(1) The electronic reverse auction shall be based on,-
(a) price, where the procurement contract is to be awarded to the lowest-priced bid; or
(b) price and other criteria specified to the bidders as applicable, where the procurement contract is to be awarded to the most advantageous bid.
(2) During the auction:-
(a) all bidders shall have an equal and continuous opportunity to present their bids;
(b) there shall be automatic evaluation of all bids in accordance with the criteria, procedure and formula provided to the bidders;
(c) each bidder must receive, instantaneously and on a continuous basis during the auction, sufficient information allowing it to determine the standing of its bid vis-à-vis other bids; and
(d) there shall be no communication between the procuring entity and the bidders or among the bidders, other than as provided for in clauses (a) and (c) above.
(3) The procuring entity shall not disclose the identity of any bidder during the auction.
(4) The auction shall be closed in accordance with the criteria specified to the bidders.
(5) The procuring entity shall suspend or cancel the auction in the case of failures in its communication system that put at risk the proper conduct of the auction. The procuring entity may also cancel the procurement process under the provisions of section 26.