Dear beneficiaries,

The Managing Authority would like to inform you that the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EU external actions (PRAG) has been updated in January 2013.

In this respect, we would like to draw your attention to the respective instruction in the Project Implementation Manual, which is applicable to the projects financed under the First and Second Call for Proposals: “Please, be informed that during the project implementation phase, PRAG may be changed or amended. In case of substantial changes in the rules and procedures of PRAG, the MA will reflect the relevant changes in the PIM. Nevertheless the beneficiaries have the obligation to keep a close watch on the latest version of PRAG and to apply the respective procedures and annexes. In case of modification of PRAG rules/annexes, the procedures launched before the new version becomes in force, shall be procured and contracted following the previous version of the Guide.” Therefore, the new version of PRAG should be applicable for all procedures which have not been started.

The changes in PRAG thresholds can also influence the types of procurement procedures, which have not been yet launched, as they are approved in the procurement plan. In such cases, the Lead partner should request amendment of the procurement plan following the rules set in the Project Implementation Manual.