I.-The support institution is responsible for purchasing policy, planning, strategy and management control for all contracts and amendments thereto. It is responsible for awarding contracts and amendments to contracts in accordance with the provisions of the French Public Procurement Code.
The establishment that is part of the regional hospital grouping is responsible for executing these contracts in accordance with the provisions of the same ordinance.
II – A purchasing action plan for the regional hospital grouping is drawn up on behalf of the establishments involved in the grouping. When an army hospital is involved in the regional hospital grouping, it participates in drawing up this action plan.
III – In order to meet the needs of the armed forces hospital associated with the grouping, and subject to the prior agreement of the Minister of Defence, the support institution may award contracts and their amendments in the name and on behalf of the armed forces health service.
The agreement establishing the regional hospital grouping then stipulates that:
1° Either the armed forces health service is responsible for carrying out these contracts, in accordance with the provisions of the same code;
2° Or the support institution is responsible for executing these contracts in the name and on behalf of the armed forces health service. In this case, a special agreement between the support establishment and the army hospital specifies the conditions under which these contracts are to be performed.