What is a Service Contract?
A service contract (German: Dienstleistungsauftrag) is a public contract for the provision of services. It is one of three basic categories alongside supply and works contracts.
Legal Basis
Defined in § 103(4) GWB: Public service contracts are contracts for services that are neither supply contracts nor works contracts — making services a catch-all category.
Typical Service Contracts
IT and digitalization, consulting, facility management, planning (architecture, engineering), transport, healthcare, and training/education.
Distinction from Other Contract Types
| Criterion | Service Contract | Supply Contract | Works Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Provision of services | Supply of goods | Construction works |
| Threshold | €221,000 / €143,000 | €221,000 / €143,000 | €5,538,000 |
| Regulation | VgV | VgV | VOB/A EU |
Mixed Contracts
When contracts contain both supply and service elements, classification follows the main subject by value. If equal, the service element prevails (catch-all category).
Special Rules for Planning Services
Architecture and engineering services have special procurement rules under §§ 73 ff. VgV, with negotiated procedures commonly used.
CPV Codes for Services
Services are classified with CPV codes in groups 50–98, covering repair/maintenance, transport, IT services, architecture/engineering, business services, education, and healthcare.
Practical Tip
Patterno automatically filters tenders by contract type and CPV code, so you find the service contracts matching your offering.