Whether it be cloud services, AI applications, hardware or specialist processes: with every procurement decision, the government sets the course for its digital capabilities. Strategic IT procurement must therefore do more than simply meet requirements as cost-effectively as possible. It must enable secure and interoperable solutions, take technological dependencies into account and, at the same time, promote innovation. Through the Chief Procurement Office, Einkauf GmbH and Marktplatz Deutschland, the Federal Government aims to reorganise public IT procurement.

The direction is right: now it all comes down to implementation.

Competition strengthens digital resilience

Centralisation must not lead to less choice. In the IT market in particular, innovation and resilience arise from competition. ‘Marktplatz Deutschland’ must therefore be product-neutral, open and accessible via standardised interfaces. Dynamic purchasing systems can make it easier for new providers to enter the market – particularly start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises.

At the same time, the new Einkauf GmbH needs excellent specialists. The knowledge built up over many years by the Central Office for IT Procurement must be preserved and supplemented with expertise on IT markets, technologies and contract management.

Standards create reliability

Digital security requires binding and tried-and-tested standards. Contract standards such as the EVB-IT provide legal certainty and predictability and should be consistently applied and further developed. At the same time, contracts must be able to respond to volatile markets and short innovation cycles – for example, through transparent rules governing adjustments to price, volume or technology.

Equally important are clear rules on transparency and accountability. Market dialogues, decision-making processes and success criteria must be transparent. This strengthens trust and fair competition.

The operating model is key

A new legal form alone does not guarantee better procurement. The success of the reform is therefore not measured by centralised procurement volumes, but by faster procedures, more suitable tenders and secure, cost-effective solutions. If we succeed in combining competition, expertise, standards and transparency, modern IT procurement will become a key building block of digital security and the state’s capacity to act.

Would you like to find out more about IT procurement and the digitalisation of public administration? In the special publication by Behörden Spiegel, ‘NEUE HORIZONTE’, dedicated to the Smart Country Convention, you will find the full article by Marc Danneberg as well as contributions from Digital Minister Dr Karsten Wildberger, our partner country Portugal and many other partners of the Smart Country Convention 2026.

You can register here free of charge for the #SCCON26 pre-conference magazine.