Public procurement refers to goods, services and building contracts that the government and its public corporations, municipalities, joint municipal authorities and other procuring entities defined in the procurement legislation purchase from outside of their own organisation. They are made in accordance with national procurement laws and the EU’s procurement directives. There are specific rules of procedure related to, among other things, the different stages of competitive bidding, drawing up the request for quotation documents, notifying of the procurement and signing the procurement contract.

Key principles in the procurement include open and efficient competitive bidding and the equal and non-discriminatory treatment of the bidders. The procurement must be communicated to the necessary extent and bidders must be treated in an equal and non-discriminatory manner while respecting the selection criteria announced in advance. The bid with the lowest price or best value for money in terms of the selection criteria announced in advance is accepted.

There are often substantial financial interests involved in public procurement and disputes are common.