55.1 The Contracting Authority shall, subject to the concurrence of the PPP Authority, be able to take necessary steps in order to complete the bidding process in an efficient manner on issues which have not already been covered in these Guidelines.
55.2 In addition to the requirements set out in these Guidelines, the Contracting Authority may incorporate additional requirements and/or instructions in the RFQ, RFP or IFB and these shall be applicable for the relevant PPP Project.
55.3 The Contracting Authority may seek references and/or conduct any investigations or enquiries in order to verify any and all statements, information, references and documents submitted by the Applicants, Shortlisted Bidders or Bidders (as applicable) in response to the RFQ, RFP or IFB.
55.4 The Contracting Authority and/or the Applicable Line Ministry may contact the PPP Authority at any time for clarifications and/or to feedback on progress. Further, the PPP Authority may also contact the Contracting Authority and/or the Applicable Line Ministry at any time seeking clarifications and/or to ensure that the process and timelines are being met.
55.5 The PPP Authority may at any point during the Identification Phase, Development Phase, Bidding Phase and Approval and Award Phase, discuss with local and/or international private sector institutions, bilateral, multilateral and/or development banks and/or PPP practicing entities in order to identify new PPP Projects and/or test potential private sector interest in the PPP Projects, assess market practice in delivering Projects on a PPP basis and/or seek financing or insurance opportunities and/or carry out any other market sounding activities.
55.6 The PPP Authority may at any time receive queries and/or discuss with interested private parties, Applicants, Shortlisted Bidders or Bidders (as applicable), in relation to the PPP Act and/or policies, rules, regulations, guidance, guidelines or notifications issued under the PPP Act as well as any other matters which may include but shall not be limited to general PPP program matters and PPP pipelines, irrespective of whether they intend to bid for the concerned PPP Project.