procurement activity:

a.   the total number of complaints received;

b.   the number of complaints that were dismissed for lack of timeliness or insufficiency under Section 105 or Section 106 or failure to post the security required by Section 113

c.   The number of complaints determined to contain no valid allegation;

d.   the number of procurement activities that were cancelled as the result of a complaint;

e.   detailed information on any event where a contracting authority failed to respect an order of the PPRC or a review panel; and

f.   the number of review proceedings that resulted in a determination that the concerned a procurement activity had been validly conducted and the award or decision validly made.

116.2   The Government shall, in consultation with the PPRC and on the basis of information referred to in Section 116.1 above, develop a proposal for measures aimed at reducing or eliminating certain repeated violations, including proposed amendments to the present law.

TITLE IX REMEDIAL AND PENALTY PROVISIONS AND FINAL MATTERS

Chapter 1 Violations and Penalties

Section 117 Illicit Influence and retribution and confident ional agreements.

117.1  Without prejudice to and subject to the relevant criminal and other applicable law, it shall be a violation of the present law punishable and enforceable in accordance with the relevant applicable law for any persons to׃

a)  to provide, offer,  solicit or accept or  express or indicate a readiness to provide, offer,  solicit or accept anything of value (including, but not limited to, money, an offer of employment, tangible or intangible property, a favor or service) for the direct or indirect benefit or enrichment of an employee, former employee, official or former official of a contracting authority, or any person or undertaking related to or associated with such an employee, former employee, official or former official wholly or partly for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence a decision or action affecting or connected with the initiation, conduct or outcome of a procurement activity;

b) to take any actions, or to express or indicate a readiness to take any of action,             for the purpose of intimidating, coercing, harming or causing harm (physically, financially, or otherwise) to any person or undertaking, wholly or partly for the           purpose  of influencing, attempting to influence, or retaliating for a decision or           action  related to the initiation, implementation or outcome of a procurement           activity;

c). to solicit or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any other person or undertaking, if such agreement, arrangement or understanding has the purpose or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition for any public contract; or

d)   to facilitate or encourage any person or undertaking to engage in any conduct specified in item “a,” “b” or “c” above.

117.2.  Item “c” of Section 117.1 shall not apply to the negotiation or execution of a formal written agreement by a group of economic operators if such agreement falls within the scope of Section 66.2.

117.3  Any civil servant or employee or official of a contracting authority who becomes aware, by any means, of an offence described in Section 117.1 or an event that could be expected to involve such an offence shall immediately notify at least two members of the PPRC thereof.

117.4 Upon learning of such an offence or event, by any means, the PPRC shall immediately conduct a preliminary investigation into the matter and, if it determines that there is any credible physical and/or testimonial evidence indicating that such an offence has occurred, the PPRC shall (i) formally refer the matter to the office of public prosecutor, and (ii), take – as the PPRC may deem necessary under the circumstances – any of the actions authorized by Section 83 of this law. The PPRC may also order the PPA to exercise its authority under Section 26 or Section 91 of this law and PPA take the responsibility to carry out the procurement activity in its own or conducted by a contract award committee. 117.5Any person or undertaking who or that knowingly or recklessly provides, or causes or encourages another person or undertaking to provide, materially false or misleading information, testimony or evidence to the PPRC or the office of the public prosecutor alleging or tending to prove or disprove the occurrence of an offence specified in 117.1 shall be subject to prosecution under the criminal laws of Kosovo for such action and shall also be liable for any financial or other damage to third persons or undertakings caused thereby 117.6   Where an offence specified in Section 117.1 is alleged to have been committed by or on behalf of an undertaking, the natural person or persons actually involved in the events giving rise to such offense shall also be criminally liable therefore. Furthermore, any director or senior executive officer of such undertaking who knew or – in the exercise of reasonable managerial diligence – should have known of the events giving rise to such offense shall also be criminally liable therefore. Where the offence is an offence specified in Section 117.7, such persons, directors and officers shall, together with the undertaking, be jointly and severally liable for any financial or other damage to third persons or undertakings caused thereby. Section 118 Violations By a Contracting Authority

118.1   The PPRC shall impose a fine of not less then 10.000 Euros on any contracting authority that fails to implement a decision or to comply with an order of the PPRC, a review panel or the PPA within three (3) business days.

118.2. The civil servant or official of the contracting authority causing such failure shall be dismissed and fined not less than 1,000 Euros. Such person may not again become an civil servant or official of a contracting authority during the three (3) year period following such dismissal.

Section 119 Procurements Concluded in Violation of the Present Law

119.1 A public contract or design contest award shall be void and unenforceable if the PPRC determines that such contract or award:

a.   has been awarded or entered into for a purpose or pursuant to a procedure or activity not explicitly authorized by the present law;

b.   has been awarded or entered into pursuant to a procedure or activity not conducted in conformity with the present law;

c.   concerns subject matter that the contracting authority divided into lots in order to avoid the applicability of a procurement procedure required by the present law;

d.   has been awarded to or entered into with an economic operator or contestant that was selected (i) in a manner contrary to the concerned selection criteria, requirements and specifications or (ii) pursuant to selection criteria, requirements or specifications not prepared or published in conformity with the present law;

e.   has been awarded to or entered into with an economic operator or contestant that failed to meet the eligibility requirements specified in the present law and the applicable notice, invitation or tender dossier;

f.   has been amended in a manner that is contrary to a provision of the present law or in furtherance of a purpose to avoid a provision of the present law; or

g.   has been awarded or entered into in violation of a decision or order of the PPRC, a review panel or the PPA.

119.2 In the event that the PPRC determines a contract or award to be null and void under Section 119.1, It shall notify all concerned parties of such determination. The PPRC shall also issue an order to the concerned contracting authority and the Ministry of Finance and Economy not to make or authorize any payments under or with respect to such contract or award.

119.3 Notwithstanding the requirement of Section 119.1, the PPRC may determine a contract described in Section 119.1 to be valid and enforceable if (i) such contract has already been wholly or substantially performed and (ii) taking into account the probable consequences of determining such contract to be null and void for all interests likely to be harmed, including the public interest, the PPRC decides that the negative consequences of such a declaration exceed the benefits that may be achieved thereby. In such a case, the PPRC shall have the authority to take whatever measures it deems necessary to ensure that the concerned contracting authority thereafter strictly observes the requirements of the present law. Chapter 2 Final Provisions Section 120 Repeal of the previous Legislation

This law and the public procurement rules issued under this law shall supersede all prior legislation and rules governing public procurement in Kosovo. Such prior legislation and rules shall cease to have any force or effect as of the effective date of this law. Section 121 Entry into Force

This law shall enter into force four months after its promulgation

09.02.2004 UNMIK/REG/ 2004 / 3