NACE H – Transportation and Storage | Public Tenders

NACE H: Transport and logistics in public tenders. Transport, public transit, courier services — CPV codes, thresholds and contracting authorities.

Definition: NACE Section H covers the transport of passengers and goods by land, water and air, as well as storage and ancillary services in transport. Public transport, school transport and logistics services for authorities are among the largest tender segments.

What does NACE H cover?

Division	Title	Brief description
49	Land transport and transport via pipelines	Rail, bus, taxi, road haulage, pipelines
50	Water transport	Inland waterway, sea transport, ferries
51	Air transport	Passenger and freight air transport
52	Warehousing and support activities for transportation	Storage, handling, port operations
53	Postal and courier activities	Letter post, parcel delivery

Public Tenders in Transport and Logistics

Transport services are a core area of public procurement. Public passenger transport (PSO), school transport, postal services for authorities and freight logistics for public supply tasks are tendered on a regular basis.

Typical Contract Types

PSO concessions: Scheduled bus services, tram operations, urban and regional rail
School transport: Transport of pupils, including transport for pupils with disabilities
Authority transport: Courier and letter services, internal document transport
Freight logistics: Transport services for federal authorities, materials supply for public institutions
Helicopter services: Air rescue, police helicopters, alpine rescue (service contracts)
Storage and handling services: Storage of public goods, disaster-response stockpiles
Postal services: Letter delivery for authorities (liberalised market)

Thresholds

Service contracts in transport from EUR 221,000 are subject to EU-wide tendering. PSO concessions are subject to Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 (PSO Regulation) with its own direct-award and tendering rules.

Common CPV Codes

CPV Code	Title	Scope
60100000	Road transport services	Bus transport, school transport
60112000	Public road transport services	Scheduled bus services, public transit
60130000	Special-purpose road passenger-transport services	Specialised transport, patient transport
64100000	Post and courier services	Authority post, parcels
60200000	Railway transport services	Regional rail transport
63110000	Cargo handling services	Storage, handling, logistics

Contracting Authorities

Transport authorities and PSO bodies: Award of line concessions and operating services
School authorities and municipalities: School transport, special school transport
Federal authorities: Courier services, authority post, logistics services
Armed forces and police: Troop transport, special transport contracts
Hospitals and rescue organisations: Patient transport, recumbent transport (helicopter)

FAQ

What tenders are available for bus companies? Bus companies can apply for PSO concessions under the PSO Regulation as well as for tenders for school transport and special transport. PSO concessions require authorisation under passenger transport legislation (PBefG). Relevant CPV codes: 60112000, 60130000.

How are postal and courier services awarded? Since the liberalisation of the postal market, postal services are awarded in competition. Contracting authorities tender letter, parcel and courier services. Key requirements: licence under postal legislation, quality-assurance evidence, where applicable e-mailbox integration.

What is the PSO Regulation and why is it important for public transport? Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 governs the public award of passenger transport services by rail and road. It allows, under certain conditions, direct award to internal operators (municipal undertakings) and requires transparent procedures for tendered contracts.

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