In accordance with the principles and priorities set out in this framework, the following principles guide all public-sector infrastructure procurement:
• Procurement processes must be fair, open and transparent to ensure the integrity of the process.
• Infrastructure procurement opportunities must be tendered publicly, using competitive processes. Only in unusual circumstances, such as in matters of urgent public health and safety, can reasonable exceptions be made.
• Procurement processes should support the efficient and cost-effective participation of bidders to manage costs to the public infrastructure initiative proponents.
• Procurement decisions must be based on value-for-money assessments, with the protection of the public interest being paramount.
• Procurement strategies should allocate risks to the party that is best able to manage them.