Prequalification for Supplies and Services (PQ-VOL) 2026

PQ-VOL: prequalification system for supply and service contracts of public bodies – function, requirements and differences from the PQ-VOB system.

Definition: Prequalification for supplies and services (PQ-VOL) refers to systems for the advance examination and registration of supply and service undertakings in recognised suitability registers, which can be used as simplified suitability evidence in public tender procedures.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: § 45 VgV, UVgO, VOL/A, BVergG 2018

PQ-VOL at a glance

In contrast to construction procurement (PQ-VOB), there is no nationwide uniform central prequalification system for supply and service contracts; instead, various industry-specific and regional systems exist. § 45 VgV allows contracting authorities to recognise official registers of prequalified undertakings and certificates of recognised bodies as suitability evidence. This rule provides broad scope for different qualification systems.

Recognised certifications as evidence of suitability

In practice, ISO certifications and industry-specific quality evidence serve as the counterpart to formal prequalification in the supplies and services sector. Frequently recognised certificates include:

ISO 9001 (quality management system)
ISO 14001 (environmental management system)
ISO 27001 (information security, relevant for IT contracts)
Quality marks and industry certificates (e.g. for building cleaning, security or care services)

Regional approaches and contract advisory bodies

Some federal states have developed their own prequalification systems for supplies and services or support industry-specific registers. The contract advisory bodies of the federal states advise undertakings and contracting authorities on the applicable systems and recognised evidence.

Difference from PQ-VOB

The key difference lies in the system structure: while PQ-VOB offers a central, trade-based register with uniform standards, the supplies and services sector is characterised by a multitude of heterogeneous systems. This reflects the much greater breadth and heterogeneity of the services procured.

Requirements in tender documents

Contracting authorities must clearly indicate in their tender documents which suitability evidence and certificates they accept. A blanket reference to "recognised prequalification systems" without specifying them creates uncertainty for bidders. It is advisable to provide an explicit list of recognised certifications.

FAQ

Is there a nationwide PQ register for supplies and services? No, a uniform nationwide system like PQ-VOB does not exist for supplies and services. Industry-specific and regional approaches exist instead.

Which certification should I aim for as a service provider? This depends on your industry. ISO 9001 is a widely used entry point recognised by many contracting authorities. Industry-specific quality marks may be sensible in addition.

Can I participate in tenders without a certificate? Yes. Without a certificate, however, you will have to submit suitability evidence separately for each tender procedure.

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