Public tenders: everything businesses need to know
Public procurement in the EU is worth over EUR 2 trillion a year — and Norway alone accounts for more than NOK 835 billion. That's a massive opportunity for companies who understand the system. This guide gives you everything you need to get started.
What are public tenders?
Public tenders are competitions where public bodies — municipalities, regions, central government agencies and public enterprises — invite suppliers to bid on goods, services or construction works. The regulatory framework is designed to ensure open competition, transparency and equal treatment for all bidders.
Where to find tenders
TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) is the EU's official journal for public procurement, while Doffin is Norway's national publication channel. Tenders above the EEA thresholds appear in both. Tenderen aggregates opportunities from every official source and adds AI-driven matching, so you see the contracts most relevant to your business — not just whatever your keyword search returns.
Thresholds
Procurement rules apply differently depending on contract value. Below the national threshold (around NOK 100,000 in Norway), the rules are minimal. Mid-value contracts follow lighter procedures. Above the EEA thresholds — currently around NOK 1.3 million for goods and services, and NOK 51 million for works — full EU-aligned procedures apply, including mandatory publication in TED.
Procurement procedures
The most common procedures are open procedures (any supplier can bid), restricted procedures (pre-qualification first), competitive procedures with negotiation, and competitive dialogue. The choice depends on the nature and value of the contract, and shapes how you'll need to respond.
How to submit a winning bid
Start by reading the contract notice and tender documents carefully. Check the qualification requirements — does your business meet them? Map the award criteria and their weighting. Write a response that addresses every requirement directly, backed by concrete evidence. Submit before the deadline through the specified platform (often Mercell, KGV or a national e-procurement portal).
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