Glossary
Nebenangebot (alternative bid in a German tender)
A Nebenangebot is the bidder's own alternative proposal to a tender, for example with another design, method or product. The tender documents state whether it is allowed, and whether only together with a main offer.
In short
A Nebenangebot is the bidder's own alternative to what the tender asks for, such as another design, method or product. The client does not set it.
The client states in the tender documents whether Nebenangebote are allowed at all, or only together with a main offer (Hauptangebot). The award criteria must apply to both kinds of offer (VOB/A 2019 § 8 Abs. 2 Nr. 3).
A Nebenangebot goes on a separate attachment, clearly marked as such (VOB/A 2019 § 13 Abs. 3). If the tender documents do not allow it, it is not evaluated (VOB/A 2019 § 16d Abs. 3).
Example
An LV asks for a stainless steel pipe system of a named Leitfabrikat. The bidder offers the main bid exactly as asked. On a separate sheet, marked as a Nebenangebot, the bidder offers a multilayer composite pipe system with its own unit prices.
The client compares both offers with the same award criteria. If the tender documents did not allow Nebenangebote, that sheet would not be evaluated.
In GAEB DA XML, the Nebenangebot is exchange phase 85, written X85. It sits next to phase 84 (X84), the Angebotsabgabe with the prices of the main bid. See the GAEB formats page.
What to watch for
Read the tender documents first. They decide whether Nebenangebote are allowed at all, or only together with a Hauptangebot.
Do not change the tender documents themselves, because changes to them are not allowed (VOB/A 2019 § 13 Abs. 1 Nr. 5). A different product or design goes into the Nebenangebot.
Get the supplier quote for the alternative product separately, in a separate Werksanfrage if needed.
The client compares the alternative with the same award criteria as the main offer. Prepare it with the same care.
Not to be confused with
Wahlposition: an alternative that the client sets in the LV. The bidder prices both positions. A Nebenangebot is the bidder's own proposal.
Or equal (Leitfabrikat „oder gleichwertig“): an equivalent product within the main offer, item by item. A Nebenangebot is a separate proposal.
Change order (Nachtragsangebot): the offer after the award, for changed or extra work.
Related terms
Wahlposition and Grundposition (alternative and base item)
A Wahlposition (also Alternativposition) is an alternative to a Grundposition in a German bill of quantities. The bidder gives a price for both, and the client decides later which one is commissioned.
Or equal (brand name or equal)
Or equal (brand name or equal) is a specification clause that names a product as the standard and allows an equal product that meets the salient characteristics stated in the specification. The offer has to identify the product it offers.
Bid validity period (bid acceptance period)
A bid validity period (Bindefrist) is the period during which a bidder is bound to its bid and the client can accept it. After it ends, the bidder is no longer bound.
Change order
A change order is a change to the work, or extra work, that the client orders after the contract has been awarded. In Germany the contractor’s price for it is the Nachtragsangebot (Nachtrag).
Bid tabulation (bid tab)
A bid tabulation (Preisspiegel) is a table that sets the received bids side by side, usually item by item with unit prices and totals, so the client can compare them after the bids are opened.
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