Evaluation of the Administrative Regulation on the Award of Public Contracts (VwV Beschaffung)

The NIPAG evaluates the higher monetary thresholds and the new pilot project for awarding direct contracts to start-ups under Baden-Württemberg’s VwV Beschaffung, and analyzes their effects.

The administrative regulation of the state government on the award of public contracts (VwV Beschaffung) governs the remunerated procurement of goods and services in Baden-Württemberg. The VwV Beschaffung was revised in July 2024. The revision introduced higher monetary thresholds for certain procedure types and, for the first time, a pilot project for innovation-friendly procurement from start-ups. Both provisions are scheduled for evaluation by the end of 2026. In November 2025, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg commissioned the NIPAG to conduct the evaluation.

The evaluation focuses on the following key areas:

1. the participation of start-ups in public procurement,
2. the application of the new, higher monetary thresholds,
3. the bureaucratic burden on awarding authorities, companies, and start-ups,
4. compliance with the budgetary principles of economy and frugality.

The evaluation follows an interdisciplinary approach based on retrospective legislative impact assessment. Quantitative and qualitative methods form the data basis to adequately capture the perspectives of relevant stakeholders, particularly awarding authorities, companies, and start-ups.

Based on these findings, conclusions and recommendations for action will be developed to provide the client with realistic design options and to support evidence-based decisions regarding the continuation, abolition, or adjustment of the provisions.