SECTION 6

(1) The preparation of the procedure and award of a public contract shall be incumbent on the Project Owner, who shall be a natural person heading a ministry or similar entity, a regional and local authority, or a public establishment benefitting from the services provided for in the contract. As such, he shall be responsible for: (a) carrying out preliminary studies and, in conjunction with the relevant government services, ensuring the maturity of projects to be included in the budget; (b) preparing the draft contract award and execution plan; (c) providing funds; (d) preparing tender documents; (e) publishing invitations to tender; (f) awarding contracts; (g) signing and notifying contracts; (h) terminating public contracts; 6 (i) submitting periodic contract award and execution reports to the Ministry in charge of public contracts and to the public contracts regulatory body. (2) A private law corporate body receiving financial support or financial guarantee derived from public resources shall also be considered as a project owner within the meaning of this Public Contracts Code.