- State of Emergency

A state of emergency is an exceptional circumstance that requires urgent actions to secure needs or carry out tasks that cannot be postponed due to their critical nature. In the context of tenders and government procurement, an emergency situation calls for the bypassing of some traditional procedures to ensure needs are met swiftly.

Examples of emergencies include:

1. Natural Disasters: Such as earthquakes, floods, or storms that require immediate response.
2. Public Health Threats: Outbreaks of epidemics or major health incidents.
3. Public Security: Direct threats affecting public safety or national security.

In these cases, the announcing authority may resort to:

• Direct Purchase: Instead of following traditional tender procedures.
• Rapid Negotiation: With specific suppliers to secure the required needs.
• Waiving Some Conditions: Such as pre-qualification or the preparation of detailed documents.

Despite the flexibility of procedures in emergencies, the announcing authority must adhere to transparency and prepare detailed reports justifying the decisions made. It is also required to submit documents and information related to the concluded contracts to regulatory bodies to ensure the integrity of the process.

The importance of handling emergencies lies in reducing the damages caused by delays and ensuring the continuity of essential services. However, unjustified use of these situations may lead to legal accountability.