Abstract

The time limit for performing a contract is, in practice, a key factor determining the chances of contractors being awarded a public procurement contract. It is worth emphasising that the term “the time limit for performing the contract” has many meanings. It may concern not only the date of completing the entire public procurement contract, but also the date of performing a certain part of the contract, or the date of performing individual supplies, services or construction work. The act of setting a time limit for performing the contract is a power vested in contracting authorities. The exercise of this right is also associated with specific responsibilities. These obligations concern the need to specify the moment of completing the performance of services being the subject of a public procurement contract and the use of units of measurement of time, rather than specific dates. The time for performing the contract may also be an award criterion or a matter for negotiations. However, in any case, the deadlines for performing the contract must be related to the subject-matter of the contract. This relationship is expressed in the fact that the execution of the order within a specified period is beneficial from the point of view of the purpose of the order. Incorrectly setting the contract deadline or incorrectly specifying the bid evaluation criterion relating to the contract performance date may result in liability for a violation of public finance discipline.