Section 96

In carrying out a covered procurement, a contracting authority must so far as practicable— communicate with suppliers electronically, and take steps to ensure that suppliers participating in the procurement communicate electronically. In carrying out a covered procurement, a contracting authority may only use, or require the use of, electronic communication systems that are— free of charge and readily accessible to suppliers, generally available, or interoperable with other generally available systems, and accessible to people with disabilities. Subsection (2)(a) does not apply in relation to an electronic communications system used, or required to be used— after the award of the public contract, or in relation to a utilities dynamic market. This section does not apply if the contracting authority is satisfied that electronic communication, or the use of an electronic communication system meeting the requirements of subsection (2), poses a particular security risk in the circumstances. In this section, “electronic communication system” includes any electronic system used for the purpose of communication with suppliers.

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Source: legislation.gov.uk · retrieved 2026-09-04