The objective of this procurement is to establish a multi-supplier framework agreement for the provision of software development expertise for the entire VR Group. The framework covers development needs arising across VR Group companies, including but not limited to passenger services, logistics operations, infrastructure-related systems, commercial platforms, customer-facing digital services, and internal operational systems. The procurement is: Backend Development (e.g. backend systems, databases, cloud native development, and software development within commonly used backend technology ecosystems) Experts are assigned to VR’s agile development teams, who operate according to VR’s technology choices and established models where VR acts as the Product Owner and oversees overall project and development management. Work is carried out in a hybrid model, both on-site at VR’s premises in Helsinki and remotely in accordance with VR’s working guidelines. The service also includes a Supplier-appointed Service Manager (for reporting, invoicing etc.). The initial contract period is two (2) years, after which the Customer may extend the Agreement with four (4) optional periods of one (1) year each. This procurement will be carried out using an open procedure. The Finnish Act on Procurements and Concession Contracts of Entities Operating in the Water and Energy Supply, Transport and Postal Services Sector (Act 1398/2016, “Act on Public Contracts in the Utilities Sector”) applies to this procurement. Tenders must meet all suitability requirements set out in this notice and its appendices. The subject of the procurement is described in more detail in Appendix 2 (Procurement Description) to the Invitation to Tender. The suitability requirements for Tenderers are set out in the ESPD form.

This procurement is made for all legal entities under VR Group, i.e. VR-Group Plc and all its group companies. Any future group entities established or acquired during the term of the framework agreement may also be covered under this procurement. For the sake of clarity, the specific entities to be covered by the procured services shall be specified in each purchase order or mini-competition and/or in the corresponding purchase agreement. The primary Contracting Entities include the following companies: VR Kunnossapito Oy (2945253-7), Avecra Oy (0110858-2), Oy Pohjolan Liikenne Ab (0678125-8), VR Sverige AB (556351-9437) and VR Snabbtåg Sverige AB (556923-4304). VR Group will also sign the Agreement on behalf of all legal entities under VR Group. This procurement is a joint procurement of VR-Group Plc and VR Snabbtåg Sverige AB as referred to in Article 57 point 4 of the Utilities Directive (25/2014/EU), section 32 subsection 3 of the Finnish Act on Procurement Contracts in the Utilities Sectors (1398/2016) and chapter 7, sections 9, 12, 13 and 14 of the Swedish Act on Procurement in the Utilities Sectors (2016:1146). VR Group Plc will conduct the procurement procedure on behalf of both VR-Group Plc and VR Snabbtåg Sverige AB. VR-Group Plc will be responsible for the entire procurement procedure including all stages of the procurement procedure and possible appeal and rectification procedures. All of these processes will be entirely conducted according to Finnish law according to applicable legislation. The Finnish Act on Procurement Contracts in the Utilities Sectors (1398/2016) is applied to the procurement. For the avoidance of doubt, the procurement is made for all legal entities under VR Group, i.e. VR-Group Plc and all its group companies. VR-Group Plc and VR Snabbtåg Sverige AB have been mentioned specifically here due to procurement law reasons, but the procurement as such coverers all legal entities under VR Group as described also elsewhere in the procurement notice documents.