Procurement procedure · Free
Innovation partnership
Develop and then purchase a novel solution.
Innovation partnership
What this is
An innovation partnership is a procurement procedure that allows a contracting authority to develop an innovative product, service or work together with one or more economic operators and later purchase the resulting solution.
When you need it
Use it when the required solution does not exist on the market and cannot be obtained through ordinary open or restricted procedures. It is optional but often mandatory for truly novel projects; check the tender documents to see if an innovation partnership is invited.
How to fill it in
- Identify the need – describe the innovative outcome you require and why existing solutions are insufficient.
- Prepare a market consultation – gather expressions of interest from potential partners (see Article 31 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU).
- Draft the contract notice – include the innovation‑partnership procedure and the maximum estimated value (Article 31 (6)); ensure selection criteria are addressed per Article 58.
- Define intermediate milestones – set technical targets for each phase and specify payment instalments linked to achievement of those targets.
- State intellectual‑property arrangements – indicate who will own the results (Article 31 (9)).
- Complete the ESPD – fill in the sections on financial capacity, professional qualifications and any conflict‑of‑interest declarations.
- Submit supporting documents – attach the market‑consultation report, technical specifications and the draft partnership agreement.
What wins points
Evaluators look for a clear justification of why an innovation partnership is necessary, realistic intermediate targets, and robust governance (selection criteria aligned with Article 31). Demonstrating that you have consulted the market and identified qualified partners shows compliance and can improve the qualitative assessment under MEAT (Article 67).
How this gets you disqualified
- Missing or incomplete market‑consultation evidence – the contract notice must refer to the consultation as required by Article 31.
- Failure to provide the maximum estimated value of the partnership (Article 31 (6)).
- No ESPD fields completed for financial capacity, professional qualifications or conflicts of interest.
- Late e‑submission or wrong file format – the submission portal will reject non‑PDF/A files if stipulated in the tender pack.
Template
**Innovation partnership title:** [Insert project name] **Description of the need:** [Explain why existing solutions do not meet requirements] **Estimated value (net of VAT):** €[Amount] – maximum value as per Article 31(6) **Selected partners (if any) after market consultation:** - Partner 1: ______________________ - Partner 2: ______________________ **Intermediate milestones and payment instalments:** 1. Milestone 1 – [Description] – €[Amount] 2. Milestone 2 – [Description] – €[Amount] 3. Final delivery – [Description] – €[Amount] **Intellectual‑property arrangement:** [Brief description] **ESPD completion:** - Financial capacity documents attached: ☐ Yes ☐ No - Professional qualifications documented: ☐ Yes ☐ No - Conflict of interest declared: ☐ Yes ☐ No **Additional documents attached:** - Market consultation report - Draft partnership agreement - Technical specifications
What wins points
A well‑filled innovation partnership demonstrates a clear need for an innovative solution, includes documented market consultation and realistic milestones, satisfying MEAT criteria under Article 67 and showing added value to the contracting authority.
How this gets you disqualified
Missing market‑consultation evidence, omitted maximum estimated value, or incomplete ESPD fields (financial capacity, qualifications, conflicts) will lead to disqualification under Article 31 requirements.
What an evaluator actually looks for
Verify that the market‑consultation report and draft partnership agreement are attached and that all required ESPD sections are completed before submission.
Sources
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