Alihankintana

Alihankintana is a Finnish term meaning “as a subcontractor” or “under subcontract.” It refers to an arrangement in which a primary contractor delegates part of the work to another company (the subcontractor) to complete a portion of a project while the client remains the ultimate payer and project owner. The term is used in both everyday professional language and formal procurement documents.

In practice, alihankintana describes the mode of execution rather than a separate legal entity. It is common across industries such as construction, manufacturing, information technology, and services. Tasks described as alihankintana can include specialized trades, design work, or components produced by a subcontractor.

Responsibilities usually flow from the contractual relationship: the main contractor is accountable to the client for meeting requirements, timelines, and overall quality; the subcontractor is responsible for performing their part in accordance with the contract and for the quality of their work. Contracts often include flow-down clauses that ensure subcontractors comply with the terms of the main contract, and payment terms typically pass through the main contract.

Legal and practical considerations include risk management, schedule impacts, and cost control. Subcontracting must comply with applicable labor, safety, and industry standards. In public procurement, there may be rules governing the use of subcontractors, competition, and transparency, as well as requirements to verify the suitability and compliance of lower-tier subcontractors.

Etymology and usage: The form alihankintana is a Finnish grammatical construction used to express “as a subcontractor.” It appears in sentences such as “Hanke toteutetaan alihankintana” to indicate that part of the work is performed by another company.