EX-CT-01-STRUCTURAL-SKELETON.md

Name: EX-CT-01-STRUCTURAL-SKELETON Version: 0.1 Status: DRAFT Date: 2026-02-09

1. Purpose & Scope

This document defines the governance structure for EX-CT-01 — Contract / Award Procedure. It governs the formalization of award decisions, contract document governance, and signature authority, ensuring independence, impartiality, and auditability. It explicitly excludes payment, settlement, and contract performance.

2. Scope Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions:

• Award decision formalization
• Contract document governance
• Signature authority governance

Exclusions:

• Payments
• Settlement
• Contract performance

3. Relationship to Other Procedures

• Dependent on EX-TN-01 (Tender procedure must be completed)
• References EX-PR-01 (Procurement Procedure)
• Separated from payment and settlement procedures

4. Governance Roles Involved

• Awarding Authority
• Contracting Authority
• Selected Bidder
• Legal Reviewer
• Governance Oversight / Audit Role

5. Independence & Conflict-of-Interest Constraints

• Evaluator MUST NOT be Award Authority
• Award Authority MUST NOT be Contract Signatory
• Mandatory conflict-of-interest disclosures
• No self-award permitted
• No retroactive contract changes permitted

6. High-Level Procedure Sections

• Award Proposal
• Legal Review
• Award Approval
• Contract Finalization
• Signature Governance
• Closure

7. Evidence & Records Categories (Conceptual)

• Award Decision Record
• Contract Draft Versions
• Legal Review Record
• Signature Record
• Non-Award / Cancellation Justification

8. Audit & Traceability Requirements

• Full traceability from tender to contract
• Clear, documented justification for award

9. Settlement & Anchoring Positioning

• Hashes of final contract and award decision MAY be anchored
• Anchoring = proof of integrity ONLY
• Anchoring MUST NOT imply approval or payment

10. Explicitly Prohibited Actions

• Automatic award
• Contract signature before approval
• Award without documented tender reference
• Silent contract modification

11. UNDEFINED Items

• Signature policy details — UNDEFINED
• Legal review criteria — UNDEFINED
• Contract amendment process — UNDEFINED
• Any additional regulatory requirements — UNDEFINED