## II.15.3 Claims and liability 

Any claim for liquidated damages does not affect the contractor’s actual or potential liability or the contracting authority’s rights under Article II.18. 

## II.16. REDUCTION IN PRICE 

## II.16.1 Quality standards 

If the contractor fails to provide the service in accordance with the FWC or a specific contract (‘unperformed obligations’) or if it fails to provide the service in accordance with the expected quality levels specified in the tender specifications (‘low quality delivery’), the contracting authority may reduce or recover payments proportionally to the seriousness of the unperformed obligations or low quality delivery. This includes in particular cases where the contracting authority cannot approve a result , report or deliverable as defined in Article I.6 after the contractor has submitted the required additional information, correction or new version. 

A reduction in price may be imposed together with liquidated damages under the conditions of Article II.15. 

## II.16.2 Procedure 

The contracting authority must formally notify  the contractor of its intention to reduce payment and the corresponding calculated amount. 

The contractor has 30 days following the date of receipt to submit observations. Failing that, the decision becomes enforceable the day after the time limit for submitting observations has elapsed. 

If the contractor submits observations, the contracting authority, taking into account the relevant observations, must notify  the contractor: 

(a) of the withdrawal of its intention to reduce payment; or 

(b) of its final decision to reduce payment and the corresponding amount,. 

## II.16.3 Claims and liability 

Any reduction in price does not affect the contractor’s actual or potential liability or the contracting authority’s rights under Article II.18. 

## II.17. SUSPENSION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FWC 

## II.17.1 Suspension by the contractor 

If the contractor is affected by force majeure , it may suspend the provision of the services under a specific contract. 

