RESTRICTED  ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL  
DEL COMERCIO  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
20 de abril de 2010 
 (10-2073) 
Comité de Contratación Pública Original:   inglés 
  
 
ADHESIÓN DE LA REPÚBLICA DE ARMENIA AL ACUERDO  
SOBRE CONTRATACIÓN PÚBLICA 
 
Respuestas a la lista recapitulativa de preguntas para la presentación de 
 
información relativa a la adhesión al Acuerdo sobre Contratación  
Pública, el proyecto de Ley sobre Contratación Pública y  
el dictamen de Sigma sobre este proyecto de Ley  
 
Comunicación de la República de Armenia  
 
 
 La siguiente comunicación, de fecha 18 de ab ril de 2010, se distribuye a petición de la 
delegación de la República de Armenia.  
_______________ 
  
RESPUESTAS DE LA REPÚBLICA DE ARMENIA A LA LISTA RECAPITULATIVA  
DE PREGUNTAS PARA LA PRESENTACIÓN DE INFORMACIÓN  
RELATIVA A LA ADHESIÓN AL ACUERDO  
SOBRE CONTRATACIÓN PÚBLICA 
 
 
I. INTRODUCCIÓN 
 El Gobierno de la República de Armenia (en adel ante "el Gobierno de la  RA") entiende que el 
marco legal existente en materia de contratación pública es compatible en general con el Acuerdo 
sobre Contratación Pública (ACP) de la OMC, aunqu e queda un cierto margen de armonización para 
alcanzar el pleno nivel de cumplimiento. 
  Con objeto de mejorar el marco legislativo,  el Gobierno de la RA ha redactado un nuevo 
proyecto de Ley sobre Contratación Pública (en adelante PLCP) encaminado a corregir las deficiencias del sistema, que fueron señalad as anteriormente por SIGMA e indicadas en las 
recomendaciones del informe CPAR (Country Procur ement Assessment Report), del Banco Mundial.  
El proyecto de Ley y el dictamen de SIGMA figuran en los apéndices 1 y 2 del presente documento.   El PLCP deberá ser aprobado por el Parlamen to de la RA, y el Gobierno va a proponer al 
Parlamento que el proceso de aprobación esté completado para finales de 2010. 
 
 El Gobierno de la RA pide a los Miembros de  la OMC que son Partes en el ACP y al Comité 
de Contratación Pública que aprueben la adhesión de  Armenia al ACP;  se espera que la nueva Ley 
sobre Contratación Pública y las instituciones de la  RA quedarán plenamente armonizadas después de 
que Armenia haya pasado a ser parte en el ACP.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 2  
 
   La mejora del marco legislativo en lo referent e a la contratación pública es importante para el 
Gobierno de la RA, no sólo por los compromisos c ontraídos por Armenia en el plano internacional 
(así como en el contexto de las negociaciones con la Organización Mundial del Comercio), sino también por sus necesidades de carácter interno.  El Gobierno de la RA es  consciente de que la 
articulación de un sistema de contratación pública eficaz y creíble es uno de los elementos 
fundamentales del proceso de mejora del erario público. 
 
II. MARCO LEGAL 
1. ¿Existe una única ley general sobre contrata ción?  En ese caso, sírvanse especificar cuál. 
 Actualmente la contratación pública en Arme nia está regida por la Ley sobre Contratación 
Pública (en adelante LCP), que entró en vigor el 1º de enero de 2005. 
 
2. ¿Qué otras leyes, reglamentos, decretos, resoluciones administrativas, decisiones, 
directrices de política u otros instrumentos rige n la contratación pública?  Sírvanse presentar 
un resumen de las esferas a que se refiere cada uno  de estos instrumentos.  Sírvanse también 
explicar las diferencias principales (en caso de  que las haya) entre su aplicación a los niveles 
central y subcentral del gobierno y de otros tipos de entidades. 
 La LCP está complementada por una legislación secundaria que regula toda una serie de 
cuestiones prácticas y de procedimiento.  El Gobier no de la RA y el órgano autorizado (en adelante 
"OA"), que depende del Ministerio de Hacienda, adoptan otras disposiciones legales (legislación 
secundaria) sobre la contratación pública, para ga rantizar el cumplimiento de los objetivos y 
condiciones de la LCP.  Todas las disposiciones legales sobre la contratación pública y las leyes 
conexas, incluida la Ley de la RA sobre la Divi sión Administrativa Territorial, se publican en el sitio 
Web oficial sobre contratación pública ( http://www.procurement.am/
). 
 
3. ¿En qué medida las disposiciones del Acuerdo son de aplicación directa o han de ser 
incorporadas a la legislación pertinente?  En caso de aplicación directa del Acuerdo con 
preferencia a disposiciones de la ley nacional en  conflicto con él, sírvanse indicar el fundamento 
legal pertinente. 
 En su condición de acuerdo internacional, el AC P se aplicará directamente.  Según la LCP, las 
disposiciones del acuerdo internacional serán de  aplicación aunque no estén previstas en la 
mencionada Ley. 
 
III. ÁMBITO DE APLICACIÓN 
4. Sírvanse resumir cómo se organiza el gobierno en cada nivel en su país. 
 El Gobierno General de la República de Ar menia comprende los órganos del Estado y los 
gobiernos locales autónomos, los organismos estatal es y comunitarios, el Banco Central de la 
República de Armenia, las organizaciones estatal es o comunitarias no comerciales (de fines no 
lucrativos) y las entidades de propiedad del Estado o de un ente comunitario en más del 50 por ciento. 
 
5. Sírvanse presentar una lista de todas las en tidades del Gobierno central (ministerios, 
departamentos, organismos, etc.) que contraten bienes, servicios y servicios de construcción. 
Las entidades del gobierno central son las siguientes: 
  1. Personal del Presidente de la RA 
 2. Personal de la Asam blea Nacional de la RA  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 3 
 
 
   3. Personal del Gobierno de la RA 
 4. Personal del Tribunal Constitucional de la RA 
 5. Cámara de Control de la RA  6. Departamento Judicial de la RA  7. Fiscalía Pública de la RA 
 8. Servicio Especial de Investigación de la RA 
 9. Personal del Defensor de lo s Derechos Humanos de la RA 
 10. Banco Central de la RA (*) Véase la nota 2.  11. Ministerio de Agricultura de la RA  12. Ministerio de Defensa de la RA 
 13. Ministerio de la Diáspora de la RA 
 14. Ministerio de Economía de la RA  15. Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de la RA  16. Ministerio de Energía y Recursos Naturales de la RA  17. Ministerio de Hacienda de la RA 
 18. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de la RA 
 19. Ministerio de Salud de la RA  20. Ministerio de Justicia de la RA  21. Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales de la RA  22. Ministerio de Protección de la Naturaleza de la RA  23. Ministerio de Deportes y Asunt os de la Juventud de la RA 
 24. Ministerio de Administración Territorial de la RA 
 25. Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones de la RA  26. Ministerio de Desarrollo Urbano de la RA  27. Ministerio de Cultura  28. Ministerio de Situaciones de Emergencia de la RA 
 29. Servicio de Seguridad Nacional de la RA 
 30. Servicio de Segurid ad del Estado de la RA 
 31. Comité de Ingresos Fiscales de la RA  32. Comité Estatal del Catastro de la RA  33. Comité Estatal de Regulación de la Seguridad Nuclear, del Gobierno de la RA 
 34. Departamento Estatal de Admini stración de la Propiedad de la RA 
 35. Departamento Genera l de Aviación de la RA 
 36. Policía de la RA  37. Servicio Armenio de Rescate  38. Comité Estatal del Agua  39. Comité Estatal de la Ciencia 
 40. Comisión Electoral Central de la RA 
 41. Comisión de Regulación de los Servicios Públicos de la RA  42. Comisión de Seguros Sociales de la RA  43. Comisión Estatal para la Protección de la Competencia Económica de la RA 
 44. Consejo de la Función Pública de la RA  45. Servicio Nacional de  Estadística de la RA 
 46. Comisión Nacional de Televisión y Radiodifusión de la RA 
 47. Consejo de la Televisión y Radiodifusión Públicas de la RA 
 48. Marzpetaran de Aragatsotn  49. Marzpetaran de Ararat  50. Marzpetaran de Armavir 
 51. Marzpetara n de Gegharquniq 
 52. Marzpetaran de Lory  53. Marzpetaran de Kotayq  54. Marzpetaran de Shirak  55. Marzpetaran de Syuniq GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 4  
 
   56. Marzpetaran de Vayots Dzor 
 57. Marzpetaran de Tavush  
6. ¿Qué entidades a nivel subcentral de gobierno (estados, provincias, municipios, etc.) 
contratan bienes y servicios? 
 La LCP reglamenta la contratación de bien es, obras y servicios por parte de todos los 
gobiernos locales autónomos, con arreglo a lo dispu esto en la Ley sobre la División Administrativa 
Territorial, de la RA.  
7. ¿Qué empresas controladas por el Gobierno, o de su propiedad, están sometidas a las 
reglas sobre contratación pública?  ¿Qué otras en tidades o categorías de entidades (entidades 
del Anexo 3) controladas por el Gobierno, o de su propiedad, contratan?  Sírvanse 
especificarlas. 
 La LCP reglamenta la contratación de bienes,  obras y servicios por parte de organizaciones 
estatales o comunitarias no comerciales (de fines no lucrativos) y entidades de propiedad del Estado o 
de un ente comunitario en más del 50 por ciento. 
 
8. ¿Aplican las entidades indicadas en las respuest as 5, 6 y 7 en su proceso de contratación 
la ley general (en caso de que exista) u otra legi slación establecida a nivel central o federal, o son 
autónomas del gobierno central o federal en sus no rmas y prácticas de contratación?  En caso 
de que no estén sujetas a la ley general sobre contratación, sírvanse presentar una lista de esas 
entidades e indicar a qué leyes, reglamentos, etc. están sujetas.  ¿Cómo se asegurará su 
Gobierno de que las entidades de esa naturaleza de  nivel inferior al nivel central o federal de 
gobierno aplican el Acuerdo? 
 Todas las entidades indicadas en  las respuestas a las preguntas 5, 6 y 7 se rigen por las 
disposiciones de la LCP.  Los artículos 58, 59 y 60  de la mencionada Ley determinan las exclusiones 
en los casos de contratación pública por parte de los gobiernos autónomos, el Banco Central de la 
República de Armenia, las organizaciones estatal es o comunitarias no comerciales (de fines no 
lucrativos) y las entidades de propiedad del Gobi erno o de un ente comunitario en más del 50 por 
ciento.  
9. ¿Existe alguna excepción general con respecto al ámbito de aplicación de las normas 
nacionales de contratación, por ejemplo por razones de seguridad o defensa nacional?  Sírvanse 
dar una respuesta detallada. 
 Según la LCP, la participación en la contrataci ón de una persona o entidad extranjeras, o de 
una persona apátrida, sólo puede restringirse por d ecisión del Gobierno de la RA, tomada por razones 
de seguridad nacional o de intereses de la defensa de la República de Armenia. 
 
10. Sírvanse presentar las estadísticas disponib les sobre contratación realizada por las 
entidades gubernamentales de su país en los últi mos dos años, incluyendo, en la medida de lo 
posible, un desglose por entidades y po r categorías de productos y servicios. 
 En el cuadro que figura a continuación se indican  los gastos en bienes, obras y servicios en el 
período de 2006 a 2008. 
  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 5 
 
 
   2006 2007 2008 
 Millones de 
drams* % Millones de 
drams % Millones de 
drams % 
Bienes 14.586 23,5 23.485 12,3 20.426 18,4 
Obras 45.026 72,9 100.122 77,6 86.039 77,7 
Servicios 2.173 3,6 5.324 4,1 4.293 3,9 
Total de bienes, 
obras y servicios 61.785 100 128.931 100 110.758 100 
Presupuesto total 481,183 634,734 822,054 
 
 * En http://www.cba.am/  puede descargarse información sobre los tipos de cambio del dram. 
 
IV. TRATO NACIONAL Y NO DISCRIMINACIÓN 
11. Sírvanse indicar las disposiciones específicas de  su legislación en las que se reflejen los 
compromisos en materia de trato nacional y no  discriminación del artículo III del Acuerdo. 
 El artículo 3 de la LCP dispone que el objeto y fi n de la Ley es garantizar:  " d) la igualdad de 
derechos de todas las personas, independientemen te de que sean personas naturales extranjeras". 
  Según el párrafo 2 del artículo 7 de la LC P, "En caso de no aplicación del párrafo 1 del 
presente artículo, la invitación incluirá una declar ación no enmendable en el sentido de que todas las 
personas podrán presentar ofertas, independiente mente de que sean personas u organizaciones 
extranjeras o personas apátridas.  En caso de aplicación del mencionado párrafo 1, la invitación 
incluirá una declaración a este efecto.  
12. Sírvanse facilitar detalles sobre cualquier disp osición de la legislación nacional que 
conceda a los suministros y proveedores nacionales un trato más favorable que el concedido a 
los suministros y proveedores extranjeros, o que conceda a los suministros o proveedores de un 
determinado país un trato más favor able que a los de otro país. 
 No hay ninguna disposición de  la legislación nacional que conceda preferencia alguna a los 
proveedores del país.  
13. Sírvanse facilitar detalles de cualquier disposic ión de la legislación nacional que conceda 
a un proveedor establecido en el país un trato me nos favorable que a otro proveedor establecido 
en él por razón de su condición de filial de una  empresa extranjera o por ser propiedad de ella, 
o que discrimine a los proveedores establecidos en el  país en función del país de producción del 
bien o servicio que ha de suministrarse o prestarse. 
 No hay ninguna disposición de esta clase en la legislación nacional. 
 
14. Sírvanse especificar en qué medida se concede, en su caso, un trato más favorable a 
algún sector de la economía, alguna región o alguna categoría específica de suministros o 
proveedores. 
 Ninguna disposición de la legislación nacional prevé la concesión de un trato más favorable a 
un determinado sector de la economía ni a regiones o categorías específicas de proveedores o 
suministros. 
 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 6  
 
  15. Sírvanse especificar las disposiciones, po r ejemplo prescripciones en materia de 
contenido nacional, cesión de tecnología mediante licencia, inversiones, comercio de compensación u otras similares, en la calificac ión o selección de los proveedores, productos o 
servicios, o en la evaluación de las ofertas y la  adjudicación de contratos, que, en su caso, 
requieran o permitan el uso de compensaciones o medidas de efectos similares. 
 No hay disposiciones de este tipo en la le gislación nacional.  A tenor del párrafo 3 del 
artículo 7 de la LCP:  
"Si, para cumplir un contrato de compra púb lica, la legislación de la RA requiere una 
autorización especial (licencia) o impone determinados criterios, y no ocurre lo 
mismo con la legislación del país extranjero en el que reside el proveedor, en los 
casos que determine el Gobierno de la RA es te proveedor tendrá derecho a participar 
en el proceso de contratación pública sin una autorización especial (licencia), a condición de que cumpla de terminados criterios." 
V. ELEMENTOS ESPECÍFICOS DEL PROCEDIMIENTO DE CONTRATACIÓN 
16. Sírvanse hacer una descripción general de sus procedimientos y métodos de contratación 
existentes, indicando los métodos de contratación  que se utilizan principalmente y haciendo una 
breve descripción de cada uno de ellos.  Sírvan se también indicar, con respecto a cada uno de 
los niveles de gobierno, en qué medida se ut iliza la calificación de los proveedores y las 
licitaciones públicas, selectivas y restringidas. 
 En el PLCP se destaca que su propósito es gara ntizar procedimientos de contratación pública 
competitivos, eficientes, transparentes, abiertos y no  discriminatorios.  La LCP establece el principio 
general de la igualdad de participación en el proceso de contratación pública para todos los 
interesados, incluidos los ofertantes extranjeros.  Los métodos de contratación pública previstos en la 
LCP son los siguientes:  
 ● licitación (que puede ser abierta o cerrada); 
 ● licitación restringida; 
 ● solicitud de precios; 
 ● negociaciones competitivas; 
 ● contratación con un solo proveedor. 
 
 En las circunstancias definidas en la LCP, la "licitación" puede hacerse en dos etapas.  
Además, puede utilizarse un procedimiento de calif icación previa.  La licitación abierta puede ser 
periódica o específica.  La licitación periódica es obligatoria para todos los bienes, obras o servicios incluidos en una lista aprobada por el OA, y que  las entidades contratantes necesiten de manera 
recurrente.  En cambio, la licitación específica atañe a bienes, obras o servicios no incluidos en la lista 
publicada por el OA;  en este caso, la contratación se lleva a cabo mediante ofertas cerradas, si 
concierne a un secreto oficial o de Estado.   A tenor de la LCP, el método preferido de c ontratación parece ser la licitación abierta.  De 
hecho, la licitación cerrada sólo puede emplearse cu ando la contratación concie rne a secretos oficiales 
o de Estado.  Los restantes procedimientos previs tos en la LCP (licitación restringida, solicitud de 
precios, negociaciones competitivas y contratación con un solo proveedor) tampoco pueden utilizarse 
si no se dan determinadas circunstanc ias.  Por ejemplo, sólo puede recurrirse a la licitación restringida 
"si el objeto de la contratación no está incluido en  los contratos firmados que prevén licitaciones 
periódicas y si, debido a las especificaciones técnicas del objeto de la contratación, ésta sólo puede hacerse con un máximo de tres personas" (el procedimiento de la licitación restringida es parecido al 
procedimiento abierto, excepto que no requiere un anuncio público).  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 7 
 
 
   El procedimiento de solicitud de precios puede utilizarse si el objeto de la contratación no está 
comprendido en las licitaciones periódicas, y su valor no excede de cinco unidades básicas de contratación (para los bienes o los servicios), o de diez unidades básicas de contratación (para las obras) (artículo 21 de la LCP).  Con este proced imiento debe solicitarse a dos proveedores por lo 
menos que ofrezcan un precio.  El valor monetario actual de las " unidades básicas de contratación" es 
de un millón de drams. 
  El sistema de la negociación competitiva puede  emplearse si el objeto de la contratación no 
está incluido en el contrato de compra periódica y su valor no excede del de la unidad básica de 
contratación, o si se trata de un procedimiento de contratación pública urgente/de emergencia 
(artículo 22 de la LCP). 
  La contratación con un solo proveedor puede u tilizarse, en términos muy generales, en los 
siguientes casos únicamente:  con los bienes, obr as o servicios que sólo puedan obtenerse de un 
proveedor (por ejemplo, cuando median derechos de  autor, licencias, etc.);  en las contrataciones 
urgentes/de emergencia, a condición de  que el objeto de la contrataci ón no esté incluido en el contrato 
firmado de compra periódica (esta condición tambié n se tiene en cuenta en el procedimiento de 
negociación competitiva), y cuando se contratan más compras con la misma persona (artículo 23 de 
la LCP).  
17. Sírvanse indicar qué disposición de la legislació n de su país exige la no discriminación en 
lo que respecta a la calificación de los proveedores en el sentido del artículo VII y a la selección 
de los proveedores en el sentido del artículo X.   Indiquen, por favor, cualquier excepción a este 
requisito.  ¿Qué disposiciones aseguran el acc eso en condiciones no discriminatorias de nuevos 
proveedores a las listas de calificación existentes? 
 La legislación nacional no contiene ninguna  disposición que otorgue preferencias a los 
proveedores nacionales.  El artículo 7 de la LCP dispone lo siguiente: 
 "1. Para participar en cualquier fase del pro ceso de contratación pública, el ofertante deberá 
cumplir los criterios estipulados en la invitación.  2. El ofertante: 
 
 a) deberá poseer las condiciones requeridas pa ra cumplir las obligaciones previstas en el 
contrato de compra:  calificaciones prof esionales, recursos técnicos, recursos 
financieros y recursos de personal; 
 
 b) no deberá haber sido declarado en quiebra por un tribunal, ni estar sujeto a un 
procedimiento de liquidación;  además, las propiedades que se hayan ofrecido en la licitación para la ejecución del contra to no deberán estar bajo secuestro; 
  c) no deberá tener deudas pendientes con la  administración tributaria o la seguridad 
social de la RA en el último día del período de información previo a la presentación 
de la oferta; 
  d) o el representante de su órgano de gestión, en los tres años precedentes a la fecha de 
presentación de la oferta, no deberá: 
 
  1) haber sido condenado por delitos contrarios a las actividades económicas o al 
servicio público, salvo que el fallo condenatorio sea anulado o invalidado conforme a derecho; 
 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 8  
 
    2) haber presentado datos falsos pa ra obtener un contrato de compra; 
   3) haber incumplido, por acción u omisión, las obligaciones previstas en un 
contrato de compra, con la consiguiente  rescisión del contrato por parte de la 
entidad contratante. 
 
3. Con objeto de determinar si el proveedor está calificado, en el anuncio de licitación se 
indicarán los documentos, en original o en copia,  que deberá presentar el proveedor para demostrar 
que cumple los criterios de calificación exigidos.  
4. No se pueden exigir otros criterios de califi cación que no sean los enumerados en el párrafo 2 
del presente artículo.  5. Se considerará que el proveedor no está calif icado si los datos que figuran en su lista de 
calificaciones no coinciden con los criterios enunciados en la convocatoria de licitación. 
 
6. El órgano autorizado publicará los nombres de los proveedores que no reúnan las condiciones 
estipuladas en el apartado d) del párrafo 2 del prese nte artículo, sobre la base de los datos obtenidos 
de las entidades contratantes y otros organismos."   Para los contratos de valor superior a un millón de drams, y que no conciernan a secretos 
oficiales o de Estado, la LCP dispone la publi cación de los siguientes anuncios:  anuncio de 
procedimientos de precalificación (en su caso);  anuncio de licitación abierta (que se publicará 
también cuando se utilice un procedimiento en dos etap as);  anuncio de contrato s de compra firmados, 
y anuncio/aviso de cancelación del procedimiento de licitación (mencionando las razones de la misma). 
 
 Los documentos compilados relativos a la contrataci ón y, en los casos previstos en la presente 
Ley, los anuncios de licitaciones abiertas, deberá n publicarse en los idiomas armenio, inglés y ruso. 
  Si el precio de compra es superior a 90 m illones de drams, (alrededor de 190.000 euros), el 
anuncio de licitación abierta deberá publicarse por lo  menos 40 días antes de la fecha de vencimiento 
del plazo de presentación de ofertas.  Si el precio de compra es inferior a 90 millones de drams, el 
anuncio deberá publicarse por lo menos 30 días an tes de la fecha de vencimiento del plazo de 
presentación de ofertas.  
18. En las situaciones en las que pueden utilizar se procedimientos de calificación y una 
licitación selectiva, ¿en qué medida permiten las entidades a los proveedores adquirir la 
condición de proveedores calificados durante el  proceso de contratación?  ¿En qué medida 
mantienen las entidades listas permanentes de proveedores? 
 Esta cuestión está regulada por el artículo 7 de  la LCP (véase la respuesta a la pregunta 17). 
 
19. ¿Cuáles son las condiciones y las circunstanc ias en las que su legislación prevé la 
posibilidad de recurrir a la licitación restringida con arreglo al artículo XV del Acuerdo?  ¿Qué 
medidas existen para asegurar que este método  no se utilice con miras a evitar que la 
competencia sea la máxima posible, o de modo  que constituya un medio de discriminación entre 
suministros/proveedores extranjeros, o en f avor de suministros/proveedores nacionales? 
 Según el artículo 20 de la LCP, "Si el objeto de la contratación no está incluido en los 
contratos firmados que prevén licitaciones periódicas y si, debido a las especificaciones técnicas del 
objeto de la contratación, ésta sólo puede hacerse con un máximo de tres personas, podrá utilizarse el procedimiento de licitación restringida."  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 9 
 
 
  20. El artículo XIV del Acuerdo prevé la cel ebración de negociaciones bajo ciertas 
condiciones.  ¿Se permite a las entidades celebrar negociaciones?  De ser así, ¿a qué categorías y 
en qué condiciones? 
 A tenor del artículo 35 de la LCP, "está prohi bida la celebración de negociaciones entre la 
comisión de licitaciones, la entidad contratante y un proveedor respecto de toda oferta que haya 
presentado el proveedor, salvo en los casos previsto s en la presente Ley".  Estos casos se definen en 
los artículos 45, 46 y 50 de la LCP.  
21. El artículo XI estipula los plazos mínimos de licitación y entrega.  ¿Cuáles son las 
normas y prácticas relativas a los plazos de su legislación?  ¿Se recogen en esa legislación los 
diversos plazos mínimos establecidos en el Acuerdo?  Si la respuesta es negativa, sírvanse dar 
información sobre cualquier plazo distinto establecido en su legislación nacional. 
 Si el precio de compra es superior a 90 m illones de drams (alrededor de 190.000 euros), el 
anuncio de licitación abierta se publicará por lo me nos 40 días antes de la fecha de vencimiento del 
plazo de presentación de ofertas.  Si el precio de compra es inferior a 90 millones de drams, el 
anuncio se publicará por lo menos 30 días antes de la fecha de vencimiento del plazo para la 
presentación de ofertas.  
22. Sírvanse describir brevemente los procedimientos de presentación, recepción y apertura 
de ofertas y de adjudicación de contratos, en particular los procedimientos y condiciones que garantizan la regularidad de la apertura y su compatibilidad con las disposiciones sobre no 
discriminación del Acuerdo.  ¿Cómo mantie nen las entidades la información de los 
procedimientos relacionados con la recepción, apertura y evaluación de las ofertas? 
 La LCP dispone lo siguiente: 
  Las ofertas se abren el día indicado en la invitación a presentarlas, en la reunión de la 
comisión de licitaciones;  el día y la hora de la apertu ra de las ofertas han de coincidir con la fecha de 
vencimiento del plazo para la presentación de ofertas.   Los proveedores y sus representantes pueden estar  presentes en las reuniones de la comisión 
de licitaciones.  Los proveedores o sus representa ntes podrán pedir copias de las minutas de las 
reuniones de la comisión de licitaciones, que les será n facilitadas dentro del día hábil siguiente a la 
reunión. 
  En el día hábil siguiente a la reunión en la que se proceda a la apertura de las ofertas, se 
facilitarán copias de las minutas de la reunión a los proveedores o sus representantes que no hayan asistido a ésta. 
 
 Los miembros de la comisión de licitacion es evalúan las ofertas de conformidad con lo 
indicado en la invitación.  Las ofertas que cumplan las condiciones enunciadas en la invitación se considerarán satisfactorias;  las ofertas que se consid eren insatisfactorias serán rechazadas.  Si existe 
una discrepancia entre las cantidades expresadas en cifras y letras en una oferta, se considerarán 
válidas las expresadas en letras. 
 
 Sobre la base de la decisión de la comisión de licitaciones, la entidad contratante firma un 
contrato de compra con el proveedor seleccionado.   Después de anunciar el nombre del proveedor  seleccionado, la entidad contratante ha de 
comunicar la decisión a dicho proveedor dentro de los tres días hábiles siguientes, hacerle una oferta 
de contrato de compra y presen tarle el borrador del contrato. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 10  
 
   Si el precio de compra es superior a un mill ón de drams, la entidad  contratante levantará 
minutas del proceso de contratación pública.  Si el precio del contrato de compra no es superior a la 
unidad básica, la entidad contratante se encargará de redactar los documentos correspondientes a los 
actos realizados durante el proceso de contratación, y la justificación de los mismos.  
 La entidad contratante deberá facilitar la info rmación contenida en las minutas del proceso de 
contratación -excepto la información clasificada co mo secreto de Estado- a toda persona que la 
solicite, dentro de los cinco días siguientes a la recepción de la solicitud.  
23. Sírvanse identificar las disposiciones de su le gislación que estipulan los parámetros para 
el establecimiento de especificaciones técnicas po r las entidades como parte de los criterios de 
evaluación. 
 En el artículo 13 de la LCP están contenidas las normas relativas a las especificaciones 
técnicas.  Según este artículo:  
"1. La descripción de las propi edades técnicas del producto, obra o servicio contratados debe ser 
clara y completa e indicar las condiciones de la compra y el pago, con exclusión de toda otra interpretación.  2. Sobre la base de las características propias del objeto de la contratación, la descripción de sus 
propiedades técnicas deberá abarcar la calidad, las normas, la seguridad, las marcas, la terminología, 
el embalaje, la descarga, la medición, el di seño y otras propiedades técnicas del producto, obra o 
servicio contratados, de conformidad con las normas,  documentos y estándares vigentes en la RA, o, 
en su defecto, con las condiciones técnicas inte rnacionales temporales o las normas internacionales. 
  Los requisitos técnicos no exigirán ni harán referencia a ninguna marca de fábrica o de 
comercio, nombre de marca, licencia, diseño o modelo , país de origen o fuen te concreta del producto, 
salvo en los casos en que sea imposible describir el ob jeto de la contratación sin hacer esa referencia.  
Cuando se haga una referencia, la  descripción de las propiedades té cnicas deberá contener la 
expresión "o igual a"."  
24. Sírvanse identificar las medidas establecidas po r su legislación nacional para asegurarse 
de que las adjudicaciones se realicen de conf ormidad con los criterios de evaluación y los 
requisitos esenciales especificados en el pliego de condiciones. 
 De conformidad con el artículo 34 de la LCP,  "Los miembros de la comisión de licitaciones 
evalúan las ofertas con arreglo a lo indicado en la invitación.  Las ofertas que cumplan las condiciones 
enunciadas en la invitación se considerarán satisfactorias;  las ofertas que se consideren 
insatisfactorias serán rechazadas.  Si existe una discrepancia entre las can tidades expresadas en cifras 
y en letras en una oferta, se considerarán válidas las expresadas en letras."  
VI. INFORMACIÓN 
25. El párrafo 1 del artículo XIX del Acuerdo prevé la publicación de todas las leyes, 
reglamentos, decisiones judiciales y resoluciones administrativas de aplicación general y los 
procedimientos relativos a los contratos públic os.  Sírvanse facilitar el nombre de las 
publicaciones pertinentes e indicar los medios de comunicación utilizados para este fin.  
Sírvanse también facilitar, si es posible, la dirección de la página de Internet en la que pueda ser 
consultada la legislación a que hacen referencia las preguntas 1 y 2.   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 11 
 
 
   Toda la información oficial relacionada con la  contratación pública, con inclusión de leyes, 
reglamentos, decisiones judiciales, resoluci ones administrativas de aplicación general y 
procedimientos relativos a los cont ratos públicos, deben publicarse en el boletín electrónico oficial de 
la contratación pública ( http://www.procurement.am/ ). 
 
 Todos los avisos de licitación se publican en el sitio Web del OA y en los periódicos locales;  
además, se anuncian por televisión.  En el caso de  las solicitudes de precios o de los procedimientos 
de negociación competitiva para compras urgentes/ de emergencia, la LCP dispone que los anuncios 
de esos procedimientos deberán publicarse en la pren sa a fin de determinar las personas a las que se 
invitará a ofrecer un precio o a participar en la negociación. 
 
26. El párrafo 1 del artículo IX del Acuerdo prevé que las entidades publicarán una 
invitación a participar en todos los casos en que prevean concertar un contrato.  Sírvanse 
facilitar el nombre de las publicaciones pertinente s e indicar el medio de comunicación utilizado 
para este fin.  Sírvanse también facilitar, si es posi ble, la dirección de la página de Internet en 
las que se hagan públicas dichas invitaciones. 
 www.procurement.am  
 
27. Sírvanse especificar qué tipo de información exige su legislación que se incluya en las 
invitaciones a licitar o en los pliegos de condicion es, e indicar las disposiciones pertinentes de su 
legislación. 
 Según el artículo 25 de la LCP: 
 "1. Con objeto de atraer a proveedores para que participen en una licitación abierta, se publica un anuncio en el boletín ( http://www.procurement.am/ )
. 
 
 El anuncio de licitación abierta c ontiene la siguiente información: 
  a) el nombre y la dirección de la entidad contratante;   b) el código de la licitación;  
 c) una breve descripción del contrato y las especificaciones del objeto de la contratación; 
  d) una declaración del derecho de los pr oveedores a participar en la licitación; 
  e) las condiciones para recibir una invitación, incluidos los derechos pagaderos y el 
procedimiento de pago; 
  f) el idioma o idiomas en los que debe presentarse la oferta;   g) un resumen de los criterios de calificación de los proveedores;  
 h) lugar y plazo de presentación de las ofertas; 
  i) las demás informaciones que sean necesarias.   Con arreglo al artículo 27 de la LCP, la  invitación deberá contener lo siguiente: 
 
 a) una referencia al anuncio de  licitación objeto de la invitación; 
 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 12  
 
   b) instrucciones para la preparación de las ofertas; 
  c) criterios de calificación de los proveedores y procedimiento de evaluación de los 
mismos; 
 
 d) requisitos de los documentos de certific ación de las calificaciones de los proveedores, 
y otros requisitos; 
  e) especificaciones del objeto de la contratación;  
 f) procedimiento de evaluación de las ofertas y selección del ganador; 
  g) un borrador del contrato de compra;   h) si se permite a los proveedores presentar ofertas sobre una parte de los bienes y 
servicios objeto de la contratación, una indicación de las condiciones y el 
procedimiento aplicables; 
  i) un desglose del precio de la oferta presentada;   j) una nota confirmando que el precio propuest o, con exclusión del costo de los bienes y 
servicios, incluye el transporte, los seguros, derechos, tasas, etc., y no puede ser 
inferior al costo, cuyo cálculo deberá figurar en la oferta; 
  k) requisitos básicos de cantidad y otras c ondiciones de seguridad relativas a la licitación 
y la ejecución del contrato de compra; 
 
 l) condiciones para la presentación de las ofertas, con inclusión del lugar, el plazo y el 
idioma; 
 
 m) procedimiento para aclarar el contenido de los pliegos de condiciones, notificación de 
los proveedores en reuniones posteriores y nombre y apellidos del secretario de la comisión de licitación; 
 
 n) lugar y día y hora de apertura de las ofertas; 
  o) referencias a la presente Ley y a otro s instrumentos jurídicos relacionados con la 
contratación de que se trate; 
 
 p) condiciones para la firma del contrato de compra; 
 
 q) actividades relativas a los procedimientos  de contratación y/o decisiones adoptadas;  
derecho a apelar y procedimiento de apelación; 
 
 r) justificación del rechazo de una oferta; 
  s) datos necesarios para la preparación de la  oferta, presentación, apertura y evaluación 
de las ofertas y otras informaciones relacionadas con la contratación. 
 
28. El párrafo 1 del artículo IX del Acuerdo p revé la publicación de listas permanentes de 
proveedores calificados por las enti dades que mantengan ese tipo de listas.  Sírvanse facilitar el 
nombre de la publicación o publicaciones pertinentes e indicar los medios utilizados para este 
fin.  Sírvanse también facilitar, si es posible, la  dirección de la página de Internet en que se 
publican dichas listas.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 13 
 
 
   La LCP no prevé la publicación de listas permanentes de proveedores calificados. 
 
29. El párrafo 1 del artículo XVIII del Acuerdo p revé la publicación por las entidades de los 
detalles de los anuncios de adjudicación de co ntratos.  Sírvanse facilitar el nombre de la 
publicación o publicaciones pertinentes e indicar qué medios se utilizan para este fin.  Sírvanse 
también facilitar, si es posible, la dirección de la  página de Internet en que se publican dichos 
anuncios. 
 Si el precio del contrato de compra es supe rior a la unidad básica, la entidad contratante 
publica un anuncio (avisos de adjudicación de contratos) en el boletín ( http://www.procurement.am/ ). 
 30. Sírvanse especificar los tipos de informació n que deben figurar en los anuncios de 
adjudicación de contratos en su país e identifica r las disposiciones pertinentes de su legislación. 
 Según el artículo 11 de la LCP:  "Si el precio del contrato de compra es superior a un millón 
de drams la entidad contratante publicará, una vez firmado el contrato de compra, un anuncio a este 
efecto en el boletín ( http://www.procurement.am/ )
, salvo en los casos en que la transacción esté 
clasificada como secreto de Estado." 
 
31. Sírvanse especificar las disposiciones pertinen tes de su legislación que hacen posible, 
conforme a lo previsto por el párrafo 2 del ar tículo XVIII, facilitar a las demás Partes y a los 
licitadores cuya oferta no haya sido elegida informac ión acerca de las razones por las que no fue 
elegida la oferta. 
 Según el mencionado artículo de la LCP: 
 9: "4. La entidad contratante deberá facilita r la información contenida en las minutas del 
proceso de contratación -excepto la información cl asificada como secreto de Estado- a toda persona 
que la solicite dentro de los cinco días siguientes a la recepción de la solicitud.  Las minutas del 
proceso de contratación contendrán las siguiente s informaciones, dependiendo de la forma del 
contrato:   a) nombre y dirección de la entidad contratante;   b) una breve exposición de las razones que  hacen necesaria la compra, una descripción 
del objeto de la contratación, y la justific ación de la forma de contratación elegida; 
  c) el texto de la invitación y las enmie ndas introducidas en ésta, que se hayan presentado 
a los proveedores; 
 
 d) investigaciones y explicaciones relacionadas con la contratación; 
  e) datos acerca de los proveedores que hayan presentado ofertas:  por ejemplo, nombre, 
dirección y puntos de contacto; 
  f) los precios presentados en la oferta; 
 
 g) el procedimiento para la evaluación de las ofertas, y los resultados del mismo;   h) en caso de que se rechace una oferta, la justificación del rechazo;  
 i) el texto del contrato de compra, y,  de no haberse firmado el contrato como 
consecuencia del procedimiento de contratación, la justificación de este hecho; GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 14  
 
   j) si en el curso del procedimiento de compra se descubre la existencia de actividades 
ilegales, una breve descripción de esas actividades y de las medidas adoptadas; 
  k) el texto de las reclamaciones relativas al procedimiento de compra y de las decisiones 
tomadas al respecto; 
 
 l) las demás informaciones que sean necesarias."  33: "5. Los proveedores y sus representantes podr án estar presentes en las reuniones de la 
comisión de licitaciones.  Los proveedores y sus re presentantes podrán pedir copias de las minutas de 
las reuniones de la comisión de licitaciones, que les serán facilitadas dentro del día hábil siguiente a la 
reunión.   6. En el día hábil siguiente a la reunión de la comisión de licitaciones, se facilitarán 
copias de las minutas de la reunión a los proveedor es, o a sus representantes, que no hayan asistido a 
la misma." 
 38: "La licitación se declarará nula y sin efecto si:   a) ninguna de las ofertas cumple las condi ciones enunciadas en la invitación a presentar 
ofertas; 
 
 b) la contratación pública deja de ser necesaria;   c) no se ha presentado ninguna oferta;  
 d) el precio ofrecido por el proveedor seleccionado es superior al importe asignado para 
la compra, salvo que sea aplicable la c ondición establecida en el párrafo 6 del 
artículo 34; 
  e) no se firma ningún acuerdo de compra como consecuencia de la licitación. 
 
 2. Una vez declarada nula una licitación, está prohibido abrir las ofertas que hayan 
permanecido cerradas.  Estas ofertas se devolverán, sin abrir, a los proveedores.   3. Una vez declarada nula una licitación, se publicará un aviso en el boletín indicando 
las razones de la anulación, salvo en los casos que conciernan a secretos oficiales o de Estado." 
 
VII. PROCEDIMIENTOS DE IMPUGNACIÓN DE LA LICITACIÓN 
32. Sírvanse facilitar información sobre los pr ocedimientos de impugnación existentes. 
 Con arreglo a lo dispuesto en la LCP, los proveedores que hayan sido presuntamente 
perjudicados podrán presentar una reclamación contra  los actos de la entidad contratante y/o la 
comisión de licitaciones ante el OA o los tribunales nacionales.  Las decisiones de la OA podrán 
recurrirse ante los tribunales nacionales. 
  Las reclamaciones ante el OA deberán presentarse por escrito.  La decisión es de la incumbencia del Ministro de Hacienda.  El OA podr á adoptar las siguientes decisiones con respecto a 
la entidad contratante y/o el comité de licitaciones:  prohibir determinados actos o decisiones;  obligar 
a la entidad contratante y/o el comité de licitaci ones a tomar determinadas decisiones;  reconsiderar 
las decisiones, o rescindir el contrato de compra.  El OA puede adjudicar daños y perjuicios a los proveedores perjudicados.  Además, el OA puede deci dir la suspensión del proceso de contratación  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 15 
 
 
  antes de que se tome una decisión acerca de la reclamación (en cuyo caso no podrá procederse a la 
suspensión automática).  En todo caso, si se impone  la continuación del proceso por razones de 
defensa o de seguridad nacional, la suspensión quedará sin efecto.   La LCP dispone que una de pendencia permanente del OA se encargará de tramitar las 
reclamaciones relativas al proceso de contratación pública.  La Ley dispone también que, en lo 
referente a los órganos locales autónomos y las inst ituciones comunitarias, el Banco Central de la 
República de Armenia, las entidades estatales o comun itarias de fines no lucrativos y las entidades de 
propiedad del Estado o las comunidades en más del 50 por ciento, las funciones conferidas al OC 
respecto del examen de las reclamaciones revertir án en el consejo comunitario, el Consejo de 
Administración del Banco Central u otro órgano delegado, o el órgano administrativo de la 
organización de que se trate.  
33. ¿Existen disposiciones específicas que permit an el acceso de los proveedores extranjeros 
al procedimiento de impugnación? 
 Sí.  El acceso de los proveedores extran jeros al procedimiento de impugnación puede 
restringirse, de conformidad con el artículo 7 de la  LCP, en virtud de una resolución del Gobierno de 
la RA adoptada por razones de seguridad nacional o por intereses de la defensa. 
 
34. Si esa información no responde plenamente a los siguientes puntos, sírvanse facilitar la 
información adicional necesaria a tal efecto: 
 i) El plazo para presentar la reclamación prevista en el Acuerdo "en ningún caso 
será inferior a 10 días" desde el mo mento en que se conocieran, o debieran 
haberse razonablemente cono cido, los hechos que den lugar a la reclamación.  
¿Cuáles son los plazos establecidos en la legislación nacional? 
  La LCP no prevé ninguna limitación de tiempo pa ra la presentación de una reclamación.  
El OA tiene un plazo para tramitar una apelación des pués de que se haya presentado la reclamación.  
Según el artículo 53 de la LCP, "C on arreglo a la legislación en materia de contratación pública, el 
órgano autorizado se pronunciará respecto de la ap elación dentro de los 20 días como máximo, y los 
10 días hábiles como mínimo, siguientes a la recepción de la apelación."   ii) ¿Cuál es el órgano responsable del procedimiento de impugnación?  ¿Es un 
"tribunal" o un "órgano de examen imparcial e independiente"?  En este último caso: 
 
 De conformidad con la LCP, los proveedor es pueden presentar una reclamación contra los 
actos de la entidad contratante y/o la comisión de licitación ante el OA (Ministerio de Hacienda) o 
ante los tribunales nacionales.  
  - ¿Cómo se selecciona a sus miembros? 
 
 La LCP dispone que una depe ndencia permanente del OA (un departamento que depende del 
Ministerio de Hacienda).  Se encarga de tramita r las reclamaciones relativas a los procedimientos de 
contratación pública.  Las personas a cargo son funcionarios públicos.  
  - ¿Están sus decisiones sujetas a revisión judicial? 
  Sí.  La decisión del órgano autorizado es final, salvo que un tribunal disponga otra cosa. 
 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 16  
 
    - De no ser así, ¿cómo se tienen en  cuenta las prescripciones del párrafo 6 
del artículo XX? 
 
 No es aplicable.   iii) ¿Cuál es la legislación aplicable con referencia a la cual el órgano de 
impugnación examinará las reclamaciones? 
 
 La "Ley de Contratación Pública" de la República de Armenia.   iv) ¿Qué medidas provisionales rápida s están previstas para corregir las 
infracciones del Acuerdo y preservar las oportunidades comerciales? 
 
  - ¿Está incluida entre esas medidas la  posibilidad de suspender el proceso 
de contratación?  ¿En qué condiciones? 
 
 El OA puede decidir la suspensión del proceso de contratación antes que se tome una decisión sobre la reclamación (en cuyo caso no podrá procederse a la suspensión automática).  En todo caso, si se impone la continuación del proceso de contra tación por razones de defensa o de seguridad 
nacional, la suspensión quedará sin efecto.   v) ¿Cómo corrige el procedimiento de im pugnación las infracciones del Acuerdo?  
¿Qué tipos de compensación por los daño s o perjuicios sufridos puede establecer 
el órgano de impugnación? 
 
 El OA puede tomar las siguientes decisiones c on respecto a la entidad contratante y/o el 
comité de licitaciones:  prohibir determinados actos o decisiones;  obligar a la entidad contratante o al 
comité de licitaciones a tomar determinadas decision es;  reconsiderar las decisiones, y rescindir el 
contrato de compra.  Además, el OA puede ad judicar daños y perjuicios a los proveedores 
perjudicados.  
 vi) Sírvanse facilitar la información disponible sobre los plazos de las distintas 
etapas del proceso de impugnación, incluida la obtención de medidas 
provisionales y de una decisión definitiva. 
 
 El artículo 53 de la LCP dispone lo siguiente :  "Con arreglo a la legislación en materia de 
contratación pública, el órgano autorizado se pronunciará respecto de la apelación dentro de los 
20 días hábiles como máximo, y de los 10 días hábiles como mínimo, posteriores a la recepción de la 
apelación.  La decisión del órgano autorizado será final, salvo que un tribunal disponga otra cosa." 
 
 vii) ¿Cuáles son habitualmente los cost es de un procedimiento de impugnación?  
¿Está prevista la posibilidad de que tales procedimientos sean gratuitos? 
  El procedimiento es gratuito. 
 
VIII.  OTROS ASUNTOS 
35. ¿En qué medida se utiliza la tecnología de la  información en el proceso de contratación 
pública?  ¿Se publican los anuncios de invitación a la licitación y/o los anuncios de adjudicación 
de contratos en formato electrónico?  Sírvanse facilitar la dirección de dichas publicaciones 
electrónicas.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 17 
 
 
   Los avisos de invitación (anuncios e invitaci ones a la licitación (con la lista de documentos 
que han de acompañar a la oferta)) y los av isos de adjudicación de contratos se publican 
electrónicamente en la Web ( http://www.procurement.am/ ). 
 
36. ¿Existe en su país un servicio de inform ación que responda a las preguntas de los 
proveedores, de otros gobiernos y del público en general sobre las leyes, reglamentos y 
procedimientos y prácticas relativos a la contra tación pública a nivel central y/o subcentral?  
Sírvanse facilitar la dirección. 
 Hay un servicio telefónico directo de asistenc ia en el Organismo Estatal de la Contratación 
Pública. 
 Teléfono:  (+374) 10 28 93 25 
 Dirección:  Komitas 54B street, Yerevan, Armenia GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 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 sel f-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 st ate 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 th e regulated public services sector and included 
in the list approved by the Republic of Arme nia Public Services Regulatory Commission; 
 
                                                     
 
* En inglés solamente.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 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 purposes 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 procurement 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 
Página 20  
 
  which occurs after an initial full evaluation of the bids, enabling to rank in descending order the 
bidders, who submitted the bi ds, using automatic evaluation methods (means);  
  Electronic means  - the use of electronic equipment, incl uding 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 th e procurement process for the purposes of 
signing a consulting services' contract with the Client; 
 
 Selected consultant -  a consultant(s) offered a consulting 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 pub lic services to which this law shall 
apply. They include: 
 
 1) The provision or operation of fixed netw orks 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 netw orks 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 in tended to provide public services in the field 
of transport. A network fo r providing transport services is consider ed to exist, in the case when the 
operation conditions, including the co ndition 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 
 Página 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 procurem ent 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 pr omotion 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 indi vidual, 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 
Página 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 unilate ral 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 pr ocurement 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 opini on of the bidder concerned, the Review Board 
decides if the bidder has to be included in the list st ipulated in this Article. An entity can be enlisted 
for a period from 6 months to 3 years depending on  the seriousness of the breach of the rules of 
procurement business ethics.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 23 
 
 
   
4. The bidder must satisfy the qualification crite ria 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 th e paragraph 2 of this Artic le 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 a pplicable, if according to the Republic of Armenia 
legislation this kind of activities in the Republic of Armenia could be conducted only by the Republic 
of Armenia legal entities. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 24  
 
  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 pr ocurement 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 informatio n 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 and 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 for the transmission of the data, no one can 
 have access to the transmitted data; 
  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;  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 25 
 
 
    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. 
 
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. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 26  
 
  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 contract 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 peri od of paragraph 3 of th is 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. 
 
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. 
  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 27 
 
 
  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 in terpretation. 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 crea ting 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 b ased 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.  
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.
 
 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 28  
 
  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. Th e 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 accord ance 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 provi sion 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, implemen tation 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 
 Página 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 developmen t 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 requireme nts 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 the 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 relate d draft documents developed by the Client's 
other responsible officials involved in the pr ocurement process and approved by the Client; GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 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 pr ocurement and provides 
professional advice; 
  3) Facilitates an assessment of qualifications  - prequalification and rating - of potential 
bidders, compiles the register (list) of pre qualified bidders and publishes it in the Bulletin; 
  4) Evaluates the eligibility and the qualificati on of bidders to partic ipate 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,   d. Carries out the functions of the Board's staff.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 31 
 
 
   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 method. 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 G overnment. 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 GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 32  
 
    b. There is a need to negotiate with th e bidders to clarify some specific features 
 of the procurement subject description. 
  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:  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 33 
 
 
   
 1) Due to copyright or related rights, existence of special or exclusive right (license) or lack of competition, the  goods, works or services can be obtained from a single source;   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 which 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, wo rks 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.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 34  
 
  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 secretar y 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 
 Página 35 
 
 
  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 a nd 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 specif ies 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 
Página 36  
 
  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 announcem ent 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 s ubmission 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 procedure 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 eligib le to participate 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: 
 
 1) A reference to the published tender announcement, as a supplement to which the 
invitation is extended;  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 37 
 
 
   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 th e value of goods, work s 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 explanations  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 process 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 
Página 38  
 
  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 open 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 amen dments 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 the 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 th e 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 (i f applicable) by the submitting party. The documents 
placed into the envelope consist of the original documents and the number of copies indicated in the 
invitation. The packages of documents are marked wi th the words "original" and "copy" respectively. 
The envelope and the documents e nvisaged in the tender invitation and prepared by the bidder are  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 39 
 
 
  signed by the person submitting them or a person author ized by the latter (hereinafter referred to as 
"agent"). If the bid is submitted by the agent, a doc ument 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 procur ement 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 secur ity 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 secu rity 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: GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 40  
 
   1) Is announced a selected bidder but will refu se 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 coin cide 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 requir ed in the invitation in each of the opened 
envelops;   GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 41 
 
 
   5) Data on compliance of documents submitted 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 procedure 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 the 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 
Página 42  
 
  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 offered 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 othe r 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 the tender invitatio n. 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 performance 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 
 Página 43 
 
 
  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 
Página 44  
 
  declaring the bidding ineffective. No announcement is  published for procurements 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 
 Página 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 available 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 
mathematical formula shall incorporate the weighting of the criteria fixed to determine the winner bid, 
as indicated in the tender invitation. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 46  
 
  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-pr ice 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 a nd 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.  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- GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 47 
 
 
  price condition(s) have the highest sum total as ra ted 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 descripti ons of the procurement subject. The negotiations 
with the consultant selected under the paragraph 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 a ll 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 specifi es the particularities of the procedure for two-
stage bidding.  
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. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 48  
 
  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 c ontains 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 secu rity and the contract performance security 
requirements stipulated under the Section 4 of this law are inapplicable. 
 
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: 
  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 49 
 
 
   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 a dvance  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:   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.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 50  
 
  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 presentation by the Authorized Body. All members 
of the Board must be Armenian citizens. The member s of the Board shall not be convicted for a crime 
linked to economic activities or against the state ser vice, except cases when su ch 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 member s 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 comp laint, 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 Organiza tions (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,  
 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,  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 51 
 
 
   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 impossibl e 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 member s 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 th e 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 decisions 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 Commi ssion has to exclude them. Should the chairperson 
of the Commission have a conflict of interest in a ce rtain procedure, he or she has to withdraw from 
the specific procedure and another member of the Bo ard 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.  
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; GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 52  
 
   
 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 after 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 op portunity to institute a legal remedy 
 before the conclusion of the contract and if this infringement is combined 
 with the infringement of other pr ovisions 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 paragr aph 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 % of the value of 
 the contract, 
 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  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 53 
 
 
  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 decision 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 partic ipate in the review 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% of the applicant' s price proposal for the disputed transaction shall 
be charged for the Board review procedure, but it shall not exceed the one tenth of the procurement 
base unit. If the value of disputed transaction is u nknown - 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 exceed 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 
Página 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: 
  1) The provisions of this law are inapp licable to procurement under the operational 
expenses of the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia;  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 55 
 
 
   
 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 
Página 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 
 Página 57 
 
 
  ATTACHMENT 2* 
 
 
                                
        
    
SIGMA 
Support for Improvement in Governance and Management 
A joint initiative of the OECD and the European Union, prin cipally 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 Parlia ment 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 Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 
2004 coordinating the procurement proce dures of entities operating in the water, 
energy, transport and postal services sectors, 
• Directive 2007/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2007 
amending Council Directives 89/665/EEC and 92/ 13/EEC with regard to improving the 
effectiveness of review procedures conc erning the award of public contracts, 
                                                     
 
* 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 
Página 58  
 
  • Council Directive coordinating the laws, regulati ons and administrative provisions relating to 
the application of Community Rules on the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and telecommunications sectors (25 February 1992), 
• Council directive on the coordination of the la ws, regulations and administrative provisions 
relating to the application of review proce dures 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. 
 
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.  GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
 Página 59 
 
 
   
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 w ill guarantee for high professionality 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 sel ection of the individual panels will be done by 
the Center for Procurement Support and Expertise based on a random system. Experts will be 
nominated by both public and private organiza tions, but are independent from the nominating 
organizations in their decisions. Existing associati ons for professionals or NGOs shall be invited to 
make their proposals for this list. The new draft law contains a number of  general conditions for 
candidates for the inclusion into the list of independe nt 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. GPA/ACC/ARM/3 
Página 60  
 
   
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 impl ementation 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   
 
 
__________