kilpailutusta

Kilpailutusta, or kilpailuttaminen, is the process by which a buyer seeks offers from suppliers to obtain goods, services, or works through competitive bidding. It is widely used by public authorities in Finland and is also common among large private buyers seeking transparency and value for money.

The method rests on principles of fairness, equal treatment, transparency, non-discrimination, and proportionality. It is governed by national public procurement laws (the Public Procurement Act and related regulations) and EU procurement directives, which regulate how tenders are advertised, how bids are evaluated, and how contracts are awarded. After an award, a standstill period typically allows challenged bids to be reviewed.

Typical process steps include need analysis and market research; preparation of procurement documents with requirements, criteria, and contract terms; publication of a notice and invitation to tender; submission of bids; evaluation against predefined criteria; selection of the most advantageous tender; notification of results and the standstill period; contract signing and ongoing contract management.

Procedures used in kilpailutus include the open procedure, restricted procedure, and negotiated procedure; for complex needs, competitive dialogue may be used, and in limited circumstances a direct award is possible. Evaluation criteria usually cover price, quality, performance, delivery terms, and life-cycle costs, with the weighting defined in advance.

Key participants are contracting authorities (for example, municipalities and state agencies), suppliers, procurement professionals, and oversight bodies. The approach aims to deliver transparency, competition, and a balance of price and quality, while challenges can include administrative burden, compliance risk, and the need for precise specifications and effective project management.