VOF – Procurement Regulations for Liberal-Professional Services 2026

Definition: The VOF (Procurement Regulations for Liberal-Professional Services) was the German set of rules that, until the 2016 procurement-law reform, governed the award of architectural, engineering and other liberal-professional services by public contracting authorities above the EU thresholds; it was replaced by the Procurement Ordinance (VgV) 2016.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: historical (no longer in force); current: VgV 2016, §§ 73 et seq. VgV

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What was the VOF?

The VOF (Procurement Regulations for Liberal-Professional Services) was a special procurement framework for intellectual and creative services that could not be described clearly and exhaustively – typically architectural and engineering services. It applied above the EU thresholds and mandatorily prescribed the negotiated procedure for these services, because for design services a prior specification cannot be drafted in the same form as for standardisable supplies or works.

The VOF was introduced in 1997 and updated several times. With the 2016 procurement-law reform (implementing EU Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU) it was repealed and its substantive content was integrated into the new Procurement Ordinance (VgV).

Historical significance

During its lifetime, the VOF was the central set of rules for engaging design firms, architects, engineers, lawyers, management consultants and other liberal-professional contractors by public contracting authorities. The defining feature was the requirement to use the negotiated procedure: contracting authorities had to enter into negotiations with selected candidates because a clear specification could not be drawn up before the contract was awarded.

Replacement by the VgV 2016

Since 18 April 2016 the Procurement Ordinance (VgV) has applied to the award of liberal-professional services above the EU thresholds. §§ 73 et seq. VgV contain specific rules on architectural and engineering competitions and have completely replaced the VOF. Key changes through the reform:

• No separate procurement order for liberal-professional services
• Integration into the general procurement-law regime of the VgV
• Greater emphasis on design contests as preliminary procedures (§§ 69 et seq. VgV)
• Clearer rules on fee requirements and quality criteria

Current legal position

The VgV now applies to the award of architectural and engineering services, supplemented by the HOAI (Fee Regulations for Architects and Engineers) for fee assessment. Below the thresholds, the UVgO and the respective state administrative regulations apply. The VOF is now only of historical significance for interpreting older contracts and for understanding the development of procurement law.

FAQ

Does the VOF still apply to ongoing contracts? No. For procurement procedures commenced after 18 April 2016 the VgV applies. For procedures commenced before that date, the VOF in the version then in force continues to serve as a framework for interpretation.

What do §§ 73 et seq. VgV regulate as the successor to the VOF? §§ 73 et seq. VgV govern design contests for architectural and engineering services, i.e. the competitive procedure for selecting the best design before the actual award. Design contests are not procurement procedures themselves but can serve as a preliminary stage.

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