An innovation partnership combines development and purchase. The buyer looks for a partner to create a solution that does not exist on the market and then to deliver it.
When it applies
When the need cannot be met with available products, services or works (Art. 78 of the Public Procurement Act).
How it runs
- A notice describing the need and the minimum requirements.
- Requests to participate; the selection assesses the capacity for research and development.
- Negotiation in stages with the invited candidates.
- A partnership contract is signed with one or more partners, with interim targets and payments by stage.
- If the result meets the agreed levels of performance and cost, the buyer buys what was developed.
Award criterion
Only the best price-quality ratio.
Deadlines
| Stage | Minimum deadline |
|---|---|
| Requests to participate | 30 days (sector buyers – 15 in urgency) |
The Public Procurement Act sets no minimum deadline for bids in this procedure.
Updated on 3 Oct 2026. General information, not legal advice. The Public Procurement Act, its implementing regulation and the tender documents prevail.
