relevant observations, must  notify  the contractor: (a) of the withdrawal of its intention to reduce payment; or (b) of its final decision to reduce payment and the corresponding amount. (a) it is lifting the suspension; or  (b) it intends to terminate the contract under Article II.18.1(f) or (j).  (a) if provision of the services under the contract has not actually started within 15 days of  the scheduled date and the contracting authority considers that the new date proposed,  if any, unacceptable, taking into account Article II.11.2;  (b) if the contractor is unable, through its own fault, to obtain any permit or licence required  for  performance of the contract ;  (c) if the contractor does not perform the contract in accordance with the tender  specifications or is in breach of another substantial contractual obligation. Any reduction in price does not affect the contractor’s actual or potential liability or the  contracting authority’s rights under Article II.18.  If the contractor is affected by  force majeure , it may suspend the  performance of the contract . The contractor must immediately  notify the contracting authority of the suspension. The  notification must include a description of the  force majeure and state when the contractor  expects to resume the  performance of the contract . The contractor must  notify  the contracting authority as soon as it is able to resume  performance  of the contract , unless the contracting authority has already terminated the contract.  The contracting authority may suspend the  performance of the contract  or any part of it:  (a)  if the procedure for awarding the contract or the   proves  to have been subject to  irregularities, fraud  or  breach of obligations ; (b) in order to verify whether the presumed  irregularities, fraud  or  breach of obligations have actually occurred. The contracting authority must  formally notify  the contractor of the suspension and the reasons  for it. Suspension takes effect on the date of  formal notification , or at a later date if the  formal  notification  so provides. The contracting authority must  notify  the contractor as soon as the verification is completed  whether:  The contractor is not entitled to compensation for suspension of any part of the contract.  The contracting authority may in addition suspend the time allowed for payments in accordance  with Article II.21.7.  The contracting authority may terminate the contract in the following circumstances:  25  II.18.1. Grounds for termination by the contracting authority  II.18. TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT  II.17.2. Suspension by the contracting authority  II.17.1. Suspension by the contractor  II.17. SUSPENSION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTRACT  II.16.3. Claims and liability  Contract number: ECHA/2020/724  Restricted  Service contract conditions of December 2018 