Procurement and Contract Code 2026 – VOB, VOL, VOF at a Glance

Procurement and contract code: umbrella term for VOB, VOL and VOF – the German rulebooks for public procurement of works, supplies and services.

Definition: Procurement and contract code is the umbrella term for the German sub-statutory rulebooks – in particular VOB (works), VOL (supplies and services) and VOF (professional services) – which govern the procedure and the contractual terms for public procurement and give effect to the statutory procurement rules.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: §§ 97 et seq. GWB, VgV 2016, UVgO 2017, VOB/A 2019

What is the procurement and contract code?

The procurement and contract codes are sub-statutory rulebooks that give substance to and standardise public procurement in Germany. They were developed by the relevant committees (the German Procurement and Contract Committees) and are regularly updated. Their binding force does not arise from themselves, but from being referenced by statutes, ordinances and administrative provisions.

The three classical procurement and contract codes are:

VOB – Procurement and Contract Code for Works
VOL – Procurement and Contract Code for Services (supplies and services)
VOF – Procurement Code for Professional Services (replaced by the VgV)

Structure of the procurement and contract codes

Each procurement and contract code is generally divided into a Part A (procurement provisions) and a Part B (general contractual terms). Part A governs the procedure for the award; Part B the conditions for the performance of the contract. The VOB additionally has a Part C containing general technical contractual terms.

Current legal position

With the procurement law reform of 2016, the procurement and contract codes in the above-threshold range were largely replaced by the Procurement Ordinance (VgV). In the sub-threshold range, the Sub-Threshold Procurement Regulation (UVgO) has applied since 2017 to supply and service contracts. The VOB/A remains in force as the rulebook for works contracts. The VOF was fully integrated into the VgV.

Practical significance

Despite the reforms, the procurement and contract codes – in particular VOB/A and VOB/B – have retained their practical significance. They are incorporated into many contracts as standard terms and are the subject of extensive case law. Bidders and contracting authorities must be familiar with the relevant rulebooks.

Related terms

FAQ

Do the procurement and contract codes have the force of law? No. They are not statutes. They acquire binding force through references in statutes, ordinances and administrative provisions.

Which procurement and contract code applies to IT procurements? For IT supply and service contracts, the EVB-IT (Supplementary Contractual Terms for IT) used to apply together with the VOL. Today, the procedure is governed by the VgV (above-threshold) or the UVgO (sub-threshold).

Who updates the procurement and contract codes? The German Procurement and Contract Committee for Works (DVA) for the VOB, and earlier committees for the VOL and VOF.

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