Background and purpose This competition is for a service contract for winter maintenance in Hægebostad municipality. The contracting authority for the competition is Hægebostad municipality, c/o the Unit for planning and operation. See the www.hagebostad.kommune.no for further information on the municipality. The objective of the procurement is to ensure the necessary capacity and stand-by for winter maintenance on municipal roads and other areas for which the municipality is responsible for operations. The competition is for the hire of tractors and other relevant machines with drivers for snow clearing and gritting on roads and areas that the municipality is responsible for maintaining. The contract shall contribute to the winter maintenance being carried out in a proper, efficient and predictable way, so that accessibility and traffic safety are safeguarded throughout the winter season.