What is a Contract Duration?
Contract duration (German: Vertragslaufzeit) is the period for which a public contract is concluded, significantly affecting competition, cost-effectiveness, and planning certainty.
Legal Framework
- § 21 VgV: Framework agreement duration (max. 4 years)
- § 105 GWB: Concession duration
- § 4 VOB/B: Construction execution deadlines
Typical Durations
| Contract Type | Duration |
|---|---|
| Framework agreements | 1-4 years |
| Construction | Project-based |
| IT services | 2-4 years |
| Cleaning/security | 2-4 years |
| Concessions | 5-30 years |
Extension Options
Must be stated in the notice; total value including options determines the threshold; exercising may not constitute a substantial contract modification.
Maximum Durations
Framework agreements: generally max. 4 years; longer only with documented justification. Concessions: must correspond to investment amortization.
Patterno hilft
Patterno displays contract duration and extension options directly in the tender overview for better strategic planning.