puitesopimuksissa

Puitesopimuksissa is a Finnish term that translates to "framework agreements" in English. In the context of public procurement, a framework agreement is a special type of contract concluded between one or more contracting authorities and one or more economic operators. Its purpose is to establish the terms which will govern orders to be placed during a given period, in particular as regards the price and, where appropriate, the minimum and maximum quantity, with a view to the award of contracts for works, supplies or services.

Framework agreements are a tool designed to simplify and streamline the procurement process for recurring needs. Instead of conducting separate tendering procedures for each individual purchase, contracting authorities can establish a framework agreement for a set period, typically up to four years, although exceptions may apply. During this period, calls for competition or mini-tenders are issued to specific suppliers admitted to the framework to place individual orders based on the agreed terms.

The use of framework agreements is regulated by public procurement legislation. These agreements are intended to ensure fair competition and transparency while allowing contracting authorities to achieve efficiencies and potentially better prices through aggregated demand. Once a framework agreement is in place, contracting authorities can award individual contracts relatively quickly, as the main selection and award criteria have already been addressed. The specific procedure for awarding contracts under a framework agreement depends on whether the framework was established with a single supplier or multiple suppliers.