Innovation-friendly procurement

The project

Public procurement is widely and unfairly perceived to be a barrier to innovation. Through our previous programmes, we have worked with public sector service managers, decision makers and procurement teams to demonstrate how procurement can be used as a strategic tool to engage new suppliers and stimulate new solutions.

We recognise that changing to harness procurement in this way can be hard work. That's why we are investing in this programme providing practical support to public authorities so you can experience the power of innovation-friendly procurement first-hand.

We selected up to three public authorities (i.e., any organisation that is bound by public procurement regulations) who are developing ambitious 'zero-carbon' projects that would break new ground and require engagement with innovative suppliers. These would lead to procurement plans, delivered this financial year, in one of three net zero missions:

• Decarbonising local or regional transport;
• Decarbonising social housing; or
• Decarbonising the public sector estate.

Selected partners are receiving specialist hands-on support in the following areas from Connected Places Catapult and our network of experts:

• How to scope your innovation challenge in a way that will maximise market response;
• Trends and technologies relevant to your challenge to inform your engagement with the market;
• The range of innovation-friendly procurement procedures available and their uses;
• Market engagement and the identification of potential suppliers; and
• Support to validate shortlisted solutions.

Our academic partners from the University of Birmingham and Manchester University will follow each procurement to generate an impact case study on the process.