Living Labs - Work Package 4 The Blast Freezing Container (Shock Freezer Container / Containers for food processing, Work Package 4

Kemi-Tornio Valley Municipal Education Consortium Lappia is the implementing party in the project “Investments: Sustainable Growth from Local Raw Materials” (project code J11053), funded by the Regional Council of Lapland. The Regional Council of Lapland has approved the project for funding and granted support for its implementation from the Just Transition Fund (JTF), pursuant to the Act on Regional Development and the Financing of European Union Regional and Structural Policy Projects (757/2021). This post-notification concerns the procurement of the blast freezing container (shock freezing container) under Work Package 4 of the Lappia Living Labs project. Kemi-Tornio Valley Municipal Education Consortium Lappia and the Lappia Living Labs project published a call for tenders for the procurement of the blast freezing container under Work Package 4, which was conducted as an open procedure in accordance with EU procurement regulations, Hilma notice number 2025-025466, TED ID 351317-2025. The deadline for submission of tenders was 29 July 2025 at 16:00. The procurement for Work Package 4 was not divided into lots, as the blast freezing container, including its temperature control and ventilation systems, constitutes a single, clear and appropriate entity. Accordingly, the contracting authority required responsibility for the intended use of the procurement object and a comprehensive warranty period. The supplier was required to ensure that the blast/shock freezing equipment (refrigeration unit with shock freezing functionality) was integrated into the freezing room section and that the ventilation was suitable for simultaneous indoor work by four (4) persons in the working area of the container. Supplier suitability assessment: The supplier confirmed compliance with the suitability requirements specified in the invitation to tender (ESPD form). The statutory verification required under the Act on the Contractor’s Obligations and Liability was conducted at the tender opening session on 30 July 2025 and during the preparation of the official decision on 1 September 2025. Received tenders: Work Package 4. The Blast Freezing Container by the specified deadline, one (1) tender was received. The tender was submitted by Vilart Teemu Heinonen Oy (Business ID 2371743–4). The tender price was €67,000 (excluding VAT). Comparison of tenders: No comparison of tenders could be conducted, as only one (1) tender was received in the open tendering process. The expert working group evaluated the received tender and verified compliance with the mandatory requirements. The tender met all mandatory requirements. The estimated total value for Part 4, the shock freezing container, was €65,000 (excluding VAT). Work Package 4. In the tender submitted by Vilart Teemu Heinonen Oy, the price for the blast/shock freezing container was €67,000, excluding VAT. The value of the tender exceeded the estimated total value set for the procurement, but the evaluation group considered the excess to be minor and recommended acceptance of the tender, as only one (1) tender was received despite the market dialogue events organized during the open competition. In evaluating the tender, consideration was also given to the implementation period of the Lappia Living Labs project (1 August 2024–28 February 2026) and the objectives set for the activities in accordance with the project plan. Supplier selection: Vilart Teemu Heinonen Oy (Business ID 2371743–4) was selected as the supplier of the blast/shock freezing container. The accepted tender price is €67,000 (excluding VAT). Justification: The blast (shock) freezing container is an innovative solution not generally available on the markets of the European Economic Area. Vilart Teemu Heinonen Oy will manufacture the container at its own factory. Re-tendering the procurement is neither appropriate nor reasonable, considering the resources required for the tendering process and the duration of the EU procurement procedure. The evaluation group also took into account the duration of the project (1 August 2024–28 February 2026), the technical implementation of the project, and the objectives set for the commissioning of the blast freezing container in accordance with the project plan. The blast freezing container was required to meet the material and hygiene requirements set by health authorities for food handling environments, as well as the occupational safety requirements related to ventilation for work conducted inside the container. The objective is to obtain the most functional, safe, cost-effective, and innovative working container solution. The blast freezing container (shock freezing container) will be used for the processing of food and natural products in cooperation with partners of the Lappia Living Labs project (micro and small enterprises, aspiring entrepreneurs, and other development partners) throughout the Lapland region, as well as at the Muonio and Loue locations. The container will be transported for project and development activities to various locations within Lappia, for example, for the implementation of workshops and pilot projects. Vocational school Lappia and the Lappia Living Labs project wish to thank all suppliers, partners, and participants in the market dialogue events and Work Packages 1–4 for their excellent cooperation and for a successful procurement process.