BMWE Awards €38.8M Microelectronics Project Management Contract to VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie – BMWE) has awarded a project management contract for microelectronics funding measures to VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH. The €38.8 million contract covers the administration of funding projects under the IPCEI Microelectronics and Communication Technologies, the European Chips Act (ECA), and IPCEI Advanced Semiconductor Technologies. The contract runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029, with an option for a 24-month extension.

Introduction

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) has conducted an open procedure with a participation competition for the procurement of project management services for microelectronics funding measures. The contract covers the administration of funding projects under three major European initiatives: the IPCEI "Important Project of Common European Interest" Microelectronics and Communication Technologies, the European Chips Act (ECA), and the IPCEI Advanced Semiconductor Technologies (IPCEI AST).

The contract, valued at €38,812,810, has been awarded to VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, a large German research and innovation organisation based in Berlin. The contract runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029 (3 years), with an option for a 24-month extension (until 31 December 2031).

The project management office will oversee up to 160 funding projects (up to 90 ongoing and up to 70 additional possible projects). The procurement was conducted under the light regime and attracted a single tender.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the effective implementation of Germany's microelectronics funding programmes, supporting innovation and technological sovereignty in a critical sector.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports strategic technology: Microelectronics is a key technology for Germany and Europe
• Significant value: €38,812,810
• Long-term commitment: Up to 5 years (3 + 2-year option)
• European dimension: IPCEI and European Chips Act initiatives
• Large scale: Up to 160 funding projects to be managed
• Quality focus: Quality weighting of 70%
• Sole bidder: Only one tender received

Contract Timeline

• Contract concluded: 4 September 2026
• Contract start date: 1 January 2027
• Initial end date: 31 December 2029
• Initial duration: 3 years
• Extension option: 24 months
• Maximum total duration: 5 years (until 31 December 2031)
• Notice published: 7 September 2026 (OJ S 172/2026)

Contract Overview

The BMWE conducted an open procedure with a participation competition under the light regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and the German VgV (Procurement Regulation).

Key features include:

• Single lot: One contract covering all project management services
• Awarded value: €38,812,810.00
• Estimated value: €37,776,198.00
• Initial duration: 3 years (1 January 2027 – 31 December 2029)
• Extension option: 24 months
• Maximum total duration: 5 years
• Evaluation: Quality (70%), Price (30%)
• Winner: VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH (large enterprise)
• No EU funding
• Light regime: Subject to light regime under Directive 2014/24/EU

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authority	Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE)
Contract title	Projektträgerschaft für Fördermaßnahmen im Bereich Mikroelektronik
Main CPV	75131000 Government services
Additional CPVs	75131000, 79411100, 73000000
Procedure type	Open procedure with participation competition (light regime)
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU; German VgV
Awarded value (EUR)	€38,812,810.00
Estimated value (EUR)	€37,776,198.00
Number of lots	1
Initial duration	3 years (1 January 2027 – 31 December 2029)
Extension option	24 months
Maximum total duration	5 years
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Quality (70%), Price (30%)
Location	Berlin, Germany (NUTS: DE300)
Number of tenders	1
Subcontracting	Not applicable (not declared)

Scope of Services

The contract covers comprehensive project management services for microelectronics funding measures:

• Funding programmes:
  • IPCEI Microelectronics and Communication Technologies (IPCEI ME/KT)
  • European Chips Act (ECA)
  • IPCEI Advanced Semiconductor Technologies (IPCEI AST)
• Project administration: Full administration of all ongoing funding projects from the previous project manager from 1 January 2027
• Support: Support the BMWE in ensuring a European harmonised/coordinated implementation of funding activities
• Advisory: Support the BMWE in all technical and administrative questions related to funding
• Project volume: Up to 160 funding projects (up to 90 ongoing and up to 70 additional possible projects) until 2031

About the Contracting Authority

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWE) is the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, responsible for economic policy, energy policy, and industrial policy, including funding for key technologies such as microelectronics.

About the Winning Supplier

VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH is a large German research and innovation organisation based in Berlin. It is a subsidiary of the VDI (Association of German Engineers) and VDE (Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies), providing project management and innovation consulting services for public and private sector clients.

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: Berlin, Germany (NUTS: DE300)
• Registration number: HRB 99568 B, Amtsgericht Charlottenburg
• Specialisation: Project management, innovation consulting, research funding

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on two main criteria:

• Quality (70%): Modified UfAB II method with three sub-criteria:
  • Personnel (15%): Central point of contact/deputy (5%), Core team (10%)
  • Work organisation and workflows (25%)
  • Implementation concept (60%)
• Price (30%): Overall cost of the services

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure with participation competition under the light regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and German VgV.
• Competition: Only one tender was received (sole bidder).
• SME participation: No SME bids were received.
• No EU funding: The procurement was not financed with EU funds.
• Light regime: The procurement is subject to the light regime.
• 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 contract has a value of €38,812,810.
• The contract runs for an initial 3 years with a 24-month extension option.
• Quality is weighted at 70%.
• Price is weighted at 30%.
• Only one tender was received.
• The winner is a large enterprise.
• The procurement is subject to the light regime.
• The contract covers up to 160 funding projects.
• The contract is part of Germany's microelectronics strategy under IPCEI and the European Chips Act.

Market & Industry Perspective

The German microelectronics sector is a strategic priority for the federal government, with significant funding allocated through IPCEI and the European Chips Act. Project management organisations play a critical role in administering these complex funding programmes.

Key trends in this market include:

• Strategic technology: Microelectronics and semiconductors are key priorities
• Quality focus: 70% weighting on quality
• Specialised providers: Few organisations have the required expertise
• Long-term contracts: Up to 5 years with extension options
• European dimension: IPCEI and European Chips Act coordination

Economic Significance

At €38.8 million, this contract represents a significant investment in project management for Germany's microelectronics funding programmes. The contract will:

• Support strategic technology: Enable microelectronics innovation
• Drive European cooperation: Coordinate with IPCEI and ECA initiatives
• Provide long-term stability: Up to 5-year contract
• Support large enterprise: VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik
• Manage large portfolio: Up to 160 funding projects

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this contract now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 5-year maximum duration
• Related programmes: Other technology funding programmes
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik
• Other ministries: Similar project management contracts

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for project management organisations:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Related programmes: Other technology funding programmes
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik
• Other ministries: Similar project management contracts

What Businesses Should Watch

• BMWE's future procurement notices
• Other German technology funding programmes
• IPCEI and European Chips Act developments
• Microelectronics sector trends
• Changes to German procurement regulations

GermanyTenders Procurement Intelligence

This project management contract is a notable example of German technology funding procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €38.8M over up to 5 years
• Quality focus: 70% weighting on quality
• Sole bidder: Only one tender received
• Strategic importance: Microelectronics and semiconductor funding
• European dimension: IPCEI and European Chips Act coordination
• Light regime: Subject to light regime

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Quality demonstration: Quality accounts for 70% of evaluation
• Personnel quality: 15% weighting on team quality
• Implementation concept: 60% weighting
• Work organisation: 25% weighting
• Competitive pricing: Price accounts for 30%

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate high quality – 70% of evaluation
• Show strong personnel quality – 15% weighting
• Provide a strong implementation concept – 60% weighting
• Demonstrate work organisation capability – 25% weighting
• Offer competitive pricing – 30% weighting
• Build expertise in technology funding programmes
• Monitor BMWE and German technology funding procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• BMWE awarded a €38.8M microelectronics project management contract to VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH
• Single lot covering IPCEI, European Chips Act, and IPCEI AST funding
• Duration: 3 years + 24-month option (max 5 years)
• Evaluation: Quality (70%), Price (30%)
• One tender received
• Winner is a large enterprise
• Up to 160 funding projects to be managed
• Light regime applies

Conclusion

This project management contract ensures the effective implementation of Germany's microelectronics funding programmes, supporting innovation and technological sovereignty in a critical sector. By awarding the contract to VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, the BMWE secures an experienced project management organisation with deep expertise in research funding.

The 70% weighting on quality reflects the importance of expert project management in complex funding programmes, while the 30% weighting on price ensures cost-effectiveness. The sole bidder situation suggests that this is a highly specialised procurement requiring significant expertise in technology funding programmes.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of quality, implementation capability, and technology funding expertise in winning German federal government project management contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is BMWE?

Ans: The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie).

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: €38,812,810.

Q: Who is the winner?

Ans: VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH, a large German research and innovation organisation based in Berlin.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Project management for microelectronics funding measures under IPCEI, the European Chips Act, and IPCEI AST.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (70%) – Personnel (15%), Work organisation (25%), Implementation concept (60%) – and Price (30%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 3 years initial (1 January 2027 – 31 December 2029) with a 24-month extension option.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: One tender was 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 des Bundes (Federal Procurement Chamber).

Q: What is IPCEI?

Ans: Important Project of Common European Interest – a European framework for supporting large-scale transnational projects.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 615688-2026, OJ S 172/2026, published 7 September 2026.

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