S.L. 601.7 Art. 9Threshold amount for contracts.

(1) These regulations shall apply to contracts which have a value, excluding value added tax (VAT), estimated to be no less than the following thresholds:

(a) EUR 134,000 for supply and service contracts;

(b) EUR 5,186,000 for works contracts.

(2) Where the estimated value does not exceed two thousand and five hundred euro (€2,500), the equipment, stores, works or services may be procured departmentally either after obtaining quotations or direct from the open market at the discretion of the Head of Department taking into consideration the amount involved, the urgency attached to the procurement and restrictions of choice and availability.

(3) Where the estimated value exceeds two thousand and five hundred euro (€2,500) but does not exceed forty thousand euro (€40,000), the equipment, stores, works or services may be procured departmentally after a call for tenders, or after obtaining quotations, or direct from the open market, taking into consideration the amount involved, the urgency attached to the procurement and restrictions of choice and availability, and shall be approved by the Minister responsible for that department, or by such member of the department as may be authorised by that Minister.

(4) Where the estimated value exceeds forty thousand euro (€40,000) but not one hundred and twenty-five thousand euro (€125,000), the equipment, stores, works or services may be procured after a departmental call for tenders or after publishing a call for quotations in the Gazette. The tenders and quotations shall be opened in public by three senior officers of the said department and the prices quoted shall also be made public:

Provided that the Minister may allow that variations and the imposition or remission of penalties in respect of such contracts be approved by the Minister charged with responsibility for that department, who may delegate his authority in writing to the Parliamentary Secretary, the Permanent Secretary or the Head of Department.