CPV 146 – Metal Ores and Alloys

What does CPV 146 cover?

CPV Group 146 (14600000) classifies public contracts for metal ores and alloys – iron ore, copper ore, aluminium ore, nickel ore and other metal ores, as well as metal alloys in a raw state. This group covers mineral raw materials with metal content that are procured either directly for industrial processes or as starting materials for metal processing.

In the context of public procurement, metal ores and alloy raw materials are of relevance primarily for state industrial enterprises, public research institutions, defence procurement and strategic raw material reserves. Alloys are also required for specialist machinery and equipment procurement where specific material properties are demanded.

Within CPV Division 14, Group 146 is distinct from Group 147 (basic metals): whilst 146 covers raw materials (ores, unprocessed alloys), 147 encompasses processed basic metals such as steel, aluminium or copper. This distinction is relevant for the correct classification of procurement projects.

Further information on the CPV system is available from the European Commission (SIMAP) and Regulation (EC) No 213/2008 on the revision of the CPV.

Typical Services in CPV 146

• Iron ore for state smelting operations and research facilities
• Copper ore and rare earth ores for public research projects
• Alloy raw materials for state defence industry enterprises
• Strategic metal ores for national raw material reserves

Examples of Tenders with CPV 146

• Metal ores for a materials science research project: A federal research authority procures defined quantities of copper, zinc and nickel raw materials for alloy trials as part of a fundamental research project on new high-performance alloys.
• Iron ore for a state metallurgy enterprise: A state-managed metallurgy company tenders the supply of iron ore from defined regions of origin for blast furnace operations.
• Special alloys for a public defence enterprise: A state-owned defence company procures titanium and tungsten alloys in defined purity grades for the manufacture of specialist components.

Current tenders with CPV 146 are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is CPV 146 relevant for?

Public Contracting Authorities

State industrial enterprises, research institutions, defence authorities, the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) and public raw material reserve authorities are typical contracting authorities under CPV 146. Procurement volumes are often low in unit terms but high in value.

Companies and Bidders

Mining companies, metal trading companies, specialist metal raw material traders and ore processing enterprises can win public contracts under CPV 146. Quality certificates, certificates of origin and export control compliance are decisive for special metals and strategic raw materials. Further information is available from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

How does Bond help with CPV 146?

Tender Match – Automatically Find Tenders (CPV 146)

With tender.match, mining companies and metal traders automatically receive all relevant tenders with CPV 146 directly in their dashboard. BOND indexes tenders from over 1,000 procurement portals in the EU – from TED to national platforms and regional contracting authorities. Instead of manually searching dozens of portals every day, matching supply tenders for metal ores and alloys are filtered and delivered by industry, competency, region, and company profile. An automated gap analysis immediately shows where the company meets the requirements and where gaps exist. This ensures companies never miss a deadline and can focus on preparing their bids.

Company Match – Find the Right Partners and Suppliers (CPV 146)

For companies looking for suppliers, subcontractors, or consortium partners for metal ore supply contracts, company.match provides direct access to qualified firms from an EU-wide database of over 28 million companies. Especially for larger supply contracts that a single company cannot handle alone, company.match automatically identifies suitable partners for bidding consortia and partial services – increasing the chances of winning the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions about CPV 146

What does the CPV code 14600000 mean?

The CPV code 14600000 designates the group "Metal Ores and Alloys" in the Common Procurement Vocabulary. It covers public contracts for mineral raw materials with metal content and metal alloys in a raw state, procured for industrial, research or strategic purposes.

How do I find tenders with CPV 146?

Tenders with CPV 146 are published at EU level on TED and on national platforms. The most efficient method is to use Bond, which aggregates tenders from over 1,000 sources and automatically filters them by CPV code, region and company profile.

What are the requirements for participating in tenders with CPV 146?

Typical requirements include analytical certificates for metal content and purity, certificates of origin, export control certificates and, for strategic metals, special security clearances. Details are governed by VgV or UVgO depending on contract value.