## 1. INFORMATION ON TENDERING 

## 1.1. Participation 

Participation in this procurement procedure is open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons coming within the scope of the Treaties, as well as to international organisations. It is also open to all natural and legal persons established in a third country which has a special agreement with the Union in the field of public procurement on the conditions laid down in that agreement. 1 

Where the multilateral Agreement on Government Procurement concluded within the World Trade Organisation applies, the participation to this procedure is also open to all natural and legal persons established in the countries that have ratified this Agreement, on the conditions it lays down. 

## 1.2. Contractual conditions 

The tenderer should bear in mind the provisions of the draft contract which specifies the rights and obligations of the contractor, particularly those on payments, performance of the contract, confidentiality, and checks and audits. 

## 1.3. Compliance with applicable law 

The tender must comply with applicable environmental, social and labour law obligations established by Union law, national legislation, collective agreements or the international environmental, social and labour conventions listed in Annex X to Directive 2014/24/EU$^{2}$. 

## 1.4. Joint tenders 

A joint tender is a situation where a tender is submitted by a group of economic operators (natural or legal persons). Joint tenders may include subcontractors in addition to the members of the group. 

In case of joint tender, all members of the group assume joint and several liability towards the Contracting Authority for the performance of the contract as a whole, i.e. both financial and operational liability. Nevertheless, tenderers must designate one of the economic operators as a single point of contact (the leader) for the Contracting Authority for administrative and financial aspects as well as operational management of the contract. 

After the award, the Contracting Authority will sign the contract either with all members of the group, or with the leader on behalf of all members of the group, authorised by the other members via powers of attorney. 

