NACE 84.2 – Provision of Services to the Community as a Whole | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 84.2 covers state activities in the fields of foreign affairs, defence, justice and corrections, fire services and public order. This group describes core functions of the state which nonetheless generate substantial procurement demand.

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

What does NACE 84.2 cover?

NACE 84.2 (Provision of services to the community as a whole) classifies state bodies that perform core public functions — and that simultaneously act as significant contracting authorities for goods and services.

Group 84.2 within Section O (Public administration and defence) and Division 84 is broken down into the following classes:

These bodies are not themselves commercial undertakings, but state institutions — they do, however, act as contracting authorities with substantial procurement volumes.

Public Tenders: Activity area NACE 84.2

Authorities in NACE 84.2 are among the largest contracting authorities — the Bundeswehr, police, fire services and judiciary procure goods and services worth billions each year.

Typical types of contract

• Defence and military equipment: Vehicles, protective equipment, communications technology, information systems for the armed forces
• Police equipment: Body armour, vehicles, weapons systems, IT systems for investigation authorities
• Fire services and rescue: Fire engines, breathing apparatus, operational clothing, control-room information systems
• Correctional services: Operational services for prisons (catering, cleaning, trades), electronic tagging
• Diplomatic service: Equipment of embassies, security technology, removal and courier services

Specific features under procurement law

For defence procurement, the procurement law for defence and security applies (VSVgV in Germany, §§ 141 ff. BVergG 2018 in Austria), which provides for divergent rules on confidentiality, national security interests and international cooperation. EU Directive 2009/81/EC governs the award of defence and security contracts across the EU.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 84.2

Who is NACE 84.2 relevant to under procurement law?

Public contracting authorities

The bodies classified under NACE 84.2 — Bundeswehr, police, fire services, foreign ministries — are themselves contracting authorities. For defence procurement, special procedural rules apply with extended scope for negotiated procedures and confidential tenders. The Federal Procurement Office of the BMI and the BAAINBw (Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support) are central procurement agencies in Germany.

Companies and bidders

• Security clearance: For contracts involving classified information, official security clearance (SÜ) is required
• Reliability check: Extended requirements on the reliability of companies and key personnel
• Export controls: For defence goods, the AWG, AWV and, where applicable, ITAR restrictions (USA) apply
• Quality assurance: AQAP standards (NATO quality assurance requirements) for military procurement

NACE 84.2 in context: Section O and Division 84

• NACE O – Public Administration: Parent section
• NACE 84 – Public administration and defence; compulsory social security: Division
• NACE 84.1 – General public administration: General administrative activity
• NACE 84.3 – Compulsory social security: Social security institutions

Frequently asked questions on NACE 84.2 and public tenders

Do special procurement rules apply to police and military procurement? Yes. For defence and security procurement, the VSVgV (Germany) or §§ 141 ff. BVergG 2018 (Austria) apply, with extended scope for exemptions, in particular for contracts requiring confidentiality and for national security interests.

Which platform does the Bundeswehr use for tenders? The Bundeswehr publishes tenders on the Federal Procurement Office portal and on TED. For smaller procurements, the federal electronic procurement platform (DTVP, subreport ELViS) is used.

Can foreign companies participate in security procurement? In principle yes, provided that no national security interests stand in the way. For particularly sensitive areas (military technology, classified information), national restrictions may apply.

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