The Procuring Methods of Republic of Armenia.

In 2017 the Public procurement regulations of Republic of Armenia underwent a global reform. The legislation now provides for four different kinds of procurement procedures to award government contracts. They are electronic auction, tender, request for quotations and single-source procurement.

The list of goods, works and services purchasing by electronic auction prescribed by the State Government. They are standardized, simple, and generally available goods, services or construction, such as off-the-shelf products or commodities. The auction is taking place through www.armeps.am/eaction electronic auction system, which support suppliers to bid anonymously against each other.
Request for quotations is applicable when purchasing goods/works/ services are not included in Electronic auction purchasing list and their total value is 1000000 to 70000000 AMD.
There are several types of tendering methods. Open tendering is the preferred competitive public procurement method used for acquiring goods, services and infrastructure works. Open tendering is also known as open competitive bidding, open competition or open solicitation, and the procurement notices used to call for bids for these requirements are identified as invitation for Bids or Invitation to Tender. This method is applicable when purchasing goods/works/ services are not included in Electronic auction purchasing list and their total value is above 70000000 AMD.
Closed tendering method is used when the project concerns national security, or contains confidential information. A process should be in place for arriving at the number and specific firms that will be invited by the procurement entity.

Another method prescribed by the Law is single-source procurement. This is a non-competitive procurement method, and it should be used only under exceptional circumstances, namely:
•  Purchasing goods/works/services is possible to acquire only from one source, due to patent or exclusive rights;
•    for emergency situations;
•    there is a need for purchasing additional quantity of goods,
•    the total value of procurement item is up to 1000000 AMD;
•  Purchasing of needed goods, works and services is taking place not in the territory of Republic of Armenia
However, it is essential to note that the Law has a preference to open tendering which states that public procurement shall be through the use of open tender proceedings if the purchasing subject is not sate secret or if it is not included in Electronic auction purchasing list.
It is important to be well aware of applicable procurement methods as with using non-appropriate tender method the procuring entity might intent to restrict competition during the procedure.  In this case any interested person is entitled to appeal against the actions of the procuring entity at the authorized body and prevent the possible violation.