Bavarian State Building Authority Awards €63M Tunnel Construction Contract to Feldhaus Bergbau / Eiffage Infra-Süd Consortium

The Bavarian State Building Authority (Landesbaudirektion Bayern) has awarded a €63 million contract for the construction of the B289 Kulmbach-Münchberg Kauerndorf bypass tunnel and retaining structures to a consortium of Feldhaus Bergbau and Eiffage Infra-Süd. The project includes a 750m tunnel (626m mined), two emergency tunnels, and multiple retaining structures at both portals. The contract runs from 28 September 2026 to 2 May 2030.

Introduction

The Bavarian State Building Authority (Landesbaudirektion Bayern) has conducted an open procedure for the construction of the B289 Kulmbach-Münchberg Kauerndorf bypass, including a tunnel and retaining structures. The project is located in the municipality of Kauerndorf, in the Kulmbach district of Bavaria.

The project involves a 750m tunnel (626m mined), two emergency tunnels (240m and 50m), and multiple retaining structures at both the west and east portals. The contract has a total value of €62,988,645.82 and runs from 28 September 2026 to 2 May 2030.

The contract was awarded to a consortium of Feldhaus Bergbau and Eiffage Infra-Süd. Ten tenders were received, demonstrating strong competition. Subcontracting of 8% (€4.55 million) was declared for surveying, coating, sealing, shell thickness measurement, slope protection, and technical processing.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the construction of a critical road tunnel and bypass, improving transport infrastructure in the Kulmbach region of Bavaria.

This contract matters because it:

• Improves transport infrastructure: Bypass tunnel for the B289 road
• Significant value: €62,988,645.82
• Long-term commitment: 3.5-year construction period
• Complex engineering: 750m tunnel with 626m mined section
• Strong competition: Ten tenders received
• Price focus: 90% weighting on price
• Consortium delivery: Two companies partnering

Contract Timeline

• Previous notice: 600075-2025
• Winner chosen: 30 July 2026
• Contract concluded: 10 August 2026
• Contract start date: 28 September 2026
• Contract end date: 2 May 2030
• Duration: Approximately 3.5 years
• Notice published: 2 September 2026 (OJ S 169/2026)

Contract Overview

The Bavarian State Building Authority conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and the German VOB/A-EU (Construction Contract Procedures).

Key features include:

• Single lot: One contract covering all tunnel and retaining structure works
• Awarded value: €62,988,645.82
• Duration: 28 September 2026 – 2 May 2030 (approx. 3.5 years)
• No framework agreement: Direct works contract
• Evaluation: Price (90%), Quality (10%)
• Winner: Consortium of Feldhaus Bergbau and Eiffage Infra-Süd
• Subcontracting: 8% (€4,549,166.99)
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Landesbaudirektion Bayern (Bavarian State Building Authority)
Contract title	B289 Kulmbach-Münchberg OU Kauerndorf Tunnel u. Stützbauwerke
Main CPV	45221241 Road tunnel construction work
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU; German VOB/A-EU
Awarded value (EUR)	€62,988,645.82
Number of lots	1
Contract duration	28 September 2026 – 2 May 2030 (approx. 3.5 years)
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price (90%), Quality (10%)
Location	Kauerndorf, Kulmbach, Bavaria, Germany (NUTS: DE24B)
Subcontracting	8% (€4,549,166.99)
Number of tenders	10

Project Scope – B289 Kauerndorf Tunnel

Tunnel

• Total length: 750m
• Mined section: 626m

Emergency Tunnels

• Two emergency tunnels: 240m and 50m

West Portal

• 3 retaining structures
• Emergency facility (Havarieanlage)
• Operations building with fire-fighting water system

East Portal

• 4 retaining structures
• Emergency facility (Havarieanlage)

Subcontracting Details

The consortium declared 8% subcontracting (€4,549,166.99) for the following services:

• Surveying (Vermessung)
• Coating (Beschichtung)
• Sealing (Abdichtung)
• Shell thickness measurement (Schalendickenmessung)
• Slope protection (Böschungssicherung)
• Technical processing (Technische Bearbeitung)

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on two criteria:

• Price (90%): Evaluation sum of the offer and robustness (see Formblatt 2270)
• Quality (10%): Quality criteria as specified in Formblatt 2270

About the Contracting Authority

Landesbaudirektion Bayern is the Bavarian State Building Authority, responsible for planning, construction, and maintenance of state-owned buildings and infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and tunnels.

About the Winners – Consortium

Bietergemeinschaft Feldhaus Bergbau / Eiffage Infra-Süd

The contract was awarded to a consortium of two companies:

Feldhaus Bergbau

• Headquarters: Auf dem Loh 3, Schmallenberg, Germany (NUTS: DEA57)
• Specialisation: Mining and tunnelling
• Role: Lead partner (as part of consortium)

Eiffage Infra-Süd

• Specialisation: Infrastructure construction
• Role: Consortium partner

Consortium Summary

• Size: Large enterprise
• Registration number: DE 223 492 213
• Beneficial owner: Germany
• Subcontracting: 8% (€4,549,166.99)

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and German VOB/A-EU.
• Competition: Ten tenders were received (all submitted electronically).
• SME participation: No SME bids were received (winner is a large consortium).
• Subcontracting: 8% declared (€4,549,166.99).
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement: This is a direct works contract.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: No strategic objectives specified.
• Review body: Vergabekammer Nordbayern.

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The contract value is €62,988,645.82.
• The contract duration is approximately 3.5 years.
• Price is heavily weighted at 90%.
• Quality accounts for 10% of the evaluation.
• Ten tenders were received (strong competition).
• The winner is a consortium of two large enterprises.
• 8% subcontracting is declared (€4.55 million).
• The project involves a 750m tunnel with 626m mined section.
• Emergency tunnels total 290m (240m + 50m).
• 7 retaining structures in total (3 west, 4 east).

Market & Industry Perspective

The German tunnelling and infrastructure market is highly specialised, with a limited number of contractors capable of delivering complex tunnel projects. The B289 Kauerndorf tunnel project attracted strong competition (10 tenders), reflecting the demand for major infrastructure works.

Key trends in this market include:

• Infrastructure investment: Ongoing investment in German transport infrastructure
• Price sensitivity: 90% price-based evaluation
• Consortium bidding: Joint bids for complex projects
• Specialised contractors: Few companies with tunnelling expertise
• Long-term projects: 3.5-year construction timelines

Economic Significance

At €63 million, this contract represents a significant investment in transport infrastructure for the Kulmbach region. The contract will:

• Improve transport: Provide a bypass for the B289 road
• Create employment: Work for the consortium and subcontractors
• Support regional development: Enhance infrastructure in Bavaria
• Provide long-term value: 3.5-year project timeline
• Enable subcontracting: 8% of work subcontracted to specialist firms

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Related works: Additional infrastructure projects in Bavaria
• Subcontracting: 8% subcontracting for specialist services
• Other German states: Similar tunnel construction projects
• Maintenance: Ongoing tunnel maintenance and operation

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for infrastructure suppliers:

• Subcontracting: 8% subcontracting (surveying, coating, sealing, shell thickness measurement, slope protection, technical processing)
• Related projects: Other Bavarian infrastructure projects
• Other German states: Similar tunnel construction tenders
• Maintenance: Ongoing tunnel maintenance and operation

What Businesses Should Watch

• Landesbaudirektion Bayern's future procurement notices
• Other German state infrastructure tenders
• Tunnelling and infrastructure market trends
• Changes to German procurement regulations

GermanyTenders Procurement Intelligence

This tunnel construction contract is a notable example of German infrastructure procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €63 million over 3.5 years
• Competition: 10 tenders received
• Price focus: 90% weighting on price
• Consortium: Feldhaus Bergbau / Eiffage Infra-Süd
• Complex scope: 750m tunnel with mining, emergency tunnels, retaining structures
• Subcontracting: 8% declared

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 90% of evaluation
• Quality demonstration: Quality accounts for 10%
• Specialised capability: Tunnelling and infrastructure expertise
• Consortium capability: Ability to form and lead consortia
• Subcontracting: Ability to manage specialist subcontractors

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 90% of evaluation is price-based
• Demonstrate quality – 10% weighting
• Build specialised tunnelling and infrastructure capability
• Develop consortium leadership capability
• Manage specialist subcontractors effectively
• Monitor German state infrastructure procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• Landesbaudirektion Bayern awarded a €63M tunnel construction contract
• Winner: Consortium of Feldhaus Bergbau and Eiffage Infra-Süd
• Project: B289 Kauerndorf bypass tunnel (750m, 626m mined)
• Duration: 28 September 2026 – 2 May 2030 (approx. 3.5 years)
• Evaluation: Price (90%), Quality (10%)
• Ten tenders received
• Subcontracting: 8% (€4.55M)
• No EU funding

Conclusion

This tunnel construction contract ensures the development of critical transport infrastructure in the Kulmbach region of Bavaria. By awarding the contract to the Feldhaus Bergbau / Eiffage Infra-Süd consortium, the Bavarian State Building Authority secures experienced tunnelling expertise for this complex project.

The 90% weighting on price reflects the importance of cost-effectiveness in infrastructure procurement, while the 10% quality weighting ensures that technical standards are met. The strong competition (10 tenders) demonstrates the attractiveness of major infrastructure projects to the German construction market.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, specialised tunnelling capability, and consortium delivery in winning German infrastructure contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Landesbaudirektion Bayern?

Ans: The Bavarian State Building Authority, responsible for planning, construction, and maintenance of state-owned infrastructure.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €62,988,645.82.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: A consortium of Feldhaus Bergbau and Eiffage Infra-Süd.

Q: What is being built?

Ans: A 750m road tunnel (626m mined) with emergency tunnels and retaining structures for the B289 Kulmbach-Münchberg bypass.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (90%) and Quality (10%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 28 September 2026 – 2 May 2030 (approximately 3.5 years).

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Ten tenders were received.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: No, the procurement is not financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: Vergabekammer Nordbayern - Regierung von Mittelfranken.

Q: What subcontracting was declared?

Ans: 8% (€4,549,166.99) for surveying, coating, sealing, shell thickness measurement, slope protection, and technical processing.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 603834-2026, OJ S 169/2026, published 2 September 2026.