Contract Notice
A contract notice (hankintailmoitus) is the official announcement published by a contracting authority to inform the market about a procurement opportunity. For EU-level procurements, it must be published on both the Finnish Hilma platform and the EU's Tenders Electronic Daily (TED).
Definition
A contract notice is a standardised public announcement that initiates a procurement procedure. It contains essential information about the procurement, including the contracting authority, subject matter, estimated value, procedure type, submission deadlines, and suitability requirements. For procurements above EU thresholds, the notice must be published in both Hilma and TED using standard forms. National procurements below EU thresholds need only be published in Hilma. The requirements for contract notices are defined in Sections 58-62 of the Public Procurement Act (1397/2016).
Practical Example
A Finnish ministry decides to procure translation services valued at EUR 200,000. It prepares a contract notice and publishes it on Hilma. Since the value exceeds the EU threshold for services, the notice is also transmitted to TED. Suppliers across the EU can find and respond to this notice.
Common Mistake
Suppliers who only monitor domestic channels may miss opportunities. For EU-level procurements, the notice must not be published nationally before it is published on TED, so monitoring TED gives the earliest possible access to notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find Finnish public procurement notices?
All Finnish public procurement notices are published on Hilma (hankintailmoitukset.fi), Finland's national electronic notification system. EU-level procurements are also published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily). Both platforms offer free search and alert features.
What is the difference between a contract notice and a prior information notice?
A prior information notice (ennakkoilmoitus) is an optional advance notice that informs the market about upcoming procurements. A contract notice is the formal announcement that starts the actual procurement procedure and invites tenders. Publishing a prior information notice can reduce minimum time limits in subsequent procedures.
Related Terms
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.
Request for Proposals
Understand the request for proposals (tarjouspyyntö) in Finnish public procurement. Key document that defines requirements and evaluation criteria.
EU Threshold
Learn about EU procurement thresholds in Finnish public procurement. The value limits above which EU-wide tendering rules apply under hankintalaki.
Hilma Platform
Learn about Hilma, Finland's official public procurement notice platform. How to find and respond to procurement opportunities on hankintailmoitukset.fi.
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