NACE 33.1 – Repair of Fabricated Metal Products, Machinery and Equipment | Public Tenders

NACE 33.1: Machinery repair in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and procurement procedures for maintenance and upkeep of technical installations.

Definition: NACE 33.1 covers the repair and maintenance of metal products, industrial machinery, machine tools, mining machinery, conveyor equipment and other equipment. The group belongs to Section C (Manufacturing) and Division 33.

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

What does NACE 33.1 cover?

NACE 33.1 (Repair of fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment) classifies companies that provide upkeep, maintenance and repair services for technical installations and machinery — an essential service area for the public sector.

Group 33.1 is broken down into several classes:

Class	Title	Typical Services
33.11	Repair of fabricated metal products	Locksmithing, metal repairs, welding work
33.12	Repair of machinery	Industrial machinery, pumps, compressors
33.13	Repair of electronic and optical equipment	Measuring and testing equipment, laboratory equipment
33.14	Repair of electrical equipment	Motors, transformers, switchgear
33.15	Repair and maintenance of ships and boats	Harbour vehicles, response boats
33.19	Repair of other equipment	Various technical equipment

Public Tenders: Machinery Repair Public Contracts

Public institutions with technical infrastructure — from wastewater treatment plants and power stations to vehicle fleets — depend on reliable maintenance and repair service providers.

Typical Contract Types

Maintenance contracts for combined heat and power plants and building services equipment: Regular inspection, maintenance and repair of boiler, pump and ventilation systems in public buildings
Wastewater treatment plant upkeep: Maintenance of pumps, compressors, agitators and control installations in municipal wastewater facilities
Vehicle fleet upkeep: Repair and maintenance of commercial vehicles, special-purpose vehicles and emergency response vehicles of fire services and works depots
Bridge and lock installations: Upkeep of mechanical and hydraulic plant components in water structures
Industrial plant overhaul: General overhaul of compressors, turbines and pumps in public utility companies

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 33.1

CPV Code	Title	Scope
50000000	Repair and maintenance services	General upkeep
50500000	Repair and maintenance services for pumps, valves, taps and metal containers	Pumps, compressors, valves
50530000	Repair and maintenance services of machinery	Industrial machinery
50800000	Miscellaneous repair and maintenance services	Other technical installations
50610000	Repair and maintenance services of security equipment	Fire services, rescue equipment

Contracting Authorities and Bidders

Public Contracting Authorities

Municipal utility undertakings (public utilities, waterworks, wastewater treatment plants) are the largest buyers for machinery upkeep. Public hospitals, universities and research institutions commission specialist maintenance for complex technical installations. Federal authorities (Waterways and Shipping Administration, Bundeswehr) tender extensive upkeep framework agreements.

Bidders and Suitability Requirements

Specialist qualification: Master's certificate or relevant vocational training in the respective field (locksmith, electrician, mechatronics)
Technical capability: Machinery fleet, tool equipment and specialist personnel for the relevant services
Response times: Framework agreements often contain arrangements on response times in the event of failures (e.g. 4-hour response time)
Certifications: DGUV test certificates, pressure equipment regulation expertise, ATEX qualification for hazardous areas

FAQ

Can manufacturers of machinery be preferred for the maintenance of their own equipment? Procurement law generally does not permit exclusive preference for manufacturers. However, for manufacturer- or system-specific maintenance services (e.g. proprietary control systems), a negotiated procedure without prior competition may be justified if only one company is technically capable of providing the service (de facto monopoly, Art. 32 (2) (b) Directive 2014/24/EU).

How are maintenance contracts structured in terms of duration? Public maintenance contracts typically run for three to five years to ensure planning certainty for both sides. An extension option (optionally two further years) is permissible under procurement law but must be announced transparently in the notice. Very long terms can restrict competition and therefore require justification.

NACE 33.1 in context: Section C and Division 33

NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
NACE 33 – Repair and installation of machinery and equipment: Parent division
NACE 33.2 – Installation of industrial machinery and equipment: Adjacent group
NACE 28 – Manufacture of machinery and equipment: Related division (new supply)

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