Sykehusinnkjøp HF to implement new tender platform

Sykehusinnkjøp HF currently uses the procurement platform Mercell to conduct digital procurement processes for goods and services for the Norwegian specialist health service. This includes publishing competitions, receiving tender submissions, awarding contracts, and signing agreements in Mercell.

On 24 March 2026, we will transition to the new platform Ivalua. Several large Norwegian public sector organisations have already adopted Ivalua. The platform is therefore becoming an established actor in the Norwegian market, similar to Mercell.

On this page, suppliers can find answers to some frequently asked questions about the transition. It is also possible to submit your own questions.

Why are we changing platforms?

Sykehusinnkjøp HF currently uses several different systems throughout the procurement process—from planning and executing procurements to managing signed contracts. With Ivalua, we can consolidate many of these systems into a single solution, helping us streamline, standardise, and simplify our work. This will strengthen our ability to fulfil our primary mission: creating financial flexibility for the specialist health service through effective, high-quality procurements.

When will we start using Ivalua?

We will begin using Ivalua on 24 March 2026. From this date onward, all new tender competitions from Sykehusinnkjøp HF will be published in Ivalua. New contracts will also be signed in Ivalua.

When can suppliers log in to Ivalua?

Suppliers can create a user and log into Ivalua when the platform is launched on 24 March 2026. When this happens, we will publish an article about it on Sykehusinnkjøp HF's website linking to it as well as send an email to our supplier contacts.

Will ongoing procurements be moved to Ivalua?

No. Competitions that have been published in Mercell before 24 March will remain there and will be completed in Mercell. This means that during a transitional period, Sykehusinnkjøp HF will be using both Ivalua and Mercell until all ongoing procurements in Mercell are finalised. After these competitions are awarded in Mercell, the resulting contracts will be signed in Ivalua.

Will there be given training in the use of Ivalua?

Ivalua includes comprehensive user guides built directly into the system. Suppliers who are unsure how to register or submit tenders can consult these guides for assistance. We recommend that suppliers familiarise themselves with the user guides when creating a user account in Ivalua.

Will Ivalua offer user support?

Yes. Ivalua will offer a free support service that suppliers can contact if they require technical support.

How can suppliers prepare for the change?

Suppliers do not need to take any action prior to the transition to Ivalua. To participate in a tender competition, you only need to create a supplier and user profile after Ivalua goes live on 24 March. This can, for instance, be done the first time you wish to participate in a competition.

However, we strongly recommend that suppliers allocate extra time when submitting their first tenders in Ivalua and ensure that submissions are delivered well ahead of the deadline.

A good rule of thumb is to submit tenders no later than the day before the deadline expires. This allows for time to consult user guides or contact support if needed. After a tender has been submitted, suppliers may also edit and resubmit updated versions of their tenders until the submission deadline.

Is there a cost to using Ivalua as a supplier?

No. Suppliers use Ivalua for free.

Does Ivalua include tender notifications?

No, Ivalua does not have built-in tender notification functionality. However, several independent commercial notification services exist on the market. Since tenders from Sykehusinnkjøp HF are automatically published in the national tender database Doffin, these notification services will continue to include our competitions just as they do with competitions published elsewhere. The only difference after the transition will be that links to Sykehusinnkjøp HF’s competitions will lead to Ivalua instead of Mercell.

As before, suppliers will also be able to search for tender competitions published by Sykehusinnkjøp HF in Doffin and TED. You can find more information about this on Doffin’s website.

Submit a question

If your question is not covered above, you can send us your own question with this questionnaire. We will respond to the email address you submit, and may also include the answer it on this page if relevant to other suppliers.