The Masterclass on Procurement of Innovation is a unique series of three meetings that each offer a different methodology for addressing the innovation value challenge.

The second Masterclass, on 'Competitive pricing' will take place on 7 June (10h30 – 12h00 CET). Competitive pricing for innovation value (CPIV) aims to sustain an efficient and effective innovation process in order to maximize the probability of success of the Innovation Partnership. CPIV facilitates cooperative relationships and interactions between public purchasers and suppliers providing more value for each of them. CPIV ensures a fair and non-discriminatory competition for all potential innovative suppliers all along the purchasing process in order to provide evidence to European authorities of the absence of State aid. 

Speakers:

• Katharina Knapton Vierlich, Deputy Head of Unit C2, DG GROW, EC
• Prof. Philippe Portier (Study on the Value of the Innovation Partnership - Portier + The Rationale)

Register here. Places are limited to allow an in-depth deliberation with the teachers. Preference will be given to those who wish to participate in all three meetings.

Do you want to exchange view with other key actors on how to support SMEs to apply for green and circular tenders?

The Erasmus+ GREENER project is inviting you to participate in its first workshop and test its training material on green and circular procurement. This Erasmus+ project aims to improve the skills of companies (with main focus on SMEs) to facilitate their involvement in Circular and Green Public Procurement (CPP/GPP). In the framework of GREENER, partners developed a Skills Framework (resulting from interviews and survey with SMEs and Public Authorities) and a 5-module training course for SMEs.

To validate the training course the project partners are organising a workshop gathering a different range of stakeholders. A pilot testing will take place during the workshop, enabling participants to assess circular and green clauses in a tender.

To attend, please register here.

The Masterclass on Procurement of Innovation is a unique series of three meetings that each offer a different methodology for addressing the innovation value challenge.

The third Masterclass on 'Estimating and negotiating approaches' will take place on 21 June (10h30 – 12h00 CET). A methodology to define and negotiate the Innovation Partnership value through its division into various elements that constitute the costs and value generated in both in R&D and purchasing phases. Each of these elements thus presents specificities of evaluation, based on known processes of public purchases. This maximizes the value for the public good and minimizes risks related to IP.

Speakers:

• Katharina Knapton Vierlich, Deputy Head of Unit C2, DG GROW, EC
• Prof. Romaric Servajean-Hilst, Associate Professor of Kedge Business School, France (Study on How to Define the Value of a European Innovation Partnership – Servajean Hilst + Rationales)

Register here. Places are limited to allow an in-depth deliberation with the teachers. Preference will be given to those who wish to participate in all three meetings.

Overview:

The 90-minute expert roundtable discussion will explore and promote a greater uptake of the European procurement directive’s accessibility provisions as European Union (EU) member states make technology investments through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Register here.

Topics of discussion:

• Overview of the digital transformation pillar of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and the opportunity for increasing inclusion, accessibility, and equity.
• Discussion of specific member state RRF plans for digital transformation with government, industry, and disability leaders.
• Review of key European norms and regulations addressing accessibility and digital inclusion of persons with disabilities and socially responsible public procurement.
• Guidance on how procurement can support more inclusive digital transformation and recovery, including how public sector bodies can specify accessibility for persons with disabilities in the procurement of ICT products and services under their RRF digital transformation plans.

Participants:

• Alvaro Couceiro, Social Policy Officer, European Disability Forum (EDF)
• Silvia Mestres, EU Funds Business Program Manager, Microsoft
• Catherine Naughton, Director, European Disability Forum (EDF)
• Jeremy Rollison, Senior Director, EU Government Affairs, Microsoft
• James Thurston, Vice President for Global Strategy and Development, G3ict
• European Commission (TBC)

The webinar will focus on raising awareness about the potential of innovation partnerships in the social sector and will give the opportunity to learn from the experience of contracting authorities.

Until now innovation partnerships have been used in the social sector in a very limited way. Innovation partnerships are a procedure that can be used when the contracting authority has identified the need for an innovative product, service or works that cannot be met by anything already available on the market. It can be used in order to foster research and innovation, including social innovation. Such innovative products, works and services could help to address major societal challenges while improving the efficiency and quality of public services.

You can register here.

On Tuesday, 28 June 2022, Bordeaux, the world capital of social and solidarity economy, will host the BEE symposium for Bordeaux European Exchanges: a day of key exchanges in person and online between European regional public procurement stakeholders. ICLEI Europe is a partner of this event.

The City of Bordeaux, Bordeaux Métropole, CCI Bordeaux-Gironde and UGAP, the French central public purchasing office, invite you to join French, Finnish, Irish, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch experts to collectively reflect on responsible European public procurement and their commitment to promoting regional economic development.

First plenary will focus on actions for a fair and reasonable public order that creates economic development within the territories.

There will be several workshops during the day:

• Workshop 1 - The european public procurement, state of the art
• Workshop 2 - Enterprises and public procurement in Europe
• Worshop 3 - Strategic markets in Europe
• Workshop 4 - How can responsible public procurement be measured?
• Workshop 5 - The development of the Social and Solidarity Economy

For more information and to register, visit here

This workshop will be an opportunity to learn about - and provide feedback on - the Guidance on sustainable public procurement.

About this event
Limited administrative capacity, awareness, and sustainability expertise of public administrations at national, regional and local level in Member States are major barriers holding back investment in sustainable infrastructures and environmental protection, which are areas with great potential to attract private investors.

Through Technopolis the European Commission wishes to develop a Guidance to support national authorities in implementing major infrastructure projects. Further priorities include the professionalisation of public procurers, improving access to procurement markets and increasing transparency, integrity and better data, digitalisation of public procurement and cooperation for public procurement.

The engagement of relevant stakeholders in the preparation of the Guidance is essential to ensure it responds to their needs, and that it is able to sustain and boost its impacts. The Guidance will serve to support the national authorities for implementing major infrastructure projects, which will receive recovery funding subject to public procurement.

In addition, the context for construction projects is changing as supply chain issues and price increases impact the cost of materials. This workshop will offer an opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback on contemporary challenges facing the sector.

The workshop aims to achieve the following specific objectives:

• Presenting the final draft of the Guidance developed in the project to stakeholders, including 15 examples of good practice

• Collect final feedback on the Guidance from stakeholders

• Exchange on existing practices, challenges, lessons learnt on sustainable infrastructure projects that could be added to enrich the Guidance

• Foster the co-creation of new solutions and recommendations for the Commission’s work on a Guidance on public investment into sustainable infrastructure projects.

You can register here.