VOL Procurement Law 2026 – Procurement Regulations for Services

VOL (Procurement Regulations for Services): German framework for the award of supply and service contracts. Replaced by UVgO.

Definition: The VOL (Procurement Regulations for Services) was the German set of rules for the award of supply and service contracts by public contracting authorities and was divided into VOL/A (procurement rules) and VOL/B (general contract conditions); below the EU thresholds it was largely replaced by the Below-Threshold Procurement Ordinance (UVgO) in 2017.

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

What is the VOL?

The VOL (Procurement Regulations for Services) was the central German set of rules for the procurement of supplies and services by public contracting authorities. It consisted of two parts: VOL/A (general rules for the award of services) and VOL/B (general contract conditions for the performance of services). While VOL/A governed the procurement procedure, VOL/B contained the general contract conditions for performing the procured services.

The VOL has a long history in German procurement law and was, for decades, the authoritative instrument for public procurement both below and above the EU thresholds.

Historical development and replacement

With the 2016 procurement-law reform, VOL/A was fully replaced by the Procurement Ordinance (VgV) above the EU thresholds. Below the thresholds, 2017 saw the introduction of the Below-Threshold Procurement Ordinance (UVgO), which replaced VOL/A Section 1. VOL/B, by contrast, remains in use as a set of contract rules and is incorporated by many public contracting authorities into their contracts as general terms and conditions.

VOL/A and VOL/B at a glance

VOL/A governed the procurement procedure and contained rules on procurement types, procurement documents, time limits, evidence of suitability and the award. It was divided into two sections:

Section 1: below thresholds (national)
Section 2: above thresholds (EU-wide, the EC base text)

VOL/B contains general contract conditions for the performance of services and governs, among other things, performance obligations, warranty, liability and payment terms. It remains relevant and is widely incorporated into public contracts.

Significance today

Although VOL/A as a procurement rule has largely been replaced, VOL/B remains of practical significance for public contracting authorities as a set of contract rules. Procurement practitioners and bidders therefore need to know the historical context, since older procedures, commentary and case law frequently still refer to the VOL.

Related terms

FAQ

Is the VOL still in force? VOL/A has been replaced above the thresholds by the VgV (2016) and below the thresholds largely by the UVgO (2017). VOL/B, however, is still used as a contract framework.

What is the difference between VOL and VOB? The VOL governs the award of supply and service contracts, while the VOB (Procurement and Contract Regulations for Construction Works) applies specifically to construction contracts.

What replaced VOL/A below the thresholds? The Below-Threshold Procurement Ordinance (UVgO), which has been progressively introduced by the German states since 2017.

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