1. All communication and information exchange referred to in this Title may be made by post, fax, electronic means in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5, telephone in the cases and circumstances referred to in paragraph 6, or a combination of those means, according to the choice of the contracting authority/entity.

2. The means of communication chosen must be generally available and thus not restrict the access of economic operators to the tendering procedure.

3. Communication and the exchange and storage of information shall be carried out in such a way as to ensure that the integrity of data and the confidentiality of requests to participate and tenders are preserved, and that the contracting authorities/entities examine the content of requests to participate and tenders only after the time-limit set for submitting them has expired.

4. The tools to be used for communicating by electronic means, as well as their technical characteristics, must be nondiscriminatory, generally available and compatible with information and communication technology products in general use.

5. The following rules shall apply to devices for the electronic transmission and receipt of tenders and devices for the electronic receipt of requests to participate: