ECOWAS Tenders Code Section V: Request for Quotations Article 44: Conditions and Procedure for Request for Quotations 1. Where the estimated value of the contract for goods, works or services is less than a specific amount set forth in the schedule in the annexes attached to this Code, the procurement processes may be conducted on the basis of a request for quotations from selected persons or entities; in that case, at least three quotations will be chosen, if available, from the procurement entity’s list of suppliers, according to the procedures referred to in this Code. 2. The method and criteria used for selection shall conform to the relevant provisions contained in Chapter 4 of this Code. 3. The request shall contain a clear statement of the requirements of the procuring entity as to quality, quantity, terms and time of delivery, terms and schedule of payments, validity provisions of quotations, as well as other special requirements and elements that must be included in the quoted price. 4. The contract is awarded to the candidate who meets the requirements of the procuring entity stipulated in paragraph (2) of this Article and who quotes the lowest price unless that price exceeds, by a significant margin, the price of similar items available on the market. 5. A procuring entity shall not divide its procurement into separate contracts for the purpose of invoking paragraph (1) of this Article. 6. Each supplier, contractor or service provider is permitted to give only one price quotation and is not permitted to change its quotation. 7. No negotiations shall take place between the procuring entity and a supplier contractor or service provider, with respect to a quotation submitted. Section VI: Direct Contracting Article 45: Conditions and Procedures for Direct Contracting 1. When the procuring entity engages in direct contracting, it shall prepare a description of its needs and any special requirements as to quality, quantity, terms and time of delivery. 2. The contract indicates the financial statements and costing procedure of the contractor, such as the requirement to present balance sheets, schedules of assets and liabilities, and project accounts. If project accounts are not available, all the documents allowing the verification of the price breakdown should be submitted. 3. Procurement may be made by direct contracting for goods , works and , services in the following cases only: Final Page 20