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There is a new version of the law,

No.VIII-1210, 1999.06.03

 

REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

 

LAW

 

ON

 

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT

 

 

Chapter I

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 1. The Objective of this Law

1.   This  Law  shall  regulate  the  procedure  for   the

procuring of goods, works and services with the funds of the

State  Budget, municipal budgets, the budget  of  the  State

Social  Insurance  Fund  and other resources  of  the  state

funds, funds received in the name of government institutions

as charity or any other support, when the donor thereof does

not  specify the purpose for which it should be applied,  as

well  as foreign loans received in the name of the State  or

guaranteed by the State, if the agreements concerning  their

utilisation  does not provide for any other conditions,  out

of  the funds of enterprises, institutions and organisations

financed  out  of the State or municipal budgets  and  state

funds,  received from their business activities or from  the

appropriation or conveyance of their assets.

2.   The  procedure  for  public  procurement  established

hereby shall apply to public procurement the value of  which

exceeds 25 000 litas. Public procurement the value of  which

is  less than 25 000 litas shall be carried out according to

the  common  commercial practice, by concluding a  purchase-

sale contract with the supplier (contractor) whose price and

conditions are most acceptable.

3. The requirements of this Law shall not apply to:

1)  procurement which is carried out for the  purposes  of

security  and  defence,  if they are associated  with  state

secrets;

2)  where goods or services are being procured pursuant to

the  provisions  of  the Law on Social  Integration  of  the

Disabled.

4.  The Government may, for the reasons that are important

to  the  State from economic or social points of view,  pass

the decision that while carrying out procurements of certain

goods,  works,  or services preference should  be  given  to

goods,  works and services that are being produced, executed

or  provided  by  enterprises which are  registered  in  the

Republic  of  Lithuania. Such decisions must  be  passed  in

compliance with the obligations established by international

agreements of the Republic of Lithuania.

 

Article 2. Definitions

As used in this Law:

1.   Public  Procurement  (hereinafter  referred   to   as

procurement ) means procurement of goods, works or  services

when they are paid for on demand or by installments with the

funds  specified in paragraph 1 of Article  1,  as  well  as

lease of goods carried out with such funds.

2.  The  Procuring Organisation means public  authorities,

an  enterprise,  institution or  organisation  carrying  out

procurement  with  the funds specified  in  paragraph  1  of

Article 1.

3.  Goods means real property, raw materials, manufactured

articles, equipment and other articles of any form, as  well

as services relating to the supply of goods, if the value of

these  services  does  not exceed the  value  of  the  goods

themselves.

4.   Works   means   any   works   associated   with   the

construction,  reconstruction, removal, demolition,  repairs

or  renovation  of  buildings,  structures  and  facilities,

including construction services relative thereto,  if  their

value does not exceed the value of the construction itself.

5.   Services  means  any  object  of  purchase  with  the

exception of goods and works.

6.  Supplier (contractor) means potential or actual  party

to   the   procurement  contract  concluded  with  procuring

organisation.

7.  Procurement  documents  means  the  documents  of  the

procuring    organisation   presented   to   the   suppliers

(contractors): invitation to participate in prequalification

procedures, tender documents , invitation to tender, request

for  quotations for goods, works or services,  explanations,

amendments of and supplements to these documents.

8.  Procurement  Contract means purchase,  sale  contract,

contract  agreement  or  lease,  awarded  by  the  procuring

organisation  to  the supplier (contractor)  by  procurement

procedures prescribed by this Law.

 

Article 3. International Obligations of the State,

Relating to Procurement

If  international agreements of the Republic of  Lithuania

provide   otherwise  than  this  Law,  the   provisions   of

international agreements shall apply.

 

Article 4. Subordinate Legislation

Subordinate legislation relating to the implementation  of

this  Law and compliance with its provisions shall be issued

by  the  Government of the Republic of Lithuania  or  Public

Procurement  Agency under the Government of the Republic  of

Lithuania  (hereinafter referred to  as  Public  Procurement

Agency).

 

Article 5. Qualification of Suppliers (Contractors)

1.  The procuring organisation must ascertain whether  the

supplier (contractor) is competent, reliable and capable  to

fulfill procurement conditions. For this purpose, at certain

procurement process stages it shall have the right to demand

that  the  supplier  (contractor)  submit  or  confirm   the

documents or other information presented earlier, evidencing

its   legal   status,  financial  position,  technical   and

management competence, the experience in performing  similar

procurement  contract, its supply with labour resources  and

other data evidencing its qualification.

2.  The  procuring organisation may verify in advance  the

qualification of suppliers (contractors). In  this  case  it

shall  propose that suppliers (contractors) submit the  data

certifying the qualification prior to sending their  tenders

or offers.

3.    Qualification   requirements   of   the    procuring

organisation,   the   criteria  and  procedure   for   their

evaluation  shall  be  laid  down  in  the  prequalification

documents of suppliers (contractors) or in the documents  of

procurement  tenders  or the documents  of  the  procurement

carried out in any other manner.

4.  The same requirements must be applied to all suppliers

(contractors), they may not infringe the rights of suppliers

(contractors)  to protect their intellectual property  or  a

commercial secret.

5.  The  procuring organisation may not permit a  supplier

(contractor) to participate in procurement procedures, if it

finds   out   that  the  data  submitted  by  the   supplier

(contractor) pertaining to its qualification are  incorrect.

It  may also disqualify a supplier (contractor) if the  data

concerning  its  qualification as presented  by  it  are  in

general inaccurate or incomplete. However, if at the request

of  the  procuring  organisation, the supplier  (contractor)

eliminates  the  shortcomings without  delay,  it  shall  be

permitted   to   further  participate  in  the   procurement

procedures.

6.  Information  relating  to the suppliers  (contractors)

position  shall be evaluated in accordance with the criteria

and  procedures laid down in the prequalification  documents

of   suppliers   (contractors),   procurement   tenders   or

procurement   carried  out  by  any  other  procedure.   The

procuring organisation shall pass a decision concerning  the

qualifications  of  each  supplier  (contractor)  and  shall

inform  in  writing each of them about the results  of  this

verification.  The  right  to  further  participate  in  the

procurement  procedures  shall  be  given  only   to   those

suppliers  (contractors)  whose qualifications  satisfy  the

requirements applicable by the procuring organisation.

 

Article 6. The Participation of Contractors (Suppliers)

1.  All  citizens of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign

suppliers   (contractors)  may  participate  in  procurement

procedures,  with the exception of cases when the  procuring

organisation   may  limit  the  participation   of   foreign

countries ( or some of them) pursuant to this or other  laws

of the Republic of Lithuania.

2.  The  procuring organisation shall have  the  right  to

carry  out procurements only from enterprises registered  in

the  Republic  of  Lithuania - the manufacturers  of  goods,

performers of works, and service providers, if the value  of

goods  and  services does not exceed 150 000 litas  and  the

value  of  works  -  500 000 litas,  as  well  as  in  cases

specified in paragraph 4 of Article 1.

3.  The procuring organisation, after having announced  in

its  first invitation that suppliers (contractors) from  all

countries may participate in the procurement procedures, may

not  change  this clause later. If pursuant to  paragraph  1

hereof  the participation of certain suppliers (contractors)

is  limited,  this  must be indicated in the  invitation  to

participate in the procurement procedures.

 

Article 7. Communication of Notices

1.   Notices  of  the  procuring  organisation   and   the

suppliers   (contractors)   while   participating   in   the

procedures  regulated by this Law must  be  communicated  in

such a manner so that their contents be recorded.

2.   The  procuring  organisation  must  ensure  that   in

procurement procedures documents, decisions or other notices

be  communicated  without discrimination  to  the  suppliers

(contractors).

Article 8. The Legalisation of Documents Submitted by

Suppliers (Contractors)

The  procuring  organisation  shall  have  the  right   to

request   that   foreign   suppliers  (contractors)   submit

legalized   documents  certifying  the   information   given

relating  to  their qualifications. The documents  shall  be

legalized  in  accordance with the procedure established  by

the laws and Government decrees.

 

Article 9. Report on Procurement Procedures

1.  The  procuring  organisation  shall,  not  later  than

within   10   days   from  the  completion  of   procurement

procedures, draw up a report on procurement procedures.  The

report must contain the following information:

1) short description of the object of procurement;

2)  names  and  addresses of suppliers  (contractors)  who

have submitted tenders, offers or prices;

3)   information   relating  to  the   qualifications   of

suppliers  (contractors) which participated  in  procurement

procedures;

4)  the  price  of each tender or offer or  the  essential

conditions for its determination;

5)  description  of  the  evaluation  and  comparisons  of

tenders or offers;

6)  the  reasons  of  rejection of tenders  or  offers  if

pursuant  to  Article 10 of this Law all tenders  or  offers

have been rejected;

7)   the   grounds  for  applying  other  than   tendering

procedure for procurement;

8)  reasons of rejection, if tenders or offers  have  been

rejected on the basis of criteria referred to in Article  12

of this Law.

2.  The information referred to in subparagraphs 1  and  2

of  paragraph  1 hereof after the acceptance  of  a  tender,

offer  or  a  price or after the completion  of  procurement

procedures  according  to the results of  which  procurement

contracts have not been awarded, shall be provided to anyone

who requests such information.

3.  The  information referred to in subparagraphs  3-7  of

paragraph  1 hereof , after the tender, offer or  price  has

been  accepted,  or  after  the  completion  of  procurement

procedures  on the basis of the results of which procurement

contracts have been not awarded, shall be furnished  to  the

suppliers  (contractors) who participated in the procurement

procedures and who request such information.

4.  The  procuring  organisation shall have  no  right  to

release information relating to procurement procedures where

the  release of information would impede law enforcement  or

otherwise  be  contrary to the interests of  the  State,  or

would  prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of  the

contracting parties or might prejudice fair competition.

5.  Procurement documents, their amendments,  explanations

and  supporting  documents, tenders and offers  as  well  as

other documents relating to the procurement procedures shall

be kept for 5 years.

 

Article 10. Rejection of All Tenders and Offers

1.  If  it  is provided for in the procurement  documents,

the  procuring organisation may, at any moment prior to  the

acceptance, reject all tenders and offers. In such case  the

procuring organisation shall inform any tenderer or supplier

(contractor) who has submitted offers and who so request  of

the reasons of rejection.

2.   In  such  case  the  procuring  organisation,  having

satisfied the requirements referred to in paragraph 1 hereof

shall not be liable to the suppliers (contractors) who  have

submitted tenders, offers or prices.

3.  Notices stating that all tenders and offers have  been

rejected  shall  be sent to all suppliers (contractors)  who

have  submitted tenders or offers not later  than  within  7

days from the completion of tenders.

 

Article 11. Coming into Effect of the Procurement

Contract

1.  The  procurement contract shall come into effect  from

the moment of its conclusion.

2.  Where tendering procedures are applied, the moment  of

the   conclusion  of  the  procurement  contract  shall   be

established by Article 30 of this Law.

3.   Where   other  procurement  procedures  are  applied,

procurement contract shall be deemed concluded after  it  is

signed   or  signed  and  confirmed.  When  the  procurement

contract  must  be  signed  or  signed  and  confirmed,  the

procuring  organisation must indicate  this  in  its  notice

inviting to submit offers or in its request for quotations.

4.  If,  pursuant to laws, the contract must be  certified

by a notary, it shall be deemed concluded from the moment of

its  notarization. The provision shall also apply  to  those

contracts   which   are  concluded  by  applying   tendering

procedures.

 

Article 12. Prohibited Actions of Suppliers (Contractors)

The  procuring  organisation, after the  approval  by  the

Public Procurement Agency, shall reject a tender , offer  or

offered  price, if it has been established that the supplier

(contractor) has directly or indirectly offered or agreed to

repay an employee of the procuring organisation or tried  in

any  other  way  to exert influence so that more  favourable

procurement  procedures  be applied  in  his  respect.  Such

rejection of tender, offer or offered price and the  reasons

of  rejection shall be recorded in the report on procurement

procedures,   and   the  supplier  (contractor)   shall   be

immediately informed of this.

 

Article 13. Prohibition to Split up Procurements

The  procuring organisation shall be prohibited  to  split

up  the  amount  of  the procurement with the  intention  of

avoiding   the  application  of  the  procurement  procedure

established by this Law.

 

Article 14. Description of Goods, Works, or Services

1.  Technical  or  qualitative characteristics  of  goods,

works or services indicated in the procuring documents,  the

requirements   applicable  to  their   packaging,   marking,

labeling,  testing as well as terminology and  symbols  must

not  prevent any domestic or foreign suppliers (contractors)

from the participation in the procurement procedures.

The  descriptions  of  goods, works or  services  may  not

specify the trademarks, patents, models or origin of  goods,

performers of works or providers of services.

2.    In  the  descriptions of goods, works  or  services,

including procurement documents, specifications, schemes,

drawings  and  sketches, international trade  standards,

marking and terminology shall be applied.

 

Article 15. The Language of Documents

The  procuring  organisation  shall  draw  up  procurement

documents  in  the  state language. When  foreign  suppliers

(contractors)  are  invited  to participate  in  procurement

procedures, these documents shall be drawn up in one of  the

languages used in international trade.

 

Chapter II

 

MANAGEMENT OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

 

Article 16. Management of Procurement

1.   Public   Procurement  Agency  shall  coordinate   the

activities  of  procurement, supervise  whether  procurement

activities are carried out in conformity with this  Law  and

subordinate legislation.

2. The Agency shall fulfill the following main functions:

1)  pursuant  to  this  and other  laws  and  subordinated

legislation,  shall prepare standard procurement  documents,

directions,   and  other  documents  regulating  procurement

activities;

2)   shall   supervise  how  the  laws   and   subordinate

legislation  are  being  complied with  while  carrying  out

procurement activities;

3)  shall, in accordance with the procedure established by

the  Government, gather information relating to  procurement

activities   and   furnish  it  to  government   (municipal)

institutions and the public;

4)   shall   analyse   and  evaluate  the   operation   of

procurement  system  and prepare recommendations  concerning

its improvement;

5)   issue   specialised  publication  attached   to   the

"Valstybes þinios" (Official Gazette);

6)  organise  and  implement  the  training  of  employees

engaged in procurement activities;

7)  provide  consultations and instructions  to  procuring

organisations  and  suppliers  (contractors)  on  issues  of

procurement;

8)  fulfill the functions provided for in Articles 4,  12,

17, 37 and 38.

 

Chapter III

 

METHODS OF PROCUREMENT AND THEIR APPLICATION

 

Article 17. Methods of Procurement

Public  procurement shall be carried out by  applying  the

following methods;

1) open tenders;

2) closed tenders;

3) two-stage tenders;

4) negotiated tenders;

5) request- for- quotations;

6) single-source procurement.

Article 18. The Procedure for the Application of

Procurement Methods

1.  Open  tenders shall be applied for the procurement  of

goods  and services the value of which exceeds 150 000 litas

and  for the works the value of which exceeds 500 000 litas.

The procurement of such value may be carried out by applying

other  methods referred to in paragraphs 2-6 of  Article  17

may be carried out only with the approval of the Government.

2.  The  method of procurement of goods and  services  the

value  of which does not exceed 150 000 litas and the  works

which  does not exceed 500 000 litas shall be chosen by  the

procuring  organisation  itself  in  conformity   with   the

requirements of this Law.

 

Chapter IV

 

OPEN TENDERS

 

Article 19. Invitation for Tenders or Prequalification

Selection

1.  Invitation  for tenders or prequalification  selection

where the participation of foreign suppliers (contracts)  is

not prohibited , shall be published in the language which is

usually   used   in  international  trade,  in   a   popular

international newspaper or specialised publication or  in  a

specialised international journal, as well as in  the  state

language in the specialised publication or in a daily of the

Republic of Lithuania.

2.  When  the procuring organisation decides that  due  to

small  value  of  goods,  works and services  only  domestic

suppliers  (contractors)  will be interested  in  submitting

tenders,   invitation   for  tenders   or   prequalification

selection  shall  be published in the state  language  in  a

specialised Lithuanian publication or a daily paper.

 

Article 20. The Contents of the Invitation for Tenders

and Prequalification

Selection

The    notice   of   the   invitation   to   tender    and

prequalification  selection  shall  include  the   following

information:

1) name and address of the procuring organisation;

2)     the    nature,    quantity,    short    qualitative

characteristics of the goods to be supplied, the  place  and

time of their delivery;

3)  requested  time  limit  for  the  delivery  of  goods,

completion of works or provision of services;

4)  indication whether foreign suppliers (contractors) may

participate in the tenders;

5)  name  and  address  of  the  service  from  which  the

contract documents may be requested;

6)  where  applicable, the amount and terms of payment  of

the sum to be paid to obtain the documents;

7)  the language or languages in which the documents  must

be drawn;

8) address and final date for the submission of tenders.

2.   The  notice  of  the  invitation  to  participate  in

prequalification  selection shall  include  the  information

referred  to  subparagraph 1, 4, 6 of paragraph  1  of  this

Article, as well as, if available, information indicated  in

paragraph 8 and the following information:

1)  name  and  address  of  the  service  from  which  the

prequalification documents may be requested;

2)  where  applicable, the amount and terms of payment  of

the sum to be paid to obtain the documents;

3)  the language or languages in which the documents  must

be drawn;

4)  address and final date for the submission of  requests

for the participation in prequalification selection.

 

Article 21. Submission of Tender Documents

The  procuring organisation shall provide documents to the

suppliers  (contractors) in the manner provided for  in  the

invitation to tender. In cases where suppliers (contractors)

are selected by prequalification procedure, tender documents

shall  be  provided  only  to those suppliers  (contractors)

which    satisfy   the   requirements   of   the   procuring

organisation.  The  procuring  organisation  may  charge   a

payment for tender documents in the amount of costs of their

drawing up and provision to the suppliers (contractors).

 

Article 22. The Contents of Tender Documents

The  tender  documents  shall  consist  of  the  following

documents and information:

1) rules for the drawing up of tenders;

2)  information concerning the criteria and procedures for

the   evaluation  of  the  qualification  of  the  suppliers

(contractors);

3)  requirements  for the documents or  other  information

that  must  be  submitted by the suppliers (contractors)  in

order to proof their qualification;

4)  names  of goods, works or services to be procured  and

their technical and qualitative characteristics, as well  as

relevant  specifications, schemes, drawings,  and  projects,

the  quantity  of goods, the nature of the  services  to  be

supplied,  the  desirable or requested time  limit  for  the

supply of goods or provision of services;

5)  criteria (with the exception of prices) on  the  basis

of  which  the procuring organisation shall select the  most

suitable tender; their order of importance;

6)   terms  and  conditions  of  the  contract  that   the

procuring organisation is offering as well as the model form

of the contract, if available;

7)  indication whether variants are permitted  as  to  the

characteristics of goods, works or services, the  terms  and

conditions  of  the procurement contract  or  whether  other

requirements may be applied, and indication of how  variants

shall be appraised and compared;

8)  if  suppliers (contractors) can tender for a  part  of

goods, works or services concerned - the description of this

part or parts relative to which a tender may be submitted;

9)  indication of how the price indicated in a tender must

be  calculated and expressed. It shall be indicated whether,

in  addition  to  the  value  of  the  goods  and  services,

transportation,  insurance  costs,  customs  duties,  excise

duties,  taxes and other elements of price are  included  in

the price;

10)  indication  whether  foreign suppliers  (contractors)

are invited to tender;

11)  requirements of the procuring organisation applicable

to  the  tender  and  the guarantor  of  the  fulfilment  of

procurement contract and to the form of guarantees presented

therefor;

12)  final  date and place for the submission  of  tenders

and the manner in which the tender must be submitted;

13)  manner  in  which  the  suppliers  (contractors)  may

request explanations of tender documents, obtain information

of  whether  the  procuring  organisation  intends  to  hold

meeting with suppliers (contractors);

14) period of validity of tenders;

15) date, time and place of the opening of tenders;

16)  procedure  for  the  opening  and  consideration   of

tenders;

17)   currency  in  which  tenders  will  be  valued   and

compared, and the rate at which the value of tender will  be

converted into that currency;

18) names and addresses of officers and employees (one  or

several)  of the procuring organisation, who are  authorised

to maintain direct contacts with suppliers (contractors) and

to  receive from them (not the broker) notices pertaining to

procurement procedures;

19)  if  when  selecting the most suitable  tender,  price

preferences  shall be applied in respect of domestic  goods,

contractors  or  service providers -  the  amount  of  these

preferences;

20)  all  other requirements of the procuring organisation

established pursuant to this Law and subordinate legislation

regulating  procurement, applicable to  the  drawing  up  of

tenders and other issues of procurement procedures.

 

Article 23. Explanation and Alteration of Tender

Documents

1.  The  supplier (contractor) may request  the  procuring

organisation  to give explanations of tender documents.  The

procuring organisation shall respond to every request of the

supplier  (contractor) to explain tender documents which  is

received no later than 15 days before the expiry of the time

period   for  the  submission  of  tenders.  The   procuring

organisation must respond to the received request within the

time period which would enable the supplier (contractor)  to

submit  his  tender  by the fixed date, but  no  later  than

within 5 days. The procuring organisation, responding to the

supplier   (contractor),  shall  at  the  same   time   send

explanations  to  all suppliers (contractors)  whom  it  had

furnished   with   tender  documents,  without   indicating,

however, from whom it received a request for an explanation.

2.  Prior  to  the expiry of the time period set  for  the

submission  of tenders, the procuring organisation  may,  on

its   own  initiative  or  in  response  to  any  supplier's

(contractor's)  request  for  an  explanation,   revise   or

supplement the tender documents. All suppliers (contractors)

to whom the procuring organisation has sent tender documents

shall be forthwith notified of the supplement or revision.

3.  If the procuring organisation holds a meeting with the

suppliers  (contractors) it must draw up a record where  all

questions regarding the explanation of tender documents that

are  raised during the meeting shall be registered  (without

specifying  from whom they came) and answers given  to  them

shall  be  registered.  The  records  shall  be  immediately

presented to all suppliers (contractors) taking part in  the

procurement procedures.

Article 24. The Submission of Tender

1.  The procuring organisation shall fix the date and  the

hour  which  shall  be  considered  the  deadline  for   the

submission of tender. The time period for the submission  of

tender may not be shorter than 30 days from the presentation

of tender documents.

2.  If,  pursuant to Article 23 of this Law, the procuring

organisation approves or supplements the tender documents or

if  it  holds  a  meeting with the suppliers  (contractors),

then,  prior  to  the  expiry of the  time  period  for  the

submission  of  tender,  it  shall  postpone,  in  case   of

necessity, the deadline for the time period within which the

suppliers (contractors), preparing their tenders,  would  be

able  to  take  into account said revisions, supplements  or

records of meetings.

3.  Prior  to  the  expiry  of the  time  period  for  the

submission   of  tender,  the  procuring  organisation   may

postpone  the  deadline provided than one or more  suppliers

(contractors) are unable to submit their tenders within  the

fixed  time  period  because of the circumstances  that  are

beyond their control.

4.  Notification of any postponement of the  deadline  for

the  submission of tender must be immediately  sent  to  all

suppliers  (contractors)  to  whom  tender  documents   were

presented.

5.  The  tender shall be submitted in compliance with  the

following requirements:

1)  in  written form, signed by the supplier  (contractor)

or  the  person authorised by him, in a sealed  and  stamped

envelope;

2)  without infringing the supplier's (contractor's) right

to  submit  the tender in compliance with the form specified

in  sub-paragraph  1  of this paragraph, other  requirements

ensuring  the  authenticity, reliability and confidentiality

of  the tender may also be established as an alternative  in

the  tender  documents  relative to the  submission  of  the

tender.

6.   At   the   supplier's  (contractor's)  request,   the

procuring organisation shall present a confirmation  of  the

receipt  of the tender and shall indicate the date and  hour

of the receipt.

7.  In  the  event that the tender is received  after  the

deadline,  an  unopened envelope with the  tender  shall  be

returned to the supplier (contractor) who sent it.

 

Article 25. Period of Validity of the Tenders, Alteration

and Withdrawal thereof

1.  Tenders  shall be valid for time period  specified  in

the tender documents.

2.  Prior to the expiry of the tender validity period, the

procuring   organisation  may  request  that  the  suppliers

(contractors)  prolong their validity  until  the  specified

date.  The  supplier  (contractor) may  reject  the  request

without forfeiting the right to the tender guarantee.

3.  The  suppliers (contractors) who agree to prolong  the

time  period  of  validity of their tenders and  notify  the

procuring organisation thereof in writing, shall extend  the

time period of tender guarantee or present new guarantees of

tender  validity.  If  the supplier  (contractor)  fails  to

respond  to  the  request of the procuring  organisation  to

prolong  the time period of validity of tenders or fails  to

prolong  them or does not present new tender guarantees,  he

shall be deemed to have rejected the request to prolong  the

term of validity of his tender.

4.  Prior  to  the  expiry  of the  time  period  for  the

submission of tenders, the supplier (contractor)  may  alter

or  withdraw his tender without forfeiting his right to  his

tender   guarantee,  unless  the  tender  documents  provide

otherwise.   Such  alteration  or  notice  of   the   tender

withdrawal  shall  be recognised as valid if  the  procuring

organisation  receives it prior to the expiry  of  the  time

period for the submission of tenders.

 

Article 26. Tender Guarantees

1.   The  procuring  organisation  may  demand  that   the

suppliers  (contractors) who submit the tenders should  also

present guarantees of the tender validity.

2.  The  tender documents may provide for the type of  the

guarantor  and  the  endorsing party, if  any,  as  well  as

stating  what  form  and  terms  and  conditions  of  tender

guarantees are acceptable to the procuring organisation. The

procuring organisation may not reject a tender guarantee  on

the  grounds of it being presented by a guarantor who is not

from the Republic of Lithuania, should such tender guarantee

and  guarantor meet, in all other aspects, the  requirements

set  forth in the tender documents (except when such  tender

guarantee is not in compliance with the laws of the Republic

of Lithuania or foreign state).

3.    Before   submitting   his   tender,   the   supplier

(contractor)  may  request that the  procuring  organisation

confirm  the acceptability of the proposed tender  guarantor

or the proposed endorsing party. In such event the procuring

organisation   must  reply  immediately.   Confirmation   of

acceptability  of  the proposed guarantor  or  any  proposed

endorsing party shall not deprive the procuring organisation

of  the  right to reject the tender guarantee on the grounds

of  the  guarantor  or  the endorsing  party  having  become

insolvent or because of loss of confidence in them for  some

other reasons.

4.  The  procuring organisation shall state in the  tender

documents  all the requirements applicable to the  guarantor

as  well as specifying the required method, amount and other

basic conditions of tender guarantee. Said requirements  may

only be related with:

1)  withdrawal  of the tender or alteration  thereof  upon

the  expiry  of  the time period set for the  submission  of

tenders  or prior to the expiry if this is provided  for  in

the tender documents;

2)  the  supplier's  (contractor's) failure  to  sign  the

procurement contract if the purchasing organisation  demands

to sign it;

3)  failure  to  present,  after  the  acceptance  of  the

tender, a guarantee for the execution of the contract or  to

comply,  prior  to the signing of the procurement  contract,

with  any other terms and conditions laid down in the tender

documents.

5.  The  procuring organisation may not  demand  that  the

guarantor  pay the amount of the tender guarantee and  shall

immediately  return or ensure that the supplier (contractor)

be  returned the tender guarantee document in the  event  of

occurrence of any of the following facts:

1)  expiry  of  the  period  of  validity  of  the  tender

guarantee;

2)  coming into effect of the procurement contract and the

contract  performance  guarantee,  if  requested  in  tender

documents;

3)   termination   of   procurement  procedures   if   the

procurement contract does not come into effect;

4)  the  tender  is withdrawn prior to the expiry  of  the

time  period  for the submission of tenders unless  this  is

prohibited by a provision in the tender documents.

6.   In   certain  cases  the  Government  may   establish

mandatory guarantees for tenders and for the performance  of

the  procurement contract as well as determining the  amount

of the guarantees.

 

Article 27. Opening of the Envelopes with Tenders

1.  The  envelopes containing tenders shall be  opened  at

the  place specified in the tender documents, on the  stated

day  and at the fixed hour. The date must coincide with  the

deadline  for  the submission of tenders. Upon changing  the

deadline, the date of opening envelopes with tenders must be

changed  accordingly. The envelopes shall be  opened  by  an

authorised representative of the procuring organisation. All

the  envelopes with tenders received prior to the expiry  of

the  time period for their submission must be opened at  the

fixed  time.  The  procuring organisation  shall  allow  all

suppliers (contractors) who submitted their tenders or their

representatives  to  participate  in  the  envelope  opening

procedure.

2.  The name of the supplier who submitted the tender, his

address  and  the  price indicated in the  tender  shall  be

announced   to   the   suppliers  (contractors)   or   their

representatives  taking  part in the  procedure  of  opening

envelopes  with  tenders.  The  information  shall  also  be

furnished   to  those  suppliers  (contractors)   who   have

submitted their tenders but are not present at the  envelope

opening   procedure,  if  they  so  desire,  and  shall   be

immediately recorded in the report on procurement procedures

drawn up pursuant to Article 9 of this Law.

 

Article 28. Consideration, Evaluation and Comparison of

Tenders

1.   The  procuring  organisation  may  request  that  the

suppliers (contractors) explain their tenders. It  may  not,

however, request, propose or permit to change the essence of

the   tender:  to  change  the  price  or  make  any   other

alterations that would convert a tender which does not  meet

formal   requirements  into  that  complying   with   formal

requirements.  A  tender which meets  all  the  requirements

stated  in  the tender documents or a tender whose departure

from  the  characteristics, terms and conditions  and  other

requirements   laid   down  in  the  tender   documents   is

insignificant, whereas the mistakes or inaccuracies  may  be

eliminated without changing the essence of the tender  shall

be  considered  as a tender complying with  all  the  formal

requirements.

2.  The  procuring organisation may correct in the  tender

only  calculation mistakes noticed during the  consideration

of  the tender. The procuring organisation shall notify  the

supplier  (contractor)  who submitted  the  tender  of  such

corrections.

3.  The procuring organisation shall not accept the tender

submitted by the supplier (contractor) if:

1)  the  supplier  (contractor) who submitted  the  tender

does not meet the qualification requirements;

2)  the  supplier  (contractor) who submitted  the  tender

refuses  to  recognise  the  correction  of  any  arithmetic

mistake pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof;

3)  the  submitted  tender is not in compliance  with  the

formal requirements specified in paragraph 1 hereof;

4) circumstances specified in Article 12 occur.

4.  The  procuring organisation shall, complying with  the

requirements  specified  herein  and  with  the   procedures

indicated in the tender documents, evaluate and compare only

those  tenders which meet the requirements laid down in  the

tender  documents and shall determine the successful tender.

Only  those evaluation criteria which are specified  in  the

tender documents may be applied in the process of evaluation

and comparison.

5.  The  following tender shall be deemed  the  successful

tender:

1)  the  tender  offering the lowest  price,  taking  into

account  the  preferential changes determined in  accordance

with the procedure laid down in paragraph 6 hereof, or

2)  the  tender which, on evaluation by objective criteria

expressed  in  monetary  or  other  quantitative  terms,  is

recognised as being most advantageous.

6.   The   Government  shall  determine   the   scope   of

preferential changes applicable, for the benefit of domestic

suppliers  (contractors), to specific types of goods,  works

or  services as well as the procedure of application of said

changes.  The preferential changes applicable to  goods  and

services may not exceed 15%, and to works - 20%.

7.  Information related to the consideration, explanation,

evaluation and comparison of tenders, with the exception  of

that  specified in Article 9 of this Law, may be  accessible

only  to  those  persons who officially  take  part  in  the

consideration, evaluation and comparison of  tenders  or  in

reaching the decision.

8.  In  case  less  than 3 tenders are  submitted  by  the

expiry of the time period for the submission of tenders, the

tendering shall be considered not to have been held and  the

tendering procedures shall be terminated.

 

Article 29. Prohibition of Negotiations with the

Suppliers (Contractors)

The   procuring   organisation   may   not   conduct   any

negotiations  with the supplier (contractor) concerning  the

contents of the submitted tender.

 

Article 30. Acceptance of the Tender and Award of the

Procurement Contract

1.  The  tender recognised as the successful tender  under

Article  28  of  this  Law shall be accepted.  The  supplier

(contractor)  who  sent  the  tender  shall  be  immediately

dispatched a notice concerning the acceptance of the tender.

2.  The procurement contract shall be deemed to have  been

awarded from the moment the supplier (contractor) receives a

notice concerning the acceptance of his tender.

3.  If  the  procuring organisation has indicated  in  the

tender documents that the procurement contract will have  to

be  signed or signed and confirmed, the procurement contract

shall  be deemed to have been awarded from the moment it  is

signed  by  the  procuring  organisation  and  the  supplier

(contractor) or from the moment the contract is confirmed.

4.  If  the supplier (contractor) whose tender is accepted

fails, at the procuring organisation's request, to sign  the

procurement   contract  or  to  offer  guarantees   of   its

performance,  the  procuring organisation shall  select  the

successful  tender  from  the  remaining  valid  tenders  in

accordance with the procedure established by law.

5.   Upon   the  coming  into  force  of  the  procurement

contract, other suppliers (contractors) who submitted  their

tenders shall be dispatched notices about the award  of  the

procurement  contract. The notice will  state  to  whom  the

contract is awarded and the price of the contract.

 

Chapter V

 

PROCUREMENT ACCORDING TO THE CLOSED

TENDERING PROCEDURE

 

Article 31. Closed Tendering

1. Closed tendering may be held if:

1)  the goods, works or services may be sold, by reason of

their  particular complexity or specific character, only  by

certain suppliers (contractors);

2)  because  of the number of tenders, their consideration

would  take  too  much time and involve  excessive  expenses

compared with the value of goods, works or services;

3)  open tendering has not been held because of the reason

specified in paragraph 8 of Article 28 of this Law or  after

the rejection of all tenders submitted to open tendering;

4)  the  value of goods and services does not  exceed  150

000 litas, of works - 500 000 litas.

2.  In  the  event  that the procuring organisation  holds

closed tendering pursuant to sub-paragraph 1 of paragraph  1

hereof,  it shall request that tenders be submitted  by  all

suppliers  (contractors) who have goods it needs or  execute

the required works or provide the required services.

3.   If   the  procuring  organisation  organises   closed

tendering  in pursuance of sub-paragraphs 2,  3,  and  4  of

paragraph  1  hereof,  it  shall  select  not  less  than  3

suppliers (contractors) which are in the position to  ensure

genuine competition.

4.  In conducting closed tendering, procurement procedures

established  in  Chapter 4 of this  Law  shall  be  applied,

except  for  cases where different procedures are prescribed

herein.

 

Article 32. Two-Stage Tendering

1.  When the circumstances specified in paragraph 2 hereof

occur,  the procuring organisation shall have the  right  to

conduct   procurement   by  applying   two-stage   tendering

procedures.

2. Two-stage tendering procedure shall be applied if:

1)  the object of procurement is very complicated from the

technical  point  of view and the procuring organisation  is

unable to present detailed specifications of goods, works or

characteristics of services;

2)  the  procuring organisation wants to award a  contract

for  the  performance  of scientific works,  investigations,

experiments,  for  the preparation of  projects,  except  in

cases  when  the manufacture of such an amount of  goods  is

planned  which may ensure production profitability or  cover

the investigation and designing expenses;

3)  tendering procedures have been performed, however,  no

tenders have been received or all tenders have been rejected

under Article 10 of this Law, also if, in the opinion of the

procuring   organisation,   the  resumption   of   tendering

procedures anew will not result in the award of contract.

3.  Provisions of Chapter 4 of this Law shall  be  applied

to  two-stage tendering procedures, except for  cases  where

other procedures are prescribed by this Article.

4.  Two-stage tendering documents shall specify  that  all

suppliers (contractors) shall submit initial tenders for the

first  stage  of  tendering where the  price  shall  not  be

stated.  The tender documents may provide for the submission

of   offers   as  regards  technical,  quality   and   other

characteristics of goods, works or services  and  terms  and

conditions  of the contract for the supply thereof,  and  in

certain  cases - also concerning professional and  technical

competence and information relating to the qualification  of

the suppliers (contractors).

5.  During  the  first  stage of tendering  the  procuring

organisation  may negotiate any aspects of the  tender  with

any   supplier  (contractor),  whose  tender  has  not  been

rejected in accordance with provisions of this Law.

6.  During  the  second stage of tendering  the  procuring

organisation shall invite the suppliers (contractors)  whose

tenders have not been rejected to submit their final tenders

with  prices of specifications of a package of goods,  works

or  services.  While  drawing  up  such  specifications  the

procuring  organisation may reject or modify any  aspect  of

technical  or  quality characteristics of  goods,  works  or

services  being  procured which was formerly  determined  by

tendering  and may include new characteristics or  criteria.

In  its  invitation  to submit final tenders  the  procuring

organisation shall notify the suppliers (contractors) of any

such  rejection, modification or supplement. Every  supplier

(contractor)  who does not wish to submit the  final  tender

may   withdraw   from   the  tendering  procedures   without

forfeiting  the  tender guarantee if he has presented  such.

Final  tenders shall be evaluated and compared in accordance

with  the procedure laid down in Article 28 of this Law,  in

order to determine the successful tenderer.

 

Article 33. Negotiated Procedure

1.  If  circumstances specified in paragraph 1 of  Article

31 occur, as well as in case of consulting or other services

which   cannot   be   clearly  characterised   in   advance,

procurement  may  be  performed  by  negotiated   procedure.

Applying   this   method  of  procurement,   the   procuring

organisation shall send invitations to submit offers to  nor

less than 3 suppliers (contractors).

2.  Invitation to submit offers must contain the following

information:

1) name and address of the procuring organisation;

2)  description  of procurement specifying  technical  and

other   parameters   and  requirements,   whereas   in   the

procurement  of  works  or  services  the  place  of   their

execution or provision shall also be indicated;

3)  in  case  of  procurement  of  consulting  services  -

indication that the provider thereof with whom the  services

procurement  contract will be concluded and  the  affiliated

enterprises  shall  not  be  able  to  participate  in   the

procurement  of  goods  and works related  to  the  services

provided under the contract;

4)  methods  and  criteria of offer evaluation  expressed,

where  possible, in terms of monetary value, specifying  the

relative  significance of every offer and the procedure  for

the   application  of  said  methods  and  criteria  in  the

evaluation of offers;

5)   request  that  the  technical  part  and  prices   be

submitted in separate envelopes;

6) the place and deadline for submission of offers.

3.  The  procuring  organisation may  negotiate  with  the

supplier   (contractor)  the  content  of  the  offers.   In

conducting negotiations the following terms must be complied

with:

1) they must be confidential;

2)  the parties must not disclose to anyone any technical,

commercial or price-related information;

3)  all  suppliers  (contractors) whose  offers  were  not

rejected based on the provisions of this Law must be given a

possibility to participate in the negotiations.

4.  Upon  the  completion  of negotiations  the  procuring

organisation  shall request that all suppliers (contractors)

taking part in the procedures submit, by the fixed date, the

final  offer prepared taking into consideration the  outcome

of negotiations.

5. The offers shall be evaluated in the following manner:

1)  account shall be taken only of the criteria listed  in

the invitation for offers;

2)  the efficiency of the offer from the point of view  of

prescribed  technical  and  quality  requirements  shall  be

evaluated separately from the price;

3)  the  prices of offers shall be compared or  the  offer

shall   be   evaluated  taking  into  account  all  criteria

(including  the  price) only upon performing  technical  and

quality evaluation of the offer.

6.  The procuring organisation shall award the procurement

contract  to  the  supplier (contractor) whose  offer,  upon

evaluating  it  according  to the  criteria  listed  in  the

invitation  for the submission of offers and complying  with

the   procedure  of  their  application  specified  in   the

invitation,   meets  the  requirements  of   the   procuring

organisation best of all.

 

Article 34. Request-for-Quotations

1.  The procuring organisation may perform procurements by

presenting  a  request  for  quotations.  This   method   of

procurement  may be applied in case of availability  on  the

existing  market  of competitive supply of  standard  goods,

works  or  conventional services required by  the  procuring

organisation.

2.  The procuring organisation shall address a request for

quotations for goods, works and services to not less than  3

suppliers (contractors). Every supplier (contractor) who  is

addressed  shall  be  notified whether any  other  elements,

viz.,  transportation and insurance expenses, excise  taxes,

customs or other taxes must be included in the price besides

the cost of goods, works or services.

3.  Each  of the suppliers (contractors) shall be  allowed

to  propose  only  one price which cannot  be  changed.  The

procuring organisation and the supplier (contractor) may not

conduct  any  negotiation  of  the  price  proposed  by  the

supplier (contractor).

4.  The  decision to award the procurement contract  shall

be  taken  in  favour  of  the  supplier  (contractor)  that

submitted  the  lowest price satisfying  the  needs  of  the

procuring organisation.

Article 35. Single-Source Procurement

1.  The  procuring organisation may procure  goods,  works

and  services upon issuing to only one supplier (contractor)

an invitation to submit offers or the price.

2.  Procurement  by  a single-source  procedure  shall  be

allowed if:

1)  the  specific  type goods, works or  services  may  be

supplied   (performed)   only  by  a   particular   supplier

(contractor)  or  by  the  supplier  (contractor)  that  has

exclusive  rights to produce (perform) the goods,  works  or

services and there is no suitable alternative;

2)  an  urgent  need for goods, works or services  emerges

caused  by particular circumstances or other reasons  making

tendering  procedures  impossible or  inexpedient,  provided

that the procuring organisation could not have foreseen this

or  this  has  not  been conditioned by  the  delay  of  the

procuring organisation;

3)   the  procuring  organisation  has  procured  from   a

supplier   (contractor)  under  previous   contract   goods,

equipment,  technology or services and has ascertained  that

additional  procurement  from the supplier  (contractor)  is

expedient from the point of view of standardisation for  the

purpose   of   co-ordination  with  the   available   goods,

equipment, technology or performed services and taking  into

account  the  efficiency of the previous procurement,  also,

the   volume  of  additional  procurement  is  insubstantial

compared  with  the  previous procurement,  the  prices  are

reasonable  whereas alternative procurement is  unacceptable

by   reason  of  its  incompatibility  with  the  previously

procured goods, equipment, technology or services;

4)  the  procuring organisation wants to sign  a  contract

with  an  appropriate  supplier (contractor)  for  research,

experiment,  scientific or design works,  except  for  cases

where the contract provides for the manufacture of a certain

amount   of   goods  which  would  ensure  their  commercial

profitability  or  the  covering of research  and  designing

expenses;

5)  the  duration of the contract for the  procurement  of

goods, works and services is extended.

 

Chapter VI

 

REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS AND LOSS RECOVERY

 

Article 36. The Right of the Supplier (Contractor) to

Lodge a Complaint

1.  The supplier (contractor) who has received procurement

documents in accordance with the procedure laid down in this

Law  may, prior to the enforcement of procurement contracts,

appeal  against  the  actions,  procurement  procedures   or

decisions of the procuring organisation if he believes  that

his  legal  interests have been infringed  and  demands  the

rescission, cancellation or modification of the contracts.

2.  Complaints shall be lodged with the Public Procurement

Agency within 10 days from the day the supplier (contractor)

learns  or should have learnt about the infringement of  his

legal interests.

3. The following may not be the object of complaint:

1)  selection  of the method of procurement under  Article

17 of this Law;

2)  the  decision of the procuring organisation to reject,

pursuant  to Article 10 of this Law, all tenders, offers  or

prices.

Article 37. Procedure for Reviewing the Complaints

1.   The   Public  Procurement  Agency  must  review   the

complaint and pass a decision within 20 days.

2.  Complaints  shall be reviewed in compliance  with  the

Rules  (Regulations) of Complaint Review Procedure  approved

by the Government.

 

Article 38. Suspension of Procurement Procedures

1.  A complaint lodged by the supplier (contractor) by the

fixed  date  shall suspend the procurement procedures  until

the  complaint  is  reviewed and a  decision  is  passed  in

accordance with the procedure established by Article  37  of

this  Law,  except  in cases when a complaint  is  not  duly

justified  or if the supplier (contractor) or the  procuring

organisation   may  sustain  damage  by   reason   of   such

suspension.

2.  The  decision concerning the suspension of procurement

procedures shall be passed by the institution reviewing  the

complaint.

 

Article 39. Appeal against the Decisions of the State

Institution Authorised

by the Government

The  supplier (contractor) shall have the right to  appeal

to  court,  in accordance with the procedure established  by

law, against the decision of the state institution specified

in Article 36 of this Law.

 

Article 40. The Supplier's (Contractor's) Right to Claim

Damages

In  the  event  that the procuring organisation  fails  to

fulfil  obligations established by this Law and other  legal

acts  or  infringes the rights of the supplier (contractor),

the  supplier  shall have the right to  apply  to  court  in

accordance  with the procedure established  by  law  and  to

recover damages.

 

Article 41. The Supplier's (Contractor's) Liability

If  the supplier (contractor) presents forged documents or

false  data to the procuring organisation or fails to fulfil

the obligations prescribed by this Law and other legal acts,

the  procuring organisation may apply to court in accordance

with the procedure established by laws and recover from  the

supplier (contractor) the inflicted damages.

 

Article 42. Liability of the Executives of the Procuring

Organisation

1.   Executives  or  other  authorised  persons   of   the

procuring  organisation who violate this Law shall  be  held

materially,  administratively or criminally  responsible  in

accordance with the procedure established by law.

2.  If goods or services are procured in violation of  the

requirements of this Law, their price shall be considered to

have  been increased by 10% as against the amount  paid  for

the  procured goods or services and that the state has  been

inflicted  damage  of said amount. If the state  control  or

auditing services or other competent government institutions

establish that the goods or services have been procured at a

higher price or in violation of the procedure prescribed  by

this  Law as well as establishing other violations of  price

application, the persons through whose fault the damage  has

been  inflicted  shall  be  held  liable  under  law  (shall

indemnify for the damages). Damages shall be recovered  from

the   guilty  persons  in  accordance  with  the   procedure

established by law.

 

Chapter VII

 

FINAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 43. Coming into Effect of the Law

The Law shall come into effect on 1 January 1997.

 

I  promulgate  this  Law  passed  by  the  Seimas  of  the

Republic of Lithuania.

 

 

ALGIRDAS BRAZAUSKAS

President of the Republic

 

Vilnius

13 August 1996

No. I- 1491