Projects

Back
Climate Change Mitigation Sustainable Energy Systems Built Environment & Culture Procurement Climate & Air

SMART SPP

Innovation through Sustainable Procurement

2008 - 2011

SMART SPP – innovation through sustainable procurement was a European project which promoted the introduction of new, innovative low carbon emission technologies and integrated solutions onto the European market. This was done by encouraging early market engagement between public authority procurers and suppliers and developers of new innovative products and services in the pre-procurement phase of public tenders. 

The project was supported by the Intelligent Energy Europe funding programme. It was a multi-partner initiative which involved experts from organisations across Europe.


Technologies in focus
The project specifically focused on the following products and services:

  • Lighting systems (LED indoor and outdoor (street) lighting),
  • Electric vehicles systems (charging points and cars), and
  • Vending machines.

Project outcomes
SMART SPP developed a standard approach to pre-procurement of emerging technologies. The approach includes guidance on managing the risks in pre-procurement, assessing the financial benefits (life-cycle costing), and calculating and communicating the C02 savings.

Prior to the development of the standard approach, a needs analysis was conducted to ensure the outcomes of the project were as useful as possible to public authorities and their suppliers. In addition, existing best practice in the field of pre-procurement, legal considerations and appropriate solutions, technologies and suppliers to involve in the project were explored.

Tools, tender documents, manuals and training sessions were also developed to assist in building the capacity of public authorities who wish to use pre-procurement to purchase emerging technologies.

Related resources
Guidance document
Smart SPP - Driving sustainable innovation through public procurement in your region
Report
SMART_SPP_final_public_report.pdf [2.74 MB]
SMART SPP final report
Philipp Tepper procurement@iclei.org
  • Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO)
  • The London Borough of Bromley

SMART SPP will promote the introduction onto the market of innovative highly energy efficient technologies in the last stages of development. This will be done through encouraging early market engagement between public authority procurers and suppliers in the pre-procurement phase, including the issue of tenders. SMART SPP strongly focuses on implementation and therefore five public authorities in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain and Portugal will test a developed common integrated approach on the procurement of innovative products. This approach will include tools for managing the risks in pre-procurement, for assessing the financial benefits (life cycle costing), and for calculating and communicating the CO2 savings. SMART SPP will cover technologies in the field of renewable energy heating/cooling systems, computers, vehicles and lighting. Awareness-raising seminars and study visits will be organised for Hungarian and Czech public authorities. In order to disseminate the results widely four regional events and one European final conference will be held.