Save where they are ruled out by the exclusions in Articles 18 to 23 or pursuant to Article 34, concerning the pursuit of the activity in question, this Directive shall apply to procurements with a value net of value-added tax (VAT) estimated to be equal to or greater than the following thresholds:

(a) EUR 443 000 for supply and service contracts as well as for design contests;

(b) EUR 5 538 000 for works contracts;

(c) EUR 1 000 000 for service contracts for social and other specific services listed in Annex XVII.