How to Bid on Public Tenders in Norway Procurement Rules, Steps and Tips

Norway has one of the most transparent and strictly regulated public procurement systems in Europe. Even though Norway is not a member of the European Union, it fully aligns its public procurement framework with EU rules through the EEA Agreement.

For suppliers, contractors, consultants, and international companies, Norway offers high-value and well-funded opportunities. But it also expects absolute compliance, precision, and professionalism.

This guide explains how public procurement works in Norway, from legal foundations to bid submission and contract award.

Legal Framework for Public Procurement in Norway

Public procurement in Norway is regulated primarily by:

• The Public Procurement Act (Lov om offentlige anskaffelser – LOA)

• Public Procurement Regulations (FOA)

These laws implement EU procurement directives into Norwegian legislation and apply to all public authorities.

Oversight and policy development are handled by the Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ). Complaints and disputes are reviewed by KOFA, the Norwegian Complaints Board for Public Procurement.

The core principles governing Norwegian procurement are non-negotiable:

• Transparency

• Equal treatment

• Predictability

• Proportionality

• Competition

• Efficient use of public funds

If a contracting authority or bidder violates these principles, the process can be challenged, suspended, or cancelled.

Procurement Scope and Covered Entities

Norwegian procurement rules apply to:

• Central government authorities

• Municipalities and counties

• State-owned enterprises

• Public utilities (energy, water, transport)

Both goods, services, and works contracts are covered, including consulting, ICT, construction, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure projects.

Procurement Procedures Used in Norway

Norway applies several procurement procedures depending on contract value and complexity.

Open Procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a bid. This is the most common method.

Restricted Procedure

Only pre-qualified suppliers are invited to submit full bids.

Competitive Procedure with Negotiation

Used when requirements cannot be fully defined upfront. Negotiations are allowed.

Competitive Dialogue

Applied for complex projects where solutions are discussed with selected bidders before final offers.

Direct Award

Permitted only for very low-value contracts under strict thresholds.

Each procedure is clearly defined in the tender documents. Deviating from it is not allowed.

Threshold Values and EEA Compliance

Norway applies EEA threshold values similar to EU thresholds.

• Above-threshold contracts must follow full EEA-compliant procedures

• Below-threshold contracts follow simplified national rules but still require competition and transparency

Thresholds determine:

• Publication requirements

• Minimum deadlines

• Documentation level

Understanding thresholds is essential, because requirements increase sharply once they are exceeded.

Electronic Procurement and Tender Publication

Norway operates an almost fully digital procurement environment.

Public tenders are published on:

• Doffin – the national procurement database

• TED – for EEA/EU-level contracts

All documentation, clarifications, and submissions are handled electronically.

Paper submissions are generally not accepted.

Bid Submission Process in Norway

The bid submission process is formal and unforgiving.

Key characteristics:

• Electronic submission only

• Strict deadlines enforced by the system

• No late bids accepted under any circumstance

• Required use of structured forms and declarations

Once the deadline passes, the system closes automatically. There are no extensions because “the file upload failed.”

Language and Documentation Requirements

Most tenders require submissions in Norwegian. Some large international tenders accept English, but this is always explicitly stated.

Typical required documents include:

• Administrative declarations (ESPD or equivalent)

• Technical proposal

• Financial offer

• References and experience documentation

• Proof of tax and social security compliance

• Bid security or guarantees when required

Foreign companies may need certified translations and local representatives.

Evaluation Criteria and Award Methodology

Evaluation is conducted strictly according to criteria defined in advance.

Common award criteria include:

• Lowest price

• Best price-quality ratio

• Technical quality

• Sustainability and environmental impact

• Delivery time and lifecycle cost

Weights and scoring methods are disclosed upfront. Authorities cannot change them later.

Standstill Period and Contract Award

After the award decision:

• All bidders are informed simultaneously

• A mandatory standstill period applies

• Unsuccessful bidders may request explanations or file complaints

Contracts can only be signed after the standstill period expires.

Contract Execution and Modifications

Once signed:

• Contracts must be executed exactly as awarded

• Material changes are heavily restricted

• Significant modifications usually require a new procurement process

Norway enforces contract compliance seriously, especially in public works and infrastructure projects.

Common Mistakes Made by Foreign Bidders

• Ignoring language requirements

• Submitting incomplete declarations

• Missing clarifications or addenda

• Misunderstanding negotiation rules

• Assuming flexibility where none exists

Norwegian procurement is polite but rigid. Precision matters more than persuasion.

How TendersGo Simplifies Access to Norwegian Tenders

Monitoring Norwegian tenders manually across portals is inefficient and risky.

TendersGo aggregates Norwegian public procurement notices alongside global tenders from over 220

countries. Using TendersGo, companies can:

• Track Norway tenders in real time

• Search in English even when tenders are published in Norwegian

• Receive AI-powered summaries and alerts

• Analyze awarded contracts and competitors

Instead of navigating fragmented systems, you focus on strategy and bidding.

Final Thoughts

Norway offers stable, high-value, and transparent procurement opportunities, especially in energy, infrastructure, ICT, healthcare, and environmental projects.

But this market rewards discipline, preparation, and absolute compliance.

In Norwegian public procurement, close enough is not close enough.

And yes, the rules are strict. That’s why the system works.