30 December 2016
As of 1 January 2017, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) will supervise adherence to the public procurement act, with a particular focus on illegal direct award.
According to the public procurement act to enter into force on 1 January 2017, the FCCA will, when supervising public procurement activities, focus primarily on illegal direct award and other corresponding procurements conducted in a blatantly erroneous or discriminatory manner.
The FCCA may issue reminders to procurement units if it observes unlawful conduct, and, in the case of illegal direct award, may prohibit the implementation of a procurement decision. The agency may also propose that the Market Court impose sanctions, such as penalty payments, shortening of the contract, or the annulment of a procurement decision.
Anyone can submit a request for action to the FCCA regarding a procurement unit that has breached the public procurement legislation. The FCCA will publish instructions for submitting a request for action in early 2017. The FCCA may investigate unlawful conduct on its own initiative.
It will report its operations and the results of its supervisory tasks in a transparent manner, as required by public procurement directives.
Further information: Arttu Juuti, Assistant Director, tel. +358 29 505 3614 Maarit Taurula, Head of Research, tel +358 29 505 3381