upphandla

Upphandla is a Swedish verb meaning to procure or purchase goods or services, especially through a formal process. The related noun upphandling refers to the procurement activity itself. The term is used in both private and public contexts, but it is most commonly associated with organized procurement in the public sector.

In Sweden, upphandling of public bodies is regulated by the Public Procurement Act (LOU) and EU directives. The aim is to ensure competition, transparency, non-discrimination, and value for money. The process typically includes identifying a need, market dialogue, preparing procurement documents (requirements specification, contract terms, evaluation criteria), and selecting a procurement procedure (open, restricted, or negotiated). Bids, or anbud, are submitted in response to a call for tenders (annons), and bids are evaluated against predefined criteria. The contract is then awarded to the supplier that best meets the criteria, after which contract management begins.

In practice, upphandla also occurs in the private sector and refers to organized purchasing activity, including framework agreements (ramavtal) and ongoing supplier management. The term encompasses the planning, bidding, awarding, and post-award aspects of acquiring goods or services.

Related terms include inköp (purchasing), upphandling, and offentlig upphandling for the public side. The concept highlights principles of competition, transparency, and accountability in procurement.