18-4-122. Purpose. The underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are to:

(1) simplify, clarify, and modernize the law governing procurement by the state of Montana;

(2) permit the continued development of procurement policies and practices;

(3) make as consistent as possible the procurement laws among the various jurisdictions;

(4) provide for increased public confidence in the procedures followed in public procurement;

(5) ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all persons who deal with the procurement system of the state;

(6) provide increased economy in state procurement activities and maximize to the fullest extent practicable the purchasing value of public funds of the state;

(7) foster effective, broad-based competition within the free enterprise system;

(8) provide safeguards for the maintenance of a procurement system of quality and integrity; and

(9) provide the exclusive remedies for unlawful bid solicitations or contract awards.