Procurement Act 2023

12 Covered procurement: objectives U.K.

(1) In carrying out a covered procurement, a contracting authority must have regard to the importance of—

(a) delivering value for money;

(b) maximising public benefit;

(c) sharing information for the purpose of allowing suppliers and others to understand the authority’s procurement policies and decisions;

(d) acting, and being seen to act, with integrity.

(2) In carrying out a covered procurement, a contracting authority must treat suppliers the same unless a difference between the suppliers justifies different treatment.

(3) If a contracting authority considers that different treatment is justified in a particular case, the authority must take all reasonable steps to ensure it does not put a supplier at an unfair advantage or disadvantage.

(4) In carrying out a covered procurement, a contracting authority must—

(a) have regard to the fact that small and medium-sized enterprises may face particular barriers to participation, and

(b) consider whether such barriers can be removed or reduced.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 12 applied (24.2.2025) by S.I. 2013/1582, reg. 6(2), Sch. 2 Pt. 1 (as amended by The Procurement Act 2023 (Consequential and Other Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/163), regs. 1(2), 17 (with reg. 33))

Commencement Information

I1 S. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 127(2)

I2 S. 12 in force at 24.2.2025 by S.I. 2024/716, Sch. (as amended by S.I. 2024/959, regs. 1(2), 2(7)(a))