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Become a supplier

Gassco identifies potential suppliers through regular tendering procedures, as well as by analysing the supplier market ahead of time.

Magnet JQS

For procurements beyond the EEA threshold value*, Gassco typically utilizes Magnet JQS for prequalifying suppliers. Please refer to Step 1. 

Magnet JQS is a digital portal used by operators and contractors in the energy industry to search for, review and prequalify suppliers according to their respective qualifications and procurement requirements. Magnet JQS is compliant with the EU regulations for public procurement. 

In certain cases, based on a specific assessment, Gassco may announce the competition on Doffin/TED instead of using Magnet JQS. 

For procurements below the threshold value*, Gassco usually invites a minimum of three suppliers to submit their bids. * The EEA threshold values are specified in Section 5-2 of the Norwegian procurement regulation (FOR-2016-08-12-975).  

Contact information Magnet JQS:

Information about Magnet JQS is available at Offshore Qualific, responsible for the Magnet JQS portal. 

Competition format

Use of Magnet JQS

When utilizing Magnet JQS, tendering conducted by Gassco will generally take the form of a limited tendering procedure or a negotiated procedure. Depending on the specific circumstances, other tendering formats such as competitive dialogue or innovation partnership may also be considered.  

In a limited tendering procedure, which is a two-step procedure, the first step involves supplier prequalification (see Step 1). In a limited tendering procedure, the contracting authority is not allowed to negotiate with the suppliers who have submitted bids, and the evaluation is based solely on the written bids (see Step 2). 

Similarly, in a negotiated procedure, which is also a two-step procedure, the first stage involves supplier prequalification (see Step 1). In this competition format, the contracting authority is required to negotiate with the suppliers who have submitted bids (see Step 2). 

Announced competition

If Gassco has announced on Doffin/TED, an open tender can be used in addition to the competition formats described above. 

In an open tendering procedure, all interested suppliers are eligible to submit bids (see Step 2).

When using a limited tendering procedure or a negotiated procedure within an announced tender, the first stage will be Gassco’s qualification process (without prequalification through Magnet JQS) (see Step 1). 

Procurements below the EEA Threshold Values

For procurements falling below the EEA threshold values, Gassco typically invites a minimum of three suppliers to submit their bids. The competition format will be determined through a specific assessment, considering principles of fair competition, equal treatment of suppliers, predictability, verifiability, and proportionality. 

In order to be qualified and registered as a supplier in Magnet JQS (Step 1), the supplier must complete a questionnaire and self-declarations and meet the following qualification requirements:

  • The company must be a legally established entity (certificate of registration). Registration in Magnet JQS is limited to companies that are publicly registered.
  • The company must be up-to-date with taxes and fees, and not be in debt negotiations or placed under administration (auditor’s statement). Registration in Magnet JQS is limited to companies that are publicly registered.
  • The company must have followed the applicable national regulations for reporting the latest annual report/financial statements (auditor’s statement). The financial key figures of suppliers registered in Magnet JQS are provided by Creditsafe Noway AS, a partner of Magnet JQS.
  • The company must have (or plan to implement) a quality system (self-declaration). Suppliers complete a self-declaration form related to their own quality management system and assign themselves a rating from A to D, with A being the highest score.
  • The company must have (or plan to implement) an HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) system (self-declaration). Suppliers complete a self-declaration form related to their own HSE management system and assign themselves a rating from A to D, with A being the highest score.

The company must be able to answer questions regarding Corporate Responsibility (CR). Questions related to Corporate Responsibility are included in the self-declaration that suppliers are required to complete.

Gassco Prequalification

While Magnet JQS is used for prequalifying suppliers, Gassco often conducts an extended prequalification process. Extended prequalification is required internally for products or services that carry potential risks or are critical to Gassco’s operations.

If a competition is announced through Doffin/TED, Gassco will exclusively conduct its own prequalification process, without using Magnet JQS.

Gassco’s prequalification process typically includes a detailed assessment of suppliers’:

  • Economic and financial capacity
  • Technical capacity (including relevant experience and staffing)
  • Quality management and HSE systems

In cases of limited tendering or negotiated procedures, there is typically a predetermined limit or range of the number of suppliers invited to participate (e.g., 3-5 suppliers).

The selection among prequalified suppliers will be based on defined selection criteria, primarily focusing on their technical capabilities.

Received offers are evaluated in Step 2.

In the case of an open tendering procedure, an assessment is also made to determine the qualification of the supplier, as outlined in Step 1 above. However, unlike in a limited tendering procedure or negotiated procedure, where a selection is often made among qualified suppliers, all qualified suppliers’ offers are evaluated in an open tendering procedure.

Offer evaluation is based on the award criteria provided in the invitation (tender documentation). In the case of negotiated procedures, negotiations will be conducted with the bidders.

Supplier selection – justification and standstill period

All suppliers who have participated in a procedure will receive written notification simultaneously regarding the outcome of the procedure, accompanied by a justification for the selection of the supplier.

The justification will include the name of the selected supplier and an explanation of the chosen tender’s qualities and relative advantages in accordance with the award criteria.

The notification will also provide information on the determined standstill period, which is the period that Gassco will refrain from entering a contract with the selected supplier (a minimum of 10 days from the day the notification of the supplier selection is sent).

Contract award to the selected supplier

After the standstill period, Gassco will proceed to enter into a contract with the selected supplier.

The choice of contract template to be used will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Gassco utilizes its own templates for simpler procurements, including:

  • General terms and conditions for the purchase of goods
  • General terms and conditions for the purchase of services
  • General terms and conditions for the hiring of personnel

Other relevant contract templates include templates (SSA) from the Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management.

All suppliers seeking to become contractual partners with Gassco are required to accept the Ethical guidelines for suppliers. These guidelines include sanctions in case of guideline violations and are included in the contract.