4. WHERE TO FIND DEFENCE PROCUREMENT INFORMATION

4.1 The unclassified supplement to the Defence Budget

Each year, in connection with the submission to the Parliament of the Defence Budget proposals, an unclassified supplement is produced describing the investments being proposed in the defence budget. The supplement gives an indication of the nature and extent of the defence equipment, building and installation projects to be undertaken in the following years. It does not, however, include details of individual procurement projects such as numbers, delivery dates, contract conditions etc. The purpose is simply to provide the Parliament with an overview of the investments to be made in equipment, buildings and installation work during the coming year. Even if the details contained in this unclassified document are limited, it will generally contain information on major contracts to be placed during the year and the procurement agencies involved.

4.2 Norsk Lysingsblad

All purchases of goods covered by the provisions of «Lov om offentlige anskaffelser» (Public Sector Procurement Act) and for which the cost exceeds the current threshold value, have to be published in the European Union's Official Journal and included in the EU databank (Tenders Electronic Daily). A high proportion of the Armed Forces' procurement contracts are published openly. These always appear in the publication Norsk Lysningsblad. Some contracts are also publicised in the daily newspapers.

4.3 The WEAG Bulletin

All WEAG member countries are obliged to issue a monthly bulletin listing future procurements, announcements of invitations to tender, tender enquiries, contracts awarded and announcements of subcontracts awarded by foreign companies where these exceed ECU 1 million (NOK 8 million) in value. The bulletin also contains an advertising section where both Norwegian and foreign companies can promote themselves and their products free of charge. As a result of the defence equipment collaborative agreement between the Nordic countries, Sweden and Finland have now started to issue their own bulletins, on the lines of those of Norway and Denmark, containing information similar to that contained in the WEAG Bulletin.

Subscriptions to the WEAG Bulletin can be arranged through the HQ Defence Command Norway/Logistic Staff (Combined Materiel Agency), Tel. +47 23 09 84 85. See section on Defence Procurement Agencies.

4.4 Administrative authorities

The Materiel Commands and the other main Armed Forces administrative authorities are responsible for procurement activities in their own particular fields. These Commands are thus the main centres of defence procurement expertise. Hence these organisations are probably the best sources of information for companies wishing to establish themselves as suppliers to the Norwegian Armed Forces. Part II of this publication describes these organisations in more detail and explains how they may be contacted.

4.5 The Norwegian Defence Industry Group

The Norwegian Defence Industry Group (NFL) is a common interest group within the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry (NHO). The group's members are those Norwegian companies which act as main contractors for the supply of military and other products to the Armed Forces. Together the members are also responsible for more than 95% of all Norwegian exports of defence equipment. NFL looks after the interests of member companies in dealings with the authorities and it represents Norwegian defence companies within NATO. NFL keeps members informed of defence-related business opportunities, provides advice on specific matters and helps to maintain an active professional environment in the defence sector. NFL's address and telephone number are given above in the Introduction.

4.6. Defence Attachés

In addition to the information that can be obtained by contacting the organisations described in Part II of this brochure, mention should be made of the important part that Norwegian Defence Attachés play in providing information relevant to Norway's collaboration with other countries in the defence equipment field. Amongst other things, «Instructions for Service Attachés stationed in Embassies Abroad» states:

Item 3, Principal tasks:

Defence Attachés are to ensure that they keep abreast of the defence policies and military circumstances of the countries in which they are serving and they are to give priority to reporting on these matters including such aspects as research and development and the procurement of defence equipment.

Item 4, Other tasks:

Defence Attachés are to assist the Norwegian authorities and Norwegian industry in matters relating to bilateral or multilateral collaboration in the procurement of defence equipment.