NACE 26.3 – Manufacture of Communication Equipment | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 26.3 covers the manufacture of communication equipment, including telephones (fixed and mobile), radio equipment, transmission equipment for wireless and wired communications, and network components such as routers, switches and modems. The group belongs to Division 26 within Section C (Manufacturing).

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: April 2026

What does NACE 26.3 cover?

NACE 26.3 (Manufacture of communication equipment) classifies manufacturers and suppliers of communications technology that is indispensable for government, security forces and critical infrastructure — from government communications to the public-safety digital radio network.

Group 26.3 is broken down into the following classes:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 26.3 include the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), the Federal Agency for Public Safety Digital Radio (BDBOS), state police authorities, fire and rescue services, the armed forces, federal authorities and telecommunications companies as utility contracting authorities.

Public tenders: scope of activity NACE 26.3

Communication equipment is fundamental to the operational capability of all security authorities — public contracts in this segment cover both ongoing equipment supply and the construction and operation of communications infrastructure.

Typical contract types

• Public-safety digital radio (TETRA): end devices (hand-held and vehicle radios) for police, fire services and rescue services on the BOS digital radio network
• Government telephony and PBX systems: IP telephony systems (VoIP), ISDN successor systems, conferencing solutions for administrative buildings
• Network infrastructure: switches, routers, WLAN access points for government networks (NdB, Berlin-Bonn Information Network IVBB)
• Satellite communications: satellite telephones and terminals for civil protection and the armed forces on overseas deployments
• Armed-forces command communications: tactical radio equipment, secured communications systems (SatCom, HF radio)
• Mobile services for authorities: secure mobile contracts and devices (e.g. SiMKo, SecuSUITE)

Thresholds and procurement procedures

Contracts for communication equipment fall as supply contracts under the EU threshold of EUR 221,000 (higher federal authorities) or, for utility contracting authorities, EUR 443,000. Security-relevant procurement is frequently awarded in the negotiated procedure without prior call for competition, where the conditions under § 14 VgV are met.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 26.3

The bridge between the NACE classification and the tender search is formed by the CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be stated in every notice on TED.

Current tenders are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 26.3 relevant in procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

The BDBOS (Federal Agency for Public Safety Digital Radio) is the central contracting authority for BOS digital radio infrastructure and end devices in Germany. The state police authorities procure radio equipment and communications systems independently, coordinated by federal-state framework agreements. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) is responsible for military communications systems.

Companies and bidders

Manufacturers and suppliers of communication equipment must typically provide the following evidence of eligibility for public contracts:

• Security screening: for classified communications systems, security screening under the German Security Clearance Act (SÜG) is required
• Certifications: BSI approval for VS-NfD/Secret-grade devices, Common Criteria evaluation
• Technical capability: evidence of TETRA compatibility (for BOS radio), manufacturer certificates
• References: comparable projects in security authorities or critical infrastructure

Frequently asked questions on NACE 26.3 and public tenders

What is BOS digital radio and who procures the end devices?
The BOS digital radio (TETRA standard) is the federal radio network for German public-safety authorities and organisations. End devices are procured by the individual user authorities (police, fire services, rescue services), often through framework agreements of the BDBOS or state procurement bodies.

How do I find current tenders for communication equipment?
EU-wide tenders are available on TED via CPV search (e.g. 32230000, 32420000). National tenders can be found on DTVP, evergabe.de and the procurement platforms of the federal states.

What special features apply to security-relevant communication equipment?
Procurement for classified communications is subject to secrecy requirements and is not tendered publicly. Companies require classified-information processing support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs as well as a security certificate for their staff.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: parent section
• NACE 26 – Manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products: parent division
• NACE 26.2 – Manufacture of computers and peripheral equipment: PCs, servers, printers
• NACE 26.4 – Manufacture of consumer electronics: TV, audio, information terminals

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