Principles of procurementS
34.—(1) A utility must, in carrying out any procurement or design contest which is subject to the application of these Regulations—
(a)treat economic operators equally and without discrimination; and
(b)act in a transparent and proportionate manner.
(2) A utility must not design a procurement or design contest with the intention of excluding it from the application of these Regulations or of artificially narrowing competition.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality thereof, competition shall be deemed to be artificially narrowed for the purpose of paragraph (2) where the design of the procurement or design contest is made with the intention of unduly favouring or disadvantaging any particular economic operator.
(4) A utility must include in each contract or framework agreement such conditions relating to the performance of the contract or framework as meet the requirements mentioned in paragraph (5) and are reasonably necessary to ensure that the economic operator complies with environmental, social and employment law, including any relevant collective agreements F1....
(5) The requirements referred to in paragraph (4) are that the conditions are—
(a)linked to the subject matter of the contract or framework within the meaning of regulation 84 (conditions for performance of contracts); and
(b)indicated in the call for competition or in the procurement documents.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in reg. 34(4) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Public Procurement etc. (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/468), regs. 1(2), 6(22) (with sch. paras. 1-5)
Commencement Information