What is a Central Purchasing Body?
A central purchasing body is an organization that conducts procurements on behalf of multiple contracting authorities, bundling needs and achieving better conditions through larger volumes.
Legal Framework
- Section 120(4) GWB: Definition of central purchasing body
- Art. 37 Directive 2014/24/EU: EU directive on central purchasing
Functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Wholesaler | Central body procures and distributes to affiliated authorities |
| Intermediary | Central body conducts the procedure; individual contracts between authority and contractor |
Examples in Germany
- Beschaffungsamt des BMI (federal authorities)
- Dataport (northern German states, IT)
- LZBW (Baden-Württemberg, logistics)
Benefits for Bidders
Large contract volumes, professional processes, framework agreements enabling long-term relationships, and nationwide reach through a single contract.
How Patterno Helps
Patterno monitors tenders from all major central purchasing bodies in Germany, alerting you to framework agreement opportunities in your field.