## Article 23 - Suspension 

23.1. The contractor shall, on the order of the contracting authority, suspend the execution of the contract or any part thereof for such time or times and in such manner as the contracting authority may consider necessary. The suspension shall take effect on the day the contractor receives the order or at a later date when the order so provides. 

23.2. Suspension in the event of presumed breach of obligations or irregularities or fraud: 

The contract may be suspended in order to verify whether presumed breach of obligations or irregularities or fraud occurred during the award procedure or the performance of the contract. If these are not confirmed, performance of the contract shall resume as soon as possible. 

23.3. During the period of suspension, the contractor shall protect and secure the supplies affected at the contractor's warehouse or elsewhere, against any deterioration, loss or damage to the extent possible and as instructed by the project manager, even if supplies have been delivered to the place of acceptance in accordance with the contract but their installation has been suspended by the project manager. 

23.4. Additional expenses incurred in connection with such protective measures may be added to the total contract price, unless: 

a) otherwise provided for in the contract; or 

b) such suspension is necessary by reason of some breach or default of the contractor; or 

c) such suspension is necessary by reason of normal climatic conditions at the place of acceptance; or 

d) such suspension is necessary for the safety or the proper execution of the contract or any part thereof insofar as such necessity does not arise from any act or default by the project manager or the contracting authority or 

e) the presumed breach of obligations or irregularities or fraud mentioned in article 23.2 are confirmed and attributable to the contractor. 

23.5. The contractor shall only be entitled to such additions to the total contract price if it notifies the project manager, within 30 days after receipt of the order to suspend the contract, of its intention to claim them. 

23.6. The contracting authority, after consulting the contractor, shall determine such additions to the total contract price and/or extension of the period of performance to be granted to the contractor in respect of such claim as shall, in the opinion of the contracting authority, be fair and reasonable. 

23.7. The contracting authority shall, as soon as possible, order the contractor to resume the contract suspended or inform the contractor that it terminates the contract. If the period of suspension exceeds 180 days and the suspension is not due to the contractor's breach or default, the contractor may, by notice to the contracting authority, request to proceed with the contract within 30 days, or terminate the contract. 

