1.1	An Applicant may be a firm that is a private entity, a state-owned enterprise or institution subject to ITA 4.3 - or any combination of such entities in the form of a joint venture (JV) under an existing agreement or with the intent to enter into such an agreement supported by a letter of intent. In the case of a joint venture, all members shall be jointly and severally liable for the execution of the entire Contract in accordance with the Contract terms. The JV shall nominate an authorized representative who shall have the authority to conduct all business for and on behalf of any and all the members of the JV during the Initial Selection process, Bidding (in the event the JV submits Bid) and during contract execution (in the event the JV is awarded the Contract). Unless specified in the ISDS, there is no limit on the number of members in a JV.
1.2	A firm may apply for initial selection both individually, and as part of a joint venture, or as a subcontractor. If initially selected, it will not be permitted to bid for the same contract both as an individual firm and as a part of the joint venture. However, a firm may participate as a subcontractor in more than one Application, but only in that capacity. Applications submitted in violation of this procedure will be rejected.
1.3	AFD’s eligibility criteria for initial selection are described in Section V, Eligibility Criteria.
1.4	Applicants shall not have a conflict of interest. Any Applicant found to have a conflict of interest shall be disqualified. An Applicant may be considered to have a conflict of interest for the purpose of this initial selection process, if the Applicant:
a)	Directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with another Applicant; or
b)	Receives or has received any direct or indirect subsidy from another Applicant; or
c)	Has the same legal representative as another Applicant; or
d)	Has a relationship with another Applicant, directly or through common third parties, that puts it in a position to influence the application of another Applicant, or influence the decisions of the Employer regarding this initial selection process; or
e)	Any of its affiliates participated as a consultant in the preparation of the design or technical specifications of the Works that are the subject of the initial selection; or
f)	Any of its affiliates has been hired (or is proposed to be hired) by the Employer as Employer’s Representative for the Contract implementation; or
g)	Has a close business or family relationship with a professional staff of the Employer (or of the project implementing agency, or of a recipient of a part of the Funds who: (i) are directly or indirectly involved in the preparation of Initial Selection Documents or specifications of the contract, and/or the initial selection evaluation process; or (ii) would be involved in the implementation or supervision of such contract unless the conflict stemming from such relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to AFD throughout the procurement process and execution of the contract.
1.5	An Applicant shall not be under suspension from submitting an Application by the Employer as the result of the execution of a Bid Securing Declaration.
1.6	An Applicant shall provide such evidence of eligibility satisfactory to the Employer, as the Employer shall reasonably request.