Company Prequalification in Public Procurement 2026 – Streamlined Suitability Evidence

Definition: Company prequalification is a procedure in which the suitability of an undertaking (technical and professional ability, economic and financial standing, reliability) is checked and certified in advance by an independent body, so that the undertaking can demonstrate its suitability in a simplified manner in procurement procedures.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal status: § 48 VgV, § 6b VOB/A, Art. 64 Directive 2014/24/EU, BVergG 2018

---

What is company prequalification?

Company prequalification (PQ for short) is a standardised procedure for the advance assessment of an undertaking's suitability for public contracts, which significantly reduces the administrative burden of tendering. Instead of providing extensive suitability evidence in each individual procurement procedure, the undertaking has its suitability assessed once by a recognised prequalification body and, on successful assessment, receives a certificate or entry in a public register.

Contracting authorities that invite a prequalified company to tender or review its tender can fall back on the evidence stored in the prequalification register without having to request it again — provided the prequalified requirements correspond to those in the tender.

Legal foundations

The use of prequalification systems is anchored both in EU law and in German and Austrian procurement law.

• Art. 64 Directive 2014/24/EU: allows Member States to introduce official lists of approved economic operators and certification systems
• § 48 VgV: contracting authorities may accept registration in a prequalification register as evidence of suitability
• § 6b VOB/A: specific rule for construction — contracting authorities should accept prequalification evidence for the suitability assessment
• BVergG 2018 (Austria): §§ 73 et seq. govern the possibility of replacing suitability evidence by prequalification certificates

The PQ-VOB system in Germany

The best-known prequalification system in German procurement law is the PQ-VOB system for construction. It is operated by the Länder procurement advice centres in cooperation with the German Procurement Network (DVNW). Within the PQ-VOB system, construction companies can have their suitability certified for various trades.

Prequalification process:

1. Application to the competent prequalification office
2. Submission of evidence (commercial register extract, trade registration, tax certificates, references, qualification evidence)
3. Examination of the documents by the prequalification body
4. Entry in the public PQ register on a positive assessment
5. Regular renewal (generally annually)

Benefits for undertakings

Prequalification offers undertakings, particularly SMEs, significant competitive advantages:

• Time savings: no repeated compilation of suitability evidence
• Cost savings: reduced administrative burden when tendering
• Credibility: independent confirmation of suitability signals quality and reliability
• Market access: easier access to procurement procedures that require or prefer PQ

Validity and maintenance

A prequalification entry is generally valid for 12 months and must then be renewed. Undertakings are required to report any material changes (e.g. application for insolvency, loss of relevant certifications) without delay. Failure to update can lead to deletion from the register.

Prequalification in Austria

In Austria the BVergG 2018 enables the use of prequalification systems pursuant to §§ 73 et seq. Well-known systems include the construction site data system of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and industry-specific certification systems. Reliance on them by contracting authorities is voluntary, but is increasingly used by larger authorities.

FAQ

Is prequalification mandatory for all procurement procedures? No, prequalification is in principle voluntary. Contracting authorities may, however, accept or require a prequalification certificate as evidence.

What does prequalification cost? Costs vary by provider and scope. For the PQ-VOB system, the annual cost is typically between EUR 200 and EUR 600 depending on the trade.

Does a PQ-VOB entry apply nationwide? Yes, the PQ register can be consulted nationwide and is recognised by contracting authorities in all federal states.

Can a prequalification be revoked? Yes, in cases of serious deficiencies or proven unreliability, a prequalification body can suspend or delete the entry.

---

Last updated: January 2026 All information provided without warranty. For legally binding advice, consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.