CHALLENGES

Increasing complexity of public procurement procedures enforces the need for creating a EU-wide entity to support public institutions with know-how and clear guidelines how to efficiently collect all required market information and conduct tenders.

Public sector, in order to efficiently implement beyond state-of-the-art optical equipment in today’s networks needs to synchronize efforts by building a common procurement roadmap specifying common requirements in the short term and mid-to-long term areas of common European interests.

OBJECTIVES

The ultimate goal of the project is to optimize the usage of public funds for building beyond state-of-the-art public networks. The key approach towards this goal is a creation of a common information platform for public procurers and support them in the whole procurement process chain by providing the organizational and technical expertise.

Introduction to PCP

Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) is an approach within the public procurement of innovation, developed specifically for the procurement of R&D services rather than actual goods and services; if the goods or services developed during the R&D phase are to be procured, this would need to be based on a separate procurement process. READ MORE

 

Introduction to PPI

Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) occurs when public authorities act as a launch customer for innovative goods or services. These are typically not yet available on a large-scale commercial basis and may include conformance testing. READ MORE

PICS4All lauched a new project website!

New project website of the PICS4All project! PICs4All (Photonic Integrated Circuits Accessible to Everyone) is a Coordination and Support Action from the EU H2020 ICT programme whose purpose is to bring closer to you the Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) technology assisting you to get access to advanced fabrication facilities for PICs. PICs4All aims at low-cost development of ASPICs (Application Specific PIC) using the generic foundry model, and rapid prototyping via industrial Multi-Project Wafer runs. To this end, PICs4All brings together the PIC-value chain of Europe’s key players in the field of photonic integration, including manufacturing and packaging partners, photonic CAD software partners, R&D labs and Photonic IC design houses. More information on the project website http://www.pics4all.jeppix.eu/ and the project flyer: Flyer Pics4all... read more

New EU funding opportunities for PCP and PPI in the 2016-2017 Work Programme

According to the EC website a total budget of circa €130 million is planned for EU funding for PCP (pre-commercial procurement) and PPI (public procurement of innovative solutions) projects across the different 2016-17 Horizon 2020 work programmes. The following ppts guide you through the core info about the calls for proposals: – Overview of the 2016-17 calls for proposals in support of PCP and PPI across the different Horizon 2020 work programmes. – Modalities of the Horizon 2020 funding instruments in support of PCP and PPI. More detailed info in the general annexes of the Work Program here. – How prepare a proposal? How will the evaluation take place? – Possible ESIF funding synergies for Horizon 2020 funded PCP/PPI projects. In addition to the wide range of domain specific calls, there are also two “open calls’ in the ICT Work Progmamme: ICT-34: €4M call for PCP actions for preparing and carrying out a joint PCP, open to proposals from procurers that require new ICT based solutions to address a challenge in any area of public interest (call deadline: 12 April 2016). ICT-33: (a) European wide networks of public procurers preparing future PCPs or PPIs in any area of public interest that requires ICT based solutions and (b): European wide networks of competence centers on innovation procurement (€ 4M for ICT-33 (a) and (b) together; call deadline: 25 Apr 2017... read more

1st Major eafip Event – Paris

The first major eafip event will take place in the City Hall of Paris on 27th and 28th October 2015. The two-day event targets procurers, policy makers, procurement law firms and businesses, to raise awareness about major PCP/PPI initiatives across Europe and organise networking between stakeholders to discuss new ideas, initiatives and funding opportunities for on PCP/PPI. The agenda includes: presentations on the strategic use of innovation procurement by key cities, regions and countries across Europe; presentations by successful PCP and PPI projects; discussion groups on future funding opportunities; as well as the launch of the eafip Toolkit. On Day 2, EC representatives will present the calls in the framework of the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2016-2017 covering EU funding opportunities for PCP and PPI.  There will be various discussion sessions (see agenda below) providing the latest information about how to gain access to the ca. € 130 million budget for innovation procurement projects. In addition, public procurers will have the opportunity to present proposal ideas, discuss with relevant EC officials and network in view of the preparation of these calls. You can already start preparing proposal ideas for discussion! More information available at the event website:... read more

INSPIRE – PCP and PPI: How to be more efficient in Procurement

Date and time: 26/03/2015 Venue: Escola d’Administració Pública de Catalunya On the 26th of March 2015, INSPIRE is hosting a workshop entitled “Pre-commercial procurement and Public Procurement of Innovation: How to be more efficient in Procurement” in Barcelona. European experts working with Health and Social care organizations and renewal of their services (incl technological, legal, financial, industrial and service creation issues) will be sharing their knowledge and experiences in Procurement of Innovation in the in eHealth, Active Ageing and Independent Living sectors. Link to the website:... read more