Specific product requirements are taboo for public-sector procurement. Only in exceptional circumstances may the state purchase certain services selectively. For a very good reason! Good products at a good prices can only be ensured long term when there is fair and broad competition. In the case of IT purchasing in particular there is in fact a considerable danger of unintentionally limiting the range of goods available on the market as a result of laying down narrow specifications.

The following guidelines should enable public purchasers to formulate needs-based product-neutral invitations to tender without losing themselves in technical details. Based on typical application scenarios in government offices specifications are recommended with which a fair and free competition on the side of the suppliers can take place. These guidelines are also suitable for market analysis or for preparing service descriptions. They were compiled in collaboration with public purchasers and are used in many public-sector invitations to tender.