The framework conditions for public procurements consist of EU directives on public procurement, law and regulation for public procurement, and regulations for financial management of governemental institutions (Reglement for økonomistyring i staten).
A significant part of UiB's budget
The University of Bergen purchases goods and services for over 1,5 billion NOK a year. This means purchases make up a significant part of UiB's total budget. Procurement is a strategically important area to UiB, as it can be used as a tool for reaching our objectives. In some cases, there is a direct link between the quality of our procurements and the quality of the research and education delivered.
The university is - in its role as a public actor - dependent on public confidence. The rules laid down in laws and regulations make demands for professionalism and effective use of resources. This is to ensure good purchases (good value for money), make sure we act with integrity, and reduce the risk of corruption.
Procurements should help the university reach its primary objectives within education, reserach, dissemination and innovation. It is the university's ambition to conduct optimal procurements with regard to costs, quality and suitability, within the framework conditions. Therefore, it is important that all university staff help reach these objectives, and follow the guidelines set for procurement processes.
Basic principles
To achieve this, we must act by certain basic principles:
- competition
- equal treatment
- predictability
- verifiability
- proportionality
To act in a transparent manner and show good business practice, will help guard these principles.
The basic principles are relevant for all purchases, but the higher the value of the purchase, the more stringent the requirements for the process. For all purchases over 100.000 NOK, we must produce sufficient documentation to justify that a competition has been conducted.
Elements of risk
Following guidelines for procurements reduces the risk of:
- corruption/bribery and unethical behaviour
- breach of the law - criminal prosecution and fines
- unprofessional treatment of business partners
- procedural errors - complaints to the Norwegian Complaint Board for Public Procurement (KOFA) can result in restart, delays, damages and loss of reputation
- violations of human rights in the production chain
- negative impact on climate and the environment
