ekom21 Awards €16.2M Firewall Systems Framework to Four Winners Following Accelerated Re-Tender

ekom21 - Kommunales Gebietsrechenzentrum Hessen, together with Kommunale Informationsverarbeitung Thüringen GmbH (KIV Thüringen), has awarded a framework agreement for firewall systems to four winners: Deutsche Telekom Security GmbH, Controlware GmbH, Bechtle GmbH & Co. KG IT-Systemhaus Darmstadt, and Computacenter AG & Co. oHG. The framework has a total maximum value of €16.2 million and runs for 48 months, with an option for a one-year extension. The procurement was accelerated following clarification of tender documents.

Introduction

ekom21 - Kommunales Gebietsrechenzentrum Hessen, a public-law body responsible for IT services for Hessian municipalities, together with Kommunale Informationsverarbeitung Thüringen GmbH (KIV Thüringen), has conducted an open procedure for the procurement of firewall systems. The framework covers the supply of firewall systems (security) in various product classes and configurations, as well as supplementary contract services.

The framework has a total maximum value of €16.2 million (€15 million for ekom21 and €1.2 million for KIV Thüringen) and runs for 48 months, with an option for a one-year extension. The procurement was accelerated following the clarification of tender documents after the initial procedure (ekom21-2026-0001) was found to have ambiguous wording affecting bid comparability.

Four winners were selected: Deutsche Telekom Security GmbH, Controlware GmbH, Bechtle GmbH & Co. KG IT-Systemhaus Darmstadt, and Computacenter AG & Co. oHG. All winners are large enterprises and no subcontracting was declared.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures that Hessian and Thuringian municipalities have access to modern firewall security solutions to protect their IT infrastructure.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports municipal IT security: Provides firewall systems for public sector entities
• Significant value: €16,200,000 maximum value
• Long-term commitment: 48 months + 12-month extension option
• Multi-supplier: Four suppliers selected
• Regional coverage: Hessen and Thüringen
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Accelerated procedure: Re-tender after clarification

Contract Timeline

• Original notice: 331745-2026 (15 May 2026)
• Original procedure: ekom21-2026-0001
• New procedure: ekom21-2026-0003
• Contracts concluded: 27 August 2026
• Contract duration: 48 months (4 years)
• Extension option: 12 months
• Maximum total duration: 60 months (5 years)
• Notice published: 31 August 2026 (OJ S 167/2026)

Contract Overview

ekom21 conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and the German VgV (Procurement Regulation).

Key features include:

• Single lot: One framework covering all firewall systems
• Total maximum value: €16,200,000 (ekom21: €15M, KIV Thüringen: €1.2M)
• Duration: 48 months + 12-month extension option
• Maximum suppliers: Up to 4
• Framework type: Without reopening of competition
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• Winners: Deutsche Telekom Security GmbH, Controlware GmbH, Bechtle GmbH & Co. KG, Computacenter AG & Co. oHG
• No subcontracting declared
• No EU funding

Key Contract Details

Detail	Information
Contracting authorities	ekom21 - Kommunales Gebietsrechenzentrum Hessen; Kommunale Informationsverarbeitung Thüringen GmbH (KIV Thüringen)
Contract title	Rahmenvereinbarung Firewallsysteme
Main CPV	32424000 Network infrastructure
Additional CPV	50312000 Maintenance and repair of computer equipment
Procedure type	Open procedure (standard regime) – accelerated
Legal basis	EU Directive 2014/24/EU; German VgV
Total maximum value (EUR)	€16,200,000.00
Number of lots	1
Contract duration	48 months (4 years)
Extension option	12 months
Maximum total duration	60 months (5 years)
EU funding	None
Covered by GPA	Yes
Evaluation criteria	Price (100%)
Location	Hessen and Thüringen, Germany
Subcontracting	No
Number of tenders	4
SME participation	0

Background – Accelerated Re-Tender

The procurement was accelerated due to the following circumstances:

• Original notice: 331745-2026, published 15 May 2026
• Original procedure: ekom21-2026-0001
• Issue: After the tender deadline, the contracting authority determined that the tender documents were ambiguously worded and had been misunderstood, compromising the comparability of bids
• Action: To comply with procurement law, the ongoing procedure was returned to the bidding phase with clarified documents and a new deadline
• Reason for new notice: Due to technical reasons, the eVergabe platform could not return the procedure to the bidding phase after bid opening
• New procedure: ekom21-2026-0003 (this notice)
• Continuation: The procedure was not terminated but continued under a new reference number

Scope of Supply

The framework covers the following services:

• Firewall systems: Supply of firewall systems (security) in various product classes and configurations
• Manufacturer commitment: Binding commitment to a single manufacturer across all product categories
• Maintenance and repair: Maintenance and repair of computer equipment
• Supplementary services: Additional contract services as specified in the tender documents

Framework Structure

• Maximum suppliers: Up to 4 framework partners
• Winners: 4 selected
• Type: Framework agreement without reopening of competition
• Manufacturer commitment: Each bidder committed to a single manufacturer across all product categories

About the Contracting Authorities

ekom21 - Kommunales Gebietsrechenzentrum Hessen is a public-law body (Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts) established under the Hessian Data Processing Association Act (DV-VerbundG). It provides IT services to Hessian municipalities, including data centres, network infrastructure, and IT security solutions.

Kommunale Informationsverarbeitung Thüringen GmbH (KIV Thüringen) is a municipal IT service provider serving Thuringian municipalities. From 1 January 2028, KIV Thüringen and its member entities (districts, cities, municipalities, administrative communities, and special-purpose associations) are entitled to procure under this framework.

About the Winners

Deutsche Telekom Security GmbH

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: Friedrich Ebert Straße 71-77, Bonn, Germany (NUTS: DEA22)
• Registration number: DE254595345
• Specialisation: IT security solutions
• Subcontracting: No

Controlware GmbH

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: Waldstraße 91, Dietzenbach, Germany (NUTS: DE71C)
• Registration number: DE 113 539 225
• Specialisation: Network and security solutions
• Subcontracting: No

Bechtle GmbH & Co. KG IT-Systemhaus Darmstadt

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: Hilpertstraße 12a, Darmstadt, Germany (NUTS: DE711)
• Registration number: DE813141523
• Specialisation: IT systems and solutions
• Subcontracting: No

Computacenter AG & Co. oHG

• Size: Large enterprise
• Headquarters: Stresemannstr. 1, Stuttgart, Germany (NUTS: DE111)
• Registration number: DE 186262134
• Specialisation: IT infrastructure and services
• Subcontracting: No

Winners Summary

Supplier	Size	Location	Subcontracting
Deutsche Telekom Security GmbH	Large	Bonn (DEA22)	No
Controlware GmbH	Large	Dietzenbach (DE71C)	No
Bechtle GmbH & Co. KG	Large	Darmstadt (DE711)	No
Computacenter AG & Co. oHG	Large	Stuttgart (DE111)	No

Evaluation Criteria

The contract was awarded based on a single criterion:

• Price (100%): Evaluation price as specified in the tender documents

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by EU Directive 2014/24/EU and German VgV.
• Accelerated procedure: Yes – due to clarification of tender documents after initial procedure.
• Competition: Four tenders were received, all submitted electronically.
• SME participation: No SME tenders were received.
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting was declared by any winner.
• 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.
• Strategic procurement: No strategic objectives specified.
• Review body: Vergabekammer des Landes Hessen beim Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt.

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 €16,200,000.
• The contract duration is 48 months with a 12-month extension option.
• Four winners were selected (the maximum number).
• Price is the sole evaluation criterion (100%).
• The procurement was accelerated due to clarification of tender documents.
• Manufacturer commitment was mandatory across all product categories.
• All winners are large enterprises.
• No subcontracting was declared.
• EU sanctions compliance (Article 5k of Regulation 833/2014) is required.

Market & Industry Perspective

The German public sector IT security market is growing, with increasing demand for firewall and network security solutions. Municipal IT service providers like ekom21 and KIV Thüringen play a key role in delivering IT services to local authorities.

Key trends in this market include:

• IT security: Increasing focus on cybersecurity
• Price sensitivity: 100% price-based evaluation
• Manufacturer commitment: Binding manufacturer selection
• Large supplier dominance: Large enterprises dominate
• Long-term frameworks: 4-5 year agreements provide stability

Economic Significance

At €16.2 million, this framework represents a significant investment in IT security infrastructure for Hessian and Thuringian municipalities. The contract will:

• Support municipal IT security: Provide firewall systems for public sector entities
• Enable cybersecurity: Protect municipal IT infrastructure
• Provide long-term stability: Up to 5-year framework
• Support large suppliers: All winners are large enterprises
• Ensure supply security: Four suppliers selected

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this framework now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the 4-5 year framework period
• Related services: Additional IT security services
• Other German states: Similar firewall framework agreements
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities (none declared currently)

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for IT security suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for the next procurement cycle
• Related services: Additional IT security and network services
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with the winners
• Other German states: Similar firewall framework agreements

What Businesses Should Watch

• ekom21's future procurement notices
• Other German municipal IT service provider tenders
• IT security market trends
• Changes to German procurement regulations
• EU sanctions compliance requirements

GermanyTenders Procurement Intelligence

This firewall systems framework is a notable example of German municipal IT security procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €16.2 million over 4-5 years
• Price focus: 100% price-based evaluation
• Accelerated: Re-tender following clarification
• Four winners: Maximum number of suppliers selected
• Manufacturer commitment: Binding manufacturer selection required
• No SMEs: All winners are large enterprises

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Competitive pricing: 100% price-based evaluation
• Manufacturer relationships: Binding manufacturer commitment required
• Comprehensive solutions: Firewall systems across product categories
• Public sector experience: Understanding municipal IT requirements
• Scale: Large enterprises dominate due to scale requirements

Supplier Takeaways

• Offer competitive pricing – 100% of evaluation is price-based
• Secure binding manufacturer commitments
• Develop comprehensive firewall and security solutions
• Build public sector experience
• Consider scale and capacity for large frameworks
• Monitor ekom21 and other municipal IT procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• ekom21 and KIV Thüringen awarded a €16.2M firewall framework to four winners
• Winners: Deutsche Telekom Security, Controlware, Bechtle, Computacenter
• Duration: 48 months + 12-month extension option
• Evaluation: Price (100%)
• Four tenders received, all from large enterprises
• Accelerated procedure following tender document clarification
• Manufacturer commitment mandatory
• No subcontracting declared

Conclusion

This firewall systems framework ensures that Hessian and Thuringian municipalities have access to modern firewall security solutions to protect their IT infrastructure over the next four to five years. By awarding the framework to four suppliers, the contracting authorities ensure supply security and competitive pricing.

The 100% price-based evaluation reflects the commoditised nature of firewall systems procurement, while the manufacturer commitment requirement ensures consistency across product categories. The accelerated procedure following the clarification of tender documents demonstrates the contracting authority's commitment to a transparent and compliant procurement process.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of competitive pricing, manufacturer relationships, and comprehensive solutions in winning German public sector IT security contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is ekom21?

Ans: A public-law body providing IT services to Hessian municipalities, including data centres, network infrastructure, and IT security solutions.

Q: What is the total value of the framework?

Ans: €16,200,000 (€15M for ekom21 + €1.2M for KIV Thüringen).

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: Deutsche Telekom Security GmbH, Controlware GmbH, Bechtle GmbH & Co. KG IT-Systemhaus Darmstadt, and Computacenter AG & Co. oHG.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Supply of firewall systems (security) in various product classes and configurations, maintenance, and supplementary services.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Price (100%).

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 48 months (4 years) with a 12-month extension option.

Q: Why was the procedure accelerated?

Ans: The tender documents were ambiguously worded and had been misunderstood, compromising bid comparability. The procedure was returned to the bidding phase with clarified documents.

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Four tenders were received, all from large enterprises.

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 Landes Hessen beim Regierungspräsidium Darmstadt.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 598038-2026, OJ S 167/2026, published 31 August 2026.