PART 2RULES IMPLEMENTING THE PUBLIC CONTRACTS DIRECTIVE
CHAPTER 2RULES ON PUBLIC CONTRACTS
SECTION 5Conduct of the Procedure
Preliminary market consultation41
1
Before commencing a procurement, a contracting authority may conduct market consultation with a view to preparing the procurement and informing economic operators of the authority's procurement plans and requirements.
2
For this purpose, a contracting authority may act as it considers appropriate, including seeking or accepting advice from independent experts or authorities or from market participants.
3
Such advice may be used in the planning and conduct of the procurement procedure, provided that it does not have the effect of distorting competition and does not result in a violation of the principles of non-discrimination and transparency.