Avtalemodellen

Avtalemodellen is a framework used in Sweden and other Nordic countries to structure and manage contractual agreements between public authorities and external providers. It seeks to standardize terms, clarify roles and responsibilities, and strengthen governance, oversight, and transparency in procurement and outsourcing of services.

Its core elements include standardized contract templates, documented governance arrangements, and performance-based criteria that define service levels, payment terms, reporting requirements, and change management procedures. A central feature is the deliberate allocation of risk and responsibility between contracting entities and suppliers to align incentives with desired outcomes.

Applications cover a broad range of public-facing services such as care and welfare, education, transportation, IT, and infrastructure projects. The model supports competitive procurement, consistent contract management, and easier benchmarking across contracts. Variants may exist by sector or country, but common practices include outcome-driven contracts and formal dispute resolution.

Historically, the model emerged in the early 2000s as part of reforms to increase efficiency in public outsourcing and service delivery. It has been widely adopted in Nordic governments and municipalities and is often aligned with national procurement guidelines and EU directives to ensure compliance and interoperability.

Advantages cited for avtalemodellen include greater transparency, comparable contracts, clearer performance monitoring, and improved risk management. Critics warn that rigid templates can reduce flexibility, create administrative overhead, and require substantial contract-management expertise to realize benefits.

See also public procurement and contract management.