Reg. 18 (PCR 2015)
Principles of procurement
In: Define > Market consultation and engagement
Overview
This regulation requires contracting authorities to treat all suppliers equally and without discrimination, and to act in a transparent and proportionate manner.
This regulation also prohibits contracting authorities from designing a procurement process with the intention of excluding it from the scope of procurement legislation, or with a view to artificially narrowing competition.
Objective at this commercial stage
Contracting authorities must treat suppliers equally and without discrimination throughout all stages of the procurement process. Contracting authorities must always act in a transparent and proportionate manner.
Key considerations at this commercial stage
Contracting authorities should:
- ensure suppliers are treated equally and without discrimination at all times throughout the procurement process
- act transparently, including by making information available for the purpose of allowing suppliers and others to understand the authority’s procurement policies and decisions
- ensure the market is consulted on future procurements fairly, ensuring that no one supplier may obtain an unfair advantage in the procurement process
- ensure future procurement opportunities are advertised to the market transparently, allowing for wide participation in pre-market engagement activities.
Legal framework
See also in the Procurement Act 2023:
- Section 12: Covered procurement: objectives
- Section 13: The national procurement policy statement
- Section 14: The Wales procurement policy statement
Additional support and guidance
Make sure you:
- read the regulation
- seek legal and commercial advice in the context of specific procurements
