Vergab

Vergab is not a widely recognized standalone term in standard reference works. In most uses, vergab is the simple past tense of the German verb vergeben, meaning “awarded” or “distributed” as in er vergab den Auftrag. Because vergab is a verb form, it is not commonly used as a noun. The related noun is Vergabe, which denotes the awarding of contracts or the procurement process.

Vergabe refers to the process by which goods, services, or works are obtained, typically by public authorities but also by private entities. In public procurement, Vergabe encompasses planning, advertisement, bid submission, evaluation, and the formal award of a contract, followed by contract execution and performance monitoring. Core principles include transparency, equal treatment, non-discrimination, and proportionality to ensure a fair competition and value for money.

The procedure used for Vergabe can vary by jurisdiction and contract value. Common approaches include open procedures, restricted procedures, negotiated procedures, and, in some systems, competitive dialogues. Each method outlines how opportunities are announced, how bidders submit proposals, the criteria used for evaluation, and how the winning bid is selected. Legal frameworks often derive from national laws and, in many regions, international or regional directives that set minimum standards for competition, publication, and contract award.

In practice, Vergabe is guidance-driven both in public administration and in corporate procurement. National and EU-level rules influence how tenders are published, how bids are evaluated, and how contracts are documented and challenged.