Anskaffelseslover

Anskaffelseslover is the term used in Norway for the laws that regulate how public authorities procure goods, services, and works. The central piece is the Public Procurement Act (ans**k**affelsesloven) and related regulations. The regime applies to contracting authorities and entities under Norwegian public law, including the state, counties, municipalities, and certain public enterprises and utilities. It covers most procurements above value thresholds, as well as some below-threshold procurements, and implements relevant EU/EEA directives to ensure cross-border competition.

Core aims are to ensure open competition, equal treatment, transparency, non-discrimination, and proportionality, and to secure best value for money and proper use of public funds. The rules prescribe how procurements are planned, published, and evaluated, and set out the procedures contractors must follow.

Procurement procedures include open procedures, restricted procedures, competitive dialogue, negotiated procedures, and, in some cases, direct awards under specific conditions such as urgency or very small value. Authorities must define selection criteria (for example, the supplier’s qualifications) and award criteria (often cost-effectiveness, quality, and life-cycle costs). Notices of tenders above EU thresholds must be published in DOFFIN and, for higher-value contracts, in the EU’s Official Journal via the EEA system.

Remedies include the possibility to complain to the Norwegian Complaints Board for Public Procurement (KOFA) and, if needed, to the courts. Recourse aims to ensure compliance and provide redress for perceived breaches.