[ Union Laws ]

This act was voted into effect in Turn 157 and describes how the Union goes about the acquisition of goods.

1. For the acquisition of materials, products, special goods and services the Union will default to issueing a public tender. Other methods of acquisition may be employed when a public tender can not, within reason, be employed to achieve the same.
2. Any minister can open a public tender.
3. Definition
   A public tender must adhere to the following:
   • A public tender has a closing date; a public tender is open until 23:59:59 of the day of the deadline.
   • A public tender is opened for at least 14 days, which includes the day of the opening.
4. Opening
   The minister opens the public tender, and clearly communicates the public tender to all Union members. The minister is allowed to delegate the opening of a vote to any part of their ministry or authorize a third party to act on behalf of the Union. Clear communication includes at least the following information:
   • the necessary goods or services,
   • the closing date for the public tender
   • constraints upon the public tender such as (a) the location(s) of delivery or service, (b) the expected rate of delivery and constraints upon delivery and (c) the maximum price per good, for the whole set of goods or for the service.
   • priorities used to select bids, such as 'the least expensive' or 'the fastest'
5. Bidding
   Once the public tender is opened, all Union members may place one or more bids.
   1. Bids are placed publicly. A bid can be placed by direct announcement, or by registering the bid with the minister, who will report the bid as soon as reasonably possible.
   2. A bid is legal if and only if it adheres to the following conditions:
      • A bid must be placed after the public tender is opened, and before the public tender is closed
      • A bid must clearly indicate the price, rate of delivery or quality of service, and other information necessary to judge the bid
      • Bids may not be changed, withdrawn or otherwise altered
6. Closing
   The minister closes the public tender any time after the deadline, at their leisure.
   1. The minister may allow additional time to bid at the request of a Union member, or at their leisure.
   2. If the accumulated extension time exceeds 2 days, the minister must produce a valid reason for the extension.
7. Selection of Bid
   After the public tender has been closed, the minister selects one of the bids.
   • The bids will be considered based on the priorities stated in opening of the public tender
   • If several bids are tied, the minister will select one using their best judgement with preference being given to the least expensive bid
   • The selected bid is announced publicly