Vantaa Awards €1.8 Million School Photography Concession to Multiple Finnish Photographers

The City of Vantaa has awarded a €1.8 million school photography concession to multiple Finnish photography companies across eight geographic lots. The winners include Markus Bergman Oy, Kuvamuisto Oy, Foto-Panda, Studio Saraste Oy, Foto Airaksinen Oy, L. Nyblin Oy, KK-KUVA OY, Kuvahaka Oy, and Oma Design Oy. The two-year concession covers photography services for approximately 34,000 students.

Introduction

School photography is a cherished tradition in Finland, capturing memories of students from preschool to upper secondary school. The City of Vantaa, with approximately 34,000 students across its schools, has awarded a concession for school photography services to multiple professional photographers.

The concession, valued at €1.8 million, is divided into eight geographic lots covering Vantaa's districts. Each lot has been awarded to two photographers, ensuring choice and competition. The winners are all Finnish micro-enterprises, demonstrating strong local SME participation.

This procurement ensures that Vantaa's students and families have access to high-quality school photography services.

Why This Contract Matters

School photography is an important service for families, capturing memories of students' school years. This concession ensures that Vantaa's schools have access to professional photography services.

This contract matters because it:

• Serves 34,000 students: Covers all Vantaa schools
• Supports local photographers: All winners are Finnish micro-enterprises
• Significant value: €1.8 million concession
• Broad coverage: Eight geographic lots across Vantaa
• Long-term: 2 years + 2-year options
• Quality and price balance: 60:40 price:quality weighting
• Strong competition: 25-29 bids per lot
• Fair working conditions: Strategic procurement includes fair working conditions

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 18 August 2026 (OJ S 158/2026)
• Previous notice referenced: f1131c18-506f-4adc-9587-df78a63671a8-01
• Contract concluded: 14-16 July 2026
• Coverage start date: Not specified
• Coverage end date: 2 years + 2 x 1-year options (max 4 years)

Contract Overview

The City of Vantaa conducted an open procedure for this concession. The contract covers school photography services across eight geographic lots.

Key features include:

• Eight lots: Vantaa's districts (Aviapolis, Hakunila, Kivistö, Koivukylä, Korso, Myyrmäki, Tikkurila, Swedish-language units)
• Total value: €1,800,000
• Duration: 2 years + 2 x 1-year options (max 4 years)
• Evaluation: Price (60%) and Quality (40%)
• Concession type: Service concession
• Winners: 9 Finnish micro-enterprises

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Vantaan kaupunki (City of Vantaa)
Winning bidders	9 Finnish micro-enterprises (see full list below)
Contract subject	School photography services (CPV 79961000)
Procedure type	Open procedure (concession)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/23/EU
Total estimated value (EUR)	€1,800,000.00
Number of lots	8
Contract duration	2 years + 2 x 1-year options (max 4 years)
Bids received	25-29 per lot
EU funding	None
Evaluation criteria	Price (60%), Quality (40%)
All winners	Micro-enterprises (SMEs)
Strategic procurement	Circular economy, fair working conditions

Project Scope

The concession covers school photography services for Vantaa's approximately 34,000 students (25,000 basic education, 9,000 secondary education) across eight lots:

Lot 1: Aviapolis District

• Winners: Markus Bergman Oy, Kuvamuisto Oy
• Values: €180,000 / €45,000

Lot 2: Hakunila District

• Winners: Foto-Panda, Studio Saraste Oy
• Values: €180,000 / €45,000

Lot 3: Kivistö District

• Winners: Foto Airaksinen Oy, L. Nyblin Oy
• Values: €45,000 / €180,000

Lot 4: Koivukylä District

• Winners: Foto Airaksinen Oy, Studio Saraste Oy
• Values: €180,000 / €45,000

Lot 5: Korso District

• Winners: Kuvamuisto Oy, L. Nyblin Oy
• Values: €180,000 / €45,000

Lot 6: Myyrmäki District

• Winners: Markus Bergman Oy, Studio Saraste Oy
• Values: €45,000 / €180,000

Lot 7: Tikkurila District

• Winners: KK-KUVA OY, Kuvahaka Oy
• Values: €45,000 / €180,000

Lot 8: Swedish-language Units

• Winners: Oma Design Oy, KK-KUVA OY
• Values: €180,000 / €45,000

About the Contracting Authority

Vantaan kaupunki (City of Vantaa) is a Finnish city in the Helsinki metropolitan area, with approximately 34,000 students across its basic and secondary education schools. The city is responsible for organising education and other public services for its residents.

About the Winning Companies

Nine Finnish micro-enterprises have been awarded the concession:

• Markus Bergman Oy – Helsinki-based photography company (Lots 1, 6)
• Kuvamuisto Oy – Helsinki-based photography company (Lots 1, 5)
• Foto-Panda – Helsinki-based photography company (Lot 2)
• Studio Saraste Oy – Rovaniemi-based photography company (Lots 2, 4, 6)
• Foto Airaksinen Oy – Vaasa-based photography company (Lots 3, 4)
• L. Nyblin Oy – Pori-based photography company (Lots 3, 5)
• KK-KUVA OY – Joensuu-based photography company (Lots 7, 8)
• Kuvahaka Oy – Helsinki-based photography company (Lot 7)
• Oma Design Oy – Helsinki-based photography company (Lot 8)

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: An open procedure was used for this service concession.
• Competition: Very strong competition with 25-29 bids per lot.
• Evaluation criteria: Price (60%) and Quality (40%). The balanced weighting values both cost and quality.
• SME participation: All winners are micro-enterprises, demonstrating strong SME participation.
• Geographic split: Eight lots covering Vantaa's districts and Swedish-language units.
• Multiple suppliers: Two photographers per lot for choice and competition.
• Strategic procurement: Includes circular economy and fair working conditions.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is a service concession under EU Directive 2014/23/EU.
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The procurement was not accelerated.
• No dynamic purchasing system was used.
• No framework agreement was used.
• 25-29 bids per lot.
• All winners are Finnish micro-enterprises.
• Disputes or review requests fall to the Markkinaoikeus (Market Court) in Finland.
• Strategic procurement: Circular economy and fair working conditions.

Market & Industry Perspective

The Finnish school photography market is characterised by many small, specialised photography companies. The market is competitive, with local and regional photographers competing for school contracts.

Key trends in this market include:

• SME dominance: The market is dominated by micro and small enterprises
• Local presence: Photographers often serve specific regions
• Quality focus: Photo quality and service are key differentiators
• Concession model: Schools often use concession agreements
• Digital services: Online ordering and digital delivery are increasingly important

Economic Significance

At €1.8 million, this concession represents a significant opportunity for Finnish photography companies. The contract supports:

• Local businesses: All winners are Finnish micro-enterprises
• Regional employment: Supports photography jobs across Finland
• Student memories: Provides school photography services for 34,000 students
• SME growth: Supports small businesses

Future Procurement Opportunities

With the concession now in place, future opportunities include:

• Contract extensions: Up to 2 x 1-year options
• Re-tender: The concession will be re-tendered after 2-4 years
• Other Finnish cities: Similar school photography concessions
• Related services: Yearbook photography, event photography

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this concession is awarded, future opportunities exist for photography companies:

• Other Finnish cities: Similar school photography concessions
• Subcontracting: Suppliers may find subcontracting opportunities
• Re-tender: The concession will be re-tendered after 2-4 years
• Related services: Yearbook, event, and portrait photography

What Businesses Should Watch

• Other Finnish cities' school photography concessions
• Changes to Finnish education procurement regulations
• Digital photography and online ordering trends
• Sustainability requirements in procurement
• Fair working conditions requirements

FinlandTenders Procurement Intelligence

This school photography concession is a significant procurement for Vantaa's schools. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €1.8 million across eight lots
• SME success: All winners are micro-enterprises
• Strong competition: 25-29 bids per lot
• Geographic coverage: All Vantaa districts and Swedish-language units
• Strategic procurement: Circular economy and fair working conditions

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 60% of evaluation
• Quality: Quality accounts for 40% of evaluation
• SME credentials: Micro-enterprises can compete effectively
• Local presence: Being established in the region is an advantage

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing—60% of evaluation is price-based
• Demonstrate quality—40% of evaluation is quality-based
• Develop local presence in target regions
• Monitor other Finnish cities for similar school photography concessions
• Ensure compliance with fair working conditions requirements
• Consider digital and online service offerings

Key Takeaways

• City of Vantaa awarded a €1.8 million school photography concession to 9 Finnish photographers
• 8 lots covering all Vantaa districts and Swedish-language units
• Winners: Markus Bergman, Kuvamuisto, Foto-Panda, Studio Saraste, Foto Airaksinen, L. Nyblin, KK-KUVA, Kuvahaka, Oma Design
• 2 photographers per lot
• Evaluation: Price (60%), Quality (40%)
• 25-29 bids per lot
• All winners are micro-enterprises
• Duration: 2 years + 2 x 1-year options

Conclusion

This school photography concession represents a significant opportunity for Finnish photography companies. By awarding eight lots to nine micro-enterprises, the City of Vantaa ensures that its 34,000 students have access to high-quality school photography services while supporting local businesses.

The strong competition (25-29 bids per lot) demonstrates the attractiveness of school photography concessions to Finnish photographers. The 60:40 price:quality evaluation ensures that both cost and quality are valued.

As schools across Finland continue to procure photography services, similar opportunities will arise for photography companies with competitive pricing and quality offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the City of Vantaa?

Ans: A Finnish city in the Helsinki metropolitan area with approximately 34,000 students across its schools.

Q: What is the value of the concession?

Ans: €1,800,000 across all eight lots.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: 9 Finnish micro-enterprises including Markus Bergman, Kuvamuisto, Foto-Panda, Studio Saraste, Foto Airaksinen, L. Nyblin, KK-KUVA, Kuvahaka, and Oma Design.

Q: What are the lots?

Ans: Eight lots covering Vantaa's districts (Aviapolis, Hakunila, Kivistö, Koivukylä, Korso, Myyrmäki, Tikkurila) and Swedish-language units.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (60%) and Quality (40%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 2 years with 2 x 1-year options (max 4 years).

Q: How many bids were received?

Ans: 25-29 bids per lot.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

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

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 571658-2026, OJ S 158/2026, published 18 August 2026.