Section 3: Competitive dialogue

The purchaser defines its needs and requirements in the contract notice and, where appropriate, in a functional programme or a partially defined project.The arrangements for the dialogue, the award criteria and an indicative timetable are specified in the contract notice or in another consultation document.

The minimum period for receipt of applications is thirty days from the date of dispatch of the contract notice.

The purchaser opens a dialogue with the selected participants, the purpose of which is to identify and define the means best suited to satisfying its needs. All aspects of the contract may be discussed with the selected participants.

The dialogue may take place in successive phases so as to reduce the number of solutions to be discussed, by applying the award criteria defined in the contract notice or in another consultation document. The purchaser shall indicate in the consultation documents whether it will make use of this possibility.In the final phase of the dialogue, the number of solutions remaining to be discussed must be sufficient to ensure genuine…

When it considers that the dialogue has been completed, the purchaser informs the remaining participants and invites them to submit their final tenders on the basis of the solution(s) they have presented and specified during the dialogue. The purchaser checks that the final tenders include all the elements required and necessary for carrying out the project.

Participants may be asked to provide details, clarifications, improvements or additions to their final offer. However, such requests may not have the effect of modifying the essential aspects of the final offer, in particular the needs and requirements indicated in the consultation documents.

At the request of the purchaser, the successful tenderer may be asked to clarify aspects of its tender or to confirm the commitments contained therein. However, such requests may not have the effect of modifying fundamental elements of the tender or the essential characteristics of the contract.

The purchaser may provide for bonuses for participants in the dialogue. The amount of the bonus is indicated in the consultation documents and the remuneration of the contractor takes account of any bonus paid to him for taking part in the procedure.