2. Even where Europol authorises the Contractor to sub-contract, the Contractor is bound by all its contractual obligations and is solely and exclusively liable for the performance of the Framework Contract  and any Specific Contract  and/or Purchase Order  under it. 

3. Sub-contracting does not affect rights and guarantees to which Europol is entitled by virtue of the Framework Contract . 

4. Europol may request the Contractor  to replace a sub-contractor found to be in a situation provided for at Article II -22 (2) (“Termination”). 

## Article II-20 

## Assignment 

1. The Contractor  shall not assign the rights and obligations arising from the Framework Contract , in whole or in part, without prior written authorisation from Europol. In order to enable Europol to make an assessment with regard to the assignment, the Contractor must provide Europol with sufficiently detailed information with regard to the intended assignee and the extent of the assignment. 

2. In the absence of such authorisation, or in the event of failure to observe the terms thereof, assignment by the Contractor  of a right or obligation shall not be enforceable against and shall have no effect on Europol. 

## Article II-21 

## Suspension 

1. The Contractor  may suspend the performance of the Framework Contract  and/or Specific Contract or Purchase Order  or any part thereof if a case Force Majeure  makes such performance impossible or excessively difficult. The Contractor  shall notify Europol in writing about such suspension without delay, giving all reasons and details and the envisaged date for resuming contractual performance. Once the circumstances allow performance to resume, the Contractor shall inform Europol immediately, unless Europol has already terminated the Framework Contract and/or the Specific Contract  or Purchase Order  in accordance with Article II-22 (“Termination”) below. 

2. Europol may suspend the performance of the Framework Contract and/or Specific Contract or Purchase Order  or any part thereof in the following cases: 

i. if the underlying contract award procedure or the performance of the Framework Contract and/or Specific Contract or Purchase Order prove to have been subject to Substantial errors , Irregularities  or Fraud ; 

ii. in order to verify whether presumed Substantial errors , Irregularities or Fraud have actually occurred; 

iii. for other reasons, which would, if established, make termination mandatory in accordance with the Financial Regulation 25 

