Overview: IT Services in EU Procurement
Information technology is one of the largest and fastest-growing categories in European public procurement. Government digitalisation programs, cloud migration initiatives, cybersecurity mandates, and AI adoption across the public sector have made IT services a priority for buyers in every member state.
For IT suppliers, finding relevant tenders requires knowing which CPV codes buyers use to classify their needs. The primary IT division is 72 — IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support, but IT-related opportunities also appear under divisions 48 (software packages), 30-32 (hardware and electronics), 64 (telecommunications), and others.
This guide provides a complete reference of IT-relevant CPV codes organised by business area.
Division 72: IT Services
This is the core division for IT service providers. Key groups and classes:
72100000-6 — Hardware Consultancy Services
- 72110000-9 — Hardware selection consultancy services
- 72120000-2 — Hardware disaster-recovery consultancy
- 72130000-5 — Computer-site planning consultancy
- 72140000-8 — Computer hardware acceptance testing consultancy
- 72150000-1 — Computer audit consultancy and hardware consultancy services
72200000-7 — Software Programming and Consultancy
- 72210000-0 — Programming services of packaged software products
- 72211000-7 — Programming services of systems and user software
- 72212000-4 — Programming services of application software
- 72220000-3 — Systems and technical consultancy services
- 72221000-0 — Business analysis consultancy services
- 72222000-7 — Information systems or technology strategic review and planning
- 72222300-0 — Information technology services
- 72223000-4 — Information technology requirements review
- 72224000-1 — Project management consultancy
- 72224100-2 — System implementation planning services
- 72224200-3 — System quality assurance planning services
- 72225000-8 — System quality assurance assessment and review
- 72226000-5 — System software acceptance testing consultancy
- 72227000-2 — Software integration consultancy services
- 72228000-9 — Hardware integration consultancy services
- 72230000-6 — Custom software development services
- 72232000-0 — Transaction-processing software development
- 72240000-9 — Systems analysis and programming services
- 72250000-2 — System and support services (maintenance)
- 72253000-3 — Helpdesk and support services
- 72253200-5 — Systems support services
- 72260000-5 — Software-related services
- 72261000-2 — Software support services
- 72262000-9 — Software development services
- 72263000-6 — Software implementation services
- 72265000-0 — Software configuration services
- 72266000-7 — Software consultancy services
- 72267000-4 — Software maintenance and repair services
- 72268000-1 — Software supply services
72300000-8 — Data Services
- 72310000-1 — Data-processing services
- 72312000-5 — Data entry services
- 72313000-2 — Data capture services
- 72314000-9 — Data collection and collation services
- 72315000-6 — Data network management and support
- 72316000-3 — Data analysis services
- 72317000-0 — Data storage services
- 72318000-7 — Data transmission services
- 72319000-4 — Data supply services
- 72320000-4 — Database services
- 72322000-8 — Data management services
- 72330000-2 — Content or data standardization and classification services
72400000-4 — Internet Services
- 72410000-7 — Internet services (provider services)
- 72411000-4 — Internet Service Provider (ISP) services
- 72412000-1 — Email service provider
- 72413000-8 — Website design services
- 72414000-5 — Web search-engine services
- 72415000-2 — Web-site hosting services
- 72416000-9 — Application Service Providers
- 72417000-6 — Internet domain names
- 72420000-0 — Internet development services
- 72421000-7 — Internet or intranet client application development
- 72422000-4 — Internet or intranet server application development
72500000-0 — Computer-Related Services
- 72510000-3 — Computer-related management services
- 72511000-0 — Network management software services
- 72512000-7 — Document management services
- 72514000-1 — Facilities management for computer services
- 72514100-2 — Facilities management involving computer operation
- 72514200-3 — Facilities management services for computer systems development
- 72514300-4 — Facilities management for computer system maintenance
- 72590000-7 — Computer-related professional services
Division 48: Software Packages and Information Systems
When the contract is for purchasing software products (rather than services), division 48 applies:
- 48000000-8 — Software packages and information systems (the parent code)
- 48100000-9 — Industry-specific software packages
- 48200000-0 — Networking, Internet, and intranet software packages
- 48210000-3 — Networking software packages
- 48220000-6 — Internet and intranet software packages
- 48300000-1 — Document creation, drawing, imaging, scheduling, and productivity software
- 48400000-2 — Business transaction and personal business software
- 48440000-4 — Financial analysis and accounting software
- 48450000-7 — Time accounting or human resources software
- 48500000-3 — Communication and multimedia software
- 48600000-4 — Database and operating software
- 48610000-7 — Database systems
- 48620000-0 — Operating systems
- 48700000-5 — Software package utilities
- 48710000-8 — Backup or recovery software
- 48730000-4 — Security software
- 48731000-1 — File security software
- 48732000-8 — Data security software
- 48740000-7 — Translation software
- 48800000-6 — Information systems and servers
- 48900000-7 — Miscellaneous software packages and computer systems
Mapping Modern IT Services to CPV
CPV was last updated in 2008 and does not have specific codes for many modern technology categories. Here is how to map current services:
Cloud Computing & SaaS
No dedicated CPV code exists. Buyers typically use:
- 72310000-1 (Data-processing services) — for IaaS/PaaS
- 72416000-9 (Application Service Providers) — for SaaS
- 72317000-0 (Data storage services) — for cloud storage
- 72322000-8 (Data management services) — for managed cloud databases
Cybersecurity
- 72212000-4 (Programming services of application software) — for security tool development
- 72225000-8 (System quality assurance assessment) — for security audits and penetration testing
- 48730000-4 (Security software) — for purchasing cybersecurity products
- 72150000-1 (Computer audit consultancy and hardware consultancy services) — for security assessments
- 79132000-8 (Certification services) — for compliance certification
AI and Machine Learning
- 72316000-3 (Data analysis services)
- 72212000-4 (Programming services of application software)
- 72222300-0 (Information technology services)
- 73000000-2 (Research and development services) — for R&D-heavy AI projects
Managed IT Services / Outsourcing
- 72514000-1 (Facilities management for computer services)
- 72253000-3 (Helpdesk and support services)
- 72250000-2 (System and support services)
- 72511000-0 (Network management software services)
Hardware and Telecommunications
IT suppliers who also provide hardware or telecoms should monitor:
- 30200000-1 — Computer equipment and supplies
- 30210000-4 — Data-processing machines (hardware)
- 30211000-1 — Mainframe computer
- 30213000-5 — Personal computers (desktops, laptops, tablets)
- 30230000-0 — Computer-related equipment (peripherals)
- 30236000-2 — Miscellaneous computer equipment
- 32400000-7 — Networks (networking hardware)
- 32410000-0 — Local area network
- 32420000-3 — Network equipment
- 32424000-1 — Network infrastructure
- 64200000-8 — Telecommunications services
- 64210000-1 — Telephone and data transmission services
- 64216000-3 — Electronic messaging and information services
Practical Tips for IT Suppliers
- Monitor 10-20 codes: Most IT companies span multiple CPV categories. Cast a reasonably wide net.
- Always include 72222300-0: This generic "Information technology services" code is used as a catch-all by many buyers.
- Watch division 48 alongside 72: A tender for an ERP system might be coded under 48 (software product) or 72 (implementation services) — or both.
- Supplement with keywords: Since CPV lacks modern categories, keyword searches for terms like "cloud," "SaaS," "cybersecurity," and "DevOps" are essential.
- Use Tender Radar's AI matching: Our AI understands that "cloud migration" relates to multiple CPV codes and matches tenders semantically, not just by code.