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General

Subcontracted Service

Partial service of a public contract that the main contractor delegates to a subcontractor.

What is a Subcontracted Service?

A subcontracted service (German: Nachunternehmerleistung) is a partial service within a public contract that the main contractor delegates to a subcontractor.

Legal Framework

  • § 36 VgV: Subcontracts — core provision
  • § 47 VgV: Reliance on third-party capabilities
  • § 26 UVgO: Subcontracts below thresholds

Disclosure Obligations

InformationTimingLegal Basis
Type and scopeWith the bid§ 36(1) VgV
Naming the subcontractorOn request§ 36(1) VgV
Commitment declarationOn request§ 36(1) VgV
Suitability evidence (reliance)With the bid§ 47 VgV

Subcontracting vs. Reliance on Capabilities

Simple subcontracting: subcontractor performs partial service; naming on request. Reliance (§ 47 VgV): bidder uses subcontractor's capacities to prove suitability; evidence mandatory with bid; joint liability possible.

Liability

The main contractor is liable for subcontracted services under § 278 BGB (vicarious agent liability), including defects and deadlines.

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