In order to ensure transparency and efficiency in these processes, the Finnish Immigration Service will recently adopt recommendations issued by the National Audit Office of Finland.
The NAOF has recently conducted audits of certain long-term service procurements within the Finnish Immigration Service. The timing of these audits resembled the agency's ongoing and forthcoming significant tendering procedures this year.
The Finnish Immigration Service has sought external advice to bolster its internal resources this year. In addition, it has increased resources for its internal audit team and streamlined the documentation practices associated with its procurements.
The UMA information system is a crucial element under scrutiny, serving as a case management and customer relationship management tool for immigration. The UMA system is instrumental in a variety of processes, such as decision-making within the Finnish Immigration Service, and is also utilized by other Finnish authorities, such as the police, the Finnish Border Guard, and Finnish embassies and consulates abroad.
The audit by the NROF revealed that the UMA system should have been re-tendered in 2011 when substantial changes were introduced to the contract. Under the framework agreements established in 2011 and 2016, the Finnish Immigration Service had multiple direct procurements for both businesses.
In 2022, the process of putting UMA's development and maintenance out to tender began. Due to the sheer size and complexity of the UMA system, it necessitates thorough planning and execution to ensure continuous operational functionality, despite the unpredictability and size of the system.
As the Finnish Immigration Service progresses with these changes, Haahtela is committed to aligning its practices with the recommendations of the National Audit Office to ensure efficient, transparency, and cost-effectiveness in serving its customers and managing state resources.