Brokering event for FP7 ICT Call 7 objective 5.4 d): Services based on robotic solutions for elderly people through a joint PCP, 23 November 2010, Brussels, Belgium

The brokering event is for parties interested in responding to this call as partner or coordinator.

The event will take place as from 13.00 in Room BU 25 0/S5, Avenue de Beaulieu 25, 1160 Brussels (access map: ).

Target audience

Public sector representatives, especially public procurers (regions, local authorities), active in the field of procurement with operational responsibility and budgetary authority on elderly care / interest in robotics solutions addressing elderly care and independent living challenges; experience with and/or knowledge of PCP procedures a clear advantage. Public purchasers are the public bodies that eventually would purchase the new solutions that could be developed as a result of a pre-commercial procurement to obtain the required quality and efficiency improvements in their public service offering.

Other interested parties, such as end-user organisation representatives; suppliers, industry representatives, research institutes/organisations active in the field of service and social robotics and interested in public-private partnerships are welcome to join but should be aware of the conditions as described in objective 11.1 of the Work Programme , page 117-118, as well as the concerned Guide for Applicants (e.g. private bodies that are potential suppliers of products or services in the area of solutions sought for by the public bodies through the PCP are not eligible to participate as direct beneficiaries in a consortia).

Funding/EU contribution

CP-CSA: Reimbursement of eligible costs for preparation, management and coordination of the joint PCP call for tender (100% funded)

CP: Reimbursement of max 50% of the eligible costs for the development of the new ICT solutions procured through the joint PCP (for financing of the R&D to be performed by the bidders/subcontractors selected via the joint PCP)

Objective 5.4 d): Services for elderly people developed and validated against public sector needs through a joint Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP).

The services should focus on enabling extended independent living of elderly people and support for higher efficiency and quality of care work based on robotics solutions.

Examples of services include support to daily tasks, mediated social interaction with carers and relatives as well as support to mobility. Key stakeholders in the value chain of service provision should be involved, such as care service providers, insurance companies, housing organisations, relevant industry partners and public bodies.

Involvement of users will be an essential element as well as appropriate consideration of safety and ethical aspects. Use of open robotics platforms and contribution to standards is encouraged. PCP shall be implemented according to the conditions outlined in objective 11.1 and Appendix 6.

In a nutshell: What is Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) in ICT

The ICT Theme contains new incentives to promote further cooperation between public authorities for getting new ICT solutions developed to improve the quality and efficiency of public services on topics of common European interest through pre-commercial procurement. By acting as technologically demanding first buyers of new R&D, public procurers can drive innovation from the demand side. This not only enables European public authorities to innovate faster in the provision of public services to make them more efficient and effective, it also increases the research capacity and innovation performance of European companies and creates new opportunities to take international leadership in new markets. Pre-commercial procurement enables an earlier reality check of industry R&D against concrete public purchasing needs.

Last update: 13/09/2011