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. 

The contractor must immediately notify the contracting authority of the suspension. The notification must include a description of the force majeure and state when the contractor expects to resume the provision of services. 

The contractor must notify  the contracting authority as soon as it is able to resume performance of the specific contract , unless the contracting authority has already terminated the FWC or the specific contract. 

## II.17.2. Suspension by the contracting authority 

The contracting authority may suspend the implementation of the FWC  or performance of a specific contract  or any part of it: 

(a) if the procedure for awarding the FWC or a specific contract or the implementation of the FWC  proves to have been subject to irregularities, fraud or breach of obligations ; 

(b) in order to verify whether the presumed irregularities, fraud  or breach of obligations  have actually occurred. 

The contracting authority must formally notify  the contractor of the suspension and the reasons for it. Suspension takes effect on the date of formal notification , or at a later date if the formal notification  so provides. 

The contracting authority must notify  the contractor as soon as the verification is completed whether: 

(a) it is lifting the suspension; or 

(b) it intends to terminate the FWC or a specific contract under Article II.18.1(f) or (j). 

The contractor is not entitled to compensation for suspension of any part of the FWC or a specific contract. 

