The Norwegian government has established three international research prizes: the Abel prize in mathematics (2002), the Holberg prize in the humanities, social sciences, law and theology (2003) and the Kavli prize in astrophysics, nano science and neuro science (2005). The aim of the prizes is to promote internationalisation and quality in the affected fields and contribute to increased interest in and understanding of research in society in general, particularly in children and youths (for the Abel and Holberg prizes).

The government arranges a banquet in honour of the prize winners for each prize giving ceremony.

The assignment includes the planning and practical execution of an annual banquet for the award of Abel prize and the Holberg prize, and a banquet for the award of the Kavli prize in 2022 and 2024.

A number of the practical assignments for planning and holding the banquets concern all three events. There is an established set up for the banquet work, prepared by the contracting authority in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are also fixed cooperation partners and suppliers of various services for all the banquets as regards the planning and execution of each event, (including the institutions responsible for the professional work connected to the research prizes, representatives for the respective banquet premises, actors that provide the food/catering, security guard services, printing services, delivery of flowers, etc.).

The most important suppliers and cooperation partners are:

Det Norske Videnskaps-Akademi, the University of Bergen/Holbergsekretariatet, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rådhusforvaltningen Oslo rådhus, Bymuseet i Bergen; various restaurants under private and public guard, flower shops, printers.

The consultant will be mainly expected to follow the set-up that has been prepared by the contracting authority. However, if the consultant has proposals for alternative methods, the contracting authority is, as a starting point, open to considering changes and adaptations.

It is the government, normally represented by the minister responsible for research (possibly another cabinet member) who is the host for the banquets. In addition, representatives from the contracting authority will be present during the event. The consultant will, however, have full responsibility for ensuring that everything runs according to the scheduled plans, cf. points a to k in the Annex.

Emphasis is put on the fact that the financial limits set for the assignment are not meant to cover expenses for the procurement of concrete goods/products/features as discussed below (such as the hire of premises, food/drink, catering, flowers, postage, printing services, fees for musicians, security guard services, etc.). The assignment is for the procurement of services connected to carrying out the assignments drafted in this description of the assignment. The procurement of services includes expenses for a registration system and check-in system for the banquets. The services can be ordered through the contracting authority as agreed, but must be covered by the consultant.

If contracts need to be signed for subdeliveries in the contract period, such contracts must be pursuant to the public procurement rules.