kilpailuttamismenettelyn

Kilpailuttamismenettely is the Finnish term for a formal procurement procedure used by public authorities and certain private entities to purchase goods, services, or works. The process aims to ensure transparency, equal treatment of suppliers, and value for money by inviting competitive bids. It is governed by the Finnish Public Procurement Act (2006) which aligns national rules with EU directives on public procurement.

The procedure begins with the preparation of a procurement notice that describes the requirement, selection criteria, and contractual conditions. The notice is published online and in the Finnish procurement portal. Potential contractors submit proposals within a specified period. After the deadline, the contracting authority evaluates all bids against pre‑defined evaluation criteria such as price, technical quality, environmental impact, and delivery time. Non‑compliant proposals are rejected, and successful bidders receive contract awards.

There are several types of kilpailuttamismenettely, including open tender, restricted tender, and negotiated procurement, each chosen based on the complexity of the purchase, market conditions, and statutory thresholds. Open tenders allow any qualified supplier to bid, while restricted tenders limit the field to pre‑selected candidates. Negotiated procurement is used for very complex projects where an iterative approach is needed.

Benefits of this method include reduced risk of favoritism, better price discovery, and the promotion of innovation. The procedure is especially critical for large public works and IT projects. By adhering to strict procedural rules, Finnish authorities maintain public trust and comply with European competition law.