What is innovation-oriented procurement?
Innovation-oriented procurement is a strategy where government uses its purchasing power to stimulate innovation. Instead of prescribing existing solutions, the government challenges the market to develop better, more sustainable, or more efficient solutions.
Legal instruments
Functional specifications
Describe the function to be fulfilled rather than prescribing a specific solution, giving the market room for innovative alternatives.
Innovation partnership (Article 2.126a)
A specific procedure for contracts without market-ready solutions: selection, joint development, and commercial acquisition in one procedure.
Pre-commercial procurement (PCP)
Purchasing R&D services for solutions not yet market-ready. Falls outside the Procurement Act scope. Multiple parties develop competing solutions in phases.
SBIR
A PCP variant targeting innovative entrepreneurs: government describes a societal problem, entrepreneurs propose solutions, selected proposals receive funding.
Innovation in regular procedures
- Award criteria rewarding innovation
- Competitive dialogue allowing innovative solution directions
- Contract clauses stimulating continuous improvement
Practical approach
- Identify innovation needs
- Explore the market through consultations and events
- Choose the right instrument
- Execute, learn, and scale
Sources
- 1.Innovatiegericht inkopen — PIANOo
- 2.Maatschappelijk Verantwoord Inkopen — PIANOo
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Last updated on June 11, 2026
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