Project Management in Public Procurement Law 2026

Definition: Project management refers to the fiduciary performance of the contracting authority's tasks in managing construction and other complex projects; as a service contract, its award is subject to the rules of procurement law.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: VgV, UVgO, HOAI, AHO publication series, BVergG 2018

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What is project management?

Project management (also: project manager, project management firm) is a management service in which the contractor assumes, on behalf of the building owner or contracting authority, the coordination, monitoring and steering of complex construction or investment projects. The project manager acts on a fiduciary basis in the interests of the contracting authority, without itself concluding contracts with planners, construction firms or other service providers. They monitor costs, deadlines, quality and contracts.

Scope of services according to AHO

The scope of services for project management is standardised in the AHO publication series (Committee of Associations and Chambers of Engineers and Architects for Fee Schedules). AHO Booklet No. 9 "Services and Fees for Project Management" defines five areas of activity:

1. Organisation, information, coordination and documentation
2. Quality and quantities
3. Costs and financing
4. Deadlines, capacities and logistics
5. Contracts and insurance

Procurement-law classification

Project management services are service contracts within the meaning of procurement law and, above the relevant EU thresholds, are fully subject to the tendering obligation under the VgV. The award is generally made as a freelance service in a negotiated procedure with a call for competition or in an open procedure. A statutory fee schedule such as the HOAI does not apply directly to project management; remuneration is in principle freely negotiable.

Distinction from project leadership and construction supervision

Project management must be distinguished from project leadership (the contracting authority's independent decision-making power) and from construction supervision (on-site supervision of execution under HOAI § 34). While the project manager acts in an advisory and coordinating capacity, the project leader bears responsibility as a representative of the building owner with their own decision-making power.

FAQ

Must project management be put out to tender? Yes, if the estimated contract value exceeds the relevant thresholds (EU above-threshold area: EUR 143,000 for public contracting authorities).

Which procurement procedure is suitable for project management? Frequently the negotiated procedure with a call for competition, as the service is complex and must be specified individually. The open procedure is also permissible.

Is there a fee schedule for project management? No. Unlike for architectural and engineering services, no statutory fee schedule applies to project management. Remuneration is agreed contractually, often guided by AHO recommendations.

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