Despite section 8, a contracting authority may restrict participation in a regulated procurement (other than F2a higher value regulated procurement) to supported businesses only.

Where a contracting authority restricts participation under subsection (1), it must state that fact in the contract notice.

For the purposes of this Act, a “supported business” is an economic operator who operates a supported business, F1or supported employment programme within the meaning of regulation 21 of the Public Contracts Regulations.