hankintayksikkö

Hankintayksikkö is a term used in Finland to describe an organizational unit responsible for planning, directing, and managing procurements within a public authority or a large organization. Its main tasks include identifying needs, conducting market research, selecting procurement methods, preparing tender documents, evaluating bids, and supervising contract implementation. The unit operates under the contracting authority and must ensure that procurements comply with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.

In public sector use, hankintayksikkö can be centralized or decentralized. It may exist as a dedicated procurement department within a ministry, agency, or municipality, or as a central procurement body serving several authorities. The exact structure varies, but the common goal is to enable efficient, competitive, and compliant purchases of goods, services, and works.

Legal framework and process: The activities of a hankintayksikkö are guided by the Public Procurement Act (Hankintalaki) and related regulations. The unit conducts market analyses, prepares procurement plans, selects the appropriate procurement procedure, and ensures transparency, equal treatment, and non-discrimination. After evaluating bids, it awards contracts and oversees contract management, including supplier performance and risk management.

Digitalization and sustainability: Modern hankintayksikkö typically uses electronic procurement platforms and digital contracting. Increasing emphasis is placed on lifecycle costs, sustainability, and social or environmental considerations in procurement decisions, alongside traditional efficiency and cost criteria.