Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue has awarded a €2.1M deep brain stimulation contract to Boston Scientific Nordic AB

Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue (Pohde), a body governed by public law operating in the health sector, has awarded a contract for deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment (DBS-stimulaatio) to Boston Scientific Nordic AB. The awarded value of the contract is €2,100,000.00, covering medical equipment including a DBS stimulator implanted in the patient, patient electrodes and installation instruments, software for treatment planning and implementation, and patient and physician adjustment devices. The contract period is 4 years. The contract was awarded following an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Introduction

Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue (Pohde), a body governed by public law operating in the health sector, has conducted an open procedure for the overall entity required for the implementation of deep brain stimulation treatment (DBS treatment). The entity includes a DBS stimulator implanted in the patient, patient electrodes and instruments needed for installation, software related to treatment planning and implementation, and patient and physician adjustment devices. The contract period is 4 years. The estimated total value of the procurement for four years is approximately €1,500,000.00. The number of new installations per year is approximately 20. The DBS equipment is generally with the patient for the rest of their life, and the equipment is not intended to be replaced unless it breaks. Brain electrodes and stimulators are device-specific, and in cases where the electrodes placed in the patient set requirements for the stimulator used, the contract is valid indefinitely due to the need for availability of supplies for the patient's lifetime. The supplier undertakes to ensure the compatibility, availability and support of the stimulator, patient controller and treatment unit software for the patient's lifetime or as long as the device is in clinical use. In cases where a patient has a DBS stimulator from a previous contract period and its device-specific brain electrodes installed, the contracting authority may make purchases of consumables also outside the contract products.

The procurement is not financed with EU funds but is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Strategic procurement includes a social objective of human rights due diligence in global supply chains and innovation procurement: the procured works, supplies or services are novel or significantly improved compared to other works, supplies, or services already on the market. The evaluation criteria are price (70 points) and quality (30 points). One tender was received. One winner was appointed: Boston Scientific Nordic AB (large enterprise). No subcontracting was declared. The contract was concluded on 25 September 2026. The value of all contracts awarded in this notice is €2,100,000.00.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that Pohde has access to deep brain stimulation treatment equipment and related services for its patients, supporting the treatment of neurological conditions.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports Healthcare Services: Provides deep brain stimulation treatment equipment and services
• Significant Value: €2,100,000.00 awarded value; €1,500,000.00 estimated value over four years
• Long-Term Commitment: 4-year contract period; indefinite validity in certain cases
• Comprehensive Entity: Includes DBS stimulator, patient electrodes, installation instruments, software, and adjustment devices
• Balanced Evaluation: 70 points price, 30 points quality
• Large Provider: Winner is a large enterprise
• Strategic Procurement: Human rights due diligence and innovation procurement

Contract Timeline

• Start date: 01 October 2026
• Date winner chosen: 12 August 2026
• Contract concluded: 25 September 2026
• Duration: 48 months
• Notice published: 29 September 2026 (OJ S 188/2026)
• Notice dispatch date: 28 September 2026
• Previous notice: d9a0113e-f23f-4e4a-98ea-8dab245afc07-01

Contract Overview

Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Key features include:

• One lot: LOT-0000
• Estimated value: €1,500,000.00 (for four years)
• Awarded value in this notice: €2,100,000.00
• Duration: 48 months
• Framework type: No framework agreement
• Evaluation: Price (70 points) and Quality (30 points)
• Winner: Boston Scientific Nordic AB (large enterprise)
• Subcontracting: No
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Strategic procurement: Human rights due diligence in global supply chains; innovation procurement

Key Contract Details

• Main classification: 33100000 Medical equipments
• Place of performance: Finland (anywhere in the given country)
• Procedure identifier: 13f68028-20c2-4017-9e75-e3eef754e450
• Internal identifier: PPHVADno-2026-18277
• Type of procedure: Open
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU
• Review body: Markkinaoikeus
• Review deadline: The contracting authority makes the written procurement contract at the earliest 14 days after the interested party has received or is deemed to have received the decision with appeal instructions

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – DBS Stimulation

• Title: DBS-stimulaatio
• Description: The overall entity required for the implementation of deep brain stimulation treatment (DBS treatment), including a DBS stimulator implanted in the patient, patient electrodes and instruments needed for installation, software related to treatment planning and implementation, and patient and physician adjustment devices
• Internal identifier: PPHVADno-2026-18277
• Estimated value: €1,500,000.00 (for four years)
• Awarded value: €2,100,000.00
• Winner: Boston Scientific Nordic AB
• Tenders received: 1
• Contract concluded: 25 September 2026
• Duration: 48 months
• Contract identifier: Boston

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Value (€)	Winner	Tenders
1	DBS Stimulation	2,100,000.00	Boston Scientific Nordic AB	1
Total		2,100,000.00

Scope of Supply

The contract covers the following supplies and services:

• DBS Stimulator: Stimulator implanted in the patient
• Patient Electrodes: Patient electrodes and instruments needed for installation
• Software: Software related to treatment planning and implementation
• Adjustment Devices: Patient and physician adjustment devices
• Medical Equipments: Equipment under CPV 33100000
• Compatibility and Support: The supplier undertakes to ensure the compatibility, availability and support of the stimulator, patient controller and treatment unit software for the patient's lifetime or as long as the device is in clinical use
• Consumables: In cases where a patient has a DBS stimulator from a previous contract period and its device-specific brain electrodes installed, the contracting authority may make purchases of consumables also outside the contract products

Special Procurement Conditions

• Lifetime Commitment: The DBS equipment is generally with the patient for the rest of their life, and the equipment is not intended to be replaced unless it breaks
• Indefinite Validity: Brain electrodes and stimulators are device-specific, and in cases where the electrodes placed in the patient set requirements for the stimulator used, the contract is valid indefinitely due to the need for availability of supplies for the patient's lifetime
• Supplier Commitment: The supplier undertakes to ensure the compatibility, availability and support of the stimulator, patient controller and treatment unit software for the patient's lifetime or as long as the device is in clinical use
• Consumables Exception: In cases where a patient has a DBS stimulator from a previous contract period and its device-specific brain electrodes installed, the contracting authority may make purchases of consumables also outside the contract products
• Price Criterion: Price (70 points) is the highest weighted criterion
• Quality Criterion: Quality (30 points)
• Innovation Procurement: The procured works, supplies or services are novel or significantly improved compared to other works, supplies, or services already on the market
• Social Objective: Human rights due diligence in global supply chains
• No Framework Agreement: No framework agreement
• No Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared by winner

About the Contracting Authority

Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue (Pohde) is a body governed by public law operating in the health sector in Finland.

• Legal type: Body governed by public law
• Activity: Health
• Registration number: 3221326-2
• Location: Pohde, Finland (NUTS: FI1D9)
• Address: PL 10, 90029 POHDE
• Contact point: Kaisa Rahko
• Email: kaisa.rahko@pohde.fi
• Telephone: +358 403186111
• Internet address: https://pohde.fi

About the Winning Supplier

Boston Scientific Nordic AB is a large enterprise based in Helsingborg, Sweden, specialising in medical equipment including deep brain stimulation systems.

• Size: Large enterprise
• Registration number: 2520562-7
• Location: Helsingborg, Sweden (NUTS: SE224)
• Address: Järnvägsgatan 45, 25225 Helsingborg
• Subcontracting: No

Evaluation Criteria

The lot uses the following evaluation criteria:

• Price (70 points): Hinta
• Quality (30 points): Laatu

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU
• Competition: 1 tender received
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds
• No framework agreement: No framework agreement
• No dynamic purchasing system used
• Accelerated procedure: No
• Strategic procurement: Human rights due diligence in global supply chains; innovation procurement
• Review body: Markkinaoikeus
• Call for competition terminated: The call for competition has been terminated (contract awarded)

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
• No EU funds were used for this procurement
• The estimated value is €1,500,000.00 (for four years)
• The awarded value in this notice is €2,100,000.00
• The procurement is divided into one lot
• Price (70 points) and Quality (30 points) are the evaluation criteria
• One tender was received
• The winner is a large enterprise
• No subcontracting was declared
• The contract period is 4 years (48 months) starting from 01 October 2026
• The number of new installations per year is approximately 20
• The DBS equipment is generally with the patient for the rest of their life
• The contract is valid indefinitely in cases where electrodes set requirements for the stimulator used
• The supplier undertakes to ensure compatibility, availability and support for the patient's lifetime or as long as the device is in clinical use
• Strategic procurement includes human rights due diligence in global supply chains and innovation procurement

Market & Industry Perspective

The Finnish public sector medical equipment market features a mix of large international manufacturers and specialised national distributors. Deep brain stimulation equipment is essential for the treatment of neurological conditions, including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and dystonia.

Key trends in this market include:

• Price focus: 70 points price, 30 points quality
• Large providers: Dominance of large medical equipment manufacturers
• Long-term patient commitment: Equipment is generally with the patient for the rest of their life
• Device-specific components: Brain electrodes and stimulators are device-specific
• Lifetime support: Supplier commitment to compatibility, availability and support for the patient's lifetime
• Innovation procurement: Novel or significantly improved products
• Strategic procurement: Human rights due diligence in global supply chains

Economic Significance

At €2,100,000.00 awarded value (and €1,500,000.00 estimated value over four years), this contract represents a significant investment in deep brain stimulation equipment for Pohde. The contract will:

• Support Healthcare Services: Provide deep brain stimulation treatment equipment and services
• Support Large Enterprise: Boston Scientific Nordic AB is a large medical equipment manufacturer
• Provide Long-Term Stability: 4-year contract period with indefinite validity in certain cases
• Ensure Patient Care: Provide DBS stimulators, electrodes, software and adjustment devices
• Enable Clinical Excellence: Access to advanced deep brain stimulation technology
• Support Strategic Objectives: Human rights due diligence and innovation procurement

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 4-year contract period (unless indefinite validity applies)
• Related Supplies: Additional DBS equipment, electrodes and consumables
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Boston Scientific Nordic AB
• Other Healthcare Projects: Similar DBS equipment procurement opportunities
• Consumables: Ongoing needs for consumables, including purchases outside the contract products in certain cases

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for DBS equipment suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for future procurement cycles
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Boston Scientific Nordic AB
• Related Supplies: Other DBS equipment, electrodes and consumables
• Other Finnish Wellbeing Services Counties: Similar DBS equipment procurements
• Consumables: Monitor consumable opportunities, including purchases outside contract products in certain cases

What Businesses Should Watch

• Pohde's future procurement notices
• Other Finnish wellbeing services counties DBS equipment tenders
• Deep brain stimulation equipment market trends
• Changes to Finnish procurement regulations
• Strategic procurement requirements (human rights due diligence, innovation)
• Lifetime support and compatibility requirements

FinlandTenders.com Procurement Intelligence

This DBS stimulation contract is a notable example of Finnish public sector healthcare procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €2.1M awarded value; €1.5M estimated value over four years
• Balanced evaluation: 70 points price, 30 points quality
• Large winner: Boston Scientific Nordic AB
• One lot: DBS-stimulaatio
• Competition: 1 tender received
• Long-term commitment: 4-year contract period; indefinite validity in certain cases
• Comprehensive entity: DBS stimulator, patient electrodes, installation instruments, software, and adjustment devices
• Lifetime support: Supplier commitment to compatibility, availability and support for the patient's lifetime
• Innovation procurement: Novel or significantly improved products
• Strategic procurement: Human rights due diligence in global supply chains

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: 70 points price-based evaluation
• Quality: 30 points quality-based evaluation
• DBS equipment expertise: Ability to supply deep brain stimulation systems
• Lifetime support capability: Ability to ensure compatibility, availability and support for the patient's lifetime
• Public sector experience: Understanding of Finnish healthcare requirements
• Innovation capability: Novel or significantly improved products
• Strategic awareness: Understanding of human rights due diligence in global supply chains

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 70 points of evaluation is price-based
• Ensure high quality – 30 points of evaluation is quality-based
• Demonstrate DBS equipment supply capability
• Show lifetime support capability for compatibility, availability and support
• Develop public sector experience with Finnish wellbeing services counties
• Demonstrate innovation capability for novel or significantly improved products
• Showcase strategic awareness of human rights due diligence
• Monitor Pohde and Finnish healthcare procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue awarded a €2,100,000.00 deep brain stimulation contract to Boston Scientific Nordic AB
• One lot: DBS-stimulaatio
• Duration: 48 months starting from 01 October 2026
• Evaluation: Price (70 points) and Quality (30 points)
• 1 tender received
• Winner is a large enterprise
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• No framework agreement
• Comprehensive entity: DBS stimulator, patient electrodes, installation instruments, software, and adjustment devices
• Estimated value €1,500,000.00 for four years; awarded value €2,100,000.00
• Approximately 20 new installations per year
• Strategic procurement: human rights due diligence in global supply chains and innovation procurement
• Contract valid indefinitely in cases where electrodes set requirements for the stimulator used
• Supplier undertakes to ensure compatibility, availability and support for the patient's lifetime or as long as the device is in clinical use

Conclusion

This deep brain stimulation contract ensures that Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue has access to advanced DBS equipment and related services for its patients, supporting the treatment of neurological conditions. By awarding the contract to Boston Scientific Nordic AB, Pohde secures a reliable large enterprise supplier with the capability to deliver a comprehensive DBS entity including stimulator, electrodes, installation instruments, software and adjustment devices.

The 70 points price and 30 points quality evaluation reflects the balanced nature of medical equipment procurement, where both cost and quality are important differentiators among qualified suppliers. The comprehensive scope of the contract, the lifetime support commitment and the indefinite validity in certain cases reflect the specific clinical and operational context of deep brain stimulation treatment.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, quality, DBS equipment expertise, lifetime support capability, public sector experience, innovation capability and strategic awareness in winning Finnish public sector healthcare contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue?

Ans: A body governed by public law operating in the health sector in Finland (Pohde), a wellbeing services county.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: Awarded value €2,100,000.00; estimated value €1,500,000.00 for four years.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: Boston Scientific Nordic AB, a large enterprise based in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Q: What supplies and services are covered?

Ans: Deep brain stimulation treatment entity, including a DBS stimulator implanted in the patient, patient electrodes and installation instruments, software for treatment planning and implementation, and patient and physician adjustment devices.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (70 points) and Quality (30 points).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 48 months (4 years) starting from 01 October 2026; the contract is valid indefinitely in cases where electrodes set requirements for the stimulator used.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: One tender.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: Markkinaoikeus.

Q: What is the lot structure?

Ans: One lot – LOT-0000 (DBS-stimulaatio).

Q: Is subcontracting allowed?

Ans: No subcontracting was declared by the winner.

Q: How many new installations per year?

Ans: Approximately 20 new installations per year.

Q: What strategic procurement objectives apply?

Ans: A social objective of human rights due diligence in global supply chains and innovation procurement (novel or significantly improved products).

Q: What happens if a patient has a DBS stimulator from a previous contract period?

Ans: In cases where a patient has a DBS stimulator from a previous contract period and its device-specific brain electrodes installed, the contracting authority may make purchases of consumables also outside the contract products.

Q: What is the supplier's commitment?

Ans: The supplier undertakes to ensure the compatibility, availability and support of the stimulator, patient controller and treatment unit software for the patient's lifetime or as long as the device is in clinical use.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 670289-2026, OJ S 188/2026, published 29 September 2026.

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