S.L. 601.3 Art. 164Principles for awarding contracts.

(1) Contracting authorities shall determine in the respective procurement documents the procedures that are going to be applied in connection with the award of a call for tenders subject to what is stated in the regulations covered by this Part.

(2) Contracting authorities shall ensure that the procedures mentioned in sub-regulation (1) adequately cater for the principles of transparency and equal treatment of economic operators.

(3) In implementing sub-regulations (1) and (2) contracting authorities may take into account the specificities of the services in question.

(4) Contracting authorities shall ensure that the procedures identified in sub-regulation (1) shall be reasonable and proportionate, in particular the time limits allowed for the submission of the offer shall be sufficient to allow bidders to submit an offer.

(5) In establishing the procedures mentioned in sub-regulation

(1) contracting authorities may, subject to the provisions of the regulations established under this Part, also decide to apply the regulations established for other procurement procedures.

(6) In relation to the award of contracts that are the subject of these regulations, contracting authorities may take into account the need to ensure quality, continuity, accessibility, affordability, availability and comprehensiveness of the services, the specific needs of different categories of users, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, the involvement and empowerment of users and innovation.

(7) Contracting authorities may also provide that the choice of the service provider shall be made on the basis of the tender presenting the best price-quality ratio, taking into account quality and sustainability criteria for social services.