NACE 81.1 – Combined Facilities Support Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 81.1 covers the provision of caretaker and building support services for the operation and maintenance of buildings and installations. In public procurement, integrated facility management services and classic caretaker services are equally relevant.

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

What does NACE 81.1 cover?

NACE 81.1 (Combined facilities support activities) classifies companies that provide technical and infrastructural operating services for buildings — an indispensable area in public facility management.

Group 81.1 within Section N (administrative and support service activities) and Division 81 covers the following activities:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 81.1 are municipalities, school authorities, universities, hospitals, federal authorities and public housing companies.

Public Tenders: NACE 81.1 in Practice

Facility management and caretaker services are among the largest service procurements by volume in the public sector — almost every public institution with its own building stock tenders these services regularly.

Typical types of contract

• Integrated facility management (IFM): Single-source package combining technical, infrastructural and commercial building management
• Caretaker and concierge services: Day-to-day care of schools, administrative buildings and sports facilities, including locking up and minor repairs
• Technical building management: Operation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Winter service: Snow clearance and gritting on footpaths, parking areas and access roads of public buildings
• Key management and lock systems: Management and documentation of locking systems in public buildings
• Operational management: Operation of heating installations, lifts and safety installations with fault clearance

Thresholds and procedure types

Facility management framework agreements regularly exceed the EU threshold of EUR 443,000 (as of 2024/2025) for larger property portfolios or multi-year terms. Where lots are used, the lot value is relevant. The open procedure and framework agreements with multiple contractors and lot-based call-offs are common.

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 81.1

The following CPV codes are decisive for searches for tenders in the facility management and caretaker area.

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

Who is NACE 81.1 relevant to in procurement law?

Public Contracting Authorities

The public sector is the largest buyer of facility management services in Germany and Austria. Municipalities and school authorities operate large building stocks (schools, town halls, sports halls) that require professional building care. Federal authorities and the Federal Agency for Real Estate (BImA) tender FM services for federally owned properties. Public hospitals and care facilities and universities are also among the main contracting authorities.

Companies and Bidders

Facility management companies and caretaker services need the following for public-sector tenders:

• Trade authorisation: Various trade authorisations depending on scope (electrical, gas, water, heating)
• Technical professionals: Evidence of qualified personnel (electricians, heating technicians, lift attendants)
• Reference projects: Comparable care services for properties of similar size and complexity
• Availability and emergency service: Evidence of 24/7 availability for fault reports
• CAFM competence: Experience with Computer Aided Facility Management software
• Insurance cover: Operating liability insurance with sufficient cover

NACE 81.1 in Context: Division 81

NACE 81.1 is part of Division 81 (services to buildings and landscape activities) within the services sector.

• NACE 81 – Services to buildings and landscape activities: Parent division
• NACE 81.2 – Cleaning activities: Maintenance and window cleaning
• NACE 81.3 – Landscape service activities: Green-space maintenance, external areas
• NACE 80.1 – Private security activities: Often combined in the IFM package

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 81.1 and Public Tenders

What is the difference between caretaker services and integrated facility management?
Classic caretaker services cover on-site operational tasks (locking up, minor repairs, monitoring). Integrated facility management is a comprehensive concept that strategically bundles and manages technical, infrastructural and commercial services.

How do I find current tenders for caretaker and FM services?
On TED via CPV search (e.g. 79993000, 50700000). Nationally on DTVP, vergabe.de and the regional platforms. Municipal tenders can be found on the websites of municipalities and school authorities.

Are facility management services awarded as a single package or in lots?
Both models are common. Integrated FM is frequently awarded as a single package, while individual services (cleaning, green-space maintenance, caretaking) can also be tendered as separate lots.

Does the minimum wage apply to caretaker services?
Yes. The statutory minimum wage applies without restriction. For certain FM sub-services (e.g. cleaning), industry-specific minimum wages apply, which are often higher than the statutory minimum wage.

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