Upphandlande

Upphandlande is a Swedish term used to describe both the act of public procurement and the party carrying out the procurement. It refers to the process by which a public authority or other eligible entity acquires goods, services or works from external suppliers. In practice, this often means an organization acting as the contracting authority or procuring entity.

The term is commonly used to describe public sector purchasers, such as municipalities, county councils, regional authorities and government agencies. It can also apply to entities that procure with public funds or in partnerships where a public body acts as the purchaser. In EU procurement contexts, upphandlande myndighet or upphandlande enhet denotes the official actor responsible for conducting the procedure.

Legal framework and principles are central to upphandlande activities. In Sweden, public procurement is governed by national law, notably the Lag om offentlig upphandling (LOU), which implements EU procurement directives. Core principles include transparency, equal treatment, non-discrimination, proportionality and competition. Procedures and thresholds are designed to ensure fair access for suppliers and proper use of public funds.

The upphandlande process typically follows steps such as needs analysis, market consultation, specification, and the procurement procedure itself, followed by evaluation, award and contract signing, and contract management. Common procedures include open and restricted procedures, negotiated procedures, and, in some cases, competitive dialogue or framework agreements. After award, debriefing rights and transparency obligations remain important.

Overall, upphandlande encompasses both the act of purchasing and the responsible public entity, with emphasis on lawful, efficient, and competitive procurement practices that serve public interests.