NACE 85.4 – Other Education | Public Tenders
NACE 85.4: Other education in public tenders. CPV codes for driving schools, vocational training and continuing education providers.
Definition: NACE 85.4 covers other education that is not classified under primary or secondary education — in particular vocational training, driving schools and continuing education providers (ISCED levels 4 and partly 5). In public procurement, this group is relevant for awards in vocational training, retraining measures and infrastructure for continuing-education institutions.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 85.4 cover?
NACE 85.4 (Other education) classifies a heterogeneous group of educational institutions below and alongside higher education — with significant relevance for publicly funded vocational training, rehabilitation and labour market measures.
Group 85.4 belongs to Section P (Education) and Division 85. It is broken down into:
| Class | Title | Typical institutions |
|---|---|---|
| 85.41 | Post-secondary non-tertiary education | Vocational academies, master craftsman schools, vocational specialist schools |
| 85.42 | Tertiary education n.e.c. | Vocational academies, certain continuing-education higher-education institutions |
Contracting authorities under NACE 85.4 are states (as operators of vocational schools and specialist academies), federal authorities such as the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and the AMS Austria, which tender education measures for jobseekers, as well as rehabilitation institutions (German Pension Insurance, statutory accident insurance institutions, Austrian Pensionsversicherungsanstalt).
Public Tenders: Activity area NACE 85.4
Vocational and continuing education is one of the most tender-intensive education areas — the Federal Employment Agency alone awards vocational training and retraining measures with a total volume in the billions every year.
Typical types of contract
- Vocational training measures (BAM): Tenders by BA and AMS for extra-company vocational training (BaE, ÜBA) in shortage occupations
- Retraining and vocational rehabilitation: Measures for vocational reintegration of people with disabilities or after accidents
- Activation and placement measures (AVGS): Framework agreements for education vouchers (Germany), AMB measures (Austria)
- Driving-school infrastructure: Vehicle deliveries for official driving schools, driving simulator procurement by police and Bundeswehr
- Equipment of vocational schools and academies: Workshop equipment (metalworking, electrical, IT), occupation-specific teaching equipment
- Vocational school construction: New build and refurbishment of vocational schools, boarding facilities and workshop buildings
- E-learning and digital continuing-education platforms: Blended learning concepts, learning management systems for continuing education providers
Thresholds and procurement procedures
The BA and AMS award education measures as service contracts under SGB III or AMSG in competitive procedures. EU threshold for services: EUR 221,000 (sub-central contracting authorities). The BA has special procurement rules (Vergabeverordnung BA). Education measures are predominantly awarded via the open procedure or by framework agreement with call-off.
Relevant CPV codes for NACE 85.4
The following CPV codes are particularly relevant for tender searches in vocational and continuing education.
| CPV code | Title | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 80400000 | Adult and other education services | Continuing-education measures in general |
| 80410000 | Various school services | Vocational training, retraining |
| 80430000 | Adult-education services at university level | Vocational academies, master craftsman schools |
| 80500000 | Training services | Certificate courses, qualifications |
| 45214300 | Construction work for vocational schools | New build, refurbishment of vocational schools |
| 34114000 | Specialist vehicles | Driving-school vehicles for authorities |
| 48190000 | Educational software | E-learning platforms, CBT |
| 39162100 | Teaching equipment | Vocational-school equipment, tools |
Current tenders with these CPV codes are available on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.
Who is NACE 85.4 relevant to under procurement law?
Public contracting authorities
The Federal Employment Agency (Germany) is by far the largest contracting authority for vocational education measures — with a central procurement office in Nuremberg and regional agencies. The AMS Austria also awards education measures across Europe in a pooled manner. Rehabilitation institutions such as the German Pension Insurance and AUVA (Austria) tender vocational rehabilitation measures. States award vocational-school construction via state construction companies or school in-house operations.
Companies and bidders
The market for publicly funded vocational education is heavily regulated:
- Education providers: AZAV accreditation (Germany) or AMS certification (Austria) is a prerequisite for BA/AMS measures; references by participant numbers and placement rate
- E-learning providers: Evidence on didactics, SCORM compliance, accessibility (WCAG 2.1), data protection
- Construction companies: Experience with vocational school and workshop construction, compliance with DIN standards for workshop premises
- Equipment and tool suppliers: Standardised equipment in line with the training regulations, delivery reliability and spare parts supply
Education measures are frequently tendered in lots by occupational field or region — providing opportunities for specialised education providers in small-area awards.
NACE 85.4 in context: Section P and Division 85
NACE 85.4 links education and the labour market — awards in this area are closely connected with labour market policy and social transfers.
- NACE P – Education: Parent section
- NACE 85.2 – Secondary education: Secondary schools including vocational schools
- NACE 85.3 – Higher education: Higher-education institutions
- NACE 85.5 – Other education and training services: Language schools, tutoring
- NACE 85.6 – Educational support activities: Education counselling
Frequently asked questions on NACE 85.4 and public tenders
Which institutions fall under NACE 85.4?
Vocational schools, vocational academies, specialist academies, master craftsman schools, and private education providers offering vocational and continuing education. Driving schools as commercial businesses also fall under this group.
Must an education provider be AZAV-certified to participate in BA tenders?
Yes. AZAV accreditation (Accreditation and Approval Regulation for Continuing Education) is a mandatory requirement for all providers delivering services funded under SGB II/III and constitutes the minimum suitability requirement for awards by the Federal Employment Agency.
How do I find current tenders of the Federal Employment Agency?
The BA publishes tenders on its own procurement platform and on TED (for EU-wide measures). A search for CPV 80400000 and 80500000 delivers the relevant notices.
Can vocational schools themselves be contracting authorities?
As a rule no — vocational schools as state institutions procure via their operators (states, districts). Individual procurements (e.g. teaching equipment) may, however, be made on a decentralised basis by the school within approved budgets.
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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