udbuddet

Udbuddet is the Danish term for the process by which public authorities and other contracting entities invite bids for the procurement of goods, services, or works. The purpose is to obtain competitive bids that ensure value for money, transparency, and fair competition. In practice, udbuddet includes publication of a procurement notice, preparation of a detailed requirements specification, submission and evaluation of bids, and the awarding of a contract, followed by contract execution. Depending on the procurement, there may be a prequalification phase and various bidding procedures, such as open competition, restricted procedure, competitive dialogue, or negotiated procedures with or without prior publication.

The process is governed by applicable national and EU rules. In Denmark, udbuddet falls under the Public Procurement Act (Udbudsloven) and related EU directives implemented in national law. Procurements above EU thresholds must be announced on the national procurement portal and, for EU-wide reach, in the EU’s publications via TED (Tenders Electronic Daily). The procurement process rests on principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination, transparency, and proportionality. Award criteria commonly include price and quality, life-cycle costs, and delivery terms.

Remedies and oversight are available to interested parties. Complaints about procurement decisions can be brought before the Danish Complaints Board for Public Procurement (Klagenævnet for Udbud) and, if necessary, through the ordinary judicial system. Udbuddet thus encompasses a structured, rule-based approach to public purchasing designed to ensure competition and accountability in the use of public funds.

See also Udbudsloven, Udbud.dk, and TED.