Subsection 1: Open invitation to tender

The minimum time limit for receipt of applications and tenders is thirty-five days from the date of dispatch of the contract notice.

The minimum period laid down in Article R. 2161-2 may be reduced: 1° To fifteen days if the purchaser has published a prior information notice or a periodic indicative notice that has not been used as a call for tenders and where the following conditions are met: a) The pre-information notice or periodic indicative notice was sent for publication at least thirty-five days and at most twelve months before the…

The purchaser may decide to examine the tenders before the applications. When it makes use of this option, it shall examine the applications impartially and transparently. In particular, it must ensure that its knowledge of the tenders in no way influences the assessment of the grounds for exclusion or the selection criteria.

The buyer cannot negotiate with tenderers. He can only ask them to specify the content of their offer.