Cover Sheet Procedure in Public Procurement 2026

Definition: The cover sheet procedure (Mantelbogenverfahren) is a simplified bid procedure in Austrian public works procurement in which bidders submit their bids on the basis of a standardised cover sheet (Mantelbogen) provided by the contracting authority, containing the essential information about the contracting authority, the tender and the contractual terms.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: BVergG 2018 (Austria), ÖNORM A 2050

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What is the cover sheet procedure?

The cover sheet procedure simplifies the administrative burden for bidders and contracting authorities by prescribing uniform forms (cover sheets) for bid submission that consolidate all essential contractual information on a standardised cover page. The term is used primarily in Austrian procurement and refers to the practice of structuring tender documents in such a way that bidders can submit all legally relevant declarations and information on a single form (the cover sheet), to which the bill of quantities or bid is attached.

Content of the cover sheet

A cover sheet typically contains all the formal and legal framework conditions of the tender in a condensed form.

Key components:

• Information on the contracting authority (name, address, contact details)
• Designation and description of the contract
• Place of performance and performance period
• References to applicable standards and contractual bases (e.g. ÖNORM B 2110)
• Information on securities and warranty periods
• Bidder declarations (suitability, grounds for exclusion, subcontractors)
• Bidder's signature

Practical significance

The cover sheet procedure increases the comparability of bids since all bidders use the same form templates and completeness checks are simplified.

Advantages:

• Reduced effort for bidders through standardised forms
• Simpler completeness checks by the contracting authority
• Uniform legal framework for all bidders
• Reduction of formal defects in bids

Distinction from other procedures

The cover sheet procedure is not an independent procurement procedure within the meaning of BVergG 2018 (such as the open procedure or the negotiated procedure), but rather a formal requirement for bid preparation within a chosen procurement procedure. It describes the organisational framework for bid submission, not the type of competition.

FAQ

Is the cover sheet procedure customary in Germany? The term "cover sheet procedure" is primarily known in Austrian procurement. In Germany, there are similar standard forms (e.g. according to GAEB or procurement-law standard forms), but they are not known under this designation.

What happens if a bidder submits the cover sheet incompletely? Material formal defects – such as missing signature or missing mandatory information – may lead to exclusion of the bid. Contracting authorities may, under certain conditions, request supplementary information or tolerate immaterial formal defects.

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