ECOWAS Tenders Code Article 60: Notification of Award The Contracting Authority shall communicate the award to the successful bidder not later than three (3) days after the approval referred to in Article 59 of this Code and the bidder, on acceptance, would be bound by the terms and conditions of the award. Article 61: Conclusion, Signature and Entry into Force of the Contract 1. Subject to the approval prescribed in Article 59 of this Code, where a bid, proposal or quotation has been accepted, the procuring entity which issued the invitation for bid, proposal or quotation and the person whose bid, proposal or quotation has been accepted shall enter into a formal contract for the supply of goods, the undertaking of works or services, as the case may be. 2. This process shall be the responsibility of the Public Contracting Officer who, upon the advice of the Directorate of Legal Affairs, shall work out the details of the contract within ten (10) working days from the notification of award. Such contract shall be in such form and shall contain such terms, conditions and provisions as contained in the bidding documents or request for proposals or quotations. 3. The draft contract shall be forwarded to the Office of the Financial Controller for endorsement in line with the provisions of the Financial Regulations within five (5) working days of receipt of the document. 4. Contracts shall be signed by the successful bidder or by his duly authorised representative or in the case of consortia, by their duly authorised agent within the time frame prescribed under Article 37 of this Code. 5. The contract shall enter into force once either upon signature by both parties or on the date to be provided for in the contract. It shall thereafter be published, specifying the name and address of the successful bidder that has been awarded the contract and the contract price. Bid security shall be immediately returned to the other bidders. For the successful bidder, the bid security shall be returned upon submission of the Performance Bond. 6. Contracts which are not approved and signed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter shall be null and void and of no effect. Final Page 28