WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONGPA/W/209
23 September 2002
(02-5103)
Committee on Government Procurement Original:  English
ACCESSION OF ALBANIA TO THE AGREEMENT ON
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
Questions from the United States to  Albania Regarding Albania's Responses
in GPA/W/170/Rev.1 to Earlier Questions from the United States
The United States appreciates the thorough nature of Albania's responses to questions from
the United States regarding the Checklist of Issues (GPA/W/170/Rev.1).  The United States also
thanks Albania for providing copies of its public  procurement laws and regulations (GPA/65 and
GPA/65/Add.1).  Having reviewed Albania's most recent submissions, the United States would like to
raise several follow-up questions:
1. With regard to permanent lists of suppliers, Albania states in its response to Question 6 in
GPA/W/170/Rev.1 that:  "The permanent list that the procurement entities use for the procurement
procedures contains the names of successful candidates in the procedures that the procurement entity
had done.  The procurement entity must accept offers from those candidates who want to participate
in a procurement procedure, giving to all participants equal possibilities in the competition
procedures."  Does the reference to giving equal possibilities apply only to suppliers already on the
permanent list, or to any supplier that wishes to participate in a procurement?
2. Please describe how Albania plans to implemen t GPA Article IX:9, which requires the annual
publication of a notice with information on permanent lists?
3. Albania indicated in its response to Question 21 of the Checklist of Issues that its
procurement regulations specify that the period for tendering in the case of "open tendering" is no less
than 20 days.  Please explain how Albania intends to comply with GPA Article XI:2(a), whichrequires that the period for receipt of tenders in open procedures must be no less than 40 days from
the date of publication of the invitation to participate in an intended procurement?
4. Albania states in its response to Question 8 in GPA/W/170/Rev.1 that:  "The supplier must
send its complaint...within five days after the announc ement of the final classification of the bidders."
Please explain how Albania intends to comply with  the requirement in GPA Article XX:5 that a
period of not less than "10 days" must be provided for the filing of bid challenges.
__________