RESTRICTED  ORGANISATION MONDIALE  
DU COMMERCE  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
20 avril 2010 
 
 (10-2073) 
Comité des marchés publics Original:  anglais 
  
 
ACCESSION DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE D'ARMÉNIE À L'ACCORD 
SUR LES MARCHÉS PUBLICS 
 
Réponses à la liste de questions pour la communication de renseignements relatifs
 
à l'accession à l'Accord sur les marchés publi cs, au projet de Loi sur les marchés  
publics et à l'opinion émise dans le cadre du programme SIGMA  
sur le projet de Loi sur les marchés publics  
 
Communication présentée par la République d'Arménie  
 
 
 La communication ci-après, datée du 18 avril 2010, est distribuée à la demande de la délégation de la République d'Arménie.  
_______________ 
  
RÉPONSES DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE D'ARMÉNIE À LA LISTE DE QUESTIONS 
POUR LA COMMUNICATION DE RENSEIGNEMENTS RELATIFS 
À L'ACCESSION À L'ACCORD SUR LES MARCHÉS PUBLICS 
  
I. INTRODUCTION 
 Le gouvernement de la République d'Arménie (ci-après le "gouvernement de la République 
d'Arménie") présume que le cadre juridique exis tant régissant les marchés publics est, de manière 
générale, compatible avec l'Accord de l'OMC sur le s marchés publics (AMP).  Il y a cependant encore 
matière à plus ample harmonisation pour  arriver à la pleine conformité. 
 Pour améliorer le cadre législatif, le gouvern ement de la République d'Arménie a élaboré le 
nouveau projet de Loi sur les marchés publics (ci- après dénommée la "LMP") qui vise à pallier les 
faiblesses du système, dont il avait aussi été déjà fa it état dans le cadre du programme SIGMA et dans 
les recommandations formulées par la  Banque mondiale dans son Examen analytique sur la passation 
des marchés.  Le projet de LMP et l'opinion émis e à son sujet dans le cadre du programme SIGMA 
sont reproduits dans les annex es 1 et 2 du présent document. 
 Le projet de LMP devrait être adopté par le Parlement de la République d'Arménie, et le 
gouvernement prévoit de proposer au Parlement de mene r le processus d'adoption à terme d'ici à la fin 
de 2010. 
 Le gouvernement de la République d'Arménie de mande aux Parties à l'AMP et au Comité des 
marchés publics de permettre l'accession de l'Armé nie à l'Accord, avec la possibilité pour elle de 
mettre la LMP et les institutions en pleine c onformité après qu'elle aura accédé à cet accord. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 2  
 
   L'amélioration du cadre juridique dans le do maine des marchés publics revêt de l'importance 
pour le gouvernement de la République d'Arméni e, en raison non seulement des engagements 
contractés par l'Arménie à l'échelle internationale (également dans le cont exte des négociations avec 
l'Organisation mondiale du commerce), mais aussi de  ses besoins internes.  Le gouvernement de la 
République d'Arménie est conscient que l'élabora tion d'un système de passation des marchés publics 
efficace et crédible est l'un des axes fondamentaux du processus d'amélioration de l'emploi des fonds 
publics. 
II. CADRE JURIDIQUE 
1. Y a-t-il une loi centrale unique sur les marc hés publics?  Dans l'affirmative, prière de 
donner des précisions. 
 Les marchés publics en Arménie sont actuellement régis par la Loi sur les marchés publics 
(LMP) entrée en vigueur le 1
er janvier 2005. 
2. Quels sont les autres lois, les règlements, les décrets, les décisions administratives et 
autres, les principes directeurs et les autres in struments régissant les marchés publics?  Prière 
de fournir un résumé des domaines visés par ch acun de ces instruments et d'expliquer les 
principales différences existant (le cas échéa nt) dans leur applic ation au niveau du 
gouvernement central et des gouvernements sous-centraux et au niveau d'autres entités. 
 La LMP est complétée par une législation sec ondaire, qui traite d'une série de questions 
procédurales et de questions plus pratiques.  Le gouvernement de la République  d'Arménie et l'organe 
compétent, soit le Ministère des finances (ci-après dénommé l'"organe compétent"), adoptent d'autres 
actes juridiques (législation secondaire) en matière de marchés pour veiller à la mise en œuvre de 
l'objet et des prescriptions de la LMP.  Tous les actes juridiques portant sur les marchés et toutes les 
lois connexes, y compris la Loi de la Républi que d'Arménie sur les divisions territoriales et 
administratives, sont répertoriés dans le bulletin électronique officiel des marchés, à l'adresse 
http://www.procurement.am/ . 
3. Dans quelle mesure les dispositions de l'Accord seront-elles appliquées directement ou 
devront-elles être transposées dans la législat ion pertinente?  Si l'Accord est appliqué 
directement et prévaut sur des dispositions incompatibles de la législation nationale, prière d'indiquer la base juridique pertinente. 
 En tant qu'accord international,  l'AMP sera appliqué directemen t.  Conformément à la LMP, 
si un accord international énonce des dispositions autres que celles de cette loi, ce sont les dispositions 
de l'accord international qui prévalent. 
III. PORTÉE ET CHAMP D'APPLICATION 
4. Prière de résumer l'organisation du gouvern ement à chaque niveau dans votre pays. 
 Le gouvernement général de la République d'Ar ménie comprend des organes de l'État et des 
gouvernements autonomes locaux, des agences de l'État  et des collectivités locales, la Banque centrale 
de la République d'Arménie, des organisations non co mmerciales (à but non lucratif) de l'État ou des 
collectivités locales et des entités détenues à plus de  50 pour cent par l'État ou par les collectivités 
locales. 
5. Prière d'indiquer toutes les entités du gou vernement central (ministères, départements, 
agences, etc.) qui passent des marchés de biens,  de services et de services de construction.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Les entités du gouvernement central sont les suivantes: 
1. Personnel du Président de la République d'Arménie 
2. Personnel de l'Assemblée nationale  de la République d'Arménie 
3. Personnel de l'administration de  la République d'Arménie 
4. Personnel de la Cour constitutionne lle de la République d'Arménie 
5. Chambre de contrôle de la République d'Arménie 
6. Département judiciaire de la République d'Arménie 
7. Bureau du Procureur général de la République d'Arménie 
8. Service des enquêtes spéciales de  la République d'Arménie 
9. Personnel du Défenseur des droits de l'Homme de la République d'Arménie 
10. Banque centrale de la République d'Arménie (*), sous réserve de la note 2 ci-après 
11. Ministère de l'agriculture de la République d'Arménie 
12. Ministère de la défense de la République d'Arménie 
13. Ministère de la Diaspora de la République d'Arménie 
14. Ministère de l'économie de la République d'Arménie 
15. Ministère de l'éducation et des sci ences de la République d'Arménie 
16. Ministère de l'énergie et des ressource s naturelles de la République d'Arménie 
17. Ministère des finances de la République d'Arménie 
18. Ministère des affaires étrangères de la République d'Arménie 
19. Ministère de la santé de la République d'Arménie 
20. Ministère de la justice de la République d'Arménie 
21. Ministère du travail et des affaires sociales de la République d'Arménie 
22. Ministère de la protection de la nature de la République d'Arménie 
23. Ministère des sports et de la jeunesse de la République d'Arménie 
24. Ministère de l'administration territoriale de la République d'Arménie 
25. Ministère des transports et des communications de la République d'Arménie 
26. Ministère du développement urbain  de la République d'Arménie 
27. Ministère de la culture de la République d'Arménie 
28. Ministère des situations d'urge nce de la République d'Arménie 
29. Service national de la sécurité de la République d'Arménie 
30. Services de sécurité de l'État de la République d'Arménie 
31. Comité des recettes d'État de la République d'Arménie 
32. Comité d'État du cadastre des biens i mmobiliers de la République d'Arménie 
33. Comité d'État chargé par le gouvernemen t de la République d'Arménie de la 
réglementation en matière de sûreté nucléaire 
34. Département de la gestion des biens publics de la République d'Arménie 
35. Département général de l'aéronau tique de la République d'Arménie 
36. Services de police de la République d'Arménie 
37. Service arménien de sauvetage 
38. Comité d'État des ressources en eau 
39. Comité d'État des sciences  
40. Commission électorale centrale de la République d'Arménie 
41. Commission de réglementation des services publics de la République d'Arménie 
42. Commission de l'assurance sociale de la République d'Arménie 
43. Commission d'État pour la protection de la  concurrence économique de la République 
d'Arménie 
44. Conseil de la fonction publique  de la République d'Arménie 
45. Service national de la statisti que de la République d'Arménie 
46. Commission nationale de la télévision et de la radio de la République d'Arménie 
47. Conseil de la télévision et de la radi o publiques de la République d'Arménie 
48. Marzpetaran d'Aragatsotn 
49. Marzpetaran d'Ararat GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 4  
 
  50. Marzpetaran d'Armavir 
51. Marzpetaran de Gegharkunik 
52. Marzpetaran de Lori 
53. Marzpetaran de Kotayq 
54. Marzpetaran de Shirak 
55. Marzpetaran de Syunik 
56. Marzpetaran de Vayots Dzor 
57. Marzpetaran de Tavush 
 
6. Quelles entités au niveau des gouvernements sous-centraux (États, provinces, 
municipalités, etc.) passent des marchés de biens et de services? 
 La LMP régit les relations en rapport avec les marchés de biens, de travaux et de services 
passés par tous les gouvernements autonomes locaux tels qu'ils sont définis dans la Loi de la 
République d'Arménie sur les divisions territoriales et administratives. 
7. Quelles entreprises détenues ou contrôlées par l'État sont assujetties aux règles régissant 
la passation des marchés publics?  Quelles sont  les autres entités ou catégories d'entités 
(relevant de l'annexe 3) détenues ou contrôlées par l'État qui passent des marchés?  Prière de donner des précisions. 
 La LMP régit les relations en rapport avec les marchés de biens, de travaux et de services 
passés par les organisations non commerciales (à but non lucratif) de l'État et des collectivités locales 
et les entités détenues à plus de 50 pour cen t par l'État ou par les collectivités locales. 
8. Les entités mentionnées dans les réponses aux questions n° 5, 6 et 7 appliquent-elles, 
pour la passation de marchés, la loi principale (s'il y en a une) ou une autre loi du gouvernement 
fédéral ou central, ou bien sont-elles auto nomes par rapport au gouvernement fédéral ou 
central pour ce qui est des règles et pratiques en  matière de passation des marchés?  Si certaines 
de ces entités ne sont pas soumises à la loi pr incipale sur la passation des marchés, indiquer les 
entités concernées et les lois, règlements, etc. auxquels elles sont soumises.  Comment votre 
gouvernement veillera-t-il à la mise en œuvre de l'Accord par les entités à un niveau inférieur 
au niveau du gouvernement central/fédéral? 
 Toutes les entités mentionnées dans les réponses a ux questions n° 5, 6 et 7 appliquent la 
LMP.  Les articles 58, 59 et 60 de la LMP défini ssent des exclusions spécifiques pour les marchés 
passés par les gouvernements autonomes, la Banque  centrale de la République d'Arménie, les 
organisations non commerciales (à but  non lucratif) de l'État et des collectivités locales  et les entités 
détenues à plus de 50 pour cent par l' État ou par les collectivités locales. 
9. Y a-t-il des exceptions générales au champ d'application des règles nationales régissant 
la passation de marchés, par exemple pour des raisons essentielles de défense nationale ou de 
sécurité?  Prière de donner des précisions. 
 Conformément à la LMP, la participation d' une personne physique ou d'une entité étrangère 
ou d'un apatride au processus de pa ssation des marchés ne peut être restreinte que par une décision du 
gouvernement de la République d'Arménie, en foncti on des intérêts nationaux en matière de sécurité 
et de défense de la République d'Arménie. 
10. Prière de communiquer les statistiques dispon ibles sur les marchés passés par les entités 
publiques dans votre pays au cours des deux d ernières années, y compris, dans la mesure du 
possible, leur ventilation par entité et par catégorie de produits et de services.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 5 
 
 
   Le tableau ci-dessous indique les dépenses enga gées au titre des biens, des travaux et des 
services au cours des années 2006 à 2008. 
 2006 2007 2008 
 Millions 
d'AMD* % Millions 
d'AMD % Millions 
d'AMD % 
Biens 14 586 23,5 23 485 12,3 20 426 18,4 
Travaux 45 026 72,9 100 122 77,6 86 039 77,7 
Services 2 173 3,6 5 324 4,1 4 293 3,9 
Total biens, travaux 
et services 61 785 100 128 931 100 110 758 100 
Budget total 481 183 634 734 822 054 
 
 * Des renseignements concernant les taux de change du dram arménien peuvent être téléchargés depuis 
le site http://www.cba.am/ . 
 
IV. TRAITEMENT NATIONAL ET NON-DISCRIMINATION 
11. Prière d'indiquer les dispositions particu lières de la législation qui reprennent les 
engagements en matière de traitement national et  de non-discrimination énoncés à l'article III 
de l'Accord. 
Conformément à l'article 3 de la LMP, la loi a pour but et objet de garantir:  "d) des 
droits égaux pour tous, qu'il s'agisse ou non de personnes physiques étrangères". 
L'article 7.2 dispose ce qui suit:  "Si le paragraphe 1 du présent  article n'est pas 
d'application, l'invitation contient une me ntion selon laquelle les soumissions peuvent 
être présentées par toute personne, qu'il s'agisse ou non d'une personne ou d'une 
organisation étrangère ou d'un apatride, et cette  mention ne peut pas être modifiée.  Si 
le paragraphe 1 du présent article est d'app lication, l'invitation comporte une mention 
à cet effet." 
12. Prière de donner des précisions sur les dispositions de la législation nationale qui 
accordent aux produits et aux fournisseurs nation aux un traitement plus favorable que celui qui 
est accordé aux produits et aux fournisseurs étrangers ou qui accordent aux produits et aux fournisseurs d'un pays un traitement plus favor able que celui qui est accordé à ceux d'un autre 
pays. 
 La législation nationale ne contient aucune disposition de ce genre prévoyant l'octroi de 
préférences aux fournisseurs nationaux. 
13. Prière de donner des précisions sur les dispositions de la législation nationale qui 
permettent d'accorder à un fournisseur établi sur le territoire national un traitement moins 
favorable que celui qui est accordé à un autre fo urnisseur établi sur le territoire national, selon 
le degré de contrôle ou de participation étrangers, ou qui exercent une discrimination à 
l'encontre de fournisseurs établis sur le territoire national selon le pays de production du 
produit ou du service qui est fourni. 
 Il n'existe pas de disposition de ce genre dans la législation nationale. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 6  
 
  14. Prière d'indiquer dans quelle mesure, le ca s échéant, un traitement plus favorable est 
accordé à des secteurs de l'économi e, des régions ou des catégories particulières de fournisseurs 
ou de produits. 
 La législation nationale ne c ontient aucune disposition prévoyan t l'octroi d'un traitement plus 
favorable à des secteurs de l'économie, des régions ou des catégories particulières de fournisseurs ou 
de produits. 
15. Prière d'indiquer toute disposition prescrivan t ou permettant le recours à des opérations 
de compensation ou à d'autres mesures ayant un e ffet similaire, telles que des prescriptions 
relatives à la teneur en éléments d'origine nation ale, à l'octroi de licences pour des technologies, 
à l'investissement, aux échanges compensés ou des p rescriptions similaires dans la qualification 
ou la sélection des fournisseurs, produits ou serv ices, ou dans l'évaluation des soumissions et 
l'adjudication des marchés. 
 Il n'existe pas de disposition de  ce genre dans la législation nationale.  L'article 7.3 de la LMP 
dispose ce qui suit: 
"Si la législation de la République d'Ar ménie prescrit qu'il faut, pour exécuter le 
marché, détenir un permis spécial (une licence spéciale) ou satisfaire à certains 
critères, mais que la législation du pays étranger dont le fournisseur est résident ne 
l'exige pas, dans les cas où le gouvernemen t de la République d'Arménie en dispose 
ainsi, le fournisseur concerné a le droit de participer au processus de passation des 
marchés sans avoir à détenir un permis spécial (une licence spéciale) ou à satisfaire à certains critères." 
V. ÉLÉMENTS SPÉCIFIQUES DES PROCÉDURES DE PASSATION DES MARCHÉS 
16. Prière de décrire en termes généraux les méthodes et procédures de passation des 
marchés en vigueur dans votre pays, notamment les principales méthodes employées dans ce 
domaine, en décrivant brièvement chacune d'elles, et d'indiquer dans quelle mesure une procédure de qualification des fournisseurs et  des procédures d'appel d'offres ouvertes, 
sélectives ou limitées sont utilisées à chaque niveau du gouvernement. 
 Il est souligné dans la LMP que celle-ci a pour objet d'assurer des processus de passation des 
marchés qui soient concurrentiels, efficaces, tran sparents, ouverts et non discriminatoires.  La LMP 
prévoit un principe général d'ég alité de participation au processus de passation des marchés pour 
toutes les personnes intéressées, y compris les soumis sionnaires étrangers.  Elle prévoit les procédures 
ou méthodes suivantes de passation des marchés: 
• appel d'offres (ouvert ou fermé); 
• appel d'offres restreint; 
• demande de prix; 
• négociations avec appel à la concurrence; 
• sollicitation d'une source unique. 
 Dans certaines circonstances spécifiées par la LM P, un "appel d'offres" peut aussi se faire en 
deux étapes.  De plus, une procédure de préqualif ication peut aussi être utilisée pour les "appels 
d'offres".  Les appels d'offres ouverts peuvent être périodiques ou ciblés.  Il est obligatoire de procéder par voie d'appel d'offres périodique pour tous les biens, travaux ou services qui figurent sur 
une liste approuvée par l'organe compétent et dont  les entités contractant es ont besoin de façon 
récurrente.  Les appels d'offres ciblés portent plutôt sur les biens, travaux ou services qui ne figurent  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 7 
 
 
  pas sur la liste publiée par l'organe compétent.  Le  marché est passé par voie d'appel d'offres fermé s'il 
comporte un secret d'État ou un secret officiel. 
 La loi paraît privilégier la méthode de l'a ppel d'offres ouvert.  De fait, les appels d'offres 
fermés ne peuvent être utilisés que si le marché comporte des secrets d'État ou des secrets d'État officiels.  De même, les autres procédures de passation des marchés publics énoncées dans la LMP 
(soit l'appel d'offres restreint, la demande de prix , les négociations avec appel à la concurrence et la 
sollicitation d'une source unique) ne  peuvent être utilisées que dans des circonstances précises.  Par 
exemple, l'appel d'offres restreint ne peut être u tilisé que "si l'objet du marché n'est pas visé par les 
marchés signés dans le cadre des appels d'offre s périodiques et qu'en raison des spécifications 
techniques de l'objet du marché celui-ci ne peut pas être passé auprès de plus de trois personnes" (sur 
le plan de la procédure, l'appel d'offres restrein t est semblable à la procédure ouverte, à ceci près 
qu'aucun avis au public n'est requis). 
 La procédure de demande de prix peut être u tilisée si l'objet du marché n'est pas visé par les 
appels d'offres périodiques et que sa valeur ne dé passe pas cinq unités de base de marché, pour les 
biens et les services, ou dix unités de base, pour les tr avaux (article 21 de la LMP).  Dans le cadre de 
cette procédure, il faut demander à au moins deux fournisseurs de soumettre un prix.  La valeur 
monétaire actuelle de l'"unité de base de marché" est de 1 million de drams arméniens. 
 On peut avoir recours à la procédure de négoc iation avec appel à la concurrence si, d'une part, 
l'objet du marché n'est pas visé par le marché périodique et que, d'au tre part, sa valeur ne dépasse pas 
l'unité de base de marché ou il s'agit d'un achat urge nt/dans une situation d'urgence (article 22 de la 
LMP). 
 La procédure de sollicitation d'une source unique  peut être utilisée, de façon très générale, 
uniquement dans les cas suivants:  pour les biens,  travaux ou services qui ne peuvent être obtenus 
qu'auprès d'une seule source (par exemple en raison de l'existence d'un droit d'auteur, d'une licence, 
etc.);  pour des achats urgents/dans une situation d'urgence, à condition que l'objet du marché ne soit 
pas visé par le marché périodique signé (cette c ondition vaut aussi pour la procédure de négociation 
avec appel à la concurrence);  pour des achats add itionnels auprès d'une même personne (article 23 de 
la LMP). 
17. Prière d'indiquer quelle disposition de votre législation impose une obligation de 
non-discrimination pour la qualification des fo urnisseurs au regard de l'article VIII et la 
sélection des fournisseurs au regard de l'article X.  Indiquer toute exception à cette obligation.  Quelles dispositions garantissent l'accès non di scriminatoire des nouveaux fournisseurs aux 
listes de fournisseurs qualifiés existantes? 
 La législation nationale ne contient aucune disposition de ce genre prévoyant l'octroi de 
préférences aux fournisseurs nationaux.  L'article 7 de la LMP dispose ce qui suit: 
"1. Pour participer au processus de passation d es marchés, le soumissionnaire doit, à n'importe 
quelle étape du processus, satisfaire aux critères énoncés dans l'invitation. 
2. Le soumissionnaire: 
 a) doit avoir le droit requis pour satisfaire aux obligations envisagées dans le marché et 
avoir les qualifications professionnelles ainsi que les ressources techniques, financières et humaines nécessaires; GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 8  
 
   b) ne doit pas être considéré en faillite par un tribunal ni faire l'objet d'une procédure de 
liquidation et les biens offerts dans la soumission pour l'exécution du marché ne doivent pas avoir été saisis; 
 c) ne doit pas avoir de dettes exigibles au titre de l'impôt ou de la sécurité sociale en 
République d'Arménie au dernier jour de la  période de déclaration précédant le jour 
de la soumission de l'offre; 
 d) ou le représentant de sa direction ne doit pas, au cours des trois années précédant la 
date de présentation de la soumission: 
  1) avoir été condamné pour des infractions contre des activités économiques ou 
les services publics, sauf si la condamnation est levée ou invalidée 
conformément à la loi; 
  2) avoir fourni des indications  fausses afin de signer un marché; 
  3) avoir manqué aux obligations prévu es dans un marché, par action ou inaction, 
de manière à entraîner la résiliati on unilatérale du marché par l'entité 
contractante. 
3. Aux fins de l'évaluation des qua lifications du fournisseu r, l'appel d'offres c ontient la liste des 
documents ou copies de documents qui doivent être  présentés par le fournisseur pour établir qu'il 
satisfait aux critères de qualification. 
4. Des critères de qualification autres que ceux que prescrit le paragraphe 2 du présent article ne 
peuvent être imposés. 
5. Le fournisseur est réputé ne pas être qualifié  si les données concernant ses qualifications ne 
concordent pas avec les critères pr escrits dans l'appel d'offres. 
6. La liste des fournisseurs qui ne remplissen t pas les conditions énoncées à l'alinéa d) du 
paragraphe 2 du présent article est publiée par l'orga ne compétent dans le bulletin, sur la base des 
données obtenues auprès des entités contractantes et d'autres organismes." 
 Pour ce qui concerne les marchés dont la vale ur dépasse 1 million de drams arméniens et qui 
ne comportent pas de secrets d'État ou de secrets officiels, la LMP prescrit la publication des avis 
suivants:  avis de procédure de pr équalification (si cette procédure est  utilisée);  avis d'appels d'offres 
ouverts (applicable aussi si une procédure en deux étapes est utilisée);  avis de la signature des 
marchés;  et annonce ou avis d'annulation de la pr océdure d'appel d'offres (i ndiquant les raisons de 
l'annulation). 
 Les dossiers des appels d'offres sont compilés dans les cas prévus par la LMP.  Les avis 
d'appels d'offres ouverts doivent être publiés en arménien, en anglais et en russe. 
 Si la valeur du marché est supérieure  à 90 millions de drams arméniens (environ 
190 000 euros), l'avis d'appel d'offres ouvert est publié  40 jours au moins avant la date limite fixée 
pour la présentation des soumissions.  Si la valeur  du marché est inférieure à 90 millions de drams 
arméniens, l'avis est publié 30 jours au moins avant la date limite fixée pour la présentation des 
soumissions. 
18. Dans les cas où une procédure de qualif ication et une procédure d'appel d'offres 
sélective peuvent être utilisées, les entités permettent-elles aux fournisseurs de devenir des  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 9 
 
 
  fournisseurs qualifiés pendant le processus de passation des marchés?  Dans quelle mesure 
tiennent-elles des listes permanentes de fournisseurs? 
 Se référer à l'article 7 de la LMP (voir la réponse à la question n° 17). 
19. Selon votre législation, dans quelles condition s et circonstances est-il permis de recourir 
à la procédure d'appel d'offres limitée définie à l'article XV de l'Accord?  Quelles mesures sont 
prévues pour faire en sorte que  cette procédure ne soit pas utilisée en vue de ramener la 
concurrence en deçà du maximum possible, ou  d'une manière qui constituerait un moyen de 
discrimination entre les produits ou les fourniss eurs étrangers ou un moyen de favoriser les 
produits ou les fournisseurs nationaux? 
 Aux termes de l'article 20 de la LMP, "[s]i l'objet du marché n'est pas visé par les marchés 
signés dans le cadre des appels d'offres périodiques et qu'en raison des spécifications techniques de 
l'objet du marché celui-ci ne peut pas être passé a uprès de plus de trois personnes, il est possible de 
procéder par voie d'appel d'offres restreint". 
20. L'article XIV de l'Accord autorise une né gociation dans certaines conditions.  Les 
entités sont-elles autorisées à procéder à des né gociations?  Dans l'affirmative, de quelles 
catégories d'entités s'agit-il et quelles sont les conditions imposées? 
 Conformément à l'article 35 de la LMP, "[i]l est interdit à la Commission des marchés, à 
l'entité contractante et au fournisseur de procéder  entre eux à des négociations sur une offre présentée 
par le fournisseur, sauf dans les cas prévus par la présente loi".  Ces cas sont identifiés dans les articles 45, 46 et 50 de la LMP. 
21. L'article XI fixe les délais minimums po ur la présentation des soumissions et la 
livraison.  Quelles sont les règles et les prati ques concernant les délais dans le cadre de votre 
législation?  Celle-ci reprend-elle les délais mi nimums prévus par l'Accord?  Si tel n'est pas le 
cas, prière de donner des renseignements sur les délais différents fixés dans votre législation 
nationale. 
 Si la valeur du marché est supérieure  à 90 millions de drams arméniens (environ 
190 000 euros), l'avis d'appel d'offres ouvert est publié  40 jours au moins avant la date limite fixée 
pour la présentation des soumissions.  Si la valeur  du marché est inférieure à 90 millions de drams 
arméniens, l'avis est publié 30 jours au moins avant la date limite fixée pour la présentation des soumissions. 
22. Prière de décrire brièvement les procédures à suivre pour la présentation, la réception 
et l'ouverture des soumissions, et l'adjudication  des marchés, en particulier les procédures et 
conditions garantissant la régularité de l'ouvertu re et la conformité avec les dispositions de 
l'Accord relatives à la non-discrimination.  Comment les entités conservent-elles les 
renseignements sur les procédures suivies pour  la réception, l'ouverture et l'évaluation des 
soumissions? 
 La LMP prévoit ce qui suit.  Les soumissions sont ouvertes le jour qui est indiqué dans l'invitation à soumissionner, à la 
session de la commission des appels d'offres, et le jour et l'heure de l'ouverture des soumissions doivent coïncider avec la date limite fixée pour la présentation des soumissions. 
 Les fournisseurs et leurs représentants peuvent assister aux sessions de la commission des 
appels d'offres.  Les fournisseurs ou leurs représentants peuvent demander des copies des GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 10  
 
  procès-verbaux des sessions de la commission des appels  d'offres, qui seront four nies dans un délai de 
un jour ouvrable. 
 Les copies du procès-verbal de la session d'ouverture des soumissions sont fournies le jour 
ouvrable suivant la session aux fournisseurs ou aux repr ésentants de ceux-ci qui n'y ont pas participé. 
 Les membres de la commission des appels d'o ffres évaluent les soumissions de la manière 
prescrite dans l'invitation.  Les soumissions qui remplissent les conditions énoncées dans l'invitation 
sont jugées satisfaisantes;  les autres sont consid érées insatisfaisantes et sont rejetées.  En cas de 
différence entre les montants écrits en toutes lettres et ceux qui sont exprimés en chiffres, ce sont les montants écrits en toutes lettres qui priment. 
 Conformément au décret de la commission des appels d'offres, l'entité contractante signe un 
marché avec le fournisseur retenu. 
 Dans un délai de trois jours ouvrables apr ès avoir désigné le fournisseur retenu, l'entité 
contractante en avise ce fournisseur et l'invite à signer le marché dont le projet lui est présenté. 
 Si la valeur du marché est supérieure à 1 m illion de drams arméniens, l'entité contractante 
dresse procès-verbal de la procédure de passation du marché.  Si la valeur du marché n'excède pas 
l'unité de base, l'entité contractante veille à documen ter les actes accomplis au cours de la procédure 
de passation du marché ainsi que leurs raisons. 
 L'entité contractante doit communiquer à toute personne les renseignements figurant dans le 
procès-verbal de la procédure de passation du marché, sauf les renseignements classés secrets d'État, dans les cinq jours ouvrables suiv ant la réception de la demande. 
23. Prière d'indiquer les dispositions de votre législation qui définissent les paramètres en 
fonction desquels les spécifications techniques sont prescrites par les entités dans le cadre des 
critères d'évaluation. 
 L'article 13 de la LMP contient des règles su r les spécifications techniques.  Cet article 
dispose ce qui suit: 
"1. La description des propriétés techniques des produits, travaux ou services faisant l'objet du 
marché doit être claire et complète et les modalités de l'achat et du paiement doivent être indiquées, de 
manière à exclure toute autre interprétation. 
2. Selon les particularités de l'objet du marc hé, la description de ses propriétés techniques 
comprend des éléments tels que la qualité, les norm es, la sécurité, le marquage, la terminologie, 
l'emballage, le déchargement, la mesure et le dessin, ainsi que d'autres propriétés techniques des 
produits, travaux ou services faisant l'objet du ma rché, conformément aux règles, documents et 
normes en vigueur en République d'Arménie ou, à défaut, aux conditions t echniques internationales 
temporaires ou aux normes internationales. 
 Les prescriptions techniques n'imposeront ni ne  mentionneront une mar que de fabrique ou de 
commerce, un nom commercial, une licence, un dessin  ou modèle, le pays d'origine ou la provenance 
ou le producteur réels, sauf dans les cas où il est impossible de décrire l'objet du marché sans ces 
informations.  S'il en est fait mention, la descr iption des propriétés techniques doit comprendre les 
mots "ou l'équivalent"."  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 11 
 
 
  24. Indiquer les mesures prévues dans votre législation pour garantir que les adjudications 
seront faites conformément aux critères d'évaluation  et aux conditions essentielles spécifiés dans 
la documentation relative à l'appel d'offres. 
 Aux termes de l'article 34 de la LMP, "[l] es membres de la commission des appels d'offres 
évaluent les soumissions de la manière prescrite dans  l'invitation.  Les soumissions qui remplissent les 
conditions énoncées dans l'invitation sont jugées satisfaisantes;  les autres sont considérées 
insatisfaisantes et sont rejetées.  En cas de différence entre les montants écrits en toutes lettres et ceux qui sont exprimés en chiffres, ce sont les montants écrits en toutes lettres qui priment". 
VI. INFORMATION 
25. L'article XIX:1 prévoit la publication des lo is, des règlements, des décisions judiciaires, 
des décisions administratives d'application géné rale et des procédures relatifs aux marchés 
publics.  Prière d'indiquer le nom de la ou des publications pertinentes et les moyens à employer à cette fin.  Indiquer aussi, le cas échéant, l'adresse du site Web où l'on peut trouver la 
législation mentionnée dans les questions n° 1 et 2. 
 Tous les renseignements officiels en rapport avec les marchés, y compris les lois, règlements, 
décisions judiciaires, décisions administratives d'application générale et procédures relatifs aux 
marchés publics, devraient être publiés dans le bulle tin électronique officiel des marchés, à l'adresse 
http://www.procurement.am/
. 
 Tous les avis d'appels d'offres sont publiés su r le site Web de l'organe compétent ainsi que 
dans les journaux locaux, et font l'objet d'annonces à la télévision.   S'agissant des procédures de 
demande de prix et de négociation avec appel à la concurrence pour les achats rapides dans une 
situation d'urgence, la LMP dispose que les avis de ces procédures doivent être publiés dans la presse 
afin d'identifier les personnes devant être invitées à soumettre un prix ou à négocier. 
26. L'article IX:1 de l'Accord prévoit la pub lication des invitations à soumissionner pour 
tous les marchés envisagés.  Prière d'indiquer le nom de la ou des publications pertinentes et les 
moyens à employer à cette fin.  Indiquer aussi, le cas échéant, l'adresse du site Web sur lequel 
ces invitations sont publiées. 
 http://www.procurement.am/  
27. Prière de préciser quels types de renseigneme nts doivent figurer, selon votre législation, 
dans les invitations à soumissionner ou dans la documentation relative à l'appel d'offres, et 
indiquer les dispositions pertinentes de votre législation. 
 L'article 25 de la LMP dispose ce qui suit: "1. Afin d'inciter des fournisseurs à participer à un appel d'offres ouvert, un avis est publié dans 
le bulletin, sur le site http://www.procurement.am/ .
 
 L'avis d'appel d'offres ouvert contient les renseignements suivants:  a) le nom et l'adresse de l'entité contractante;  b) le code de l'appel d'offres; 
 c) une brève description du marché et des spécifications de l'objet du marché; GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 12  
 
   d) une indication du droit des fournisseu rs à participer à l'appel d'offres; 
 e) les conditions à remplir pour recevoir une i nvitation, y compris les frais y afférents et 
les modalités de paiement; 
 f) la ou les langues dans lesquell es la soumission doit être présentée; 
 g) un résumé des critères de qualification pour les fournisseurs; 
 h) le lieu et la date limite de la présentation des soumissions; 
 i) d'autres renseignements, si nécessaire.  L'article 27 de la LMP dispose ce qui suit:  L'invitation doit mentionner les éléments suivants:  a) une référence à l'avis d'appel d'offres auquel se rapporte l'invitation; 
 b) les instructions concernant l'établissement des soumissions; 
c) les critères de qualification pour les fournisseurs et la procédure d'évaluation de 
ceux-ci; 
 d) les documents requis pour attester la qualification des fournisseurs et le respect des 
autres prescriptions; 
 e) les spécifications de l'objet du marché; 
 f) la procédure d'évaluation des soumissi ons et de désignation de l'adjudicataire; 
 g) le projet de marché;  h) les conditions et procédures qui s'appliquent s'il est permis aux fournisseurs de 
présenter des soumissions pour une partie des biens et services faisant l'objet du marché; 
 i) une ventilation du prix soumissionné; 
 j) une note indiquant que le prix proposé, exception faite du coût des biens et des 
services, comprend les frais de transport et d' assurance, les droits, les taxes, etc., et 
qu'il ne peut être inférieur au coût des bien s et des services, dont le calcul doit figurer 
dans la soumission; 
 k) les prescriptions concernant la quantité et  d'autres conditions relatives à la garantie de 
soumission et au cautionnement de bonne fin; 
l) les modalités de la présentation des soumissi ons, notamment le lieu,  la date limite et 
la langue; 
 m) la procédure de clarification du dossi er d'appel d'offres et la notification aux 
fournisseurs des réunions à venir, ainsi que  les nom et prénom du secrétaire de la 
commission des appels d'offres;  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 13 
 
 
   n) le lieu, le jour et l'heure de l'ouverture des soumissions; 
o) les références à la présente loi et à d'au tres actes juridiques relatifs à la passation de ce 
marché particulier; 
 p) les modalités de la signature du marché;  q) les activités se rapportant à la procédur e de passation du marché et/ou aux décisions 
prises ainsi que le droit de fair e appel et la procédure d'appel; 
 r) les motifs du rejet d'une soumission;  s) les données nécessaires à l' établissement, la présentation, l'ouverture et l'évaluation 
des soumissions ainsi que d'autres rensei gnements relatifs à la passation du marché. 
28. L'article IX:1 de l'Accord prévoit la publication des listes permanentes de fournisseurs 
qualifiés par les entités qui tiennent ces listes.  Prière d'indiquer le nom de la ou des publications 
pertinentes et les moyens à employer à cette fin.   Indiquer aussi, le cas échéant, l'adresse du site 
Web sur lequel ces listes sont publiées. 
 La LMP n'envisage pas la publication de lis tes permanentes de fournisseurs qualifiés. 
29. L'article XVIII:1 de l'Accord prévoit la pub lication par les entités des renseignements 
contenus dans les avis d'adjudication des march és.  Prière d'indiquer le nom de la ou des 
publications pertinentes et les moyens à employer à cette fin.  Indiquer aussi, le cas échéant, l'adresse du site Web sur lequel ces avis sont publiés. 
 Si la valeur du marché est supérieure à l'unité  de base, l'entité contr actantes publie un avis 
(avis d'adjudication) dans le bulletin, à l'adresse http://www.procurement.am/
. 
30. Prière de préciser quels types de renseignements devraient figurer dans les avis 
d'adjudication des marchés dans votre pays et indiquer les dispositions pertinentes de votre 
législation. 
 Aux termes de l'article 11 de la LMP:  "Si la  valeur du marché est supérieure à 1 million de 
drams arméniens, l'entité contractante publie un av is à cet effet dans le bulletin (à l'adresse 
http://www.procurement.am/ ) après la signature du marché, sauf pour les marchés classés secrets 
d'État. 
31. Prière d'indiquer les dispositions pertinentes de votre législation qui permettent, 
conformément à l'article XVIII:2, de communiquer des renseignements aux autres Parties et aux soumissionnaires non retenus concernant les ra isons pour lesquelles une soumission n'a pas 
été retenue. 
 Prière de se référer à la LMP, aux articles: 9: "4. L'entité contractante doit communiquer à toute personne les renseignements figurant 
dans le procès-verbal de la procédure de passati on du marché, sauf les renseignements classés secrets 
d'État, dans les cinq jours ouvrables suivant la réce ption de la demande.  Le procès-verbal de la 
procédure de passation du marché contient les él éments suivants, selon le type de procédure: 
 a) les nom et adresse de l'entité contractante; GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 14  
 
   b) un bref exposé de la nécessité de l'achat et une description de l'objet du marché, ainsi 
qu'une justification du choix de la procédure de passation du marché; 
 c) copie de l'invitation aux fourni sseurs et des versions modifiées; 
 d) copie des demandes de renseignement s en rapport avec la passation du marché, 
accompagnée d'explications; 
e) les données relatives aux fournisseurs qui ont présenté des soumissions:  nom, 
adresse, moyens de communiquer avec eux; 
 f) les prix proposés dans les soumissions;  g) la procédure d'évaluation des soumissions et son issue;  h) la justification du rejet d'une soumission, le cas échéant; 
 i) copie du marché et, le cas échéant, la rais on pour laquelle il n'est pas signé à l'issue de 
la procédure de passation du marché; 
 j) une brève description des activités illicit es qui pourraient avoir été mises au jour 
pendant la procédure de passation du ma rché ainsi que des mesures prises; 
 k) copie des plaintes reçues concernant la procédure de passation du marché et des 
décisions rendues à cet égard; 
 l) les autres renseignements nécessaires." 33: "5. Les fournisseurs et leurs représentants peuvent assister aux sessions de la commission 
des appels d'offres.  Les fournisseurs ou leur s représentants peuvent demander des copies des 
procès-verbaux des sessions de la commission des appels  d'offres, qui seront four nies dans un délai de 
un jour ouvrable. 
 6. Les copies du procès-verbal de la sessi on de la commission des appels d'offres sont 
fournies le jour ouvrable suivant la session aux four nisseurs et aux représentants de ceux-ci qui n'y ont 
pas participé." 
38: "L'appel d'offres est déclaré nul dans les cas suivants:  a) aucune des soumissions ne  satisfait à l'appel d'offres; 
 b) il n'est plus nécessaire de procéder à l'achat; 
 c) aucune soumission n'a été présentée;  d) le prix proposé par le fournisseur rete nu est supérieur aux crédits prévus pour cet 
achat, sauf si la condition spécifiée au para graphe 6 de l'article 34 est applicable; 
 e) aucun marché n'est signé à l'issue de l'appel d'offres. 
 2. Après l'annulation de l'appel d'offres,  il est interdit d'ouvrir les soumissions non 
ouvertes, qui sont renvoyées aux soumissionnaires.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 15 
 
 
   3. Après l'annulation de l'appel d'offres, le bulletin publie un avis mentionnant les 
raisons de cette annulation, sauf dans les cas comportant des secrets d'État ou des secrets officiels." 
VII. PROCÉDURES DE CONTESTA TION DES ADJUDICATIONS 
32. Prière de fournir des renseignements sur les procédures de contestation en vigueur. 
 Conformément à la LMP, les fournisseurs qui a llèguent être lésés peuvent choisir de déposer 
une plainte contre les actions de l'entité contractante  et/ou de la commission des appels d'offres auprès 
de l'organe compétent ou des tribunaux nationaux.  Les décisions de l'organe compétent peuvent être 
portées en appel devant les tribunaux nationaux. 
 Les plaintes déposées auprès de l'organe compétent doivent être présentées par écrit.  La 
décision est rendue par le Ministre des finances.  L'organe compétent peut rendre les décisions 
suivantes concernant l'entité contractante et/ou le comité des appels d'offres:  interdire certaines 
actions et décisions;  les contraindre à prendre certa ines décisions;  reconsidérer les décisions;  résilier 
le marché.  L'organe compétent peut aussi accorder  une compensation aux fournisseurs lésés.  Il peut 
ordonner la suspension du processus de passation du ma rché avant de se prononcer sur la plainte (il 
n'y a ainsi pas de suspension automatique).  En tout  état de cause, il n'y aura pas de suspension si, 
pour des raisons liées à la défense ou à la sécurité nationale, le processus de passation du marché doit 
se poursuivre. 
 La LMP prévoit qu'une unité permanente de l'organe compétent est chargée de traiter les 
plaintes concernant les procédures de passation des marchés publics.  La LMP dispose que, s'agissant 
des gouvernements autonomes locaux, des institutions  des collectivités locales,  de la Banque centrale 
de la République d'Arménie, des organisations à but  non lucratif de l'État ou des collectivités locales 
et des entités détenues à plus de 50 pour cent par l' État ou par les collectivités locales, les fonctions 
attribuées à l'organe compétent en ce qui con cerne l'examen des plaintes sont remplies, 
respectivement, par le conseil des collectivités lo cales, le Conseil d'administration de la Banque 
centrale ou un autre organe délégué, ou l'organe  de gestion de l'organisation concernée. 
33. Existe-t-il des dispositions particulières permettant aux fournisseurs étrangers d'accéder 
aux procédures de contestation? 
 Oui.  L'accès des fournisseurs étrangers aux pr océdures de contestation peut être limité si, 
conformément à l'article 7 de la LMP, la partic ipation d'un fournisseur étra nger a été restreinte par 
résolution du gouvernement de la République d'Armé nie en raison d'intérêts nationaux en matière de 
sécurité et de défense. 
34. Au cas où ces renseignements ne répondraien t pas pleinement aux points ci-après, prière 
de fournir les renseignements complémentaires nécessaires: 
 i) Le délai pour déposer une plainte prév u par l'Accord ne doit pas être "inférieur 
à dix jours" à compter de la date à laquelle le fondement de la plainte est connu ou devrait raisonnablement avoir été connu.  Quels sont les délais prévus dans 
votre législation? 
 La LMP ne prévoit aucun délai pour déposer une  plainte.  Un délai est imposé à l'organe 
compétent pour se prononcer sur le recours une fois la  plainte déposée.  Aux termes de l'article 53 de 
la LMP, "[c]onformément à la législation sur les marchés publics, l'organe compétent doit rendre une 
décision sur le recours au plus tard 20 jours et au plus tôt dix jours ouvrables suivant la date de sa 
réception". GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 16  
 
   ii) À quel organisme sont soumises les contestations?  Est-ce un "tribunal" ou un 
"organe d'examen impartial et indépendant"?  Dans ce dernier cas: 
 Conformément à la LMP, les fournisseurs peuve nt choisir de déposer une plainte contre les 
actions de l'entité contractante et/ou de la co mmission des appels d'offres auprès de l'organe 
compétent (le Ministère des finances) ou des tribunaux nationaux. 
  - Comment ses membres sont-ils choisis? 
 La LMP dispose qu'une unité permanente de l' organe compétent est chargée de traiter les 
plaintes concernant les procédures de passation des marchés publics.  Ce service relève du Ministre des finances.  Les responsables sont des fonctionnaires. 
  - Ses décisions peuvent-elles faire l'objet d'un examen judiciaire? 
 Oui.  La décision de l'organe compétent est finale, à moins qu'un tribunal n'en décide 
autrement. 
  - Si tel n'est pas le cas, comment les prescriptions du paragraphe 6 de 
l'article XX sont-elles prises en compte? 
 Sans objet. 
 iii) Quelle est la loi applicable au regar d de laquelle l'organisme qui est saisi d'une 
contestation examinera la plainte? 
 La "Loi sur les marchés publics" de la République d'Arménie. 
 iv) Quelles sont les mesures transito ires rapides prévues pour remédier aux 
violations de l'Accord et prése rver les possibilités commerciales? 
  - Ces mesures offrent-elles la po ssibilité de suspendre le processus de 
passation du marché?  À quelles conditions? 
 L'organe compétent peut ordonner la suspen sion du processus de passation du marché avant 
de se prononcer sur la plainte (il n'y a ainsi pas de suspension automatique).  En tout état de cause, il n'y aura pas de suspension si, pour des raisons li ées à la défense ou à la sécurité nationale, le 
processus de passation du marché doit se poursuivre. 
 v) Comment les procédures de contest ation prévoient-elles de remédier à une 
violation de l'Accord?  Quels types de compensation des pertes ou dommages subis peuvent être prescrits par l'organis me qui est saisi d'une contestation? 
 L'organe compétent peut rendre les décisions su ivantes concernant l'entité contractante et/ou 
le comité des appels d'offres:  interdire certain es actions et décisions;  les contraindre à prendre 
certaines décisions;  reconsidérer les décisions;  r ésilier le marché.  L'organe compétent peut aussi 
accorder une compensation aux fournisseurs lésés. 
 vi) Prière de fournir tout renseignement disponible sur la durée des phases de la 
procédure de contestation, notamment su r les délais pour obtenir l'application 
de mesures transitoires et une décision finale.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 17 
 
 
   Aux termes de l'article 53 de la LMP, "[s]el on la législation sur les marchés, l'organe 
compétent doit rendre une décision sur le recours au plus tard 20 jours et au plus tôt dix jours ouvrables suivant la date de sa réception.  La décision de l'organe compétent est finale, à moins qu'un tribunal n'en décide autrement". 
 vii) Quels sont les frais à supporter en  général pour engager une procédure de 
contestation?  Est-il prévu qu'une telle procédure puisse être engagée sans frais? 
 La procédure est sans frais. 
VIII.  AUTRES QUESTIONS 
35. Dans quelle mesure les technologies de l'info rmation sont-elles utilisées pour la passation 
des marchés publics?  Les invitations à soumissi onner et/ou les avis d'adjudication sont-ils 
publiés par des moyens électroniques?  Pr ière d'indiquer l'adresse de ces publications 
électroniques. 
 Les invitations (avis d'appels d'offres et invita tions (dossiers d'appels d'offres)) et les avis 
d'adjudication sont publiés par des moyens  électroniques à l'adresse Web suivante:  
http://www.procurement.am/
. 
36. Existe-t-il dans votre pays un point de cont act susceptible de répondre aux demandes de 
renseignements des fournisseurs, des autres gouvern ements et du public concernant les lois, les 
règlements, les procédures et les pratiques en  matière de passation des marchés au niveau du 
gouvernement central et/ou des gouvernements  sous-centraux?  Prière d'en communiquer 
l'adresse. 
 L'Office des marchés publics offre un "service de téléassistance". 
 Téléphone: (+374) 10 28 93 25 
 Adresse: Rue Komitas 54B, Erevan (Arménie)  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 18  
 
  ATTACHMENT 1
* 
 DRAFT
 
REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA 
 
LAW 
 
ON PROCUREMENT 
 
 
SECTION 1 
 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
 
 Article 1: Subject regulated by the law 
 This law regulates relations pertaining to the procurement of goods, works and services by 
clients, and establishes principal rights and responsibilities of parties thereto. 
Article 2: Main terms used in the law 
 The following main terms are used in this law: 
 Client: 
 1) State administration bodies and local self-governments, state and community 
agencies envisaged in the Republic of Armenia Constitution and laws; 
 2) The Republic of Armenia Central Bank;  3) State or community non-commercial (non-profit) organizations  4) Entities with over fifty percent of government or community shareholding; 
 5) Associations (unions) formed by the state or community or the Republic of Armenia 
Central Bank or state or community non-commercia l (non-profit) organizati ons or entities with over 
fifty percent of government or community shareholding; 
 6) Legal entities recipient of funds donated by the government or community or the 
Republic of Armenia Central Bank or state or co mmunity non-commercial (non-profit) organizations 
or entities with over fifty percent of government or community shareholding; 
 7) Public undertakings. 
 Public undertakings 
 1) Physical or legal entities operating in  the regulated public services sector and 
included in the list approved by the Republic of  Armenia Public Services Regulatory Commission; 
                                                     
 
* In English only.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 19 
 
 
   2) Еntities operating in the public services sector and carrying out one or more of the 
relevant activities stipulated by this Article, based on a special or exclusive right, if the procurement is 
conducted for the purpose of exercising such activities. 
 3) Entities over which the government or community or the Republic of Armenia 
Central Bank or a state or a community non-commercial (non-profit) organization or an entity with 
over fifty percent of government or community shareholding may exercise a dominant influence by 
virtue of ownership, financial pa rticipation or its governance rules.  The presumption of exerting the 
dominant influence is applied to all situations wh en the government or community or the Republic of 
Armenia Central Bank or the state or community non-commercial (non-profit)  organization or the 
entity with over fifty percent of government or comm unity shareholding in relation to with the entity: 
  a. Holds the majority of th e entity's subscribed capital;  or 
  b. Controls the majority of votes att aching to shares issued by the entity;  or 
  c. Can appoint more than half of the members of the entity's administrative,
 management or supervisory body. 
 4) Condominiums established for the pur poses of managing a multi-apartment building 
or common property of buildings. 
 Procurement  – Purchase of all types of goods, works and services reimbursed by the Client.  
For the purposes of this law: 
 1) The rent and leasing regarded as a purchase of service; 
 2) The following is also considered as procurement:   a. Purchase of goods, works and services by legal entities from the funds
 donated to such entities by the Client; 
  b. Purchase of goods, works and services by barter;   c. Public-private partnership transactions;  and   d. Asset management and concession transactions. 
 Contract  – a contract concluded for procurement purposes; 
 Bidder  – an entity participating in procuremen t processes for the purposes of concluding a 
contract with the Client; 
 Selected bidder –  bidder(s) offered a contract by the Client; 
 Invitation (Bidding documents)  – terms offered to the bidder for the purposes of contract 
signing; 
 Bid  – an offer submitted by the bidder based on the invitation; 
 Bid security –  in cases stipulated in this law, a guarantee securing implementation of the 
obligations assumed in the bid by the bidder; 
 Contract performance security –  in cases stipulated by this law, a guarantee securing 
implementation of the obligations being assumed under the contract by the selected bidder; 
 Electronic auction  – when carrying out the procurement, repetitive process involving 
electronic devices for presentation of new prices, revised downwards, and/or new non-price proposals, GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 20  
 
  which occurs after an initial full evaluation of the bids, enabling to rank in descending order the 
bidders, who submitted the bids, using automatic evaluation methods (means); 
 Electronic means  – the use of electronic equipment, including software and hardware for the 
processing and storage of data, which is transmitted,  conveyed and received by wire, radio, optical 
means or by other electromagnetic means; 
 Authorized Body – a state body of the Republic of Armenia Executive responsible for the 
development and implementation of the Republic of Armenia Government policy in the area of public 
finance management. 
 The Center for Procurement Support and Expertise – a legal entity authorized by the 
Republic of Armenia Government; 
 Bulletin –  the Electronic Procurement Bulletin published by the Authorized Body; 
 Special or exclusive right  – the right that results from any form of authorization granted by a 
competent authority by the way of any legislative, regulatory or administrative provision, having as effect to limit the exercise of activities in the certain  field of public services only to one or to a limited 
number of entities, and which substantially affect s the ability of other entities to carry out such 
activities; 
 Subject of procurement  – any goods, works or services being purchased; 
 Description of procurement subject –  technical specifications, procurement and payment 
terms and conditions of subject of procurement; 
 Consulting services  – non-material services, which do not render a measurable physical 
output; 
 Consultant  – an entity, which participates in the procurement process for the purposes of 
signing a consulting services' contract with the Client; 
 Selected consultant –  a consultant(s) offered a consulti ng services' contract by the Client; 
 Procurement base unit –  an amount equal to one thousand minimum wages expressed in the 
Republic of Armenia national currency. 
 Relevant activities –  following activities in the field of pu blic services to which this law shall 
apply.  They include: 
 1) The provision or operation of fixed ne tworks intended to provide public services in 
connection with the production, transport or distribution of gas, heat or electricity or supply of natural 
gas, heat or electricity to such networks; 
 2) The provision or operation of fixed ne tworks intended to provide public services in 
connection with the production, transport or distri bution of drinking water or the supply of drinking 
water to such network; 
 3) The provision or operation of networks intended to provide public services in the 
field of transport.  A network for providing transpor t services is considered to exist, in the case when 
the operation conditions, including the condition on the routs to be served, the capacity to be made 
available or the frequency of the service are laid down by a competent government authority.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 21 
 
 
   4) The provision of postal services.  Postal services mean services consisting of the 
clearance, sorting, routing and delivery of postal items – correspondence, books, catalogues, newspapers, periodicals and postal packages cont aining other merchandise with or without 
commercial value – irrespective of weight; 
 5) Exploitation of a geographical area: 
  a. for the purpose of exploring for or extracting oil, gas, coal or other solid
 fuels; 
  b. for the purpose of the provision of  airports and inland ports and other
 terminal facilities to carriers by air or inland waterway. 
 The Republic of Armenia government shall, on the basis of this law, set out the conditions 
and peculiarities for application of this law to relevant activities. 
 Procurement process  – an entirety of actions aimed at execution of procedures, rights and 
responsibilities pertaining to carrying out procurem ent as stipulated by the Republic of Armenia 
legislation on procurement. 
Article 3: Purpose and scope of the law 
1. The purpose of this law is to ensure valu e-for-money in the procurement process, namely: 
 a. purchase of goods, works and services requi site (adequate) to carry out the powers 
delegated to the Client;  and 
 b. exchange of funds allocated for proc urement for adequate goods, works and services. 
2. For the purposes of achieving the objective set out in the paragraph 1 of this Article, the 
procurement process shall be based on the following principles: 
 1) Efficiency, effectiveness and economy of procurement; 
 2) Administration of procurement process based on unified rules and principles of 
competition, transparency, openness and non-discrimination; 
 3) Expansion of bidders' circle and promotion of competition among them for the 
purposes of contract signing; 
 4) Prevalence of equal right for every pers on to participate in the procurement process 
regardless of being a foreign indivi dual, entity or a stateless person;  except cases stipulated by law; 
 5) Regulation and coordination of the procurement process;  6) Existence of legal framework for control over the procurement process. 3. The scope of this law covers the procuremen t carried out in the Republic of Armenia.  The 
Republic of Armenia Government establishes the pr ocedure for procurement outside of the Republic 
of Armenia. 
4. The scope of this law shall not cover tran sactions related to the lease and purchase of land, 
arbitration (including mediation) services as well as labor contracts. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 22  
 
  Article 4: The Republic of Armenia legislation on procurement 
1. The Republic of Armenia legislation on procurement is comprised of the Republic of 
Armenia Civil Code, this law and other legal acts. 
2. In the event if an international agreement se ts out provisions other than in this law, the 
provisions of the international agreement prevail. 
3. The Republic of Armenia Government and th e Authorized Body adopt other legal acts on 
procurement to ensure the accomplishment of the purpose and requirements of this law. 
4. Other legal acts on procurement ar e also being published in the Bulletin. 
Article 5: Eligibility to participate in procurement process and qualification criteria 
1. Each person has equal right to participate in  the procurement (bidding) regardless of being a 
foreign individual, entity or a stateless person. 
2. The following persons shall not have th e right to participate in the procurement: 
 1) Have been ruled insolvent by court;  2) Have outstanding arrears against the Re public of Armenia tax and mandatory social 
insurance payments;  or 
 3) Have a representative of the executive body, who has been convicted for offenses 
against economic activities or state service, excep t cases when such conviction has been lifted or 
nullified as stipulated by law; 
 4) Have been included in the list of bidders that have violated the rules of procurement 
business ethics ("black-list").  The bidder is included in this list, if during the year preceding the bid 
submission: 
  a. has repeatedly breached an ob ligation assumed under a contract or a
 procurement process leading to a unilatera l termination of the contract by the
 Client or a suspension of that bidder from further participation in the procurement process; 
  b. has submitted falsified da ta under the procurement process; 
  c. as a selected bidder, has repeatedly  refused to sign the awarded contract; 
  d. in a manner prescribed by law, the bidder has been convicted by a decision
 for anti competitive behaviour during procurement process, such as collusion
 or abuse of dominant position. 
  e. within three years preceding the bid submission, has been convicted by court
 judgment for participation in a criminal  organization, for corruption, for fraud
 and/or for money laundering, except th e cases when such conviction has been
 lifted or cancelled. 
3. The Authorized Body publishes the list of bidders that have violated the rules of procurement 
business ethics.  The Authorized Body formally in itiates a procedure at the Procurement Complaint 
Review Board based on the information of the Clie nt about a bidder who has breached the rules of 
procurement business ethics.  After hearing the opin ion of the bidder concerned, the Review Board 
decides if the bidder has to be incl uded in the list stipulated in this  Article.  An entity can be enlisted  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 23 
 
 
  for a period from 6 months to 3 years depending on  the seriousness of the breach of the rules of 
procurement business ethics. 
4. The bidder must satisfy the qualification criteria set out in the invitation.  The bidder shall 
have the following items required to  fulfill contractual obligations: 
 1) Eligibility; 
 2) Compliance of professional activity to activities stipulated in its charter; 
 3) Professional experience;  4) Technical resources;  5) Financial resources;  6) Labor resources. 
5. No other criteria related to bidder's eligib ility and qualification for participation in the 
procurement can be established, if such criteria are: 
 1) not stipulated in this Article;  2) discriminatory and limit the competition by unduly complicating or simplifying 
potential participation in the procurement process; 
 3) inadequate and not directly require d for execution of contractual obligations. 
6. The procedure and criteria for evaluating the bidder's eligibility and qualification to 
participate in the given procurement as well as th e requirements for documents (information) required 
thereto are set out in the tender invitation and they shall be based on general conditions set out by the 
Republic of Armenia government. 
Article 6: Equal participation in procurement 
1. Any entity, regardless of bei ng a foreign natural person or a le gal entity or a stateless person, 
has equal right for participati on in the procurement process. 
2. Participation of any entity in the procurement can be restricted only by the Republic of 
Armenia Government decision based on the national security or defense interests of the Republic of Armenia. 
3. If the paragraph 2 of this Article is inappli cable, then the invitation includes a notice that any 
person regardless of being a foreign individual or an entity or a statel ess person can submit the bid;  
furthermore, the notice is not subject to changes.  If the paragraph 2 of this Article is applied, then the 
invitation includes a notice about that. 
4. In the event if the Republic of Armenia legislation requires special permit (license) or 
fulfillment of specific criteria in order to carry out  contractual obligations but the legislation of the 
country of citizenship of a foreign bidder does not have such requirements, then, in cases specified by 
the Republic of Armenia Government, such bidder h as the right to conclude the contract without 
submitting a special permit (license) or without sa tisfying the requirement for fulfillment of specific 
criteria.  The provisions of this paragraph are not applicable, if according to the Republic of Armenia GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 24  
 
  legislation this kind of activities in the Republic of Armenia could be conducted only by the Republic 
of Armenia legal entities. 
5. Concurrent participation of entities founded by  the same person(s) or entities with over fifty 
percent of shares owned by the same person(s) in the same procurement process is prohibited with the 
exception of entities founded by th e Government or communities. 
6. Legal entities with government or community shareholding participate in the procurement 
having equal rights with other bidders and governme nt or community shareholding does not lead to a 
preferential treatment or to setting out and applyi ng any other favorable cond itions for such entities. 
7. Procurement from an entity with government or community shareholding can be carried out 
without bidding only in cases, when such procur ement from other entities cannot be done.  The 
impossibility shall be established as a result of the tender. 
Article 7: Documents, their validity and e-procurement 
1. Recording and maintaining of procurement re lated information must be ensured through the 
development of relevant document s, including electronic documents. 
2. If the invitation sets out a condition for the bidde r to submit information, it also contains the 
standard form for submission of such informati on and the validity terms thereto.  Submission of 
information in accordance with the validity terms but  in a different format does not serve as a ground 
for non-acceptance of such information. 
3. In the framework of functions set out in th is law, the communication can be carried out 
electronically, including: 
 1) Electronic provision of invitation; 
 2) Electronic submission of bids in cases a nd pursuant to the procedure stipulated in the 
invitation. 
4. Provisions of this Article pertaining to elect ronic communication or its means are applied to 
the extent its user is authorized to use electronic communication means. 
5. The tools to be used for communication by electronic means, as well as their technical 
characteristics, must be non-discriminatory, ge nerally available to any potential bidder and 
interoperable with information and communi cation technologies means in general use. 
6. The following rules are manda torily applicable to means fo r the electronic transmission and 
receipt of bids: 
 1) The information regarding the specifica tions necessary for the electronic submission 
of bids, including encryption, shall be  available to any interested bidders; 
 2) The electronic devices for electronic receipt of bids must guarantee the integrity and 
confidentiality of the received data, fulf illing at least the following conditions: 
  a. The exact time and date of the r eceipt of bids can be precisely determined; 
  b. Before the time limits laid down fo r the transmission of the data, no one can
 have access to the transmitted data;  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 25 
 
 
    c. In the case when the interdiction of access to the transmitted data has been
 breached, the unauthorized access can be clearly detectable; 
  d. Only authorized persons may set or modify the dates for opening data
 received; 
  e. During the different stages of procurement procedure, the access to received
 data is possible only by an simultane ous action of at least two authorized
 persons/systems and only after the date  established according to provisions of
 letter b) of this paragraph; 
  f. Data received and opened in accordance with the requirements of this
 paragraph must remain accessible only to persons authorized to acquaint
 themselves therewith. 
  3) The bidders shall submit, before expiry  the time limit laid down for submission of 
bids, the documents, certificates, declarations and other, in case these are not available in electronic 
format. 
7. The Republic of Armenia Government specifies the particularities of the electronic 
procurement procedure. 
Article 8: Minutes of procurement pr ocedure and reports on procurement 
1. If the estimated price exceeds the procurement base unit, the Client drafts minutes of the 
procurement procedure.  Based on the method of  procurement, the minutes of the procurement 
procedure contain: 
 1) Name and location of Client; 
 2) Need for procurement and justifi cation of procurement method selection; 
 3) Invitation and changes made therein;  4) Procurement related inquires a nd explanations provided thereto; 
 5) Information about bidders:  name, location or residence, contacts; 
 6) Prices offered in the bids; 
 7) Bid evaluation procedure and the results of evaluation;  8) If a bid is rejected, a justification of such decision;  9) A copy of the contract;  if no contract is awarded as an outcome of the procurement 
process, then a justification of such decision; 
 10) If illegal actions were identified during th e procurement process, a brief description 
of such actions and of measures undertaken; 
 11) Complaints related to the procurem ent process and decisions made thereto; 
 12) Other necessary information. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 26  
 
  2. Within five calendar days of the signature of contract financed by the state budget or 
cancellation of the procurement process, the Client s ubmits to the Authorized Body an extract of the 
procurement procedure minutes..  The Authorized Bo dy determines the standard form of the extract. 
3. If the procurement value does not exceed the Pr ocurement base unit, the Client ensures that 
the relevant documents (or electronic documents) on activities implemented for procurement purposes 
and on their grounds exist and maintained. 
4. The Client provides a copy of the procurement procedure minutes, except for procurements 
containing state or official secrets, to any person, within five calendar days after receipt of such 
request. 
5. To prepare and publish the annual procuremen t report, the Clients shall furnish to the 
Authorized Body reports, in the manner and within the deadlines set out by the latter. 
Article 9: Contract award decision, stands till period, contract signing and conditions 
1. In case of bidding, prior to contract signature, an announcement on contract award decision 
has to be published.  It can be announced: 
 1) Either at the meeting on finalization of bidding results through a public debriefing to 
which all the bidders in the procurem ent process have been invited;  or 
 2) Such announcement can be sent to all bi dders involved in the procurement process by 
electronic means, fax or registered mail. 
2. The contract award decision shall contain brie f information on evaluation of bids and relevant 
reasons for the selection of this bidder and a statem ent on standstill period.  The standstill period is the 
period from the day following the date on which the c ontract award decision is announced to the day 
of contract signature. 
3. The standstill period:  a) Shall be at least 15 calendar days, in case of procurements exceeding the Procurement 
base unit by ninety times; 
 b) Shall be at least 5 calendar days, in case of procurements not exceeding the 
Procurement base unit by ninety times. 
 The standstill periods stipulated in the para graph 3 of this Article do not apply, if: 
 1) This law does not require publication of a contract award notice;  2) There was only one bidder in the tender, who is awarded the contract. 4. The contract is signed, if no bidder complain s against the award decision at the Procurement 
Complaint Review Board within the standstill period of paragraph 3 of this Article.  A contract 
concluded before the expiry of th e standstill period is null and void. 
5. Relations between the procurement parti es not regulated by the Republic of Armenia 
legislation on procurement are regulated under the contract.  The Republic of Armenia government 
shall set out the standard contract  and general conditions thereof.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 27 
 
 
  Article 10: Contract award publication 
 If the contract price exceeds the Procurement ba se unit, then the Client, within five calendar 
days of the contract signing, furnishes to the Authorized Body an announcement about the awarded 
contract to be published in the Bulletin, except for pr ocurements containing state or official secrets. 
Article 11: Bidders' illegal actions 
 If a bidder or a representative of its manage ment body commits any illegal actions against 
economic activities or state service under the procur ement process, then the Client, on the day when 
such grounds are identified, notifies about this th e Authorized Body and the law enforcement bodies 
providing them and the bidder with the grounds for such decision. 
Article 12: Procurement subject description 
1. The description of procurement subject shall fully and clearly describe technical 
specifications of goods, works or services being proc ured as well as terms and conditions for their 
purchase and payment, ruling out any alternative inte rpretation.  The description of the procurement 
subject is included in the contract. 
2. The description of procurement subject: 
 1) Shall afford equal access to the competition for potential bidders; 
 2) Must not have the effect of creating unjustified obstacles to the opening up of 
procurement to competition; 
 3) Shall be objectively justified and adequate  to need for which the given procurement is 
carried out; 
 4) Shall include full and adequate description of specifications and technical data of the 
procurement object, while in case of works' procuremen t, it shall also include the bill of quantities, 
timetable and other non-price conditions. 
3. Based on specific features of the procuremen t subject, its technical specifications, to the 
possible extent, include a clear description of requi rements for quality, standard, safety, terminology, 
packing, unloading, dimension, design and other te chnical characteristics related to the goods, works 
or services being procured;  the description are based on the existing Republic of Armenia 
normative-technical documents and standards or, if  such documents and standards are missing, on 
temporary technical references or international standards. 
4. Without prejudice to the existing Republic of  Armenia normative and technical documents 
and standards the technical specifications can al so be defined in terms of performance and/or 
functional requirements that have to be described sufficiently accurate in order to allow bidders and 
the Client to understand exactly the subject-matte r of the contract and to award the contract. 
5. Technical specifications shall not require or  refer to any trademark, brand name, license, 
design or model, country of origin or a specifi c source or a manufacturer, except cases, when the 
description of the procurement subject is impossible without such requirement or reference.  In the 
event if references are made, the technical specifi cations must contain the words "or equivalent". 
6. The Republic of Armenia Government specifi es the procedure for approval and prior review 
of the description of procurement subject. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 28  
 
  7. The requirements for the descriptions of pub lic-private partnership, asset management and 
concession transactions as well as the procedure for development and approval of those descriptions 
shall be specified by the relevant Republic of Arme nia law, or, in the absence of such law, by the 
Republic of Armenia government decree. 
Article 13: Official language of procurement procedure 
 Procurement related documents ar e drafted and, in cases stipulated in this law, published in 
the Bulletin in Armenian, while advertisements re lated to an open bidding are also published in 
English and Russian. 
Article 14: Procurement planning and financing 
1. Along with the quarterly budget execution prop ortions, the Republic of Armenia Government 
approves, in a separate annex, the procurement pl an to be funded from the state budget and based on 
the administrative and operational classification.  The procurement plan is approved on the basis of 
procurement subject, quantity, total price, proc urement method and deadlines for arrangement of 
procurement process. 
2. In case of procurement funded from othe r sources, the Client approves the annual 
procurement plan according to the procedure and d eadlines specified by the Au thorized Body, and it 
is being published in the Bulletin. 
3. Funds for procurement of civil works are allo cated on the basis of design estimates that have 
been approved and expert reviewed in accordance  with the established procedure.  Funds for 
procurement of civil works without design estimates cannot be allocated. 
4. If the estimated price exceeds the amount allo cated for that procurement in the specified 
period, then, in case of contract signing, funds ar e earmarked for the period following this period: 
 1) To carry out the procurement stipulated under the procurement contract;  or  2) To temporary suspend this procurem ent, if funds are required for temporary 
suspension. 
5. Pursuant to the procedure stipulated in this la w a contract can be signed prior to the allocation 
of funds provided that the contract becomes effe ctive, when the funds envisaged under the contract 
are allocated.  The contract signed under this prov ision is terminated, if the funds for contract 
execution are not allocated during the quarter following the day of contract signing.  This paragraph can be applied, if: 
 1) The Client is unable to envisage ( calculate) initially the funds requisite for 
procurement;  or 
 2) Supply of goods, implementation of works or provision of services shall begin within 
such a deadline calculated from the date of allocating funds for the given procurement, which makes 
the use of any competitive procurement methods impossible. 
6. The Client assumes financial obligations under a contract, if financial allocations required to 
carry out that procurement have been earmarked and within the framework of those allocations. 
7. The Republic of Armenia Government specifies  the procedure for planning and financing of 
procurement.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 29 
 
 
  SECTION 2 
 
REGULATION AND COORDINATION OF PROCUREMENT PROCESS 
 
 Article 15: Regulation and coordination of procurement process 
 
1. The Authorized Body carries out the regulati on and coordination of the procurement process.  
The Authorized Body cannot be involved in procurem ent processes and be a contract party, except for 
procurement carried out for its own needs. 
 
2. To facilitate activities for regulation and coordination of the procurement process, the 
Authorized Body:   1) Coordinates the efforts for developm ent of draft legal acts on procurement and 
approves or submits them for approval; 
  2) Facilitates the methodological guidance for the procurement process;   3) Ensures the existence of a system for professional education, continuous training and qualification assessment of procuring entities' procurement specialists; 
 
 4) Approves standard documents used in procurement processes;   5) Provides methodological assistance to procuring entities and bidders on issues of facilitation and participation in procurement activities; 
 
 6) Facilitates the publication of the Bulletin;   7) Coordinates the procurement rela ted collaboration between international 
organizations, foreign states and the Republic of  Armenia state bodies and local self-governments; 
 
 8) In terms of compliance to the requirements of the Republic of Armenia legislation on 
procurement examines the extracts from the minut es of procurement procedures and the contracts 
submitted to it and registers them;   9) Publishes: 
 
  a. The annual public procurement reports;   b. The list of qualified procurement specialists;   c. The list of officials, who breached the requirements of the Republic of
 Armenia legislation on procurement. 
 
3. To coordinate procurement re lated relations between the Authorized Body and the Client as 
well as to arrange the Client's procurement activities, the head of the Client, by  a decree, establishes a 
unit responsible for procurement or appoints a pe rson(s) responsible for procurement, which: 
  1) Is responsible for the facilitation of th e Client's procurement and the coordination of 
procurement related activities of the Client's other responsible officials involved in the procurement 
process;   2) Provides an opinion on procurement related draft documents developed by the 
Client's other responsible officials involved in the procurement process and approved by the Client; GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 30  
 
   3) Implements the powers of the secretary of the tender committee; 
  4) Drafts the minutes of a given procuremen t and the procurement contract and submits 
them to the approval of the Client's head;  
 5) Is accountable to the Client's Chief Financial Officer (or substituting official). 
 4. The staff and the responsible person(s) of the procurement unit shall be included in the list of 
qualified procurement specialists published by the Au thorized Body.  The individuals are included in 
the aforementioned list after successfully passing the examination evaluating their knowledge of the 
Republic of Armenia legislation on procurement organized following the procedure set out the 
Authorized Body.  5. The Authorized Body ensures the evaluation of qualification of pe rsons responsible for 
coordination of procurement and th eir participation, at least once in three years, in procurement 
related training or retraining programs. 
 
Article 16: The Center for Proc urement Support and Expertise 
 
 Pursuant to the procedure set out by the Republic of Armenia government, the Center for Procurement Support and Expertise: 
 
 1) Implements professional education,  continuous training and assessment of 
qualifications for bidders, procuring entities and procurement specialists; 
  2) Assists bidders, clients and other entities in arrangement of procurement and provides 
professional advice; 
  3) Facilitates an assessment of qualifications  – prequalification a nd rating – of potential 
bidders, compiles the register (list) of pre qualified bidders and publishes it in the Bulletin; 
  4) Evaluates the eligibility and the qualifi cation of bidders to participate in open 
periodic biddings, compiles the register (list) of qualified potential bidders and publishes it in the 
Bulletin;   5) Implements the e-procurement service functions center,  
 6) Compiles and publishes electronic newsletters on goods, works and services, analyzes 
and publishes procurement statistics;   7) Conducts an expert assessment of techni cal specifications of procurement subject and 
bidder qualification criteria approved by a Client  in order to ensure the compliance to the 
requirements for equal treatment and non-di scrimination stipulated under this law; 
 
 8) Ensures the existence of a procurement support service (hotline) in order to register 
procurement related signals and pr omptly respond to the questions; 
  9) Acts as the secretariat of the Procurement Complaint Review Board: 
 
  a. Arranges the Board meetings,   b. Evaluates the completeness of received complaints (appeals) and provides an
 opinion on all complaints to the Board, 
  c. Publishes the Board decisions,  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 31 
 
 
    d. Carries out the functions of the Board's staff. 
  10) Carries out expert assessment and mon itoring of Clients' compliance to the 
requirements of this law and pub lishes conclusions in the Bulletin; 
 
 11) Implements other powers set out by th is law, the Republic of Armenia government 
and the Authorized Body.   
SECTION 3 
 
PROCUREMENT METHODS AND APPLICATION CONDITIONS THEREOF 
 
 
Article 17: Procurement methods 
 
1. The procurement methods are:   1) Bidding;  2) Limited bidding;  3) Request for quotations; 
 4) Competitive negotiations; 
 5) Single source.  2. Bidding is the preferable and basic procurement me thod.  Only in cases stipulated in this law, 
other methods of procurement can be used. 
 
3. The types of bidding are opened and closed.  4. The bidding can be targeted or periodic.  5. The bidding is periodic, if the subject of pr ocurement is periodically used and is included in 
the list approved by the Republic of Armenia Gove rnment.  Otherwise, the bidding is targeted. 
 6. The Republic of Armenia Government speci fies the procedure for procurement under the 
periodic biddings.  
7. The Client can carry out procurement fro m exchanges, including from international 
exchanges, in cases and in accordan ce with the procedure specified by the Republic of Armenia 
Government.  
Article 18: Conditions for use of a two-stage bidding 
  Bidding can be carried out in two stages, if the Client: 
  1) Are not objectively able to specify the description of procurement subject in accordance with the provisions of the Article 12 of this law and:  
  a. Gives the bidders an opportunity to propose possible descriptions of
 procurement subject;  or 
  b. There is a need to negotiate with the bidders to clarify some specific features
 of the procurement subject description. 
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   2) Has an intention to sign a contract: 
   a. For procurement of scientific research, including sociological or expert
 studies; 
  b. For procurement of public-private  partnership or asset management and
 concession services. 
 
Article 19: Conditions for use of a closed bidding 
 
1. The procurement is carried out by a close bi dding, if it contains a state or official secret. 
 
2. As prescribed in the procedure stipulated by  this law, the Republic of Armenia Government 
approves the procurement plan that contains a stat e or official secret and only includes goods, works 
and services required to provide military equi pment, weapons, ammunition and armament. 
 Article 20: Conditions for use of a limited bidding 
 
 Limited bidding can be used, if the subject of procurement is not included in the procurement 
contracts signed under periodic biddings and, due to particularities of its technical specifications, this 
procurement can be done from no more than three entities.  Article 21: Conditions for use of a request for quotations 
 
1. Procurement can use the request for quotations, if the subject of procurement is not included 
in the procurement contracts signed under periodic biddings and its price does not exceed twenty base 
units of procurement. 
 
2. In addition to presence of the conditions stipul ated in the paragraph 1 of this Article, the 
request for quotations can be used, if:   1) Goods and services of general (periodi cal) use with standard (similar) technical 
specifications are purchased;  or 
 
 2) Simple civil works without a mand atory requirement for design estimates are 
purchased.  
Article 22: Conditions for use of competitive negotiations 
 
 Procurement can be done through competitive ne gotiations, if the subject of procurement is 
not included in the procurement contracts signed under periodic biddings and:   1) Due to emergency or other unforeseeable circumstances, there arise an urgent need for procurement and bidding cannot be used due to  time constraints, provided that such need was 
impossible to foresee; 
  2) The price of procurement subject does not exceed the Procurement base unit.  
Article 23: Conditions for use of single source method 
 
1. Single source method can be used, if:  1) Due to copyright or related rights, existe nce of special or exclusive right (license) or 
lack of competition, the goods, works or ser vices can be obtained from a single source; 
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   2) Insofar as an urgent need for procurem ent arises and when, for reasons of extreme 
emergency, another method of proc urement is impossible due to time constraints, provided that such 
need was impossible to foresee and the procurement subject is not included in the contracts signed under periodic biddings.  Situations caused by na tural and/or man-caused disasters and/or accidents 
and/or other unforeseen reasons are considered as emergency; 
 
 3) For additional quantities of products wh ich are intended to replace or extend the 
equipments/installations initially suppl ied by a supplier, where a change  of the original supplier would 
oblige contracting authority to acqui re products having different tec hnical characteristics which would 
result in incompatibility or disproportionate techni cal difficulties in operation and maintenance.  The 
length of such contracts or recurrent contracts (a greements) shall not, as a general rule, exceed more 
than 3 years;   4) The Client, after procurement of works or services done from an entity, decides that an additional procurement of works or services not incl uded in the original contract but which, due to 
unforeseen circumstances, have become necessary for the performance of the original contract, shall 
be done from the same entity, provided that:    a. The additional works or services contract cannot be technically or
 economically separated from the original contract without significant
 inconvenience to the Client;  and 
  b. Its price would not exceed twenty  percent of the price of the original
 procurement contract. 
  Under the provisions of this paragraph, an a dditional procurement from the same entity can be 
done only once. 
 
 5) For the goods that can be purchased on particularly advantageous conditions, from 
either an entity which definitively winds up its busin ess activities, or the receivers or liquidators of a 
bankruptcy, an arrangement with creditors or a si milar procedure, specified by the Republic of 
Armenia government.  
2. Provisions stipulated under the paragraph 1 of this Article apply, if there are documents and 
(or) grounds specified by the Republic of Armenia Government justifying such provisions.  
Article 24: Impermissibility of procurement packaging or slicing and of amending the 
procurement subject descriptions 
 
1. To avoid slicing of procurem ent procedure, it is prohibited: 
  1) To divide the procurement into separate lots with the purpose to avoid the use of 
bidding;  
 2) To amend the descriptions of goods, work s and services envisaged in the procurement 
contracts.  2. It is prohibited to combine procurement subject s with different descriptions into one lot, if 
they can be presented in separate lots. 
 
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  SECTION 4 
 
BIDDING PROCEDURE 
 
 
CHAPTER 1: SOLICITATION OF BIDS 
 
 
Article 25: Tender committee 
 1. Prior to the publication of a tender announcem ent, a tender committee composed of at least 
three members is formed by a decree of the Client's head, which:   1) Approves the texts of tender  announcement and tender invitation; 
 
 2) Makes amendments in the tender invitation; 
  3) Provides explanations about the bidding;   4) Opens and evaluates the bids;  
 5) Select the winning bidder(s). 
 2. The committee has a chairman and a secret ary, who are appointed by the decree on 
establishment of the committee.  The secretary is not a member of the committee and:  
 1) Facilitates the committee's activities; 
  2) Is responsible for maintaining a bid register;   3) Develops and submits to the committee  draft documents subject to the committee's 
approval; 
 
 4) Provides the invitation;   5) Records and stenographs informati on on the committee's activities by developing 
appropriate documents and ensures the safety of  those documents during the committee's operation; 
 
 6) Arranges provision of bidding related explanations;   7) Bears responsibility for compliance of the committee's activities to the requirements of the Republic of Armenia legislation on procurement;  
 8) Implements other powers reserved to him/her. 
 3. The members and the secretary of the comm ittee must -throughout the entire operation of the 
committee- keep the confidentiality of information di sclosed in the bids that they personally learnt, 
except cases stipulated in this law. 
 
4. The Republic of Armenia Government sp ecifies the procedure for establishment and 
operation of the tender committee.   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  Article 26: Tender announcement and invitation 
 
1. Tender announcement and invita tion are published in the Bulletin to attract bidders to an open 
bidding.  Unless otherwise stipulated under the para graph 2 of this Article, the announcement and the 
invitation are published at least thirty calenda r days prior to the bid submission deadline. 
 
2. If the estimated price exceeds the ninety b ase units of procurement, the announcement and the 
invitation are published at least forty calendar days prior to the bid submission deadline. 
 3. The invitation contains the following information: 
 
 1) Name and location of Client;   2) Code of bidding;  
 3) Clear summary of the content of contract and procurement subject descriptions; 
  4) Announcement about the right of bidders to participate in the bidding;   5) Conditions for obtaining a hard copy of the invitation, including charges and payment 
procedure thereof; 
 
 6) Language(s), in which th e bids must be submitted; 
  7) Summary of bidder qualification criteria;  
 8) Criteria to be used for establishing the winning bidder; 
  9) Procedure, venue and deadline for bid submission;   10) Name and location of the body respons ible for appeal and precise information 
concerning deadlines for lodging appeals; 
 
 11) Procedure, venue, date and time of bid opening;   12) Other information, if necessary.  
4. An entity has the right to receive a hard copy  of the invitation on the same day when, on the 
basis of the invitation, it submits that written request to the Client.  5. If the estimated price exceeds the ninety base un its of procurement, the bidder has the right to 
request also English and Russian copies of the invitation.  
6. In case of providing a hard copy of the inv itation for an open bidding a charge is levied, 
which cannot exceed the costs for photocopying and delivering the invitation.  The invitation is 
provided upon presenting a copy of the bank issued doc ument verifying the payment of the requisite 
amount.  The Republic of Armenia Government speci fies the procedure for issuance of invitation, 
including the procedure for calculation of charges, and provision of English and Russian copies of the 
invitation. 
 7. Failure to receive the invitation as prescribed under this Article does not limit the right of the 
bidder to bid at the open bidding.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  Article 27: Prequalification procedures 
 
1. If the estimated price exceeds the five hundred base units of procurement and the 
procurement is done by a targeted bidding, then bidd ers' prequalification procedure is arranged, while 
in case of other procurement methods the pr equalification procedure may be arranged. 
 
2. To arrange a prequalification procedure, an  announcement in Armenian, English and Russian 
is published in the Bulletin.  The announce ment contains the following information: 
  1) Name and location of the Client; 
 
 2) Code of the prequalification procedure;   3) A notice on the right of applicants to participate in the prequalification procedure;  
 4) Language(s), in which the prequalif ication information shall be submitted; 
  5) A clear summary of the procurement subject descriptions;   6) The procedure for preparation and submission of prequalification information, including the format and venue, the deadline for submission, which cannot be less than fifteen 
calendar days after publishing the an nouncement on prequalification; 
  7) The requirements set out for applicant's eligibility to bid and qualification and the procedure for their evaluation;  
 8) Other necessary requirements rela ted to the prequalification procedure. 
 3. The Client responds, within three calendar days , to the bidder's request for explanations about 
the prequalification, if such request had been recei ved no later than five calendar days prior to the 
deadline for submission of prequalification bids.  The Client meanwhile publishes in the Bulletin 
information on request and provide d explanations without disclosing the data of the inquirer. 
 
4. During the prequalification, the eligibility of th e bidder to bid and the bidder's qualification is 
evaluated in accordance with the pro cedure set out in the prequalification invitation.  The results of 
prequalification procedure are summarized no later than  within thirty calendar days after the deadline 
for the submission of prequalification bids. 
 
5. Prequalified bidders are eligible to participat e in procurement process.  The Client sends the 
tender invitation to prequalified bidders only.  6. The minutes on results of the prequalification pr ocedure, which constitute an integral part of 
the minutes of procurement procedure, are drafted and sent to participants of the prequalification 
procedure within three calendar days after finalizi ng the results of the prequalification procedure. 
 7. The Republic of Armenia Government specifi es the particularities of application of the 
prequalification procedure.  Article 28: Content of invitation 
 
1. The tender invitation includes:   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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   1) A reference to the published tender a nnouncement, as a supplement to which the 
invitation is extended;   2) The instructions for bidders;  
 3) The bidders' qualification criteria and procedure for their evaluation; 
  4) The descriptions of procurement subject;   5) The procedure for bid evaluation and selection of a winning bidder; 
 
 6) A draft contract;   7) If the procurement is carried out in lots  and bidders are allowed to submit bids for a 
part of goods, works or services tendered, the terms and conditions thereof; 
 
 8) The procedure for calculation of price offered in the bid;   9) A note that the offered price, besides the value of goods, works and services, includes 
also the costs for transportation, insurance, duti es, taxes and other charges and cannot be less than 
their cost price, which is calculated and presented in the bid; 
 
 10) The requirements related to the essence, form, quantity and conditions of bid security, 
contract performance security and any performance se curities for obligations assumed by the bidder; 
  11) The conditions for submission of bids, including the form, venue, date and the 
language of bid; 
  12) The procedure for receiving explana tions on bidding documents, information on 
meetings to be arranged with the bidders as well as the name of the tender committee's secretary; 
  13) The procedure, venue, da te and time of bid opening; 
 
 14) The references made to the provisions of this law and other legal acts in relation to 
this procurement;   15) The conditions for proposing a contract award; 
 
 16) The right of the bidder to appeal agai nst the procurement pr ocess related activities 
(standstill) and/or the adopted decisions and the procedure thereof;   17) The bases for bid rejection;  
 18) Information necessary for preparation, s ubmission, opening and evaluation of the bid 
as well as other procuremen t related information. 
 2. The tender invitation also envisages that the bi dder submits in the bid a statement verified by 
the bidder justifying the eligibility to participat e in the bidding and the compliance to qualification 
criteria specified in the tender invitation, provided that, in cases and in manner prescribed in this law, 
the bidder assumes an obligation to submit the do cuments (information) specified in the tender 
invitation justifying the statement.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  Article 29: Clarification of the tender invitation and amendments therein 
 
1. The bidder has the right to request a clarifi cation about the tender invitation at least five 
calendar days prior to the deadline for submission of bids.  The clarification to the inquirer is provided 
within three calendar days of receiving such request. 
 
2. On the day following the date when the clarification is provided to the inquirer, an announcement on the content of request and of provid ed clarification is published in the Bulletin, 
without disclosing the data on the inquirer.  
3. A clarification is not issued, if the request is  submitted with a violation of the deadline set out 
in this Article as well as if the request is out of the tender invitation's scope. 
 4. Amendments in the tender invitation can be ma de at least five calendar days prior to the 
deadline for submission of bids.  In case of an ope n bidding, an announcement about the amendments 
made and the conditions for their issuance are publis hed in the Bulletin within three calendar days 
after the day such amendments are made;  in case of  a closed bidding, the amendments are provided to 
those bidders, who received a tender invitation.  5. In case of amendments in the invitation fo r an open bidding, the deadline for submission of 
bids is calculated from the day of publishing in th e Bulletin an announcement about the amendments;  
in case of a closed bidding – from the day of issu ing to the bidders the amendments made in the 
invitation.  In this case, the bidders must extend the validity period of their bid securities or provide 
new bid securities.  6. Minutes of the activities carried out under this Article and their outcomes are drafted and 
attached to the minutes of the procurement procedure. 
  
CHAPTER 2: BIDS 
 
 Article 30: Submission of bids 
 
1. The bidder submits the bid following the procedure specified in the tender invitation.  The tender invitation includes the following items verified by the bidder:  
 1) The statement on compliance of the bidder' s data to the requirements specified in the 
invitation;   2) Price proposal;   3) Bid security; 
 
 4) Non-price proposal (technical proposal), if stipulated by the invitation;   5) Other documents specified by the Authori zed Body and stipulated in the invitation. 
 
2. If the bid is submitted in a hard copy format , the bidder's proposals a nd related documents are 
put into an envelope, which is glued and sealed  (if applicable) by the submitting party.  The 
documents placed into the envelope consist of th e original documents and the number of copies 
indicated in the invitation.  The packages of docum ents are marked with the words "original" and 
"copy" respectively.  The envelope and the documen ts envisaged in the tender invitation and prepared  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  by the bidder are signed by the person submitti ng them or a person authorized by the latter 
(hereinafter referred to as "agent").  If the bid is  submitted by the agent, a document verifying such 
authority of the latter is included in the envelope.  3. On the envelope aforementioned in the paragraph 2 of this Article, in th e language of bid, are 
indicated: 
  1) The name of Client and the venue (address) of bid submission; 
 2) The code of bidding;  3) The words "do not open until the bid opening meeting"; 
 4) The name, location and te lephone numbers of the bidder. 
 4. The secretary enters the bids into the register in order of receipt by indicating on the envelope 
the registration number, date and time.  At the request  of the bidder, a receipt thereof is issued.  The 
Authorized Body specifies the format of and the procedure for maintaining the register. 
 
5. The bids, which do not satisfy the requirements  of this Article, are rejected by the tender 
committee at the bid opening meeting and returned to the submitters unaltered.  6. The bidders can participate in the procurem ent process as a consortium.  In such cases: 
 
 1) The bid also includes an agreement on joint venture; 
  2) When evaluating the bid, the unified qualif ications of all parties to the agreement on 
joint venture are taken into account;  
 3) The bidders bear joint and several liability. 
  The Republic of Armenia Government specifi es the requirements for participation in the 
procurement process as a joint venture.  
Article 31: Validity period of the bid, its withdrawal and amendments therein 
 
1. The bid is valid until the contract signature, th e withdrawal of the bid by the bidder, the bid 
rejection or the cancellation of the bidding under this law.  2. The bidder can amend or withdraw the bid until the deadline for the submission of bids. 
 
3. If the bid is submitted in a hard copy format, the notification about changes in the bid is sent 
in an envelope prepared as stipulated under the Ar ticle 30(2) of this law by adding on it the word 
"amendment".  In case of bid withdrawal, the bidder , prior to the bid opening, submits a written notice 
thereof.  Article 32: Bid security 
 
1. The bidder provides with the bid a bid security  as prescribed in the tender invitation.  The 
bidder determines the amount of bid security, which cannot be less than two percent of the price 
offered in the bid.  The bidder submits the bid securi ty as a validated unilateral statement – fine.  The 
standard form of the fine is set out by the Authorized Body. 
 2. The bid security – the penalty – is paid by the bidder, if that bidder: 
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   1) Is announced a selected bidder but will refuse or be deprived of the right to conclude 
contract;   2) Breaches an obligation assumed under the procurement process leading to the termination of that bidder's furt her participation in the process; 
 
 3) Refrains from further participation in th e procurement process after the bid opening. 
 3. The Republic of Armenia Government specifies  the procedure for determining the amount of 
bid security for open biddings. 
 
 
CHAPTER 3: OPENING AND EVALUATION OF BIDS 
 
 Article 33: Opening of bids 
 
1. The bids are opened at the time indicated in the tender invitation, at the bid opening meeting.  
The date and the time of the bid opening shall coinci de with the deadline for their submission.  The 
bids of a closed bidding, upon a written consent of al l bidders that received a tender invitation, can be 
opened prior to the deadline indicated in the tender invitation. 
 
2. At the bid opening meeting the following are disclosed:   1) The name of each bidder;  
 2) Information on preparation and submission of envelopes containing the bids in terms 
of compliance to the invitation requirements;   3) Information on availability of documents required in the tender invitation in each of 
the opened bids;  
 4) Information on compliance of documents  submitted by each bidder to the validity 
terms specified in the invitation;   5) The price, in letters and numbers, offered by each bidder;  
 6) Information on withdrawal of or amendments in the bids. 
 3. After the bid opening, minutes are drafted and attached to the minutes of procurement procedure.  The minutes are signed by the members of tender committee present at the meeting.  The 
minutes contain:  
 1) Information on venue, da te and time of bid opening; 
  2) The names and addresses of bi dders, who have submitted bids; 
  3) Data on preparation and submission of e nvelops in terms of compliance to the tender 
invitation requirements; 
  4) Data on availability of documents required in the invitation in each of the opened 
envelops;   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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   5) Data on compliance of documents submitte d by each bidder to the conditions set out 
in the invitation;   6) The price offered by each bidder;  
 7) Information on the bidder ranked the fi rst and other bidders ranked in order of 
priority;   8) If the bidding is cancelled, the grounds for such cancellation;  
 9) Information on bid related inquiries and answers; 
  10) The venue, date and time of the committee's next meeting;   11) The names of committee memb ers present at the meeting; 
 
4. If a member of the tender committee and(or) a bidder want to express an opinion (special opinion) on bid opening that has not been recorded in the bid opening minutes, it is submitted in writing and attached to the minutes specified under the paragraph 3 of this Article.  5. Bidders or their representatives can be present at  the tender committee's meetings.  Bidders or 
their representatives can require copies of the minut es of the tender committee's meetings, which are 
provided within one calendar day.  Without prejudice to the other provisions of this law, the Client 
shall ensure the protection of the information which the bidders have designed as  confidential, insofar, 
objectively, the disclosure of this information would prejudice the legitimate interest of the bidder, in 
particular where the commercial secrecy and intellectual property is concerned. 
 
6. Immediately after the bid opening meeting, a member of the committee, who has a conflict of interests related to the given procurement procedur e, renounces the participation in that procedure;  
otherwise, the chairperson of the committee dism isses such a member.  If the chairperson of the 
committee has a conflict of interests related to the given procurement procedure then he/she 
renounces the participation in that procedure and is substituted in that procedure by another member 
of the committee.  Members of the committee sign  a statement about the absence of conflict of 
interests.  7. On the calendar day following the bid opening meeting, a copy of the minutes of the bid opening meeting are provide d to the bidders, who or whose representatives did not participate in that 
meeting. 
 
Article 34: Bid evaluation 
 
1. The bids are evaluated following the proce dure specified in the invitation.  The bids 
compliant to the conditions specified in the tender invitation are rated as satisfactory;  otherwise the 
bids are rated unsatisfactory and rejected. 
 2. The selected bidder is determined  from the bids rated satisfactory: 
  1) By a method that gives preference to the bid with the least price proposed;  or 
 
 2) By choosing the bidder, whose price proposal and non-price criteria have scored the highest sum total.  When using this method during th e bid evaluation, in addition to the offered price, 
other non-price criteria and measurable in mone tary terms are taken into account in cases and 
following the procedure specified by the Republic of Armenia Government.  The non-price criteria GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  must be link with the subject-matter of the contract  and their relative weighting shall be disclosed in 
the tender announcement and invitation.  3. If there is an inconsistency in the bid between  the amounts in letters and in numbers, then the 
amount in letters is considered.  If the prices are offe red in two or more currencies, they are compared 
in Armenian Drams at the exchange ra te specified in the tender invitation. 
 4. In cases specified in the invitation and followi ng the procedure set out therein, an electronic 
auction is arranged. 5.  After determining the bidde r ranked the first and other bidders ranked in order 
of priority, within the d eadline specified by the Republic of Armenia Government: 
 
 1) The bidder ranked the first submits to the committee documents (information) 
specified in the invitation justifying the right to  participate in procurement and the compliance to 
qualification criteria set out in the tender invitation;  
 2) The committee evaluates the compliance of the documents (information) submitted 
under the item 1 of this paragraph to the requirement s specified in the tender invitation and, in cases 
and in accordance with the procedure defined by th e Republic of Armenia Government, evaluates the 
reasonableness of price and non-price (technical) proposals of that bidder.  6. The bid are rated satisfactory, if the document s specified under the paragraph 5 of this Article 
satisfy the requirement set out in th e tender invitation.  In this case, the bidder is declared a selected 
bidder.  7. If, as a result of evaluation under the para graph 6 of this Article, the bid is rated 
unsatisfactory, the committee requires the ne xt ranked bidder to submit the documents. 
 
8. Based on the bid evaluation results, the minutes of the bid evaluation meeting are drafted and 
attached to the minutes of the procurement proce dure.  Members of the tender committee present at 
the meeting sign the minutes.  9. The Republic of Armenia Government specifi es the particularities of the bid evaluation 
procedure. 
 
Article 35: Contract security 
 
1. The selected bidder is awarded the contract, if  the selected bidder provides a contract security.  
The Republic of Armenia Government specifies the requirements related to the contract security. 
 2. Pursuant to the request for submission of a contract security and within five calendar days 
after receiving such request, the selected bidder must submit the contract security.  3. The amount of contract performa nce security is ten percent of the contract price.  The selected 
bidder also provides an advance payment guarantee in  the amount of the advance payment, if an 
advanced payment is envisaged under the contract.  4. The contract specifies the repayment proce dure for the advance payment in accordance with 
the terms specified by the Republic of Armenia Government. 
 
5. Contract performance security or advance pa yment guarantee provided in cash are kept, as a 
demand deposit, at the treasury account opened on the name of the Authorized Body.   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  6. Unless otherwise stipulated in the contract , the contract performance security and (or) 
advance payment guarantee are returned to the subm itter no later than five calendar days after the 
contract execution completion.  
Article 36: Signing of procurement contract 
 
1. The Client signs a contract with the sel ected bidder based on a decision of the tender 
committee.  The contract award decision has to be communicated to each bidder and candidate in 
accordance with Art 9.  
2. The Client, within two calendar days afte r the selected bidder was announced, notifies the 
selected bidder offering to sign a contract after th e standstill period of Art 9 paragraph 1 has expired 
and providing the draft contract.  3. If, within five calendar days after recei ving the notice on contract award and the draft 
contract, the selected bidder fails to sign the cont ract and to submit to the Client a contract 
performance security as well as an advance payment gua rantee, if an advanced payment is stipulated 
under the contract, then the selected bidder is deprived of the right to sign the contract. 
 4. The Republic of Armenia Government speci fies the particularities of contract signing. 
 Article 37: Finalization of bidding results 
 
1. The meeting on finalization of bidding results , where the latter are announced, is convened on 
the next calendar day after the contract signing with the selected bidder or on the next business day after it becomes apparent that, as a result of bidding, no contract is awarded. 
 
2. Minutes of the meeting on finalization of bidd ing results are drafted and attached to the 
minutes of the procurement procedure.  Members of  the tender committee present at the meeting sign 
the minutes.  3. If a member of the tender committee and(or) a bidder want to express an opinion (special 
opinion) on finalization of bidding results that has not been recorded in the minutes on finalization of 
bidding results, it is submitted in writing and attach ed to the minutes specified under the paragraph 2 
of this Article.  
Article 38: Declaring a bidding ineffective 
 
1. The bidding is declared ineffective, if:   1) None of the bids complies with the invitation conditions;   2) The need for procurement ceased to exist; 
 
 3) No bid has been submitted;   4) The bidding does not result in a contract award.  
2. After the bidding is declared ineffective, th e opening of unopened bids is prohibited and they 
are returned to the bidders.  3. In order to publish in the Bulletin, within fi ve calendar days after the bidding is declared 
ineffective, the Client furnishes to the Authori zed Body an announcement indicating the grounds for GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  declaring the bidding ineffective.  No announcemen t is published for procurem ents containing state or 
official secret.  
Article 39: Inadmissibility of negotiations with bidders, detection and prevention of cases 
related to restriction of economic compet ition and abuse of dominant position 
 
1. Negotiations between the tender committee, th e Client and the bidders are prohibited, except: 
  1) If there was one bidder bidding in the tender, who was selected the winning tender.  The negotiations under this paragraph can lead only to the offered price reduction; 
 
 2) Other cases specified in this law.  2. The Authorized Body cooper ates with the law enforcement bodies in order to identify cases 
of infringement of legislation on protection of economic competition, including potential and actual 
cases of collusion and of abuse of dominant position under the procurement process. 
 3. If the fact of a bidder's involvement in a collusion or abuse of dominant position under the procurement process is proven as prescribed in the procedure stipulated by the Republic of Armenia law, such bidder is included in the list specified under the Article 5 of this law.  Article 40: Calculation of contract price 
 
1. Calculation of the contract price includes all payments (costs) to be incurred by the selected 
bidder to secure the contract execution and specified in  the bid of the selected bidder, including taxes, 
duties, transportation and insurance costs, bonus payments and profit. 
 
2. The contract price can be variable, if th e contract price varies as a result of changing 
conditions (factors) stipulated under the contr act and specified by the Republic of Armenia 
Government.  Otherwise, the contract price is fixed and the parties must fully execute their contractual 
obligations in the framework of the contract price.  
 
CHAPTER 4: ELECTRONIC AUCTIONS 
 
 
Article 41: Conditions for conducting an electronic auction 
 
1. If specified in the invitation, the award of the contract shall be preceded by an electronic 
auction.  2. The electronic auction shall be based:  
 1) Either, solely on prices when the cont ract is awarded to the lowest price; 
  2) Or, on prices and/or on non-price criteria (proposals) indicated in the invitation, when the contract is awarded according to criteria which,  in addition to the offered price, include other 
non-price criteria. 
 
Article 42: Limitations for co nducting an electronic auction 
 
1. The Client may not have improper recourse to electronic auction nor may use it in such a way 
as:  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 45 
 
 
   1) To prevent, restrict or distort the competition;  or 
  2) To change the requirements set out in the tender announcement and invitation. 
 2. The procurement of consulting services cannot  be subject of the electronic auctions. 
 
3. When the Client intends to apply an electroni c auction, the tender invitation shall also include 
the following details:   1) The conditions (features) for conducting an electronic auction, taking into account 
that the proposal, which is subject to auctioning, is quantifiable and can be expressed in figures or 
percentages;   2) Any limits on the proposals, which may be submitted, as they result from the specification of procurement subject; 
 
 3) The information which will be made av ailable to bidders in the course of the 
electronic auction and, where appropriate, the moment  when these information will be made available 
to them;   4) The essential information concerning the electronic auction process; 
 
 5) The conditions under which the bidders will be able to bid and, in particular, the 
minimum differences which will, where appropriate, be required when bidding; 
  6) The information concerning the electr onic equipment used and the arrangements and 
technical specifications for connection. 
 
Article 43: The procedure for co nducting an electronic auction 
 
1. Before proceeding with an electronic auction, the Client shall make a full initial evaluation of 
the bids in accordance with the crite ria set out in the tender invitation. 
 
2. To all the bidders which have submitted sa tisfactory bids shall be simultaneously sent a 
request to submit by electronic means new (revised) prices and/or, by case, new (revised) non-price proposals.  
3. The request shall also include information on the starting date and time of the electronic 
auction and all relevant data c oncerning individual connection to the electronic equipment being used. 
 4. The electronic auction may take place in a number of successive rounds.  5. The electronic auction may not start sooner than  two calendar days afte r the date on which the 
request is sent out. 
 6. In case when other features th an the prices will be subject of an electronic auction the request 
provided for by paragraph 3 of this Article shall also contain information regarding: 
 
 1) The outcome of a full evaluation of the relevant bidder; 
  2) The mathematical formula to be used in  the electronic auction to determine automatic 
re-rankings on the basis of the new prices and/or  on the new non-price proposals submitted.  That GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 46  
 
  mathematical formula shall incorporate the weighting of the criteria fixed to determine the winner bid, 
as indicated in the tender invitation.  7. Throughout each round of the electronic auction,  the Client shall instantaneously (online) 
communicate to all bidders, at least sufficient info rmation to enable them to ascertain their relative 
ranking at any moment. 
 8. During the performance of the rounds of elect ronic auction, the Client shall not disclose the 
new prices or the new non-price proposals or th e identity of the bidders submitting them. 
 Article 44: Completion of an electronic auction 
 
1. The electronic auction shall be completed (closed) by one, or by a combination of the 
following manners:  
 1) At a certain moment which was laid down in the invitation; 
  2) When the number of auction rounds, fixed in the invitation to take part in the auction, has been completed;   3) When no more new prices and/or new non-price proposals have been received.  In 
that event, the Client shall state in the invitation to  take part in the auction the time, which it will be 
allowed to elapse after receiving the last submission before closing the electronic auction.  2. The Client shall, following the procedure specif ied in this law, award the contract on the basis 
of the results of the electronic auction to the bidder, which submitted the best proposal. 
 
 
SECTION 5 
 
PARTICULARITIES OF PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTING SERVICES 
  
Article 45: Shortlist of consultants 
 
1. Unless otherwise stipulated in this law,  the procurement of consulting services is done 
through a targeted bidding in accordance with  the procedure specified in this law. 
 
2. In the event of a targeted procurement of consulting services, a prequalification procedure for 
shortlisting of consultants is arranged in accordance with the procedure stipulated under the Article 27 
of this law.  Up to six participants that have passed the prequalification and have higher qualification 
are eligible to participate furt her in the procurement process. 
 Article 46: Procedure for determining the selected consultant in the bidding 
 
1. The selected bidder is determined out of the submitted bids by the following selection 
methods specified in the invitation:  
 1) Evaluated the highest by non-price conditions;  or 
  2) Compliant to the minimum non-price cond itions and offered the lowest price;  or 
  3) A non-price proposal evaluated the highest under the price ceiling.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 47 
 
 
   
2. The selected bidder can also be determined by a method of selecting the consultant, whose 
scores for offered price and experience, staff, proposed mode of service provision and(or) other 
non-price condition(s) have the highest sum total as rated under the procedure in specified in the 
tender invitation. 
 
3. The Republic of Armenia Government specifi es the procedure for selection of consultants, 
including conditions for applying consultant selection method stipulated under this Article. 
 
Article 47: Negotiations 
 
 The provisions of draft procurement contract can  be negotiated with the selected consultant;  
however, they cannot result in amending the d escriptions of the procurement subject.  The 
negotiations with the consultant selected under the pa ragraph 1(1) of the Article 46 of this law can 
result in decreasing the offered price. 
 
 
SECTION 6 
 
OTHER METHODS OF PROCUREMENT 
  
Article 48: Two-stage bidding 
 
1. In case of a two-stage bidding, a notice thereo f is made in the tender announcement for an 
open bidding procurement and in the tender invitation for a closed bidding. 
 
2. Unless otherwise stipulated in this Article, the provisions of the Section 4 of this law apply to 
the two-stage bidding procedure.  3. In the first stage of two-stage bidding, the bi dders, in accordance with this law, submit initial 
bids that do not contain a price proposal.  The initial bids are evaluated at the first stage, when 
negotiations can be held with all bidders.  All the bidders, who have  submitted bids, are notified about 
the negotiations in writing.  4. In the second stage, the bi dders, who passed the first stage,  are issued an invitation to 
participate in the second stage and to submit final bids, including the price proposal. 
 
5. The invitation to the second stage can amend the conditions set out in the tender invitation to 
the first stage and the invitation to the second stage indicates such amendments.  6. In case of two-stage bidding, the bid security is submitted in the second stage with the final 
bid. 
 
7. The bidder, who passed through the first st age of bidding, has the right to decline 
participation in the second stage.  8. The Republic of Armenia Government speci fies the particularities of the procedure for 
two-stage bidding. 
 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  Article 49: Closed bidding 
 
1. A tender announcement is pub lished in the Bulletin in case of a closed bidding, while the 
tender invitation is issued to all potential bidders.  
2. Unless otherwise stipulated in this law, the pr ovisions of the Section 4 of this law apply to the 
closed bidding.  3. The Republic of Armenia Government specifi es the procedure for determining all potential 
bidders eligible to participate in procurements containing state or official secrets as well as the 
peculiarities of the procedure for closed bidding. 
 
Article 50: Limited bidding 
 
1. If a limited bidding is applied, an invita tion is sent to all potential bidders to attract 
participants. 
 2. Unless otherwise stipulated in this Article, the provisions of the Section 4 of this law apply to 
the limited bidding.  3. The Republic of Armenia Government specifi es the procedure for determining all potential 
bidders as well as the particularities of the procedure for limited bidding. 
 
Article 51: Request for quotations 
 
1. In case of procurement under the request for q uotations method, the request for quotations is 
published in the Bulletin.  If the procurement subject contains a state or official secret, the request for 
quotations is sent to all potential bidders.  2. The request for quotations includes the conditio ns of bidder's eligibility, qualification criteria 
and description of the procurement subject as well as  the procedure for submission and evaluation of 
bids. 
 
3. The quotations include:   1) The bidder verified statement on complian ce of the bidder's data to the requirements 
in the request; 
 
 2) Price proposal.  4. The quotations are submitted within five cal endar days following the day of publishing the 
request for quotations or, if the procurement contains a state or official secret, of issuing the request 
for quotations. 
 
5. The selected bidder is determined by giving preference to the lowest price proposal no later 
than five calendar days after the deadline for submission of quotations.  6. Unless otherwise stipulated in this Article, the provisions of the Section 4 of this law apply to 
the request for quotations.  In addition, in case of the request for quotations, except for the 
requirement for an advance payment guarantee, the bid security and the contract performance security 
requirements stipulated under the Section 4 of this law are inapplicable.   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 49 
 
 
  7. The Republic of Armenia Government specifies  the particularities of the procedure for the 
request for quotations.  
Article 52: Competitive negotiations 
 1. As stipulated in the Article 22(1) of this law: 
  1) An announcement on competitive negotiations  and an invitation thereof are published 
in the Bulletin If the procurement subject contains a state or official secret, the invitation is extended 
to all potential bidders. 
 
 2) The bids for participation in competiti ve negotiations are su bmitted within seven 
calendar days following the day of publishing the announcement or, if the procurement contains a 
state or official secret, of extending the invitation.  
2. In the case stipulated in the Article 22(2) of this law, negotiations can be held with one bidder 
and a contract can be awarded on the basis of these negotiations.  If a contract is signed under this 
paragraph, no contract or advance security is required. 
 3. Unless otherwise stipulated in this Article, the provisions of the Section 4 of this law apply in 
the case stipulated under the paragraph 1 of this Article. 
 
4. The Republic of Armenia Government specifies  the particularities of the procedure for the 
competitive negotiations.  
Article 53: Single source procurement 
 
1. In cases stipulated in this law, a c ontract can be proposed to a single entity. 
 2. In case of the single source procurement, any item in the bid submitted by the bidder can be 
negotiated.  If a contract is signed under this pa ragraph, a contract or advance security can not be 
required. 
 
3. The Republic of Armenia Government specifies  the particularities of the procedure for the 
single source procurement.   
SECTION 7 
 
APPEALING THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS 
 
 
Article 54: Right to appeal 
 
1. Any person, including the Authorized Body, has the right to file a complaint against the actions (inaction) and decisions of the Client, the tender committee and the Procurement Complaint 
Review Board.  
2. Relations pertaining to procurement, includi ng complaints, are not administrative relations 
and are regulated by the Republic of Armenia civil legislation.  3. As stipulated in this law, any person has the right:  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 50  
 
   1) To lodge an extrajudicial complaint agai nst the decisions of the Client and the tender 
committee to the Procurement Complaint Review Board before the conclusion of the contract; 
  2) To appeal the decisions of the Author ized Body, the Procurement Complaint Review 
Board, the Client and the tender committee in court. 
 
4. Any person having an interest in concluding a particular transaction (contract) and who has 
been harmed by an infringement of the Client, the tender committee, the Procurement Complaint Review Board or the Authorized Body has th e right to sue for damages at the court. 
 
5. The Authorized Body has the right to extrajudi cial appeal the decisions of the Client or the 
tender committee in the Procurement Complaint Revi ew Board as well as appeal the decisions of the 
Procurement Complaint Review Board in the court.  
Article 55: Procurement complaint review board 
 
1. The Prime Minister shall approve the list of  members of the Procurement Complaint Review 
Board (hereinafter referred to as the Board) upon pr esentation by the Authorized Body.  All members 
of the Board must be Armenian citizens.  The members of the Bo ard shall not be convicted for a 
crime linked to economic activities or against the st ate service, except cases when such conviction has 
been lifted or nullified as stipulated by law. 
 
2. The members of the list of the Procurement Complaint Review Board shall review the appeals with due care, diligence and in an impartial way.  The Board and the members of the Board, when 
implementing the competences stipulated in this la w, are independent from the participants of the 
procurement process, including the Clients, as well as from the state bodies and local 
self-governments and officials.  When reviewing a complaint, they are neither representatives of any 
participant in the proceedings nor of the nominati ng organization and they ar e only obliged to apply 
and follow the law.  3. The Board shall include one representative of:  
 1) The state administration bodies envisaged  in the Republic of Armenia Constitution 
and laws;   2) The Republic of Armenia urban communities;  
 3) Non-Governmental Organizations (Unions ) registered in the Republic of Armenia 
that have nominated candidates for the Board membership.  4. The individuals are appointed as members of the Board for a period of 5 years after they have successfully passed an examination on the Republic of Armenia legislation on procurement organized 
following the procedure specified by the Authorized Body.  The mandate of the Board member can be 
renewed for a period of up to 5 years in the same way as for the appointment to the Board. 
 5. The competences of a Board member can be  revoked by the Republic of Armenia Prime 
Minister's decree in the following cases:  
 1) Upon request of the Board member, 
  2) Limitation of legal capacity of the Board member,   3) Loss of civic rights by the Board member,  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 51 
 
 
   
 4) Renouncement of Armenian citizenship,   5) A legally binding court sentence upon the Board member for an intentional offence,  
 6) Death of the Board member, 
  7) Undertaking practice as judge, prosecutor, associate judge or prosecutor,   8) A major infringement by the Board memb er of his duties.  The major infringement 
shall mean in particular: 
   a) The performance of the Board member's functions in an impartial manner,
 including one-sided protection of interests of participants in appeal proceedings;  or 
  b) Failure to submit a request to be excluded from the proceedings due to the
 circumstances which render it impossible for the Board member to fulfill his duties. 
  Removal from the list of arbiters shall be effected by the Prime Minister by means of an administrative decision. 
 
6. The Republic of Armenia government shall sp ecify the conditions for appointment to or 
removal from the Board.  
Article 56: Operation of the Board 
 
1. A commission of the Procurement Complaint Review Board (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) composed of three people is formed to review an individual procurement complaint 
received.  For each individual case, the members of the Commission are randomly selected by computer program from the list of Board members.  The Center for Procurement Support and Expertise organizes the selection of the Commission members. 
 
2. The chairperson of the Commission must be a qualified lawyer or judge, having specialized in 
the area for at least 5 years.  The members of the Commission must have tertiary education and in 
practice for at least 3 years.  
3. The Commission reviews the complaint and adopts a decision on behalf of the Board 
according to this law and other legal acts.  The deci sions of the Commission are adopted by a majority 
vote of its members;  all its members, including the chairperson have one vote.  Members of the Board who have a conflict of interest in a specific  procedure have to exclude themselves from that 
procedure;  otherwise the chairperson of the Commission has to exclude them.  Should the chairperson of the Commission have a conflict of inte rest in a certain procedure, he or she has to 
withdraw from the specific procedure and another me mber of the Board has to take over for this 
specific procedure.  Members of the Commission sign a statement on the absence of the conflict of interests.  4. The chairperson and the members of the Commission receive adequate allowances;  the 
Republic of Armenia government specifies the procedure for their remuneration. 
 5. Based on this law and for the purposes of im plementing its requirements, the Board approves 
a procedure for its operation by a majority vote of its members.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 52  
 
  Article 57: Procedure for lodging a complaint to the Board 
 
1. A complaint to the Board shall be lodged in  writing, it shall be signed and contain: 
  1) The name and the address of the applicant; 
 2) The name and the address of the Client; 
 3) The code and the subject matter of the appealed tendering procedure;  4) The object of the dispute and the request of the applicant;  5) The factual and legal grounds of the complaint, the proofs;  and  6) Other requisite information. 
2. If the applicant protests against the award d ecision, he or she can only lodge his or her 
complaint within the standstill period of Art 9.  3. If the complaint does not meet the requirements under this paragraph, the Center for Procurement Support and Expertise on behalf of the panel of the Board has to inform the applicant 
and give him or her a five-day period to correct his or her application. 
 4. The decision on a complaint is taken following a procedure in which the applicant, the Client 
and all parties involved have the right to present their opinions.  5. A written decision on the complaint, including justification for the decision, shall be taken 
and published no later than twenty calendar days af ter the receipt of the complaint.  The Board 
decision is legally binding.  6. The Board has the right to adopt the following decisions:  
 1) Take by way of interlocutory procedure,  interim measures with the aim of correcting 
the alleged infringement or preventing further damage  to the interests concerned, including measures 
to suspend the procedure for the award of a public contract or the implementation of any decision taken by the Client or the tender committee;   2) Set aside individual decisions, including th e contract award decision within the standstill 
period of Art 9, taken by the Client or the tender committee in the course of a procurement procedure; 
  3) Declare an awarded contract ineffective:    a) If the Client has awarded a contract without prior publication of a contract
 notice according to this law;  or 
  b) In case of infringement of Article 9 or Article 58 (3) if this infringement has
 deprived the bidder concerned of the opportunity to institute a legal remedy
 before the conclusion of the contract and if this infringement is combined with the infringement of other provisions of the Republic of Armenia legislation on public procurement and if this latter infringement has affected
 the chances of the bidder concerned to get the contract. 
  4) Notwithstanding the provisions of para graph 3 of this Article, if the Commission 
considers, after examining all relevant aspects, that  overriding reasons of ge neral interest impose the 
maintaining of the effects of the contract, it w ill order, instead, alternative sanctions, as follows: 
 
  a) The limitation of the contract performance, through the reduction of its
 execution deadline, and/or 
  b) The application of a fine to the Client, of a maximum of 10 pour cent of the 
value of the contract,  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 53 
 
 
   
5) In all the cases in which the sanction of ineff ectivness provided for in paragraph 6 (3) of this 
Article can not have retroactive effect, because the elimination of executed contractual obligations is 
impossible, the Commission will apply, in addition, the sanction provided for in paragraph 6(4)(a) of 
this Article. 
 
 6) State about the lawfulness or unlawfuln ess of a procurement procedure of a Client 
after the conclusion of the contract.  That decisi on shall be the basis for damage claims in court; 
  7) Decide, if a bidder has to be included in the list of bidders that have violated 
procurement business ethics according to the Article 5 paragraph 2. 
 7. If the Board decides in favour of the applican t, the Client is liable for recompensing to the 
applicant the damage caused and justified in  accordance with the established procedure. 
 
8. The oral hearing of complaint is open to the public and an announcement on the complaint is 
published in the Bulletin within three calendar days after its receipt.  In case of complaints lodged 
against the procurement processes containing state or official secrets, the announcement is sent to all 
potential bidders.  9. Any person, whose interests have suffered or can suffer due to actions served as the ground 
for lodging a complaint are entitled to participate in  the review procedure by submitting, prior to the 
deadline for decision on the complaint, a similar complaint to the procurement complaint review 
board.  The person, who did not participate in the re view procedure in accordance with this Article, is 
deprived of the right to submit to the Board a similar complaint.  
10. The decision of the Procurement Complaint Re view Board has to be published within five 
calendar days after its adoption in the Bulletin and h as to be sent to the Client, the Authorized Body 
and the parties involved in the review procedure.  11. A fee in the amount of 0.5 pour cent of the applicant's price proposal for the disputed transaction shall be charged for the Board review pr ocedure, but it shall not exceed the one tenth of 
the procurement base unit.  If the value of disput ed transaction is unknown – has not been disclosed – 
the amount of fee shall be one tenth of the procurement base unit.  
Article 58: Suspension of  procurement procedure 
 1. The application shall not automatically susp end the contract award procedure.  The Board 
shall grant an interim measure required by an a pplicant as long as it is appropriate and necessary to 
prevent the pending damage until a final decision on the complaint is made.  2. The Board has to take the probable consequences of the interim measure for all interests likely to be harmed, including the public interest , into account and may decide not to grant such 
measures where their negative consequences could ex ceed their benefits.  A decision not to grant 
interim measures shall not prejudice any other claim of the person seeking such measures.  3. Until the Board adopts a decision on the suspension of the award procedure, the Client does not have, in any situation, the right to conclude the contract prior to a relevant decision of the Board.  
 
Article 59: Court appeal 
 
 The decision of the Board can be appealed in court. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 54  
 
  SECTION 8 
 
PROCUREMENT IN SPECIFIC AREAS 
 
 Article 60: General peculiarities of procurement for public entities 
 
1. For procurement carried out by public entities in the Republic of Armenia:   1) Procurement related rela tions are regulated by procurement procedures adopted by 
those entities; 
  2) Procurement procedures, advertisements  of procurement processes (public offers), 
invitations, announcements on signed contract s exceeding the Procurement base unit are also 
published in the Bulletin; 
 
 3) Extrajudicial review of procurement is  carried out in accordance with the procedure 
stipulated in the Section 7 of this law;  2. The procurement procedures specified in the pa ragraph 1 of this Article cannot contradict to 
the objectives and principles set out in the Article 3 of this law, while in case of entities rendering 
services regarded as a natural monopoly they should not contradict also to additional requirements set 
out by the public services sector regulatory body en visaged by the Republic of Armenia legislation. 
 3. If the government or community has no participation in a public entity, the provisions of this law shall apply if the value of the contract is no less than twenty Procurement base units. 
 
Article 61: Specific exclusions in case of procurement for public entities 
 
1. The provisions of this law are not applicable in case when a public  entity intends to procure: 
  1) Products that will be resold or leased to third parties, provided that the entity 
concerned enjoys no special or exclusive right to se ll or to lease the subject of such contracts, and 
other entities are free to sale/sell or to lease sim ilar products in the same conditions as the entity 
concerned;   2) Goods, services or works for the purpose to perform relevant activities in a third 
country, in conditions not involving the physical use of a network or of a geographical area within the 
Republic of Armenia.   3) Goods, services or works for the purpose to perform other activities than relevant activities.  In the case when the contract is intende d to cover several activities among at least one is a 
relevant activity and if is objectively impossible to determine for which activity the contract is 
principally intended, the procurement shall be ma de according with the provisions of this law. 
 2. The Republic of Armenia government shall speci fy other specific exclusions of procurement 
for public entities not stipulated in this law, in cluding those cases when this law is inapplicable. 
 Article 62: Procurement for the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia 
 
 In case of procurement for the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia:   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 55 
 
 
   1) The provisions of this law are inappl icable to procurement under the operational 
expenses of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia;   2) The competences reserved to the Re public of Armenia Government and the 
Authorized Body under this law are implemented by  the Board of the Central Bank of the Republic of 
Armenia. 
 
Article 63: Procurement for state or community non-commercial (non-profit) organizations 
and entities with over fifty percent of government or community shareholding 
  Unless otherwise stipulated by the Republic of Armenia laws, the provisions of this law are 
inapplicable in case of procurement for state or community non-commercial (non-profit) organizations and entities with over fifty percen t of government or community shareholding. 
  
SECTION 9 
 
FINAL AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS 
 
 
Article 64: Effectiveness of law 
 
 This law comes into force on the thirtie th day after its official promulgation. 
 
Article 65: Transitional provisions 
 1. The provisions of this law do not apply to procurement contracts originated and not 
terminated prior to the effectiveness of this  law as well as to signed and ongoing procurement 
contracts;  while the relations thereof are regulated by legal acts effective at the time of concluding those transactions.  2. The Republic of Armenia "Law on Procurem ent" AL-160-N, dated December 6, 2004 is 
regarded as null and void after the entry of this law into force. 
 3. The legal acts and legal norms adopted in accordance with or pursuant to the Republic of 
Armenia "Law on Procurement" AL-160-N, dated Dece mber 6, 2004 continue to be effective to the 
extent that they do not contradict to this law. 
 
4. The provisions of Article 15, paragraph 5 of this law shall come into force on January 1, 
2013.  
Article 66: Final provisions 
 1. If a deadline specified in this  law coincides with a nonbusiness day, then the deadline is the 
next business day following that day.  2. The Republic of Armenia shall specify the cases  of conflict of interests under this law, 
including for consulting services. 
 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 56  
 
  3. In addition to publishing the tender announcemen ts envisaged by this law in the Bulletin, the 
Client shall also publish them in the printed medi a, while the Authorized Body shall disseminate 
(advertise) information on published announcem ents in the advertising mass media. 
  
PRESIDENT OF 
THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA S.  SARGSYAN 
  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 57 
 
 
  ATTACHMENT 2* 
 
 
 
     
  
SIGMA 
Support for Improvement in Governance and Management 
A joint initiative of the OECD and the Europ ean Union, principally financed by the EU 
 
 
OPINION ON THE DRAFT ARMENIAN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW** 
 
March 2010 
 
 The development of an effective and credible public  procurement system is one of the fundamentals 
of the process for improvement the use of public money.  Public procurement reform involves changes in the legislative framework, institutional restructuring, 
reforming the mentality behind the current syst em and financial efforts to be undertaken. 
 Increasing the efforts to develop a modern legislati on in line with the best international practices and 
to ensure an appropriate implementation capacity , it becomes extremely important in the current 
period.  Improving the legislative framework in the field of public procuremen t is important not only 
because of internal needs but also taking into account the commitments that Armenia assumed on 
international level in the context of nego tiations with World Trade Organization. 
 A notable step in improving the legislative framework  is the development of the new draft law which 
aims to address many of the weaknesses previ ously reported by SIGMA or CPAR recommendations. 
 
Overall, the new draft law represents a significan t progress in the field of public procurement 
regulations. 
 
Several proposed solutions are directly inspired by th e relevant EU legislation in force in that area: 
 
• Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Pa rliament and of the Council of 31 March 
2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, 
public supply contracts and public service contracts, 
• Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Pa rliament and of the Council of 31 March 
2004 coordinating the procurement procedur es of entities operating in the water, 
energy, transport and postal services sectors, 
                                                     
 
* In English only. 
** This document has been produced with the financia l assistance of the Europ ean Union.  The views 
expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union, and do not 
necessarily reflect the views of the OE CD and its Member countr ies or of the beneficiary countries participating 
in the Sigma Programme. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Page 58  
 
  • Directive 2007/66/EC of the European Par liament and of the Council of 11 December 
2007 amending Council Directives 89/665/EE C and 92/13/EEC with regard to 
improving the effectiveness of review pr ocedures concerning the award of public 
contracts, 
• Council Directive coordinating the laws, re gulations and administrative provisions 
relating to the application of Community Rules on the procurement procedures of 
entities operating in the water, energy, tr ansport and telecommunications sectors (25 
February 1992), 
• Council directive on the coordination of th e laws, regulations and administrative 
provisions relating to the application of review procedures to the award of public supply and public works contracts (13 December 1989). 
 
There will be some room for further harmonizat ion to achieve the full level of compliance (for 
example regarding the procedures). 
 The most significant changes proposed are:  
Utilities Sector 
 
A correct and complete definition of the scope of public procurement rules for utilities sector is a crucial element in the law of any country.  The new draft law reaches in a very good manner this 
objective.  
First, it made a clear distinction between, on one  hand, public enterprises engaged in specific 
activities in the public services and, on the other hand, private entities operating in that sector on the base of a special or exclusive right.  The definition of special and exclusive rights is accurate.  
The range of relevant activities – in areas of water, energy, transport and postal services – is similar to 
those established by Directive 2004/17/EEC and also th e exclusions provided for in this field follows 
the same model.  Overall, it is reported as a great success that the pr evious problems identified on the utilities sector are 
practically resolved in the new draft law, ensu ring a common approach with EU law and practice. 
 
Participation Rules 
 
Some major adjustments have been made in the ne w draft law, one of the most important being the 
introduction of the exclusion system for persons w ho have been convicted by final judgment for 
participation in a criminal organization, for corr uption, for fraud, for money laundering and by final 
decision for anti competitive behaviour.  Blacklisting is also a sensitive issue which have to be handled carefully so as not to create unfair 
restrictions for bidders.  The draft law proposed a sy stem where all the information on irregularities to 
professional ethics shall be reported to the Authorized  Body by the Clients.  The Authorized Body 
may initiate the procedure for inclusion in the black list at the Procurement Complaint Review Board.  
Only the Board shall have the power to decide whet her or not a bidder has to be included in the black 
list and, in this case also define the period for inclusion.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Page 59 
 
 
   
The system will protect the economic operators agains t discretionary decisions of Clients, diminishing 
the risk that the inclusion of the bidders in  the black list is used in an abusive way.  
 
E-procurement 
 
The new legislation is to integrate into a unitary  vision both the paper base d system of procurement 
and e-tendering system.  The general rules regarding the tools to be used  for communication by electronic means and devices 
for the electronic transmission and receipt of bids are now well outlined in the text of the draft law. 
In the context of future e-purchasing developments, electronic auctions are an important element that 
gives the possibility to reduce the bids price in cond itions of transparency and equal treatment for all 
bidders.  The draft law lays down certain genera l rules which intend to avoid any discrepancies 
between the electronic system/systems that will be  implemented and intern ational best practices. 
 
Single-source Method 
 
The cases where single source method can be applied ha ve been revised to some extent, in terms of 
range of situations where this is possible as well as in terms of wording (which  is now more accurate 
at least in case of "emergency situations). 
 
Institutional Building 
 
Two important institutions are established according to  the draft law:  Centre for Procurement Support 
and Expertize, who will assume some clearly defined competences from the Authorized Body and the 
Procurement Complaint Review Board. 
 The clear distinction of the competences of the Authorized Body and the Centre for Procurement 
Support and Expertize marks a new positive approach in  the procurement system in Armenia, namely 
towards decentralization and thus the allo cation of clear responsibilities for Clients. 
 
The two institutions will have mainly a regulatory role and will also provide for methodological and 
technical support for Clients, their direct involve ment in procurement procedures organized by the 
latter being minimal.  Particular attention should be paid to avoid over laps between the activities of Authorized Body and 
Center for Procurement Support and Expertise. 
 
Review System 
 
Unlike the current situation, the Authorized Bo dy will no longer be involved in settling disputes, 
which is a big step forward to an efficient, effectiv e, transparent and fair remedies system.  In terms of 
institution building, the draft law laid the f oundation for a new specialized review body – the 
Procurement Complaint Review Board, which will be competent for settling procurement disputes at 
state and local levels.  The centralized Board will guarantee for high prof essionality and harmonized 
decisions on procurement cases throughout Armenia.   The Center for Procurement Support and 
Expertise acts as secretariat for the Board. 
 
To ensure full independence of the Board, it will consist of a list of independent experts who will 
decide individual cases in three-person panels.  The selection of the individual panels will be done by 
the Center for Procurement Support and Experti se based on a random system.  Experts will be 
nominated by both public and private organiza tions, but are independent from the nominating GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
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  organizations in their decisions.  Existing associati ons for professionals or NGOs shall be invited to 
make their proposals for this list.  The new draf t law contains a number of  general conditions for 
candidates for the inclusion into the list of independen t experts.  All members of the list need to pass 
an examination in public procurement.  
The system will provide a fast and effective way of  resolving disputes and its implementation will be 
a considerable progress in this field.  The success of the system is strongly conditioned by the quality 
of selection that will be made in order to have  an appropriate list of independent experts. 
 
Standstill period 
 
The introduction of a standstill period is also a measure that guarantees a fair and transparent 
remedies system, because it will give the bidders th e last opportunity to challenge illegal decisions of 
Clients before the conclusion of the contract.  Th e Board will also have the power to suspend the 
procedure for awarding the contract or the implem entation of any decision taken by the Client.  
Conclusion (signing) of the contract will be in  any case postponed until the settlement of the case by 
the Board.  Last but not least, another positive element in the new draft law are the rules for declaring the contract ineffective if the Client has unlawfully awarded it without prior publication of a contract notice or 
without complying with the standstill period. 
 
Strengthening the implementation capacity of all the Clients – both from the central and local levels – 
is the second objective that should be considered in parallel with improving the legal framework.  
From this point of view, in the near future, attention should focus on:  
- Development of secondary legislation; 
- Appropriate allocation of human resources in the procurement departments of the 
contracting authorities; 
- Easy access to methodological advice; - Use of training tools and reference materi als (guides, brochures, standardized tender 
documents); 
- Participation in training programs for staff involved in procurement activities. 
  
 
 
Marian Lemke 
Senior Adviser 
SIGMA 
 
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