FOA

The Norwegian Public Procurement Regulation (FOA -- Forskrift om offentlige anskaffelser) is the set of rules governing how the public sector must procure goods and services. This is important because it ensures that taxpayer money is spent in a fair and efficient manner.

How does FOA work?

FOA divides procurements into different categories based on value. A key boundary is the threshold value, which determines which rules apply. In 2024, for example, the threshold for government authorities' goods and services contracts is NOK 1.49 million.

When a public contracting authority needs to make a purchase, they must follow specific procedures:

• They must first prepare tender documentation describing what they intend to buy
• Then they must publish the competition on Doffin (the Norwegian database for public procurement)
• Interested suppliers can then submit tenders
• Finally, a winner is selected based on predefined award criteria

FOA also sets requirements for:

• How suppliers must be treated equally
• What documentation is required
• How much time suppliers must be given to submit tenders
• How to carry out contract conclusion

Tools like Cobrief help suppliers navigate these regulations and find relevant tenders to participate in.

Key exceptions

Not all public procurements must follow the full set of regulations. For example, smaller purchases under NOK 100,000 can be made as a direct award without a formal notice. There are also separate rules for special types of procurement such as defence materiel.

FOA is designed to ensure competition, equal treatment, and transparency in public procurement. For suppliers who want to sell to the public sector, it is therefore important to understand these fundamental rules. With the right knowledge and tools, even smaller businesses can participate in and win public tenders.