Pre-commercial procurement (PCP) to buy R&D (research and development) services to improve chronic pain self-management through the development of innovative ICT solution(s) address

The aim of this procurement is to trigger new solutions to be developed and tested to address the following common challenge: improve chronic pain relieve through ICT self-management techniques. These solutions are not yet in the market, but can be developed and tested within the RELIEF PCP period. It is specifically focused on the empowerment of the patient to self-manage current and future pain. The main quality / efficiency improvements to be achieved are focused on enabling patients to self-manage, engage and empower the patients to increasing their ability to manage the symptoms, treatment, physical and psychosocial consequences and life-style changes inherent in living with the chronic condition.

The selected contractors will retain ownership of the intellectual property rights (IPRs) that they generate during the PCP and will be able to use them to exploit the full market potential of the solutions developed.

The RELIEF PCP is a framework agreement which is implemented by specific phase contract. Each contractor will be awarded a specific contract per phase.

Phase 1: Feasibility study for identification of innovative cost-effective solutions in the field of pain self-management.

A solution design contracts will be for a maximum of 4 months and an expected minimum of 8 suppliers would be appointed with awards up to 26 250 EUR (excluding Valued Added Tax) against a total budget of 210 000 EUR. All phase 1 contracts start dates will begin simultaneously at a date and time to be set by the Buyers Group but will be not later than 20.11.2017.

This phase is a feasibility study of the selected technologies and proposals, which aims to verify the technical, economic and organizational feasibility of each company´s offer. The expected output from participating companies is a report describing the results of the feasibility study and the conclusions for the start of the development activities in Phase 2.

Phase 2: Prototyping development.

Prototype development contract will be for a maximum of 10 months and an expected minimum of 4 suppliers would be appointed with awards up to 210 000 EUR (excluding Valued Added Tax) against a total budget of 840 000 EUR.

Selected companies will each develop a prototype based on the results of their feasibility study. The aim is to verify to what extent the prototype´s main features meet the functional and performance requirements set in the challenge. Participating companies are expected to deliver a prototype specification at lab demonstration, as well as a plan for original development of a limited volume of first solutions and field-testing, and an updated cost/benefits evaluation including a preliminary business plan. Phase 3: Pre commercial development, field test

Pre-commercial development contract will be for a maximum of 10 months and an expected minimum of 2 suppliers would be appointed with awards up to 262 500 EUR (excluding Valued Added Tax) against a total budget of 525 000 EUR.

This phase aims to verify and compare the full feature set and performance of different solutions in real-life operational conditions. The aim is to verify to what extent the prototype´s main features meet the functional and performance requirements set in the challenge.

Testing is undertaken at three sites by the procurers to ensure that a comparison can be made of performance both across sites and across solutions. SAS; GIP Resah and CCU will identify collaborating patients and will lead the proof of concept.

The total budget for the 3 phases of RELIEF PCP is fixed to 1 575 000 EUR and will not be increased. Any surplus at the end of the PCP will be returned to the EU Commission.

RESAH will act as the Lead procurer and will coordinate and lead the joint procurement in the name and on behalf of CCU and SAS. The procurement will be a pre-commercial procurement (PCP) under which R&D services contracts will be awarded to providers in parallel in a phased approach.

After each phase, intermediate evaluations will be carried out to progressively selecting the best of the competing solutions. The best-value-for-money solutions will be offered a specific contract for the next phase. Testing will be carried out in France, Sweden and Spain. All applications must be submitted in English.