Entities may decide not to award a contract and to cancel the procurement process.74 Taking such a decision, particularly when the procurement has involved a tender process, is a serious step with potential legal and management risks that should be considered before any decision is made. For example, cancelling a major procurement may impact on the entity's credibility and discourage industry participation in future procurements.

Cancellation may, nevertheless, be necessary to protect the integrity of procurement processes and avoid the awarding of a contract where, for example, no tenderer has submitted a tender that meets the specified evaluation criteria.

Cancelling a major procurement may impact on the entity's credibility and discourage industry participation in future procurements.