Innovative procurement pilot action in the field of scientific instrumentation

Topic description

Scope:

Specific challenge: Europe has not always exploited the strong innovation potential that research infrastructures have towards their supplier industry. Acting as early adopters of advanced technologies research infrastructures can trigger innovation in companies supplying high-tech components (e.g. new stronger magnets or lasers). The aim of this action is to foster the innovation capacity of research infrastructures by stimulating R&D partnership with industry so as to develop the EU capacities and industrial supply in high‑tech areas such as scientific instrumentation.

Scope: The activity will support pilot actions in the field of scientific instrumentation exploiting the innovation potential of research infrastructures using Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and/or Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) schemes. The following types of proposals can be submitted under this topic:

a.      Feasibility studies

Proposals will focus on analysing and exploring the use of PCP or PPI procurement for common purchasing operations of a set of research infrastructures. Activities can include analysis of the state of the art and of the market offer.

b.      Pre-commercial procurement in the field of scientific instrumentation (PCP)

Proposals will define requirements and terms of reference for common procurement of scientific instrumentation and organise joint PCP action encouraging research, development and validation of breakthrough solutions that can bring radical scientific and efficiency improvements in research infrastructures services.

c.       Public procurement of innovative scientific instrumentation (PPI)

Proposals will focus on organizing joint procurement of innovative instrumentation by research infrastructures to enhance their services, better serving their communities.

The Commission expects to fund at least two proposals under this topic.

Expected impact:  

This activity will stimulate research infrastructure projects (including ESFRI roadmap initiatives) to actively participate in the innovation process and to fully exploit their innovation potential. Support provided to industry (including SMEs) in the construction and upgrade of research infrastructures will lead to enhanced competitiveness of the involved actors. Thereby it will contribute to strengthening technological development and innovation capacity in Europe.

It will lead to economies of scale through common procurement by sets of research infrastructures.

The feasibility of Pre-commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) for the purchasing operations of research infrastructures will be explored and validated.

Type of action:

a.       Coordination and support actions

b.      Pre-commercial procurement cofund actions

c.       Public procurement for innovative solutions cofund actions