hankintakehyksissä

hankintakehyksissä refers to procurement framework agreements, a contract type used mainly by public sector entities in Finland and other Nordic countries. The framework agreement is a pre‑defined contract that allows multiple procurement actions – such as individual purchase orders – to be placed within the terms of a single, overarching agreement. After initiating a framework, the buyer can issue purchase orders as needed without repeating the entire procurement procedure, thereby reducing administrative costs and lead times.

The legal basis for hankintakehyksissä is found in Finland’s Public Procurement Act, which adopts European Union directives on public procurement. The Act requires that framework agreements be announced publicly, that they be available to all relevant suppliers, and that they contain clear terms regarding price, quality, delivery, and contracting conditions. This promotes transparency and competition while ensuring that contracting authorities can meet their needs swiftly.

Typical examples include IT and software services, office supplies, and maintenance work. In many cases, the framework agreement is signed with a pool of prequalified vendors, who compete for individual orders as they arise. The procedure normally includes a tender phase, evaluation of bids, and negotiation of the framework terms; subsequent purchase orders are then issued against that agreement.

Benefits of hankintakehyksissä are time and cost savings for the buyer, standardized terms for suppliers, and a predictable purchasing environment. Critics argue that the upfront contractual commitment may reduce flexibility and create a risk of supplier lock‑in, especially if the agreement’s duration is long or supplier selection is limited. However, many public institutions view the framework model as a practical tool for balancing efficiency with fair competition.