Section 45: Request for Proposals to Provide Services for Unascertained Needs.

(1) A procuring entity wishing to procure services for its needs may do so by requesting for proposals when it intends to enter into a contract for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development, except where the contract includes the production of goods in quantities sufficient to establish their commercial viability or to recover research and development cost.
(2) The procuring entities shall procure the services of consultants by soliciting for expressions of interest by publishing a notice to that effect in 2 national newspapers
and the procurement journal.
(3) A procuring entity may make direct requests to a limited number of consultants, requesting proposals for the provision of a service if:
(a) the services are only available from no more than 3 consultants;
(b) the time and cost required to examine and evaluate a large number of proposals would be disproportionate to the value of the services to be performed, provided that it invites enough consultants to ensure transparent competition; or
(c) it is in the interest of national defence and security or similar reason of confidentiality.