Opening of Tenders
The opening of tenders (tarjousten avaaminen) is the formal step in Finnish public procurement where received tenders are opened after the submission deadline has passed. This process must ensure equal treatment and confidentiality of all tenders.
Definition
The opening of tenders is the formal procedure where the contracting authority opens all tenders received by the submission deadline. Tenders received after the deadline must be rejected without being opened. The opening must be documented, recording the number of tenders received, the identities of the tenderers, and any other relevant details. In Finnish procurement, tender openings are typically not public events. The content of tenders is confidential until the procurement decision has been made. This process is regulated under the general principles of the Public Procurement Act (1397/2016).
Practical Example
A city receives 12 tenders for a road construction project by the deadline of 12:00 noon. At 12:01, the procurement team opens all tenders, records the tenderers' names and key details, and begins the evaluation process. One tender that arrived at 12:03 is rejected and returned unopened.
Common Mistake
Bidders sometimes submit tenders just minutes before the deadline using electronic systems and experience technical issues. It is strongly recommended to submit tenders well in advance of the deadline to avoid rejection due to late submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tender openings public in Finnish procurement?
No, tender openings in Finnish public procurement are generally not public events. Bidders are not entitled to attend the opening. The identities of bidders and the content of tenders are treated as confidential until the procurement decision is made and announced.
What happens if a tender is submitted late?
A tender submitted after the deadline must be rejected regardless of the reason for the delay. The contracting authority has no discretion to accept late tenders, even if the delay was caused by technical problems with the submission system.
Related Terms
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.
Appeal Period
Understand the appeal period and standstill period in Finnish public procurement. Critical deadlines for challenging procurement decisions.
Tender Evaluation
Learn about the tender evaluation process in Finnish public procurement. How contracting authorities assess and score tenders under hankintalaki.
Haavi monitors public tenders for you
AI-powered procurement monitoring finds relevant tenders for your company automatically.