NACE 91.0 – Libraries, Archives, Museums and Other Cultural Activities | Public Tenders
NACE 91.0: Media supply, exhibition equipment and infrastructure for libraries, museums and gardens in public tenders. CPV codes and contracting authorities.
Definition: NACE 91.0 covers the operation of libraries, archives, museums, botanical gardens and zoological gardens as well as the operation of nature conservation areas. These institutions are predominantly in public ownership and regularly procure media, exhibition equipment, IT systems and infrastructure services through public tenders.
Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026
What does NACE 91.0 cover?
NACE 91.0 (Libraries, archives, museums, botanical and zoological gardens) classifies institutions that collect, preserve and make cultural heritage accessible to the public — a group with high public procurement volume, as most of these institutions are operated under state or municipal ownership.
Group 91.0 within Section R (Arts, entertainment and recreation) is broken down into the following classes:
| Class | Title | Typical services |
|---|---|---|
| 91.01 | Library and archive activities | Media supply, library software, digitalisation |
| 91.02 | Museum activities | Exhibition equipment, restoration, depot technology |
| 91.03 | Operation of historical sites and buildings and similar visitor attractions | Heritage care, visitor centres, guidance systems |
| 91.04 | Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserves activities | Animal-keeping infrastructure, plant supply, enclosures |
Contracting authorities are municipalities and cities as operators of municipal libraries, states for state archives and state museums, the federal government for federal institutions (Federal Archive, Federal Art Hall), and universities for academic libraries.
Public Tenders: Activity area NACE 91.0
Libraries, museums and related institutions continually generate procurement requirements — from ongoing media supply through IT infrastructure to special exhibitions and construction works.
Typical types of contract
- Media supply for libraries: Books, periodicals, e-books, databases, audiovisual media — frequently as framework agreements with booksellers and publishers
- Library management systems: Software for lending, cataloguing, digital services (RFID systems, OPAC solutions)
- Exhibition equipment and design: Display cases, labelling systems, lighting, interactive stations for museums
- Restoration and conservation: Restoration of collection objects, paintings, books, archive material
- Digitalisation of holdings: Scanning services, metadata capture, digital long-term archiving
- Infrastructure for zoological gardens: Enclosures, animal-keeping technology, feed supply, animal health services
- Botanical gardens: Plant deliveries, greenhouse technology, irrigation systems
Thresholds and procurement procedures
For supply and service contracts, the EU thresholds apply (from EUR 221,000 or EUR 443,000). Media supplies to libraries are frequently organised through framework agreements with purchasing groups (e.g. ekz.bibliotheksservice, Austrian Library Consortium). IT procurement follows the regular procurement law.
Relevant CPV codes for NACE 91.0
The following CPV codes are central to the search for tenders in the area of libraries, museums and related institutions.
| CPV code | Title | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 79995000 | Library-management services | Library software, RFID, lending systems |
| 22000000 | Printed matter and related products | Book supplies, periodicals |
| 48000000 | Software packages and information systems | Library management software |
| 92521000 | Museum services | Exhibition design, conservation |
| 92521200 | Exhibition conservation services | Restoration, conservation of exhibits |
| 92512000 | Archive services | Digitalisation, archiving, indexing |
Current tenders are available on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.
Who is NACE 91.0 relevant to under procurement law?
Public contracting authorities
Public libraries in Germany and Austria are predominantly municipally financed and regularly award contracts for media supply and IT. State archives and federal archives procure specialised restoration and digitalisation services. Museums in public ownership — from city museums to national collections — are significant contracting authorities for exhibition design and conservation services. Zoological gardens and botanical gardens in public ownership award contracts for infrastructure and supply services.
Companies and bidders
Relevant providers are specialist publishers and book wholesalers, IT companies specialising in library and archive software, exhibition designers and trade-fair builders, restorers and conservators, and animal-care and infrastructure businesses. Typical evidence required:
- Professional qualification: Evidence of training (e.g. restorer, qualified librarian), professional experience
- References: Comparable projects in libraries, museums or archives
- Certifications: ISO 9001 for IT service providers, specific restoration qualifications
Frequently asked questions on NACE 91.0 and public tenders
Must book supplies to public libraries be tendered?
Yes, above the relevant thresholds, media supplies are also subject to a tender obligation. Many libraries use central purchasing groups or framework agreements to reduce the administrative burden.
How are restoration services tendered?
Restoration services are often highly specialised and may, where artistic or scientific requirements are involved, be subject to simplified procurement procedures. Negotiated procedures are permissible if only a few qualified providers exist on the market.
Are digitalisation projects for archive holdings subject to a tender obligation?
Yes, above the thresholds, an EU-wide tender is required. CPV code 92512000 and related codes are used for the search. Funding programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe, Digital Agenda) may offer co-financing but do not change the tender obligation.
What specific features apply to zoological gardens?
Zoological gardens in public ownership are fully subject to procurement obligations. Animal welfare law requirements and CITES regulations (species protection) must be taken into account when procuring animals and animal-keeping products.
Related NACE groups
- NACE 90.0 – Creative, arts and entertainment activities: Cultural events, art purchases
- NACE 93.1 – Sports activities: Sports-facility construction and operation
- NACE R – Arts, Entertainment and Recreation: Parent section
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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