threshold value

A threshold value is a financial limit that determines which rules apply when the public sector purchases goods and services. These limits are important because they dictate how extensive the procurement process must be and what requirements apply to notices.

How do threshold values work?

Under EU Directive 2014/24/EU, the EEA thresholds for the 2026–2027 period are €140,000 (central government), €216,000 (sub-central authorities), and €5,404,000 (works contracts). Procurements above these thresholds must be published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily).

In Norway specifically, the following thresholds apply for the 2024–2026 period in public tenders:

• Below NOK 100,000: No special requirements (rising to NOK 500,000 from 1 July 2026)
• NOK 100,000 – NOK 1.3 million: Simple competition
• Above NOK 1.3 million (national threshold): Must be published on Doffin
• For government authorities: Above NOK 1.49 million (EEA threshold)
• For municipalities and others: Above NOK 2.3 million (EEA threshold)
• For construction contracts: Above NOK 57.9 million (EEA threshold)

Practical significance

When the value of a procurement exceeds a threshold value, the contracting authority must follow stricter rules:

• A detailed tender document must be prepared
• The procurement must be published in the relevant channels (Doffin and TED)
• Reasonable deadlines must be set for suppliers
• The process must follow specific procedures for selecting a supplier

To calculate the value, you must consider the total cost over the entire contract period, including any options. For example: If you are hiring consultancy services at NOK 100,000 per month for two years, the total value is NOK 2.4 million -- meaning the EEA rules apply for government contracting authorities.

Tools like Cobrief can help you keep track of current threshold values and alert you to relevant tenders that match your business.