Tender Glossary
Public tenders have many terms. Here we explain them, so you don't have to wonder.
A
Abnormally low tender
An abnormally low tender is a bid with a price that appears disproportionately low relative to the contract scope. Authorities must investigate before rejecting.
Apprenticeship clause
An apprenticeship clause requires suppliers to employ apprentices when performing public contracts, promoting vocational training and fair competition.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is technology that mimics human thinking through learning, analysis, and decision-making. It is becoming increasingly important in tender work.
Award criteria
Award criteria are the rules that determine which supplier wins a tender procedure based on predefined requirements from the contracting authority.
Award decision notice
An award decision notice is the formal notification a contracting authority sends to all tenderers about who won and why, triggering the standstill period.
B
Best and Final Offer (BAFO)
A Best and Final Offer (BAFO) is the last revised proposal suppliers submit after negotiation rounds in public procurement. No further negotiation follows.
Bid
A bid is a supplier's formal response to a public procurement competition, containing pricing, proposed solutions, and documentation meeting the tender requirements.
Bid manager
A bid manager is a professional who leads and coordinates the work of preparing tenders and bids for businesses looking to win public contracts.
Body governed by public law
A body governed by public law is an entity with close ties to the public sector that must comply with EU/EEA public procurement rules.
C
Call-off
A call-off is an order or purchase made under a framework agreement, simplifying public procurement by avoiding a full tender procedure each time goods are needed.
Category management
Category management is a strategic procurement approach that groups goods and services into categories to achieve better value, efficiency and supplier performance.
Central framework agreement
A central framework agreement is a framework agreement set up by a central purchasing body for multiple contracting authorities, often mandatory for covered agencies.
Central purchasing body
A central purchasing body is a contracting authority that conducts procurement on behalf of other public buyers, either as a wholesaler or intermediary.
Circular procurement
Circular procurement integrates circular economy principles into public purchasing, promoting reuse, repair, and closed material loops across supply chains.
Climate and environmental considerations
Climate and environmental considerations require contracting authorities to weight environmental criteria at minimum 30 percent in Norwegian public procurement.
Competitive dialogue
Competitive dialogue is a procurement procedure where contracting authorities hold structured discussions with suppliers to develop solutions before final tenders.
Competitive procedure with negotiation
A competitive procedure with negotiation lets contracting authorities negotiate with suppliers after prequalification, used for complex EU procurements.
Concerned tenderers
Concerned tenderers are suppliers who participated in a procurement procedure and are entitled to notification, reasoning, and the right to challenge award decisions.
Concession contract
A concession contract is a public contract where the supplier is remunerated through the right to commercially exploit the works or services delivered.
Concession Contracts Regulation
The Concession Contracts Regulation sets rules for public contracts where the contractor bears the operating risk, implementing EU Directive 2014/23/EU across the EEA.
Conflict of interest
Conflict of interest rules in public procurement ensure impartiality. EU Directive 2014/24/EU Article 24 requires measures to prevent and remedy conflicts.
Conformity assessment body
A conformity assessment body is an independent organisation that verifies products, services, or processes meet specified requirements in public procurement.
Consortium
A consortium is a group of independent companies that join forces to submit a joint bid in a public procurement procedure, acting as a single supplier.
Contract conclusion
A contract conclusion is the formal process that concludes a tender procedure, where the contracting authority and the supplier sign a binding agreement.
Contract manager
A contract manager oversees the execution of public contracts after award, ensuring deliveries, quality and compliance with agreed terms.
Contract modification
Contract modification in public procurement refers to changes to an awarded contract. Learn the rules under EU Directive 2014/24/EU Article 72.
Contract monitoring
Contract monitoring is the systematic oversight of public contracts after award, ensuring the supplier delivers according to agreed terms and conditions.
Contract notice
A contract notice is a public announcement from a contracting authority about planned purchases of goods or services, commonly used in public tenders.
Contract performance conditions
Contract performance conditions are terms a contracting authority sets for the execution of a public contract under EU Directive 2014/24/EU, Article 70.
Contracting authority
A contracting authority is a public body such as a government agency or municipality, required to follow procurement rules when purchasing goods or services.
Contracting strategy
A contracting strategy defines how a procurement is structured contractually, covering contract type, division into lots, risk allocation, and pricing model.
Cost estimator
A cost estimator is a professional who calculates costs and prepares price proposals for projects in the construction industry, particularly for tender procedures.
CPC code
A CPC code classifies goods and services under the UN Central Product Classification, used in the WTO Government Procurement Agreement to define service coverage.
CPV code
A CPV code is a numbering system for categorizing goods and services in public tenders, helping suppliers find relevant tender procedures.
D
Declaration
A declaration in procurement is a formal statement to authorities, such as customs declarations for imports or environmental product declarations (EPDs).
Design contest
A design contest is a procurement procedure where an independent jury anonymously selects the best plan, concept, or design submission from competing suppliers.
DFO
DFO is the Norwegian government's agency for public procurement, providing guidance to government bodies and municipalities on conducting efficient purchases.
Dialogue conference
A dialogue conference is an open event where contracting authorities present needs and gather input from suppliers before a public procurement.
Direct award
A direct award is a simplified procurement process where public authorities can purchase goods or services without a formal notice, when the value falls below the threshold.
Doffin
Doffin is the national database for public tenders in Norway, where government agencies and municipalities publish their procurements of goods and services.
Due diligence assessment
A due diligence assessment is a systematic process where businesses identify and address risks of adverse impacts on human rights and working conditions.
Duty to inform
The duty to inform requires contracting parties to specify in contracts that workers must receive wages and conditions per applicable collective agreements.
Duty to monitor
The duty to monitor requires clients and main contractors to verify that subcontractors comply with minimum wage and working conditions in public contracts.
Duty to state reasons
The duty to state reasons requires contracting authorities to explain their procurement decisions, enabling tenderers to assess whether the process was lawful.
Dynamic purchasing system
A dynamic purchasing system is an electronic marketplace for public procurement where suppliers can join on an ongoing basis and contracting authorities can purchase as needed.
E
E-procurement tool
An e-procurement tool is a digital system that helps contracting authorities conduct tender procedures in a structured and efficient manner.
eBevis
eBevis is a Norwegian digital service that lets contracting authorities retrieve supplier documentation directly from public registers in real time.
Eco-label
An eco-label is a third-party certification verifying that a product or service meets specific environmental standards, commonly used in public procurement.
EEA threshold
An EEA threshold is the financial limit set by the European Commission that triggers full procedural obligations and EU-wide publication in public procurement.
eForms
eForms are the EU's standardised digital forms for publishing public procurement notices, mandatory since October 2023 for all notices on TED.
EHF
EHF (Electronic Trading Format) is Norway's standard for electronic exchange of trade documents like invoices and orders in public procurement.
Electronic auction
An electronic auction is a digital process in public procurement where suppliers adjust prices and tender elements in real time to compete for the contract.
Equal treatment
Equal treatment in public procurement requires contracting authorities to treat all suppliers equally and without discrimination, per EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
ESPD
The ESPD is a European self-declaration form that simplifies participation in public tenders by deferring documentation requirements until after the contract award.
Ethical contract terms
Ethical contract terms are standardised clauses in public procurement requiring suppliers to uphold human rights and fair labour standards across their supply chains.
Evaluation model
An evaluation model is the methodology contracting authorities use to compare price and quality across tenders and identify the best overall bid.
Exclusion ground
An exclusion ground is a legal basis allowing or requiring a contracting authority to exclude a supplier or reject a tender in public procurement.
Expectation interest
Expectation interest is compensation for lost profit when a tenderer is wrongfully passed over in a public procurement procedure.
F
FOA
FOA is the Norwegian regulation governing how public entities must procure goods and services, ensuring fair and efficient use of taxpayer money.
Framework agreement
A framework agreement is a long-term agreement between a contracting authority and suppliers that establishes the terms for future purchases of goods or services.
Functional requirements
Functional requirements describe what a delivery must achieve, not how. Learn how they promote innovation and competition in public procurement.
Functional specification
A functional specification describes what a delivery must achieve without prescribing the solution. Learn how this approach promotes innovation in public procurement.
Fundamental principles of procurement
The fundamental principles of public procurement require competition, equal treatment, transparency, non-discrimination, and proportionality under EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
G
Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) is a WTO treaty that opens public procurement markets among signatory countries based on non-discrimination.
Green public procurement
Green public procurement (GPP) is when contracting authorities use their purchasing power to choose goods and services with lower environmental impact.
H
Health and social services
Health and social services follow a lighter procurement regime under EU Directive 2014/24/EU, with a higher threshold and greater procedural flexibility.
High-Risk List
The High-Risk List is Norway's DFØ guide to product categories with high risk of human rights violations in supply chains in public procurement.
High-risk products
High-risk products are goods with documented risk of human rights violations in the supply chain. Learn about product categories and procurement requirements.
HSE self-declaration
An HSE self-declaration is a form confirming supplier compliance with health, safety, and environment legislation in Norwegian public procurement.
I
Illegal direct award
An illegal direct award is the most serious breach of procurement law, occurring when contracts are awarded without the required publication of a notice.
ILO core conventions
The ILO core conventions are ten international treaties setting minimum standards for workers' rights, central to social clauses in public procurement.
In-house provision
In-house provision allows public bodies to perform tasks using their own resources without following procurement rules. Learn about the Teckal criteria.
Incremental innovation
Incremental innovation means making gradual, step-by-step improvements to existing products and services, and is the most common form of innovation in public procurement.
Indicative notice
An indicative notice is used in utilities procurement to inform the market about planned purchases, serving as a periodic summary of upcoming opportunities.
Infringement fine
An infringement fine is a financial penalty that review bodies can impose on contracting authorities for illegal direct awards under EU and EEA procurement law.
Innovation
Innovation in public procurement uses purchasing power to drive new or significantly improved solutions, as encouraged by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
Innovation partnership
An innovation partnership is a procurement procedure where a contracting authority and suppliers jointly develop a new solution and purchase it under one contract.
Innovation-friendly procurement
Innovation-friendly procurement uses functional requirements, market dialogue, and quality-focused award criteria to encourage innovative solutions.
Innovative procurement
Innovative procurement is when the public sector purchases new or improved solutions that do not yet exist on the market, to solve problems in smarter ways.
Interim measures
Interim measures are court-ordered remedies that prevent contracting authorities from signing contracts until alleged procurement rule violations are reviewed.
Internal control
Internal control in public procurement refers to the systematic measures ensuring purchases are planned and executed in compliance with applicable rules.
Invitation to tender
An invitation to tender (ITT) is a formal request from a contracting authority inviting suppliers to submit bids for a specific public procurement contract.
K
Key performance indicator
A key performance indicator (KPI) is a measurable value used to assess procurement effectiveness and contract performance in public procurement.
KOFA
KOFA is an independent complaints board that handles public procurement cases and ensures that the rules for public purchasing are followed correctly.
L
Labelling scheme
A labelling scheme is a certification system confirming that goods or services meet specific environmental, social or other requirements in public procurement.
Labour integrity requirements
Labour integrity requirements are contract clauses in Norwegian public procurement designed to combat labour crime and social dumping among suppliers.
Life cycle
A life cycle in procurement covers every stage from raw materials to disposal. It underpins life cycle costing, environmental criteria, and circular procurement.
Life cycle assessment
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a scientific method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product or service across its entire life cycle, from cradle to grave.
Life cycle costing
Life cycle costing (LCC) considers all costs a procurement generates throughout its lifetime, from purchase price through operation to disposal.
Liquidated damages
Liquidated damages are pre-agreed daily penalties for contract delays in public procurement. Learn about standard rates, rules, and how they work in practice.
Lot
A lot is a separate part of a larger public procurement contract, divided by geography, discipline, or volume to boost competition and SME participation.
M
Mandatory requirement
A mandatory requirement in public procurement is an absolute condition that all tenders must fulfil. Non-compliance leads to rejection from the competition.
Market dialogue
Market dialogue refers to preparatory discussions between contracting authorities and suppliers before public procurements to explore market capabilities.
Market research
Market research in public procurement is the systematic process of gathering information about suppliers and solutions before launching a competition.
Mini-competition
A mini-competition is a simplified tender procedure between approved suppliers under a framework agreement for efficient public purchasing.
Most economically advantageous tender
The most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) is the overarching award principle in EU public procurement requiring evaluation beyond lowest price alone.
N
Nationwide collective agreement
A nationwide collective agreement sets minimum wage and working conditions for an entire sector, forming a key requirement in Norwegian public procurement.
Negative contractual interest
Negative contractual interest is compensation for costs a tenderer incurred participating in a procurement procedure where the contracting authority breached the rules.
Non-discrimination
Non-discrimination is a fundamental principle in EU public procurement requiring equal access for suppliers regardless of nationality or location.
Norgesmodellen
Norgesmodellen is a Norwegian government framework of mandatory labour and integrity requirements in public procurement to combat work-related crime.
Norwegian Transparency Act
The Norwegian Transparency Act requires larger enterprises to conduct human rights due diligence across their supply chains and respond to public information requests.
NUTS codes
NUTS codes are geographic codes identifying regions across Europe. They are mandatory in EU/EEA procurement notices to specify the place of contract performance.
O
OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union)
The OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) is the EU's official gazette where all legislation and public procurement notices above EU thresholds are published.
Open procedure
An open procedure is the most common EU public procurement method, allowing any interested supplier to submit a tender without prequalification.
Option
An option gives contracting authorities the right, but not the obligation, to extend a contract or order additional deliveries on pre-agreed terms.
P
Part I
Part I of Norway's procurement regulation contains general provisions applying to all public procurements above NOK 100,000 (rising to 500,000 from July 2026).
Part II
Part II of Norway's procurement regulation governs procurements between the national and EEA thresholds, with simplified procedures and Doffin publication.
Part III
Part III of Norway's procurement regulation covers procurements above EEA thresholds, with strict procedural requirements and mandatory TED publication.
Pay and working conditions
Pay and working conditions are contract clauses in public procurement requiring suppliers to meet collective agreement standards for wages and employment terms.
Peppol
Peppol is an international network for secure electronic exchange of procurement documents such as invoices and orders between businesses and public authorities.
Performance bond
A performance bond is a financial guarantee that a contractor will fulfill its contractual obligations. Common in public works and construction procurement.
Performance requirements
Performance requirements set measurable output levels a delivery must achieve in public procurement. Learn how they differ from functional requirements.
PQQ
A PQQ (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire) is a screening document used in procurement to assess supplier suitability before inviting them to submit a full tender.
Pre-commercial procurement
Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) is a phased R&D procurement approach where public buyers and suppliers share risks and benefits to develop innovative solutions.
Predictability
Predictability is a core principle in public procurement requiring that the entire process is foreseeable and transparent for economic operators.
Prequalification
Prequalification is the first phase in tender procedures where the contracting authority assesses suppliers' qualifications before they can participate in the main competition.
Price pressure
Price pressure in public procurement refers to the downward force on pricing when cost is heavily weighted in tender evaluations, risking quality and compliance.
Prior information notice
A prior information notice is an early notification from public contracting authorities about planned procurements, giving suppliers the opportunity to prepare.
Procurement
A procurement is when the public sector purchases goods, services, or construction works under specific rules designed to ensure fair competition.
Procurement documents
Procurement documents are all documents produced or referred to by a contracting authority to describe or determine elements of a public procurement.
Procurement of innovation
Procurement of innovation is when public authorities procure R&D to develop solutions that do not yet exist, going beyond buying off-the-shelf innovative products.
Procurement procedures
Procurement procedures are the regulated methods for conducting public procurement under EU directives. Learn about open, restricted, and negotiated procedures.
Procurement process
The procurement process is the structured sequence of stages a contracting authority follows from identifying a need through contract completion.
Procurement record
A procurement record documents all key decisions and significant matters throughout a public procurement process. Learn about requirements and EU regulations.
Procurement strategy
A procurement strategy is a high-level document that sets direction for an organisation's purchasing, with goals and measures for effective public procurement.
Prohibition on negotiation
The prohibition on negotiation prevents contracting authorities from negotiating with tenderers in open and restricted procedures under EU procurement law.
Proportionality
Proportionality is a core principle in EU/EEA public procurement requiring that requirements and procedures are appropriate to the contract's value and complexity.
Public contract
A public contract is a mutually binding agreement between a contracting authority and a supplier. Learn about contract types, rules, and requirements.
Public Procurement Act
The Public Procurement Act (LOA) is Norway's framework law for public procurement, establishing purpose, principles, and enforcement rules.
Public procurement regulation
The public procurement regulation (anskaffelsesforskriften) is Norway's detailed regulation for public procurement, implementing EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
Public tenders
A public tender is a formal process where public sector bodies invite suppliers to compete for the delivery of goods or services through open competition.
Purchase order
A purchase order is a binding document from a contracting authority to a supplier for the procurement of goods or services, requiring budget authorisation.
Purchasing
Purchasing is the operational side of procurement, covering the practical process of buying goods, services, or works in the public sector.
Q
Qualification requirements
Qualification requirements are set requirements for suppliers' competence, finances, and experience that must be met to participate in public procurement.
Qualification scheme
A qualification scheme is a system that simplifies public procurement by pre-approving suppliers who meet certain requirements.
R
Radical innovation
Radical innovation is groundbreaking change that fundamentally breaks with existing solutions. Learn how public procurement can enable radically new solutions.
Rejection
Rejection in public procurement is a contracting authority's decision to exclude a supplier or disqualify a tender that fails to meet the requirements.
Request for proposal
A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a formal document inviting suppliers to submit detailed proposals for goods or services, evaluated on criteria beyond price alone.
Request for quotation (RFQ)
A request for quotation (RFQ) is a formal procurement document inviting suppliers to submit competitive price quotes for well-defined goods or services.
Requirements specification
A requirements specification is a governing document that describes exactly what requirements and needs a contracting authority has when procuring goods or services.
Research and development
Research and development (R&D) in public procurement covers contracts for new knowledge or solutions, with specific exemptions under EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
Restricted procedure
A restricted procedure is a two-stage procurement method where suppliers are prequalified before only selected candidates are invited to submit tenders.
RFI (Request for Information)
An RFI (Request for Information) is a pre-tender document used by contracting authorities to gather market intelligence before launching a procurement.
Right of access
The right of access ensures transparency in public procurement by allowing anyone to request access to tender documents. Learn about EU and EEA rules.
Risk
Risk in public procurement refers to events that may negatively affect procurement objectives. Learn about risk assessment, management and allocation.
Risk management
Risk management in public procurement is the structured process of identifying, assessing and mitigating risks that could affect a procurement negatively.
S
Scored requirement
A scored requirement is a desirable but non-mandatory requirement in a procurement specification that is evaluated and awarded points during tender assessment.
Self-declaration
A self-declaration is preliminary evidence where a supplier confirms they meet the qualification requirements in a public procurement procedure.
Self-reporting
Self-reporting is a contract monitoring tool where suppliers report on their compliance with contractual obligations in public procurement.
Service contract
A service contract is a public contract for the provision of services, one of the three main contract types under EU/EEA procurement law.
Social dumping
Social dumping occurs when workers receive significantly worse pay and conditions than local norms. Learn how public procurement rules combat this practice.
Social labelling scheme
A social labelling scheme is a third-party certification proving that goods are produced in compliance with labour standards and human rights.
Social procurement
Social procurement uses public purchasing power to promote decent working conditions, social inclusion, and human rights throughout the supply chain.
Social responsibility
Social responsibility in public procurement covers what suppliers must document and demonstrate to meet human rights and labour standards requirements.
SSA (Norwegian Government Standard Agreements)
SSA agreements are standard contracts for public IT procurement in Norway that simplify contract signing between contracting authorities and suppliers by providing a fixed framework.
Standstill period
A standstill period is a mandatory waiting period between the announcement of a tender winner and the signing of the contract, ensuring the right to challenge the decision.
Subcontractors
A subcontractor is a company that performs parts of a contract for the main contractor when specialist expertise or additional capacity is required.
Submission deadline
A submission deadline is the final date for submitting tenders in a public procurement process. Late bids must be rejected under EU and EEA rules.
Supplier
A supplier (or economic operator) is any business that offers goods, services, or works to contracting authorities in public procurement.
Supplier conference
A supplier conference is an open event where contracting authorities present upcoming procurements and suppliers can showcase solutions and provide input.
Supplier selection
Supplier selection is the process where contracting authorities shortlist qualified candidates to participate in the tender phase of restricted procedures.
Supply chain
A supply chain in public procurement encompasses all tiers of suppliers and subcontractors involved in delivering goods or services under a contract.
Supply contract
A supply contract is a public contract for the purchase, lease, or rental of goods. Correct classification determines which thresholds and rules apply.
T
Tax certificate
A tax certificate is an official document proving a supplier's tax compliance, required in public procurement to demonstrate financial good standing.
Tender
A tender is a formal process where contracting authorities invite suppliers to compete for the delivery of goods or services, primarily used in the public sector.
Tender alerts
Tender alerts is a service that automatically notifies businesses about new, relevant public tenders they can participate in, replacing manual searching.
Tender cancellation
Tender cancellation occurs when a contracting authority discontinues a procurement procedure without awarding a contract, requiring a legitimate reason.
Tender clarification
Tender clarification allows contracting authorities to request that tenderers clarify ambiguities in their submissions without improving the offer.
Tender competition
A tender competition is the Norwegian procurement procedure for contracts below EEA thresholds, where the contracting authority may negotiate with suppliers.
Tender data
Tender data is structured information from public procurement processes, including notices, bids, award decisions, and contract values.
Tender documents
Tender documents describe a public procurement, including what is being purchased and how suppliers can participate in the competition.
Tender evaluation
Tender evaluation is the process of assessing and ranking submitted bids against predefined award criteria to identify the most economically advantageous tender.
Tender portal
A tender portal is a website where buyers publish their needs for goods and services, and where suppliers can find and respond to these opportunities.
Tender procedure
A tender procedure is a formal process where contracting authorities invite suppliers to submit bids for goods or services.
Tender search
Tender search is the process of finding and monitoring public tenders that your business can participate in, with the goal of delivering goods or services to the public sector.
Tender service
A tender service is a digital tool that helps businesses find and participate in public tenders and win contracts.
Tender validity period
A tender validity period is the timeframe during which a submitted bid remains legally binding in a public procurement procedure.
Tenderer
A tenderer is an entity that submits a bid in a public procurement procedure. Learn about tenderer rights, obligations, and their role in the tendering process.
Tenders Electronic Daily (TED)
TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) is the EU's official database for publishing public tenders across the EEA, ensuring open competition across national borders.
Threshold value
A threshold value is a financial limit that determines the rules for public procurement and dictates how extensive the purchasing process must be.
Transparency
Transparency is a fundamental principle of public procurement requiring contracting authorities to act openly and ensure verifiability throughout the process.
U
Universally applicable collective agreements
Universally applicable collective agreements extend minimum wage and working conditions to all workers in a sector, including in public procurement contracts.
Utilities Directive
The Utilities Directive (2014/25/EU) governs procurement in water, energy, transport, and postal sectors with higher thresholds and more flexible rules.
V
Variant
A variant is an alternative tender that proposes a different solution from the one specified in the procurement documents, permitted only when explicitly authorised.
Verifiability
Verifiability in public procurement requires contracting authorities to document all decisions so they can be reviewed and audited after the fact.
Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
A voluntary ex ante transparency notice is a public announcement where a contracting authority signals a planned direct contract with a single supplier without a regular tender procedure.
W
Weighting
Weighting in public tenders determines how much each award criterion counts when a contracting authority selects a supplier.
Work-related crime
Work-related crime covers offences against labour, tax, and social security laws that exploit workers and distort competition in public procurement.
Works contract
A works contract covers the execution of building or civil engineering works and is subject to specific EU procurement thresholds and classification rules.
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