tarkennuskierroksia

Tarkennuskierroksia, in Finnish public procurement, refers to a clarification round during the tender process. It is a formal step in which the contracting authority asks bidders to provide written clarifications or supplementary information about their submitted bids. The aim is to resolve ambiguities, verify conformity with the call for tenders, and gather information needed for fair evaluation.

Typically, tarkennuskierroksia occurs after initial bid submission and before an awarding decision. The contracting authority prepares a set of clarifying questions directed to all bidders whose bids meet the minimum requirements. Bidders respond within a specified deadline, and the questions and answers become part of the procurement documentation used in the evaluation. The process helps ensure that all bids are understood correctly and assessed on a complete and equal basis.

Rules and considerations governing tarkennuskierroksia include that clarifications must relate to information already in the bid or tender dossier and must not alter essential aspects of the bid, such as price or the core technical solution, beyond what the tender permits. The questions are typically shared with all participants to maintain equal treatment, and responses may influence the evaluation results. In some procedures, there may be a limited number of rounds, and the contracting authority may decide to cancel or re‑tender if significant information gaps are revealed.

In Finland, tarkennuskierroksia are a common feature of public procurement under the Hankintalaki (Public Procurement Act) and EU directives. They aim to enhance transparency, fairness, and the reliability of the awarding decision.