Article 43 Contract with a service provider

1.   By way of derogation from Article 176 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046, the Commission may contract the necessary services of an entity or entities established in the Union through the relevant procurement procedures under Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046, in order to implement the objective laid down in Article 42 of this Regulation.

2.   Where the Commission selects a service provider, it shall do so on the basis of criteria that safeguard the integrity of the internal market, that ensure competition and security of supply, and that comply with Article 44. The Commission shall specify the requirements applicable to the service provider in the relevant tender specifications.