The bidder has arrived at the accompanying bid independently from, and without consultation, communication, agreement or arrangement with any competitor. However communication between partners in a venture or consortium³ will not be construed as collusive bidding. In particular, without limiting the generality of paragraphs 6 there has been no consultation, communication, agreement or arrangement with any competitor regarding: prices; geographical area where product or service will be rendered (market allocation) (c) methods, factors or formulas used to calculate prices; (d) the intention or decision to submit or not to submit, a bid; (e) the submission of a bid which does not meet the specifications and conditions of the bid; or (f) bidding with the intention not to win the bid. In addition, there have been no consultations, communications, agreements or arrangements with any competitor regarding the quality, quantity, specifications and conditions or delivery particulars of the products or services to which this bid invitation relates. The terms of the accompanying bid have not been, and will not be, disclosed by the bidder, directly or indirectly, to any competitor, prior to the date and time of the official bid opening or of the awarding of the contract. ³ venture or Consortium means an association of persons for the purpose of combining their expertise, property, capital, efforts, skill and knowledge in an activity for the execution of a contract. SBD 9 am aware that, in addition and without prejudice to any other remedy provided to combat any restrictive practices related to bids and contracts, bids that are suspicious will be reported to the Competition Commission for investigation and possible imposition of administrative penalties in terms of section 59 of the Competition Act No 89 of 1998 and or may be reported to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal investigation and or may be restricted from conducting business with the public sector for a period not exceeding ten (10) years in terms of
27. Settlement of Disputes 27.1 If any dispute or difference of any kind whatsoever arises between the purchaser and the supplier in connection with or arising out of the contract, the parties shall make every effort to resolve amicably such dispute or difference by mutual consultation. 27.2 If, after thirty (30) days, the parties have failed to resolve their dispute or difference by such mutual consultation, then either the purchaser or the supplier may give notice to the other party of his intention to commence with mediation. No mediation in respect of this matter may be commenced unless such notice is given to the other party. 27.3 Should it not be possible to settle a dispute by means of mediation, it may be settled in a South African court of law. 27.4 Mediation proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of procedure specified in the SCC. 27.5 Notwithstanding any reference to mediation and/or court proceedings herein, (a) the parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under the contract unless they otherwise agree; and (b) the purchaser shall pay the supplier any monies due the supplier. 28. Limitation of liability 28.1 Except in cases of criminal negligence or wilful misconduct, and in the case of infringement pursuant to Clause 6; (a) the supplier not be liable to the purchaser, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, for any indirect or consequential loss or damage, loss of use, loss of production, or loss of profits or interest costs, provided that this exclusion shall not apply to any obligation of the supplier to pay penalties and/or damages to the purchaser; and (b) the aggregate liability of the supplier to the purchaser, whether under the contract, in tort or otherwise, shall not exceed the total contract price, provided that this limitation shall not apply to the cost of repairing or replacing defective equipment. 29. Governing language 29.1 The contract shall be written in English. All correspondence and other documents pertaining to the contract that is exchanged by the parties shall also be written in English. 30. Applicable law