The competition is for the provision of assistance for ongoing and future development projects and management assignments. The procurement ́s value is estimated to: NOK 2,500,000 excluding VAT per annum. The maximum value for the entire contract period, including any options and expected price rise: NOK 20,000,000 excluding VAT. The need is uncertain. The volume can vary both up and down and the contract period will depend on, among other things, the contracting authority ́s needs, activities, budgetary situations and other framework factors. See the procurement documents for further information. The contracting authority reserves the right to cancel the competition, i.a. in connection with budgetary coverage. Apprentices: The contracting authority has assessed the procurement against the apprentice regulations, cf. the Procurement Act § 7 and concluded that apprentices are not required in this procurement, as disproportionately is considered, as there is a need for specialised competence that an apprentice cannot be expected to hold, cf. the apprentice regulation § 6 (4)