Procurement Regulations / Historic Award Regulations 2026 – Overview of the German Rulebooks

Procurement regulations / historic award regulations: overview of VOB, VOL, VOF, VgV and UVgO as the rulebooks of German public procurement law. History and current legal position.

Definition: Procurement regulations (historically: "Verdingungsordnungen") are the sub-statutory rulebooks of German public procurement law that govern the detail of procurement procedures for works, supply and service contracts. They become binding on contracting authorities by reference in budget law or administrative instructions.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: GWB, VgV, VOB/A 2019, UVgO 2017, SektVO, KonzVgV

What are Procurement Regulations?

Procurement regulations – formerly called "Verdingungsordnungen" – are the central sub-statutory rulebooks of German public procurement law and contain the concrete procedural rules for the award of public contracts. The historic term "Verdingung" comes from older German usage ("sich verdingen" = to undertake to provide a service) and has now largely been replaced by the modern term "Vergabe" (procurement/award).

Procurement regulations are not formal statutes; they are drafted by committees (such as the German Procurement and Contracts Committee for Construction Works, DVA) and made binding on public contracting authorities by reference in budget law or in administrative instructions.

The Principal German Procurement Regulations at a Glance

VOB – Procurement and Contract Regulations for Construction Works

The VOB is the oldest and best-known German procurement rulebook, first introduced in 1926. It consists of three parts (A: procurement, B: contract terms, C: technical contract terms) and applies specifically to construction works.

VOL – Award Regulations for Services (repealed)

The VOL (Parts A and B) was the counterpart of the VOB for supply and service contracts until the 2016 procurement reform. VOL/A was replaced by the VgV (above-threshold regime) and the UVgO (below-threshold regime). VOL/B (general contract terms for supply and service contracts) can still be incorporated into contracts but is no longer a mandatory procurement rulebook.

VOF – Award Regulations for Freelance Services (repealed)

The VOF applied to the procurement of freelance services (architects, engineers etc.) above the EU thresholds and was integrated into the VgV by the 2016 procurement reform.

VgV – Procurement Ordinance (since 2016)

The VgV has been the central procurement rulebook for supply and service contracts above the EU thresholds since 2016 and also contains rules for architectural and engineering services as well as design contests.

UVgO – Below-Threshold Procurement Regulations (since 2017)

The UVgO governs the award of supply and service contracts below the EU thresholds and replaced VOL/A Section 1.

SektVO and KonzVgV

The Utilities Ordinance (SektVO) applies to utilities contracting entities; the Concession Award Ordinance (KonzVgV) applies to concessions – both in the above-threshold regime.

Historical Development

The history of the German "Verdingungsordnungen" reaches back to the early 20th century. The first VOB was introduced in 1926, the first VOL in 1936. For decades, VOB, VOL and VOF formed the load-bearing framework of German procurement law. With the transposition of EU procurement law (Directives 2014/24/EU, 2014/25/EU, 2014/23/EU) through the 2016 Procurement Law Modernisation Act, the regulatory architecture was fundamentally renewed: VOL/A and VOF were replaced and the VgV and UVgO introduced.

FAQ

Does VOL/A still apply? VOL/A Section 1 (below-threshold) was replaced by the UVgO; VOL/A Section 2 (above-threshold) by the VgV. VOL/A applies only to procedures commenced before the entry into force of the new rulebooks.

What is the difference between VOB/A and VgV? VOB/A applies specifically to construction works; the VgV applies to supply and service contracts and generally in the above-threshold regime. In the above-threshold regime, both rulebooks complement each other.

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