Procurement Glossary

Key public procurement terms explained from the bidder's perspective. Each term includes a definition, legal reference, and practical example.

terms

Procurement Procedures

Open Procedure

Learn how the open procedure works in Finnish public procurement. Any supplier can submit a tender without pre-qualification under hankintalaki 1397/2016.

Restricted Procedure

Understand the restricted procedure in Finnish public procurement. A two-stage process where candidates are pre-qualified before submitting tenders.

Negotiated Procedure

Learn about the negotiated procedure in Finnish public procurement. When and how contracting authorities can negotiate with pre-selected bidders.

Competitive Dialogue

Understand competitive dialogue in Finnish procurement. A flexible procedure for complex projects where the solution needs to be developed with suppliers.

Direct Award

Learn about direct award (suorahankinta) in Finnish public procurement. When contracting authorities may procure without competitive tendering.

Framework Agreement

Understand framework agreements in Finnish public procurement. How multi-year agreements with one or more suppliers work under hankintalaki 1397/2016.

Dynamic Purchasing System

Learn about the dynamic purchasing system (DPS) in Finnish public procurement. An open system where new suppliers can join throughout its duration.

Procurement consortium

A procurement consortium is an arrangement where contracting authorities compete a purchase together. What it means for bidders and how responsibility is divided.

Request for Proposals

Understand the request for proposals (tarjouspyyntö) in Finnish public procurement. Key document that defines requirements and evaluation criteria.

Contract Notice

Learn about contract notices in Finnish public procurement. The official announcement published on Hilma and TED to invite tenders from suppliers.

ESPD Form

Understand the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) used in Finnish public procurement. A self-declaration form for qualification and exclusion.

Opening of Tenders

Learn about the tender opening process in Finnish public procurement. The formal procedure where submitted tenders are opened and documented.

Market Consultation Notice

A market consultation notice announces an upcoming Finnish public contract before the tender documents exist. Learn what it contains and how to respond.

Request for Information (RFI)

An RFI is a Finnish contracting authority's inquiry to the market before the call for tenders. Learn how it differs from a call for tenders and how to respond well.

Tender identifier

The tender identifier (kilpailutustunniste) is generated in Hilma and placed in the Finvoice 3.0 TenderReference field of invoices. What suppliers and accountants must do before 2027.

Procurement Correction

Understand hankintaoikaisu (procurement correction) in Finnish law. How contracting authorities can self-correct procurement decisions.

Market Court Appeal

Learn about Market Court appeals in Finnish public procurement. How to challenge procurement decisions at markkinaoikeus under hankintalaki.

Appeal Period

Understand the appeal period and standstill period in Finnish public procurement. Critical deadlines for challenging procurement decisions.

JYSE General Terms

Understand JYSE general contract terms used in Finnish public procurement. Standard terms for goods (JYSE Tavarat) and services (JYSE Palvelut).

Liability Cap

Learn about liability caps in Finnish public procurement contracts. How limitations on supplier liability work under JYSE and procurement law.

Delay Penalty

Understand delay penalties in Finnish public procurement contracts. How viivästyssakko works, typical rates, and how to manage delivery risks.

Contract Period

Learn about contract periods in Finnish public procurement. How sopimuskausi duration, options, and extensions work under procurement law.

A capacity provider (voimavarayksikkö) is an entity separate from the bidder whose economic or technical resources the bidder uses to meet suitability requirements. A new concept in the 2026 Procurement Act.

Suitability Requirement

Understand suitability requirements (soveltuvuusvaatimukset) in Finnish public procurement. Minimum qualifications bidders must meet to participate.

Reference Requirement

Learn about reference requirements in Finnish public procurement. How past project references are used as suitability criteria under hankintalaki.

Exclusion Ground

Understand exclusion grounds in Finnish public procurement. Mandatory and discretionary reasons for excluding a bidder from a procurement procedure.

EU Threshold

Learn about EU procurement thresholds in Finnish public procurement. The value limits above which EU-wide tendering rules apply under hankintalaki.

Most Economically Advantageous Tender

MEAT compares bids on price and quality combined — not just lowest price. See scoring criteria, weighting, and how bidders win MEAT-based EU tenders.

TED (Tenders Electronic Daily)

TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) is the EU's official procurement notice channel publishing all above-threshold tenders. How bidders use TED effectively.

Public Procurement Act

The Public Procurement Act is the Commission's 9 September 2026 proposal for one directly applicable Regulation replacing the three 2014 procurement directives. In-house, procedures and timeline in brief.

National Threshold

Learn about national procurement thresholds in Finnish public procurement. The minimum values above which hankintalaki applies to public contracts.

Estimated Value

Understand how estimated value is calculated in Finnish public procurement. Rules for determining contract value under hankintalaki 1397/2016.

Tender Evaluation

Learn about the tender evaluation process in Finnish public procurement. How contracting authorities assess and score tenders under hankintalaki.

In-house entity

An in-house entity (sidosyksikkö) is a unit controlled by a contracting authority that it can buy from without competition. How the 2026 reform tightens the rules, and why the EU Public Procurement Act does not remove Finland's limits.

Hilma Platform

Hilma is Finland's official procurement notice platform, but not every tender is on it. Haavi monitors Hilma and dozens of other sources for you.

Contracting Authority

Understand what a contracting authority is in Finnish public procurement. Types of hankintayksikkö and their obligations under the Procurement Act.

Market Court

Learn about the Market Court (markkinaoikeus), Finland's specialised court for public procurement disputes. How it works and what it can decide.

Hansel

Learn about Hansel Ltd, Finland's central purchasing body for government procurement. How joint procurement and framework agreements work.

Central purchasing body

A central purchasing body competes frameworks and DPS for its owner authorities. What CPBs are in Finland and how suppliers get onto their contracts.

Procurement data repository

The procurement data repository is a State Treasury database that from 2027 collects Finnish public procurement notices, bid data and purchase invoices. What is published and what stays confidential.

Haavi monitors public tenders for you

AI-powered procurement monitoring finds relevant tenders for your company automatically.