ECOWAS Tenders Code Part I: General Provisions Chapter I: Definitions. Principles and Scope of Application Article 1: Definitions In this Code, the following definitions shall apply: “Allotment” means to devide the contracts into several lots due to economic, financial or technical reasons. Each lot shall be an independent unit to be awarded seperately. “Approving Authority”means the person in charge of verifying the observations made by the Legal Affairs Department and the Financial Controller and deciding on the need to refer them back to the Awarding entity or approve the procurement procedures. “Awarding Entity”means the entity or person in charge of organising the selection of the cocontractor and awarding the contract in conformity with the provisions of this Code. It shall comprise, in line with the thresholds annexed to this Code, the Public Contracting Officer, the Procurement Committee and the Procurement Board. “Bid” means all the technical and financial submissions made by a supplier, contractor, or service provider in response to the terms of a procuring entity’s invitation; “Bidder” means a natural or legal person submitting a bid; “Bidding documents” means the documents provided by the procuring entity to bidders as a basis for preparation and submission of their bids; “Bid Validity” is the period within which the bidder is bound by its offer and such offer cannot be withdrawn without forfeiting its bid security. “Call for Expression for interest”means technical request from a procuring entity to consultants specifying the services to be delivered and indicating the required qualifications and experiences “Candidate” means a natural or legal person invited or selected by a Procuring Entity to take part in public contracting ; "Community" the Economic Community of West African States which establishment is reaffirmed under Article 2(1) of the Revised Treaty; “Consultant” means a natural or legal person under contract with a procuring entity to provide intellectual services; “Contracting” means the purchasing, hiring or obtaining by any other contractual means of goods, works and services including intellectual services by a procuring entity; “Contracting Authority”means the person endowed with the authority to legally commit the procuring entity or its duly-mandated representative. Final Page 1