42.—(1) When undertaking a procurement a utility must apply procedures that conform to these Regulations.
(2) A utility must apply one of the following procedures—
(a)an open procedure;
(b)a restricted procedure;
(c)a negotiated procedure with a prior call for competition;
(d)a competitive dialogue;
(e)an innovation partnership;
(f)a negotiated procedure without a prior call for competition.
(3) The procedures referred to in paragraph (2)(a) to (e) must include publication of a call for competition.
(4) The procedure referred to in paragraph (2)(f) does not require publication of a call for competition but it must only be used in one of the cases set out in regulation 48 (use of the negotiated procedure without prior call for competition).
(5) A call for competition may be made by means of—
(a)a periodic indicative notice in accordance with regulation 65 (periodic indicative notices) but only where the contract is to be awarded following a restricted or negotiated procedure or competitive dialogue;
(b)a notice on the existence of a qualification system in accordance with regulation 66 (notices on the existence of a qualification system) but only where the contract is to be awarded following a restricted or negotiated procedure, competitive dialogue or innovation partnership; or
(c)a contract notice in accordance with regulation 67 (contract notices).
(6) When a call for competition is made by the means referred to in paragraph (5)(a), an economic operator which has expressed an interest following the publication of the periodic indicative notice, must subsequently be invited by the utility to confirm its interest in writing by means of an invitation to confirm interest in accordance regulation 72 (invitations to candidates).
(7) Nothing in these Regulations prevents a utility which has commenced a procurement from terminating that procurement at any time.