12Covered 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.