In public procurement, 6 fundamental legal principles apply:
- Equal treatment: contracting authorities must treat all tenderers equally and objectively.
- Non-discrimination: contracting authorities may not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, gender, nationality, language, religion, ethnic origin, or social background.
- Competitive tendering: there is an obligation to consult the contract through national or European publication.
- Transparency: the procurement procedures must be clear, and the selection criteria must be published.
- The total value of the contract: All public contracts must be concluded in principle at a fixed price and for the total duration of the contract.
- The successful tenderer must comply with all applicable legislation (environmental, social, and labour law).
