Defence and security
15.—(1) This Part applies to the awarding of public contracts and to design contests organised in the fields of defence and security, with the exception of the following contracts:—
(a)contracts falling within the scope of the Defence and Security Regulations;
(b)contracts to which those Regulations do not apply by virtue of regulations 7 or 9 of those Regulations.
(2) This Part does not apply to public contracts and design contests not otherwise exempted by paragraph (1)—
(a)to the extent that the protection of the essential security interests of the United Kingdom or another member State cannot be guaranteed by less intrusive measures, for example by imposing requirements aimed at protecting the confidential nature of information which the contracting authority makes available in a contract award procedure as provided for in this Part; or
(b)to the extent that the application of this Part would oblige the United Kingdom to supply information the disclosure of which it considers contrary to the essential interests of its security.
(3) Where the procurement and performance of the public contract or design contest are classified as secret or must be accompanied by special security measures in accordance with the laws, regulations or administrative provisions in force in any part of the United Kingdom, this Part does not apply provided that the United Kingdom has determined that the essential interests concerned cannot be guaranteed by less intrusive means, such as those referred to in paragraph (2)(a).