Procurement Act 2023

12 Covered procurement: objectives

(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.