Norway – Research and development services and related consultancy services – Evaluation of Five Pilot Projects Testing Exemptions from Provisions of the Local Government Act, the Property Tax Act, the General Practitioner Regulations, and Other Regulatory Frameworks

In 2023, the Government invited municipalities and county authorities to apply to participate in the Government’s pilot scheme for municipalities and county authorities. The scheme allows municipalities to test new ways of carrying out their tasks through exemptions from existing regulations. These pilot projects are based on the Act relating to Experiments in Public Administration of 26 June 1992 (the Experimental Administration Act), hereinafter referred to as the Experimental Administration Act. Further information about the framework of the scheme is available on the Ministry’s webpage dedicated to the pilot scheme. This assignment involves evaluating the following five pilot projects: - A pilot project to operate a joint primary healthcare service within an inter-municipal cooperative arrangement involving four municipalities in the Inner Namdal region of Trøndelag (Grong, Lierne, Namsskogan and Røyrvik). - A pilot project in Nordre Follo Municipality aimed at improving dialogue between the municipal administration and elected representatives: Dialogue Phase. - A pilot project in Nordre Follo Municipality aimed at improving dialogue between elected representatives, the administration and residents: Task Forum. - A pilot project in Vestland County Municipality and 18 municipalities in the county concerning host municipality cooperation across local government levels in the fields of services for older persons and closed archives. - A pilot project in Oslo Municipality involving the delegation of decision-making authority in cases concerning the remission or reduction of property tax. Duration and Budget Framework The pilot projects will, as a general rule, run for up to four years from their commencement. The evaluation assignment will cover the entire pilot period and will also include follow-up work in connection with the preparation of the final report. The final report must be submitted no later than 1 November 2030. The contractor may be required to participate in meetings and/or gatherings with the municipalities participating in the pilot scheme, organized by the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) and/or the Ministry. The maximum budget for the procurement is NOK 8,000,000, excluding VAT. This amount includes all costs associated with the assignment. Payments will be made upon delivery of agreed deliverables, cf. Annex 5 to the contract. The procurement is subject to the Norwegian Parliament’s approval of the proposed budget. For a more detailed description of the deliverables, please refer to Annex 1 to the contract.