What does eForms mean?
eForms (electronic forms) are the new EU-wide standardized electronic forms for creating and publishing notices in public procurement. They replace the previous standard forms (so-called TED forms) and were introduced by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1780. In Germany, the use of eForms has been mandatory for all EU-wide notices since October 25, 2023.
The eForms system covers various notice types, including prior information notices, contract notices, contract award notices and notices of contract modifications. The forms are based on an extensive data catalog with several hundred fields, of which a specific selection must be filled in depending on the notice type and procedure type. The data is structured in a standardized XML format and transmitted to the TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) platform.
The introduction of eForms pursues several goals: higher data quality and comparability, better transparency, easier data analysis for statistical and analytical purposes and simpler cross-border participation in public tenders. In Germany, the national eForms standard was developed as the DE standard (eForms-DE), which implements the European requirements and takes national specifics into account.
Relevance for bidders
For bidders, the introduction of eForms means tenders are easier to find and compare. The standardized data structure allows more precise search queries on TED and national tender portals. In particular, the uniform use of CPV codes, NUTS codes and other classifications makes automated monitoring of relevant tenders easier.
Bidders also benefit from higher-quality information in the notices, because eForms contain more detailed and structured information on suitability criteria, award criteria, lot information and contract terms. This allows a faster and better-founded decision on whether to take part in a tender. At the same time, bidders have to adjust to the new format and adapt their internal monitoring systems accordingly.
Legal framework
The legal basis for eForms is Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1780, which was amended by Regulation (EU) 2022/2303. In Germany, the eForms-Anpassungsgesetz (eForms Adaptation Act) governs national implementation. The German eForms standard (DE standard) is managed and continuously developed by the Datenservice Öffentlicher Einkauf (DÖE, Public Procurement Data Service) at the procurement office of the BMI (Federal Ministry of the Interior). The Vergabestatistikverordnung (VergStatVO, Procurement Statistics Ordinance) uses the eForms data for procurement statistics.