Cabinet Office issues reminder on applying exclusions in public procurement

The Cabinet Office has issued a reminder to contracting authorities of their obligations in applying exclusions and managing conflicts of interest in public procurement.

A procurement policy note, Applying exclusions in public procurement, managing conflicts of interest and whistleblowing, contains guidance and frequently asked questions “to deepen understanding” of the exclusion provisions in the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and to supplement and strengthen existing practices.

The policy note also signposts the process to be followed by civil servants who are concerned about perceived wrongdoing in a procurement.

The Cabinet Office said: “Although the UK enjoys higher levels of integrity than many other countries, we are not immune from the effects of corruption.”

The contents of the policy note apply to all central government departments, their executive agencies and non departmental public bodies in conducting public procurement procedures regulated by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 and the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016.

The Cabinet Office said the policy note was also relevant to the wider public sector such as local authorities and NHS bodies.