Article 54

A framework contract is a contract concluded between the Agency acting as a contracting authority and an economic operator for the purpose of laying down the essential terms governing a series of specific contracts to be awarded during a given period, in particular as regards the duration, subject, prices, conditions of performance and the quantities envisaged.

The contracting authority may also conclude multiple framework contracts, which are separate contracts with identical terms awarded to a number of suppliers or service providers. The specifications referred to in Article 69 shall then specify the maximum number of operators with whom the contracting authority shall conclude contracts.

The duration of framework contracts may not exceed four years, save in exceptional cases justified in particular by the subject of the framework contract.

The Agency may not make undue use of framework contracts or use them in such a way that the purpose or effect is to prevent, restrict or distort competition.

Specific contracts based on the framework contracts shall be awarded in accordance with the terms laid down in the framework contract.

Only specific contracts concluded under framework contracts shall be preceded by a budget commitment.