NACE 85.5 – Other Education | Public Tenders
NACE 85.5: Driving schools, language schools, sports schools in public tenders. Continuing-education contracts of public contracting authorities and CPV codes.
Definition: NACE 85.5 covers other education and training services that are not part of the regular school system, including driving schools, flight schools, sports schools, language schools, cultural schools and tutoring institutes. Public contracting authorities tender services of this kind primarily as continuing-education and qualification measures for their staff.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 85.5 cover?
NACE 85.5 (Other education) classifies education providers outside the regular school system — an area which is relevant for public contracting authorities primarily as a procurer of continuing-education, qualification and integration measures.
Group 85.5 within Section P (Education) and Division 85 is broken down into the following classes:
| Class | Title | Typical offering |
|---|---|---|
| 85.51 | Sports and recreation education | Swimming courses, sports schools, dance schools |
| 85.52 | Cultural education | Music, art and theatre schools |
| 85.53 | Driving schools | Driving licence training, professional driver qualifications |
| 85.59 | Other education n.e.c. | Language schools, tutoring, vocational continuing education |
Public contracting authorities procure NACE 85.5 services primarily as service contracts for the qualification of their own personnel, as well as for active labour-market policy measures (Federal Employment Agency, job centres).
Public Tenders: Activity area NACE 85.5
Continuing-education measures for public-sector employees, as well as language and integration measures for third parties, are regularly tendered as service contracts.
Typical types of contract
- Language courses for civil servants: English, French and other foreign languages for international exchange
- Leadership development: Seminars and training for management positions in the public sector
- IT training: Certification training for software products, data protection, cybersecurity
- Professional driver qualifications: Mandatory continuing training under the BKrFQG for public fleets (bus drivers, lorry drivers)
- Integration measures: Language courses for refugees tendered by the Federal Office for Migration (BAMF) and municipalities
- Sports offerings: Workplace sports, health courses for employees tendered by personnel offices
Particular feature for education measures of the Federal Employment Agency
The Federal Employment Agency and job centres award education and qualification measures under SGB III/SGB II on the basis of the agency's customer system (KURSNET). These awards follow a specific procedure with education vouchers and measure approvals, supplemented by formal procurement procedures for large measure packages.
Relevant CPV codes for NACE 85.5
| CPV code | Title | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 80000000 | Education and training services | General education services |
| 80500000 | Training services | Vocational training and qualification |
| 80510000 | Specialist training services | Skilled-worker qualification |
| 80530000 | Vocational training services | Vocational continuing education |
| 80580000 | Provision of language courses | Foreign-language teaching |
| 92600000 | Sports services | Sports offerings, swimming courses |
Who is NACE 85.5 relevant to under procurement law?
Public contracting authorities
In addition to authorities procuring continuing education for their own staff, the Federal Employment Agency and job centres are major procurers of qualification measures. The BAMF tenders integration courses and occupation-related German language courses. School authorities procure continuing education for teachers.
Companies and bidders
- Provider qualification: For BA measures, AZAV certification (Accreditation and Approval Regulation for Employment Promotion) is required
- Trainer evidence: Qualification evidence for teaching personnel (vocational qualification, professional experience)
- Teaching concepts: Coherent didactic concept as an award criterion
- Accessibility: Suitable premises and barrier-free teaching materials
- References: Experience with comparable measures for public contracting authorities
NACE 85.5 in context: Section P and Division 85
- NACE P – Education: Parent section
- NACE 85 – Education: Division
- NACE 85.4 – Other education: Higher education
- NACE 85.6 – Educational support activities: Educational mediation, pupil transport
Frequently asked questions on NACE 85.5 and public tenders
Must language courses for civil servants be tendered? Yes, provided the contract value exceeds the relevant thresholds. Smaller individual courses can be commissioned directly below the value limits. Many authorities conclude framework agreements which can then be called off without a further tender procedure.
What is AZAV certification and what is it required for? AZAV certification under the Accreditation and Approval Regulation for Employment Promotion is a prerequisite for delivering active employment promotion measures (SGB II/III) commissioned by job centres and the Federal Employment Agency.
Can non-profit education providers participate in public tenders? Yes. Non-profit education providers (Volkshochschulen, church operators, non-profit limited companies) are eligible to participate in public tenders. Specific tax aspects (VAT exemption) may be relevant for pricing.
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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