How to win government contracts and tenders in Norway

Navigating Government Contracting Opportunities in Norway: A Comprehensive Guide

Norway’s government contracting market offers promising opportunities for businesses looking to enter a transparent and highly regulated environment under European Economic Area (EEA) rules. This guide provides essential insights into Norway's legal frameworks, registration requirements, documentation standards, and compliance obligations, based exclusively on governmental and intergovernmental sources.

Legal Framework Governing Public Procurement

Alignment with EEA Regulations

Norwegian procurement procedures are aligned with EEA agreements, which closely parallel European Union (EU) procurement directives. The EFTA Surveillance Authority ensures Norway complies strictly with non-discriminatory competitive tendering processes. Authorities must justify any exceptions to competitive tenders, such as those justified by national security or exclusive rights, to avoid legal scrutiny.

Domestic Legislation

The Public Procurement Act of Norway incorporates core principles including transparency, fairness, and sustainability. Recent legislative developments, notably the Transparency Act, require companies to undertake rigorous due diligence regarding human rights and environmental impact throughout their supply chains. Bidders must demonstrate effective compliance strategies consistent with these regulations.

Registration Requirements

Mandatory Enrollment

Bidders must register with Norway’s Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities (Enhetsregisteret). Depending on the sector, additional registrations may be required. Maritime operators, for instance, must gain certification from the Norwegian Maritime Authority, while construction firms need accreditation from Direktoratet for Byggkvalitet. Foreign bidders are subject to Norway’s foreign direct investment (FDI) screening mechanism, particularly in sectors deemed strategically sensitive. It's advisable to initiate registrations and screening as early as possible due to their time sensitivity and potential for delays.

Documentation Standards

Bid Preparation Essentials

A competitive bid in Norway demands precise documentation, notably:

• Financial Stability: Audited financial statements from the past three fiscal years and appropriate financial guarantees, typically around 2% of contract value.
• Technical Capacity: Certifications, qualification statements, resource availability, and past performance evidence (particularly for high-value infrastructure contracts).
• Sustainability Commitments: Detailed sustainability plans and compliance statements aligned with international environmental standards and national sustainability goals.

Compliance Considerations

Due Diligence Obligations

Norway's Transparency Act requires comprehensive risk assessments focusing on human rights and environmental impacts within the supplier's full operations and value chains. Proposals must clearly demonstrate compliance with OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises, and include appropriate remedial strategies addressing identified risks.

Anti-Corruption Measures

Bidders must also adhere to strict anti-corruption legislation, employing robust internal controls aligned with internationally recognized anti-bribery standards to mitigate risks of non-compliance, which could result in disqualification from current and future procurements.

Foreign Investment Screening Process

Foreign entities interested in critical industries such as energy or telecommunications undergo mandatory investment screening. The screening process assesses potential impacts on national security and economic stability, typically spanning approximately eight weeks or potentially longer. Early engagement with Norway’s investment authorities, particularly Invest in Norway, is therefore strongly recommended to streamline the approval process.

Case Study: The Stad Ship Tunnel Tender

The recently launched Stad Ship Tunnel project exemplifies the rigorous prequalification and tendering procedures involved in major government procurements, including:

• Prequalification Deadlines: Interested bidders must complete preliminary feasibility studies and submit documentation demonstrating their tunneling expertise before the stated deadline.
• Technical Specifications: Comprehensive adherence to the Norwegian Coastal Administration's geotechnical specifications and standards for sustainable and resilient construction.
• Evaluation Criteria: Clear weighting emphasizing innovation (30%), cost-effectiveness (25%), and sustainability (45%) highlights Norway’s emphasis on broader value considerations during procurement evaluations.

Conclusion

Winning government contracts in Norway requires careful navigation of a rigorous, well-regulated procurement system defined by transparency, competitiveness, and strict compliance requirements. Companies seeking successful bids will benefit significantly from early engagement with relevant Norwegian authorities, thorough preparation, attention to compliance details, and responsiveness to sustainability and due diligence mandates.

[1] https://www.legal500.com/guides/chapter/greece-public-procurement/
[2] https://www.norges-bank.no/en/news-events/news-publications/Speeches/2025/2025-02-13-annual-address/
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[6] https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/soa-2024.pdf?emrc=d6f893
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[9] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ%3AC_202501494
[10] https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/01d712ab61f340bb9321b40ceeb80a36/review-of-the-norwegian-transparency-act.pdf
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[13] https://breakbulk.news/norway-launches-tender-for-worlds-first-full-scale-ship-tunnel/