ECOWAS Tenders Code 2. The envelopes containing the bids shall be opened in the presence of the bidders or their representatives who wish to attend. 3. The name of each bidder, the price of the bid and of alternatives or discounts, if any, and the time frame for execution are read out, and the submission of the required bid security indicated. This information is recorded in the minutes of the bid opening session and subsequently issued by the Public Contracting Officer to all bidders. Article 34: Evaluation of Bids 1. The Procurement Committee or Procurement Board shall evaluate bids according to the provisions of this Code and the Procurement Manual within a maximum of fifteen (15) days starting from the date of the opening of the bids. 2. The Procurement Committee or Procurement Board shall reject bids not in compliance with the bidding documents. Afterdetailedevaluation , the contract shall be awarded to the lowestbid which , in essence is technically compliant and qualified , and subsequently submitted to the appropriate approving autorityfor approval. that are not responsive to the bidding documents. 3. Alternative bids may be taken into consideration according to the provisions of the bidding documents. Article 35: Information to Bidders 1. Within three (3) working days of the approval of the evaluation report by the competent authority, the Public Contracting Officer shall inform the successful bidder that its bid has been accepted and unsuccessful bidders that their bids have been rejected. 2. The Public Contracting Officer shall, within five (5) working days of a request in writing , inform any unsuccessful bidder of the reasons for the rejection of its bid, and any other necessary information without disclosing information deemed confidential for the knowledge of competitors on the other bidders. Article 36: Bid Validity The bidder shall be bound by the bid during the time frame specified in the bidding document. Any bidder may choose not to accept extension of the bid validity after the original validity period has expired without forfeiting his bid security. If a bidder receives the award notification after the expiry of such period, he may also choose not to accept to sign a contract without forfeiting his bid security. 37: Period of Signing the Contract The contract shall be signed by the successful bidder, but not before the expiry of a period of not less than fourteen (14) days from the notification of the award of the contract to all competitors by the Public Contracting Officer. This allows them to lodge any bid protest in relation with the award of the contract, as specified in Articles 83 and 84 of this Code. Final Page 17