Public procurement is governed by the procurement legal framework, which is a law or regulation (or part of a law or regulation) that is sanctioned by the judicial system of a particular country. This sets the rules for the management of public procurement.
The procurement legal framework is usually further developed into policies and procedures, procurement and contract administration manuals and guidelines, including standard solicitation documents that are used to call for offers from contractors, suppliers and service providers. The language of public procurement policies, procedures, guidelines, manuals and standard solicitation documents must align with what is established in the public procurement legal framework. Adherence to the public procurement law is obligatory; any infraction is punishable by law.
The procurement legal and institutional frameworks (procurement rules) govern everything from the identification of a requirement through to the closing out of a contract; sometimes including disposal, reutilization and destruction of goods.
