VHB-Bund Procurement Law 2026 – Federal Procurement Handbook

VHB-Bund: the federal procurement handbook governs the award of construction works by federal authorities. Forms, guidelines, model contracts.

Definition: The Federal Procurement Handbook (Vergabehandbuch des Bundes, VHB-Bund) is a body of rules issued by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) that provides federal authorities with practical guidance, model forms and binding requirements for applying VOB/A to the award of construction works.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: VOB/A 2019, BHO, VgV

What is the VHB-Bund?

The Federal Procurement Handbook (VHB-Bund) is the central administrative handbook of the federal construction administration for the award of construction works and constitutes the practical counterpart to the legally binding Procurement and Contract Regulations for Construction Works (VOB). It is issued by the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) and is addressed to all federal authorities that award public contracts in connection with their construction activities. The VHB-Bund supplements VOB/A with authority-specific forms, guidelines and explanations that allow staff at the procurement office to handle construction-related procurement in a legally secure and consistent manner.

The VHB-Bund is updated on an ongoing basis to reflect legislative changes, new case law and current developments in procurement law. It is available electronically via the BMWSB's website and via the relevant procurement platforms.

Content and structure

The VHB-Bund is divided into guidelines (Richtlinien, Ri) and forms (Formblätter, FB), which together form a complete framework for the award of construction works by federal authorities.

Guidelines (Ri)

The guidelines explain the legal requirements of VOB/A and provide concrete instructions for each individual procedural step. They cover, among other things, the following topics:

Principles of procurement (competition, transparency, equal treatment)
Choice of procurement type and value thresholds
Preparation of the procurement documents and specifications
Suitability and award criteria
Tender evaluation and award decision
Documentation and procurement file note

Forms (FB)

The forms are standardised templates that can be used directly in practice. They include, among others:

Tender letters
Contract forms
Statements of suitability
Templates for the evaluation of tenders
Templates for award letters and cancellation notices

The use of VHB forms is mandatory for federal authorities; departures require specific justification.

Legal classification

The VHB-Bund has no direct external effect vis-à-vis bidders but binds federal authorities as an internal administrative provision. It is based on the BMWSB's authority to give concrete shape to VOB/A in the federal sphere. Legally binding are always the underlying norms – in particular VOB/A, VgV and GWB – while the VHB-Bund refines and standardises their application in administrative practice.

Non-compliance with VHB requirements can become relevant in review proceedings where it amounts to a breach of bidder-protective rules.

Distinction from other handbooks

In addition to the VHB-Bund, there are state-level procurement handbooks (e.g. VHB Bavaria, VHB Baden-Württemberg) tailored to the relevant state-law peculiarities. These state handbooks are structurally based on the VHB-Bund but diverge in detail. For federal authorities, only the VHB-Bund is authoritative.

FAQ

Is the VHB-Bund legally binding? The VHB-Bund is binding on federal authorities as an internal administrative provision but has no direct legal effect on bidders. Legally binding are the underlying norms (VOB/A, VgV, GWB).

Where can I access the VHB-Bund? The VHB-Bund is available free of charge on the website of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) and on relevant procurement portals.

Does the VHB-Bund also apply to the states and municipalities? No, the VHB-Bund applies only to federal authorities. States and municipalities use their own procurement handbooks or the respective state VHB.

How often is the VHB-Bund updated? The VHB-Bund is updated on an ongoing basis, in particular following amendments to VOB/A, VgV or new case law of the BGH and the higher regional courts.

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