An international IT provider had been awarded a contract for the continuation of the provision of maintenance and support in connection with a tailor-made software solution implemented by it for the State. The contract was awarded by negotiated procedure without prior publication because only one operator could provide the services. The award was challenged by a competitor. The Administrative Court of the Canton of Zurich discussed the organisation of the procurement by private associations formed by government entities for the purpose of procurement and held that this was allowed under certain circumstances. Further, it clarified that maintenance and support does not exclude minor software upgrades if limited. The Nater Dallafior team included Roberto Dallafior and Martin Rauber (Decision VB.2015.00780 of 11 August 2016).