Pre-Commercial Procurement
Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) is a public procurement approach that enables organisations to work in partnership with innovators and suppliers to design, develop, and test new solutions before they become commercially available.
REHEAL will combine PCP methodologies with the CivTech innovation model, engaging up to 20 suppliers in the early stages and selecting the strongest performers for scaled prototyping, piloting, and deployment, in collaboration with a Buyers Group of five major European healthcare systems.
The procurement will take the form of a fast-track PCP, under which R&D service contracts will be awarded in parallel to multiple R&D providers through a phased approach. In contrast to traditional PCPs, which strictly separate prototyping and piloting into distinct phases, this approach combines prototyping and piloting into a single integrated R&D phase to accelerate innovation cycles and reduce time to impact.
The selected operators will retain ownership of the intellectual property rights (IPRs) generated during the PCP and will be able to use them to exploit the full market potential of the solutions developed.
How the REHEAL fast-track PCP Works?
1. Open Market Consultation (OMC)
The process begins with the Open Market Consultation (OMC), an early engagement phase that invites suppliers, innovators, researchers, and other stakeholders from across Europe to take part in shaping the REHEAL Challenge.
2. Call for Innovation
Building on the outcomes of the OMC, REHEAL launches a Call for Tenders, inviting companies to submit proposals addressing the refined challenge. Proposals are assessed through a competitive evaluation process, and the most promising suppliers are selected to enter the PCP phase.
3. Fast-track PCP
Phase 1 – Solution design and feasibility: Selected contractors will elaborate detailed solution designs, technical architectures, and feasibility studies addressing the REHEAL challenge, including risk assessment and validation plans.
Phase 2 – Prototyping and piloting (combined phase): Contractors will develop functional prototypes and pilot them directly in operational healthcare environments across the Buyers Group sites.
4. Follow-up Procurement and Scaling
After the PCP phases are completed, REHEAL focuses on scaling impact and enabling uptake. The most successful solutions may progress to a follow-up procurement, allowing healthcare organisations to pilot and deploy them at larger scale.
In parallel, REHEAL supports wider adoption through its Followers Community and the development of a Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI) roadmap. These activities lay the groundwork for future joint procurements, replication in new regions, and long-term uptake of validated solutions across Europe.
Prior Information Notice (PIN)
Further information about the project and the planned procurement can be found in the Prior Information Notice (PIN), which provides early details for interested suppliers.
Involved Parties
The PCP process is jointly carried out by a group of public organisations acting as buyers. The process is coordinated by a Lead Procurer, who launches the procurement and enters into the framework agreement and related contracts on behalf of all participating organisations.