What is a Supply Contract?
A supply contract (German: Lieferauftrag) is a public contract for the purchase, leasing, rental, or hire-purchase of goods. Ancillary services like installation may be included.
Legal Basis
Defined in § 103(2) GWB: Public supply contracts are contracts for procuring goods, particularly purchase, hire-purchase, leasing, rental, or lease with or without purchase option.
Typical Supply Contracts
IT hardware, office equipment, vehicles, medical technology, safety equipment, food, and energy supplies.
Thresholds
| Contracting Authority | Threshold (net) |
|---|---|
| Senior federal authorities | €143,000 |
| Other public authorities | €221,000 |
| Utilities | €443,000 |
Distinction Questions
Supply with installation remains a supply contract if the focus is on the goods. Standard software = supply contract; custom software development = service contract. Classification follows the predominant value share.
Special Award Forms
Framework agreements are particularly common for supply contracts: typically 4-year duration, individual call-offs without new procedures, quantity flexibility.
Dynamic purchasing systems are ideal for recurring standard supplies with continuous joining possibility.
CPV Codes for Supplies
Supplies are classified with CPV codes in groups 03–45, covering petroleum products, food, printed matter, IT equipment, medical devices, vehicles, furniture, and construction materials.
Practical Tip
Patterno filters by contract type and CPV code to help you find matching supply tenders. Framework agreements offer particularly valuable long-term business potential.