There are still difficult times ahead for the state’s finances, and the need to cut expenditure is growing. One of the ways in which the Government will try to achieve savings in the coming years is making public procurement more effective. According to Johanna Lähde, the key to well-functioning public procurement is skilled management of procurements and active dialogue with market players.
5.2.2024
The Government wants to increase companies’ interest in public procurement by strengthening competition
Johanna Lähde
Related services
‘In financially challenging times, procurements become increasingly significant, as the use of public funds is considered carefully and, at the same time, it is difficult for many companies to increase their business. The Government aims to make public procurement more effective and strengthen the attractiveness during this term, among other things, by regulative amendments,’ says Johanna Lähde, head of C&S’s Procurement service.
The objective of public procurement has always been to provide companies with equal opportunities to participate in the public procurement procedure. According to a comprehensive review by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority published in December, the competitive situation in public procurement is, however, poor: on average only two tenders are submitted in competitive tender processes. A significant number of competitive tender processes, 14.5%, only receive one tender. The Government is therefore planning to reform the Act on Public Contracts during this term in such a way that the tender process would have to be renewed if only one tender has been submitted.
‘The small number of tenders is alarming. Low competition does not promote cost-efficient use of tax money. There are a lot of expectations for public procurement as the aim with procurements is to promote various sustainability and responsibility goals and innovations, for example. If public procurement does not interest companies, it is clear that the practical impact of procurements cannot be optimal. Increasing competition benefits both parties because it gives the procurer more choice and companies a realistic opportunity to succeed in competition’, says Johanna.Market dialogue is an integral part of procurement process
Due to legislation, it is characteristic of public procurement that the requirements of procurement are defined well in advance. It is difficult to change the requirements afterwards without starting the project from the beginning. Companies can also not market alternative solutions successfully while the competitive tender process is ongoing. According to Lähde, the key to successful and effective procurement lies in management and market understanding.‘A good procurement process is made up of several different factors. I want to encourage procurers to have an active dialogue with the market players. It is a good idea to discuss with companies already at an early stage of the procurement process. Well-functioning interaction plays a key role in getting the contracting entities and companies on the same page with respect to the market and the service to be offered.’
Latest news
Latest references
Banyan Software – Acquisition of Carus Ferry
We acted as legal adviser to Banyan Software on its acquisition of Carus Ferry, a Finland-based provider of reservation, check-in and port operations software for ferry and passenger shipping operators. The acquisition further strengthens Banyan Software’s presence in the Nordic region while providing Carus with a long-term partner to support its continued growth and development. Carus was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Mariehamn on the Åland Islands, Finland. The company develops mission-critical software for ferry, cruise and passenger shipping operators, covering the full passenger journey from booking and ticketing to capacity management, check-in and boarding. Carus also provides port automation, onboard sales systems and business information tools. The company serves approximately 30 operators across four continents and is the largest vendor by customer count in ferry reservation and departure control. Banyan Software is an acquirer and long-term operator of mission-critical software businesses serving specialised industries. Founded in 2016, Banyan follows a buy-and-hold-for-life approach and supports the long-term growth and development of its portfolio companies. Banyan operates more than 130 portfolio companies across North and South America, the United Kingdom, Europe and APAC. Following the acquisition of Carus, Banyan operates three businesses in the Nordic region.
Case published 20.10.2026
Move Energy – Combination of 3North Partners and Steady Energy and related private placement and IPO
We advised Move Energy as an investor in connection with the combination of 3North Partners Plc and Steady Energy Oy and the related private placement and initial public offering of the combined company on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland. In connection with the transaction, 3North Partners received approximately EUR 69.8 million in investor commitments from a group of institutional and other investors, including Move Energy, to fund the combined company. Steady Energy is a Finnish nuclear technology company developing a new generation of small modular reactors (SMRs) particularly suited for district heating. Its LDR-50 reactor is designed to provide cities and utilities with a scalable and low-carbon alternative to combustion-based heat production.
Case published 19.10.2026
Efima – Sale of AI business
We advised Efima Oyj on the sale of its AI business to Better Care Technologies Oy. The transaction included Efima’s Moiva AI platform developed for the care sector, the related technology and brand, customer contracts, and the experts working in the business. Efima is a Finnish digital company that supports the sustainable growth of large and mid-sized companies by streamlining their business processes and by creating competitive advantage through the innovative use of artificial intelligence and data. The company has nearly 200 experts based in Helsinki and Tampere.
Case published 21.9.2026
Neoen – Sale of data centre
We advised Neoen Renewables Finland Oy, part of the French Neoen Group, in its sale of a data centre project to a consortium consisting of international data centre developers and operators. This marked Neoen’s first data centre development project in Finland. Founded in 2008, Neoen is one of the world’s leading independent renewable energy producers. The company operates in 15 countries. It develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates solar power plants, wind farms, and battery storage systems. Neoen Group is owned by global alternative asset manager Brookfield Corporation.
Case published 17.9.2026