rec_38

(38) The technical specifications drawn up by contracting authorities/entities need to allow procurement to be opened up to competition. To this end, it must be possible to submit tenders which reflect the diversity of technical solutions. To do so, technical specifications should, on the one hand, be established on the basis of performance and functional requirements. On the other hand, where reference is made to the European standard or to international or national standards, including those specific to the field of defence, tenders based on other equivalent arrangements must be considered by the contracting authorities/entities. This equivalence can be assessed in particular with regard to interoperability and operational efficiency requirements. To demonstrate equivalence, tenderers should be permitted to use any form of evidence. Contracting authorities/entities must be able to provide a reason for any decision that equivalence does not exist in a given case. There are also international agreements on standardisation which aim to ensure the interoperability of the armed forces and which can have the force of law in Member States. Should one of these agreements apply, the contracting authorities/entities may demand that tenders comply with the standards described in that agreement. The technical specifications should be clearly indicated, so that all tenderers know what the requirements established by the contracting authority/entity cover.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-11 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.