52.1 Upon completion of the evaluation of the Proposals or Bids (as applicable), the Evaluation Committee may, through the Contracting Authority, invite the Preferred Bidder for negotiations.

52.2 The Contracting Authority shall notify the Preferred Bidder in writing that its Proposal or Bid (as applicable) has been accepted and shall set a date for the commencement of PPP Contract negotiations.

52.3 The Evaluation Committee shall, in order to finalize the PPP Contract, negotiate with the Preferred Bidder in relation to only those terms and conditions which are identified as capable of being negotiated in the PPP Contract. The Contracting Authority may include other representatives to join the negotiation meetings alongside the Evaluation Committee.

52.4 Negotiations in relation to price and/or rates would only be permitted where it improves the position of the Contracting Authority.

52.5 The Contracting Authority may, upon request of any unsuccessful Applicant, Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder (as applicable) conduct a debriefing session with such unsuccessful Applicant, Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder. Any information given to the Applicant, Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder in a debriefing session must remain confidential and the Applicant, Shortlisted Bidder or Bidder must, if so requested by the Contracting Authority, enter into a confidentiality agreement to that effect. During such debriefing, the evaluation, ranking and content of any Application, Proposal or Bid (as applicable) shall not be disclosed. Only the strengths and weaknesses of the Application, Proposal or Bid (as applicable) relative to the evaluation criteria shall be disclosed and discussed.