NACE 42 – Civil Engineering | Public Tenders
NACE 42 Civil engineering: public tenders for roads, bridges, utility lines and infrastructure construction. CPV codes, contracting authorities and contracts.
Definition: NACE 42 covers the construction of transport infrastructure, utility lines and other engineering structures. Civil engineering is the highest-volume area in public works procurement — at EU level, billions of euros are awarded each year for roads, rail and pipeline construction.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 42 cover?
NACE 42 (Civil engineering) classifies companies that build infrastructure works — from motorways and bridges to gas, water and electricity transmission lines.
| Group | Title | Typical services |
|---|---|---|
| 42.1 | Construction of roads and railways | Road, motorway, track, bridge and tunnel construction |
| 42.2 | Construction of utility projects | Sewer, water, gas, electricity and district heating lines |
| 42.9 | Construction of other civil engineering projects | Port facilities, dams, industrial sites, outdoor sports facilities |
Public Tenders – Civil Engineering
Public civil engineering covers all infrastructure projects from planning through completion:
- New road construction and pavement rehabilitation (federal, state and municipal roads)
- Track and rail construction for railways, trams and metros
- Bridge construction, refurbishment and replacement
- Sewer and water supply pipelines
- Utility trench projects for broadband and energy
- Flood protection measures (dams, retention areas, protection walls)
Relevant CPV codes
| CPV code | Title | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 45230000 | Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines, for highways, roads, airfields and railways; flatwork | General civil engineering |
| 45233000 | Construction, foundation and surface works for highways, roads | Road infrastructure |
| 45234000 | Construction work for railways and cable transport systems | Track construction and rail infrastructure |
| 45221000 | Construction work for bridges and tunnels, shafts and subways | Engineering structures |
| 45231000 | Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines | Pipeline and cable construction |
| 45240000 | Construction work for water projects | Flood protection, port facilities |
Contracting Authorities
- Federal authorities (ASFINAG, Deutsche Autobahn GmbH, federal waterways)
- Federal states (Länder) (state road administrations, state construction authorities)
- Municipalities and municipal associations (civil engineering offices, urban development companies)
- Railway infrastructure operators (ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, DB InfraGO AG)
- Utility contracting entities (municipal utilities, network operators)
FAQ
From what contract value must civil engineering contracts be tendered EU-wide? The EU threshold for works contracts is EUR 5,538,000 (as of 2024/2025). Since civil engineering projects are often significantly larger, EU-wide publication on TED is the rule rather than the exception in civil engineering.
Which suitability requirements do contracting authorities apply in civil engineering? Typical minimum requirements are: trade authorisation as a construction company, reference projects of comparable type and size, annual turnover in civil engineering, availability of key personnel (site managers, foremen) and certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 14001).
- NACE F – Construction: Parent section
- NACE 42.1 – Construction of roads and railways: Roads, motorways, tracks, bridges
- NACE 42.2 – Construction of utility projects: Sewer, water, gas, electricity
- NACE 42.9 – Construction of other civil engineering projects: Ports, dams, special structures
- NACE 41 – Construction of buildings: Building construction
- NACE 43 – Specialised construction activities: Building services and fit-out
Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.
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