City of Nürtingen Secures €1.04 Million Contract for Two Firefighting Vehicles

A contract for the procurement of two firefighting vehicles worth €1.04 million has been awarded by the City of Nürtingen. The contract, split across three lots with winners including MAN Truck & Bus Deutschland GmbH, Rosenbauer Deutschland GmbH, and BTL Feuerwehrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG, demonstrates how German municipalities are equipping their volunteer fire services with modern firefighting vehicles.

Introduction

Every community depends on its fire service to protect lives and property. The City of Nürtingen's volunteer fire service requires modern, well-equipped firefighting vehicles to respond effectively to emergencies. From chassis to firefighting bodywork and technical equipment, each component must meet rigorous standards for reliability, performance, and safety. The City of Nürtingen has taken a significant step to ensure its fire service is properly equipped by awarding a new multi-lot contract for two firefighting vehicles.

While not a headline-grabbing mega-project, this contract is fundamental to ensuring that Nürtingen's volunteer firefighters have the equipment they need to protect the community. It reveals a great deal about how German municipalities procure specialised emergency vehicles through structured, multi-lot procurement.

Why This Contract Matters

Nürtingen is a town in the Esslingen district of Baden-Württemberg, with a population of approximately 40,000 residents. The town's volunteer fire service (Freiwillige Feuerwehr Nürtingen) is responsible for fire suppression, technical rescue, and emergency response across the municipality.

The procurement covers two types of firefighting vehicles: a firefighting vehicle Type 20 (LF 20) and a rescue firefighting vehicle Type 20 (HLF 20). These vehicles are equipped with firefighting pumps, water tanks, rescue equipment, and other essential tools for modern firefighting and rescue operations.

Contract Timeline

• Contract award notice published: 31 July 2026 (OJ S 146/2026)
• Contracts concluded: 30 June 2026

Contract Overview

The City of Nürtingen conducted an open procedure for the procurement of two firefighting vehicles (HLF 20 and LF 20) for the Nürtingen Volunteer Fire Service. The contract is divided into three lots:

• Lot 1 – Chassis: Supply of two chassis for the firefighting vehicles.
• Lot 2 – Firefighting Bodywork: Supply of the firefighting technical bodywork for the two vehicles.
• Lot 3 – Firefighting Equipment/Stowage: Supply of the firefighting technical equipment and stowage for the two vehicles.

The total contract value awarded is €1,043,268. Each lot was awarded to a different supplier, allowing specialist companies to bid on their areas of expertise. The award criteria were weighted: price (50-60%) and quality (40-50%) depending on the lot.

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting Authority	Stadt Nürtingen (City of Nürtingen)
Winning Bidders	MAN Truck & Bus Deutschland GmbH (Lot 1), Rosenbauer Deutschland GmbH (Lot 2), BTL Feuerwehrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG (Lot 3)
Contract Subject	Firefighting vehicles (CPV 34144210) – HLF 20 and LF 20
Procedure Type	Open procedure
Legal Basis	Directive 2014/24/EU, VgV
Total Value of Contracts Awarded	€1,043,268.00
Lot 1 Value (Chassis)	€245,500.00
Lot 2 Value (Bodywork)	€552,999.00
Lot 3 Value (Equipment)	€244,769.00
Number of Lots	3
Award Criteria	Price (50-60%), Quality/Technical (40%), Guarantee/Spare Parts (5%), Economic Efficiency (5%)
Bids Received	2 per lot
EU Funding	None disclosed
Covered by GPA	Yes
Review Organisation	Vergabekammer Baden-Württemberg

Lots Overview

Lot	Description	Winner	Value (€)	Award Criteria	Bids Received
LOT-0001	Chassis for two firefighting vehicles	MAN Truck & Bus Deutschland GmbH	245,500	Price 50%, Quality 40%, Guarantee 5%, Economy 5%	2
LOT-0002	Firefighting technical bodywork	Rosenbauer Deutschland GmbH	552,999	Price 50%, Quality 40%, Guarantee 5%, Economy 5%	2
LOT-0003	Firefighting technical equipment/stowage	BTL Feuerwehrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG	244,769	Price 60%, Quality 40%	2

About the Contracting Authority

Stadt Nürtingen is a town in the Esslingen district of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with a population of approximately 40,000 residents. The town is responsible for providing essential public services, including fire protection and emergency response through its volunteer fire service (Freiwillige Feuerwehr Nürtingen). The town's central procurement office manages the acquisition of goods and services for the municipality.

About the Winning Companies

MAN Truck & Bus Deutschland GmbH is a large German commercial vehicle manufacturer, part of the global TRATON GROUP. MAN is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, and commercial vehicles, including chassis suitable for firefighting vehicle conversions. The company won Lot 1 (chassis) with a value of €245,500.

Rosenbauer Deutschland GmbH is a large German company, part of the Rosenbauer Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of firefighting vehicles and equipment. Rosenbauer specialises in the design and manufacture of firefighting vehicles, including bodywork and complete fire trucks. The company won Lot 2 (bodywork) with a value of €552,999.

BTL Feuerwehrtechnik GmbH & Co. KG is a small German company based in Neresheim, specialising in firefighting equipment, vehicle equipment, and technical stowage solutions for emergency vehicles. The company won Lot 3 (equipment/stowage) with a value of €244,769.

Procurement Analysis

Procedure: An open procedure was used, following the German VgV (Procurement Regulation). The procurement was divided into three lots, allowing specialist suppliers to bid on their areas of expertise. Two bids were received per lot, all submitted electronically.

Competition: Two bids were received for each lot, reflecting a competitive but specialised market for firefighting vehicle components. The limited number of bidders reflects the specialised nature of firefighting vehicle procurement.

Award Criteria:

• Lots 1 and 2: Price (50%), Quality/Technical (40%), Guarantee/Spare Parts (5%), Economic Efficiency (5%)
• Lot 3: Price (60%), Quality/Technical (40%)

Quality Emphasis: The 40-50% weighting for quality/technical criteria reflects the importance of technical specifications, reliability, and performance in firefighting vehicles. The quality criteria ensure that the vehicles meet the operational requirements of the fire service.

Lot Structure: The three-lot structure allows for specialisation, with chassis supplied by a truck manufacturer, bodywork by a firefighting vehicle specialist, and equipment by a specialist stowage provider. This approach ensures that each component is sourced from the most appropriate supplier.

GPA Status: The procurement is covered by the World Trade Organization's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), meaning it was, in principle, open to qualifying international bidders. However, all winning bidders were German companies.

Additional Procurement Facts

• Two bids were received for each lot.
• The contract covers two vehicle types: HLF 20 and LF 20.
• Lot 3 (equipment) has a 60% price weighting, higher than Lots 1 and 2.
• No subcontracting was used by any of the winning bidders.
• No EU funding was used for this procurement.
• Disputes or review requests fall to the Vergabekammer Baden-Württemberg.

Market & Industry Perspective

The firefighting vehicle market in Germany is specialised, with a limited number of suppliers capable of providing chassis, bodywork, and equipment to the required standards. The two bids per lot reflect a competitive but focused market.

The multi-lot structure allows specialist companies to compete in their areas of expertise, ensuring that each component is sourced from the most appropriate supplier. This approach is common in firefighting vehicle procurement, where different suppliers offer chassis, bodywork, and equipment.

The 40-50% weighting for quality/technical criteria reflects the importance of technical specifications, reliability, and performance in firefighting vehicles. Firefighting vehicles must meet rigorous standards for safety, performance, and operational readiness.

Economic Significance

At €1.04 million, this contract represents a significant investment in firefighting capability for the City of Nürtingen. The new HLF 20 and LF 20 vehicles will replace older vehicles and ensure that the volunteer fire service has modern, reliable equipment to protect the community.

For the three winning suppliers, the contract provides revenue and the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities in the firefighting vehicle market.

Future Procurement Opportunities

This contract covers two firefighting vehicles. Related procurement opportunities may include:

• Additional firefighting vehicles for the volunteer fire service
• Specialist equipment and accessories
• Vehicle maintenance and repair services
• Other emergency services vehicles

Opportunities for Suppliers

Firefighting vehicle suppliers active in the German public sector should note the importance of quality/technical criteria (40-50%) alongside price in procurement. Suppliers must demonstrate technical capability, reliability, and compliance with firefighting standards.

Key success factors include: proven experience in firefighting vehicle supply, technical expertise, compliance with firefighting standards, competitive pricing, and the ability to provide warranty and spare parts support.

What Businesses Should Watch

• Similar firefighting vehicle procurement opportunities from other German municipalities.
• The evolution of firefighting vehicle standards and technical requirements.
• Opportunities for subcontracting with the three framework winners.
• Maintenance and spare parts contracts for firefighting vehicles.

GermanyTender Procurement Intelligence

This contract is a useful case study in how German municipalities procure specialised firefighting vehicles through multi-lot procurement. The City of Nürtingen has secured a €1.04 million contract for two firefighting vehicles, with three specialist suppliers selected across three lots.

The most notable feature of this tender is the three-lot structure, which allows for specialisation: chassis (MAN), bodywork (Rosenbauer), and equipment (BTL). This approach ensures that each component is sourced from the most appropriate supplier, resulting in a high-quality, fully integrated vehicle.

The 40-50% weighting for quality/technical criteria reflects the importance of technical specifications, reliability, and performance in firefighting vehicles. Firefighting vehicles must meet rigorous standards for safety, performance, and operational readiness, making quality a critical factor alongside cost.

The two bids per lot reflect a competitive but focused market, where a limited number of suppliers have the expertise to provide firefighting vehicle components to the required standards.

For suppliers, the lesson is that technical quality and compliance with firefighting standards are essential, alongside competitive pricing. Companies that can demonstrate both are best positioned for these contracts.

Supplier Takeaways

• Technical quality (40-50%) is as important as price.
• Multi-lot structures allow specialisation in chassis, bodywork, and equipment.
• Compliance with firefighting standards is essential.
• Warranty and spare parts support (5%) is valued.
• Two bids per lot – limited but effective competition.
• Long-term supplier relationships with municipalities are valuable.

Key Takeaways

• City of Nürtingen awarded a €1.04 million contract for two firefighting vehicles (HLF 20 and LF 20).
• Winners: MAN Truck & Bus (chassis), Rosenbauer (bodywork), BTL Feuerwehrtechnik (equipment).
• Award criteria: Price (50-60%) and Quality (40-50%).
• Two bids were received per lot, with all winners being German companies.
• The contract supports the Nürtingen Volunteer Fire Service with modern equipment.
• The multi-lot structure enabled specialist suppliers to participate.

Conclusion

This is not a contract that will make national headlines, but it reflects something structurally important about how German municipalities equip their fire services. By awarding a €1.04 million contract for two firefighting vehicles to specialist suppliers across three lots, the City of Nürtingen ensures that its volunteer fire service has modern, reliable equipment to protect the community. The contract demonstrates the importance of multi-lot structures, the value of technical quality in emergency vehicle procurement, and the critical role of specialised suppliers in the firefighting vehicle market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the City of Nürtingen?

It is a town in the Esslingen district of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with approximately 40,000 residents.

Q: What vehicles are being procured?

A firefighting vehicle Type 20 (LF 20) and a rescue firefighting vehicle Type 20 (HLF 20) for the Nürtingen Volunteer Fire Service.

Q: What are the differences between HLF 20 and LF 20?

HLF (Hilfeleistungslöschfahrzeug) is a rescue firefighting vehicle with additional rescue equipment, while LF (Löschfahrzeug) is a standard firefighting vehicle.

Q: Who are the winning bidders?

MAN Truck & Bus (Lot 1 – chassis), Rosenbauer Deutschland (Lot 2 – bodywork), and BTL Feuerwehrtechnik (Lot 3 – equipment).

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

No. The notice confirms the project is not financed with EU funds, though it is governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 532981-2026, OJ S 146/2026, published 31 July 2026.