The government’s “innovation marketplace” prepares for launch

The Government Commercial Agency and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) have begun market engagement for the government’s new Innovation Marketplace as part of wider procurement reforms intended to better join up the public sector with suppliers specialising in innovation.

“The idea is to encourage innovation and provide a more accessible pathway from idea to public sector contract. Suppliers and buyers will be able to experiment with solutions before launching a formal procurement.”

The new approach to procurement, which formed part of DSIT’s SME action plan, is intended to provide startups, SMEs and academia with a “clearer route into government.” Supplier webinars and focus groups will be held in late August and early September.

A preliminary market engagement notice estimates the total value of contracts that might be awarded through the marketplace as in excess of £1bn – the system is designed to be used by central government departments, arm’s length bodies, and other public sector organisations alike.