BMI Awards €11.2M Printing Framework to Bonifatius GmbH and Kern GmbH

The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), represented by the BMI Procurement Office, has awarded a framework agreement for the printing and delivery of DIN A5 brochures for the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) to Bonifatius GmbH (Lot 1) and Kern GmbH (Lot 2). The framework has a total maximum value of €11.2 million and runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030. The two lots cover equal value shares of €5.6 million each.

Introduction

The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), represented by the BMI Procurement Office (Beschaffungsamt des BMI), has conducted an open procedure for the procurement of printing and delivery services for the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK). The framework covers the printing and delivery of the brochures "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen" (Preparing for Crises and Disasters) and the "Selbstschutz-Broschürenreihe DIN A5" (Self-Protection Brochure Series DIN A5).

The framework is divided into two equal-value lots, each with a maximum value of €5,607,476.64 (net). The total maximum value is €11,214,953.27. The contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2030 (4 years).

Bonifatius GmbH was awarded Lot 1, and Kern GmbH was awarded Lot 2. Both winners are medium-sized German enterprises. No subcontracting was declared. The procurement included an award limitation, ensuring that bidders could only win one lot.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the production and distribution of essential civil protection and self-protection information materials for the German public.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports public safety: Provides civil protection information to citizens
• Significant value: €11,214,953.27 across two lots
• Long-term commitment: 4-year framework agreement
• Equal value lots: €5.6 million per lot
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• SME participation: Both winners are medium-sized enterprises
• Award limitation: Ensures diversified supply

Contract Timeline

• Contracts concluded: 21 August 2026
• Contract start date: 1 September 2026
• Contract end date: 31 August 2030
• Duration: 4 years
• Notice published: 8 September 2026 (OJ S 173/2026)

Contract Overview

The BMI Procurement Office conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and the German VgV (Procurement Regulation).

Key features include:

• Two lots: Lot 1 and Lot 2 (equal value)
• Total maximum value: €11,214,953.27
• Lot 1 maximum: €5,607,476.64
• Lot 2 maximum: €5,607,476.64
• Duration: 4 years (1 September 2026 – 31 August 2030)
• Framework type: Without reopening of competition
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• Winners: Bonifatius GmbH (Lot 1), Kern GmbH (Lot 2)
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding
• Award limitation: Bidders can only win one lot

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Bundesrepublik Deutschland, vertreten durch das Bundesministerium des Innern, vertreten durch das Beschaffungsamt des BMI
Contract title	Rahmenvereinbarung über Druck und Lieferung von DIN A5 Broschüren für Selbstschutzreihe
Main CPV	79820000 Services related to printing
Additional CPVs	79823000, 22150000
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU; German VgV
Total maximum value (EUR)	€11,214,953.27
Number of lots	2
Contract duration	4 years (1 September 2026 – 31 August 2030)
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price (100%)
Location	Roggentin, Germany (NUTS: DE80K)
Subcontracting	No
Number of tenders	3 (Lot 1), 2 (Lot 2)
SME participation	All bidders were SMEs

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – Crisis Brochures

• Winner: Bonifatius GmbH
• Maximum value: €5,607,476.64
• Tenders received: 3

Lot 2 – Crisis Brochures

• Winner: Kern GmbH
• Maximum value: €5,607,476.64
• Tenders received: 2

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Winner	Max Value (€)	Tenders
1	Brochure Printing (Lot 1)	Bonifatius GmbH	5,607,476.64	3
2	Brochure Printing (Lot 2)	Kern GmbH	5,607,476.64	2
Total			11,214,953.27

Scope of Services

The framework covers the following printing and delivery services:

• Data transfer: Receipt and transfer of print data
• Data checking: Verification of print data
• Print form production: Production of printing forms
• Printing: Printing of brochures
• Bookbinding finishing: Binding and finishing work
• Delivery: Delivery of finished brochures

Brochures

• "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen": Preparing for Crises and Disasters
• "Selbstschutz-Broschürenreihe DIN A5": Self-Protection Brochure Series DIN A5
• Client: Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK)

Award Limitation

The procurement included an award limitation mechanism:

• Principle: Bidders can bid for both lots but can only be awarded one lot
• Rationale: Ensures diversified supply and market participation
• Process: If the same bidder has the lowest price for both lots, they are awarded the lot where their combined price with the second-lowest bidder of the other lot yields the best overall value
• Exception: If only one bidder submits a compliant offer for both lots, the award limitation is lifted

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on a single criterion:

• Price (100%): Lowest total price based on the best price-performance ratio. The comparison price is based on the net price plus a flat 7% VAT.

About the Contracting Authority

The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) is a German federal ministry responsible for interior affairs, civil protection, and disaster management. The Beschaffungsamt des BMI (BMI Procurement Office) is the central procurement body responsible for purchasing goods and services for the federal government.

About the Winners

Bonifatius GmbH – Lot 1

• Size: Medium enterprise
• Headquarters: Karl-Schurz-Str. 26, Paderborn, Germany (NUTS: DEA47)
• Registration number: DE126328402
• Specialisation: Printing and publishing
• Subcontracting: No

Kern GmbH – Lot 2

• Size: Medium enterprise
• Headquarters: In der Kolling 7, Bexbach, Germany (NUTS: DEC05)
• Registration number: DE138014752
• Specialisation: Printing and bookbinding
• Subcontracting: No

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and German VgV.
• Competition: 3 tenders for Lot 1, 2 tenders for Lot 2.
• SME participation: All bidders were SMEs.
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting was declared.
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• No framework agreement with reopening: The framework is without reopening of competition.
• No dynamic purchasing system used.
• Accelerated procedure: No.
• Strategic procurement: No strategic objectives specified.
• Review body: Vergabekammer des Bundes (Federal Procurement Chamber).

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
• No EU funds were used for this procurement.
• The framework has a total maximum value of €11,214,953.27.
• The contract runs for 4 years.
• Price is the sole evaluation criterion (100%).
• All bidders were SMEs.
• No subcontracting was declared.
• The award limitation ensures that each winner receives one lot.
• Lot 1 received 3 tenders; Lot 2 received 2 tenders.
• The maximum value per lot is €5,607,476.64.
• The contract supports the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance.
• EU sanctions compliance declarations are required (Russia sanctions).

Market & Industry Perspective

The German public sector printing market is competitive, with a mix of large and medium-sized printing companies. The BMI Procurement Office, as a central purchasing body, conducts significant printing procurements for federal government needs.

Key trends in this market include:

• Price sensitivity: 100% price-based evaluation
• SME participation: SMEs compete effectively
• Long-term frameworks: 4-year agreements provide stability
• Award limitation: Ensures diversified supply
• Civil protection: Growing demand for public information materials

Economic Significance

At €11.2 million, this framework represents a significant investment in public information materials for civil protection. The contracts will:

• Support public safety: Enable distribution of civil protection information
• Support SMEs: Both winners are medium-sized enterprises
• Provide long-term stability: 4-year framework
• Ensure supply security: Two suppliers for the same service
• Enable cost efficiency: Price-based evaluation

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 4-year framework period
• Related services: Additional printing and publishing services
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winners (none declared)
• Other federal bodies: Similar printing framework agreements

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for printing companies:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with Bonifatius or Kern
• Related services: Other government printing tenders
• Specialist services: Bookbinding and finishing

What Businesses Should Watch

• BMI Procurement Office's future procurement notices
• Other German federal printing tenders
• Civil protection and public information trends
• Changes to German procurement regulations

GermanyTenders Procurement Intelligence

This printing framework is a notable example of German federal procurement with award limitation. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €11.2M across 2 lots
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• SME winners: Both winners are medium-sized enterprises
• Award limitation: Ensures diversified supply
• Long-term: 4-year framework
• Competition: 2-3 tenders per lot

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 100%
• Capacity: Ability to handle large-volume printing
• SME status: SMEs can compete effectively
• Compliance: Sanctions declarations required
• Supply security: Award limitation ensures diversified supply

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 100% of evaluation is price-based
• Demonstrate capacity for large-volume printing
• Ensure compliance with sanctions declarations
• Consider SME status as an advantage
• Monitor BMI Procurement Office and German federal printing procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• BMI awarded an €11.2M printing framework to Bonifatius GmbH (Lot 1) and Kern GmbH (Lot 2)
• Two equal-value lots (€5.6M each)
• Duration: 4 years (1 September 2026 – 31 August 2030)
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• All bidders were SMEs
• No subcontracting declared
• Award limitation: Each bidder can only win one lot
• Supports Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK)

Conclusion

This printing framework ensures the production and distribution of essential civil protection and self-protection information materials for the German public over the next four years. By awarding two equal-value lots to Bonifatius GmbH and Kern GmbH, the BMI Procurement Office secures diversified supply and competitive pricing.

The 100% price-based evaluation reflects the well-defined nature of printing services, where price is the primary differentiator among qualified suppliers. The award limitation mechanism ensures that no single bidder can monopolise the entire volume, promoting market diversity and supply security.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, printing capacity, and compliance with sanctions declarations in winning German federal printing contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the BMI Procurement Office?

Ans: The Beschaffungsamt des BMI – the central procurement body of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior.

Q: What is the total value of the framework?

Ans: €11,214,953.27 across two lots.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: Bonifatius GmbH (Lot 1) and Kern GmbH (Lot 2).

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Data transfer, data checking, print form production, printing, bookbinding finishing, and delivery of brochures.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (100%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 4 years (1 September 2026 – 31 August 2030).

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: 3 for Lot 1, 2 for Lot 2.

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 des Bundes (Federal Procurement Chamber).

Q: What is the award limitation?

Ans: Bidders can only be awarded one lot, ensuring diversified supply.

Q: What brochures are being printed?

Ans: "Vorsorgen für Krisen und Katastrophen" and the "Selbstschutz-Broschürenreihe DIN A5" for the BBK.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 616722-2026, OJ S 173/2026, published 8 September 2026.

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