CPV 350 – Security, Fire-Fighting, Police and Defence Equipment

What does CPV Group 350 cover?

CPV Group 350 (35000000) is the parent division for all types of security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment. It encompasses a broad spectrum of products: civilian security technology such as alarm systems, access control and video surveillance; fire-fighting equipment for fire services; operational police equipment; and military equipment, weapons and defence systems. This division provides the framework for sub-divisions 351 to 358, which cover more specific product groups.

Public contracting authorities in this area include public safety agencies, the armed forces, fire services, police authorities and civil protection organisations. Procurement is subject to differing legal frameworks depending on the intended use – from standard public procurement rules through to defence-specific procurement under the EU Defence Procurement Directive (2009/81/EC). Security-sensitive procurement may involve negotiated procedures, classified specifications and security clearance requirements. The full CPV structure is available in the official CPV register at SIMAP.

Given the security-relevant nature of many products in this division, reliability checks, security clearances and compliance with specific technical standards (e.g. EN standards for personal protective equipment, ballistic protection standards) play an important role. Procurement procedures may include confidentiality requirements, making negotiated procedures or competitive dialogue more common than in other procurement areas. The legal basis for defence procurement can be found on EUR-Lex.

Typical Services in CPV 350

Examples of Tenders with CPV 350

• Security technology for a federal ministry: Supply and installation of an integrated security system with access control, video surveillance and intruder detection for a ministry building – published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily).
• Framework contract for personal protective equipment for operational forces: Multi-year call-off contract for ballistic vests, helmets and tactical equipment for state and federal police authorities – tendered on DTVP.
• Fire-fighting equipment for municipal fire services: Supply of breathing apparatus, fire-protection suits and portable fire extinguishers for several fire stations of a major city – published on TED.

Current tenders with CPV 350 are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms such as the German Procurement Portal (DTVP).

Who is CPV 350 relevant for?

Public Contracting Authorities

Authorities with public safety responsibilities – police, the armed forces, fire services, civil protection and customs – are the most important contracting authorities in this division. Procurement requires particular care in drafting specifications, as technical standards and safety requirements must be strictly observed. Defence-relevant procurement is subject to the special rules of the Defence and Security Procurement Regulation (VSVgV). Information on procurement law is available from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

Companies and Bidders

Manufacturers and distributors of security and defence equipment will find a significant market in public procurement. Security clearances, certifications and reference evidence are particularly important in this segment. Many contracts require specialist licences (e.g. weapons trading authorisations) and non-disclosure agreements.

How does Bond help with CPV 350?

Tender Match – Automatically Find Tenders (CPV 350)

With tender.match, security and defence companies automatically receive all relevant tenders with CPV 350 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 security equipment contracts 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 350)

For companies looking for suppliers, subcontractors, or consortium partners for security and defence projects, company.match provides direct access to qualified firms from an EU-wide database of over 28 million companies. Especially for larger security equipment 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 350

What does the CPV code 35000000 mean?

The CPV code 35000000 covers the division "Security, Fire-Fighting, Police and Defence Equipment" in the EU's Common Procurement Vocabulary. It classifies public contracts for the supply of security, fire-fighting, law enforcement and military equipment to public safety authorities, the armed forces and emergency services across the EU.

How do I find tenders with CPV 350?

Tenders with CPV 350 are published at EU level on TED. Below-threshold and non-sensitive contracts are found on national platforms such as DTVP. Bond aggregates all sources and filters by company profile and sector.

What are the requirements for participating in tenders with CPV 350?

Requirements typically include security clearance where applicable, EN standard compliance for protective equipment, VPAM or equivalent ballistic protection certification, references for comparable contracts and, for weapons-related contracts, the relevant trading licence. Details are governed by the VgV or the UVgO for below-threshold contracts.