Innovation Partnership
As Gaeilge: Comhpháirtíocht Nuálaíochta
Also known as: Innovation Procurement
Last reviewed April 2026
An EU procedure where the buyer co-develops a new product or service with one or more suppliers and can buy the result without re-tendering.
A procurement procedure created by the 2014 EU directives for situations where no existing solution on the market meets the buyer's needs. The authority runs a multi-stage process to develop a new product, service or works with one or more partners, then purchases the resulting solution under the same contract without a fresh competition. In Ireland, innovation partnerships are rare but used in research-heavy sectors such as health technology and energy.
Sources and legal basis
Primary legislation and official guidance. Always confirm the current text on the source before relying on it.
Related terms
Competitive Dialogue
A flexible EU procedure for complex contracts where the authority develops the solution with shortlisted candidates.
Negotiated Procedure
A flexible EU procedure where the authority negotiates terms with shortlisted bidders: only allowed in defined circumstances.
EU Procurement Directives
The EU rules governing public procurement above threshold values, transposed into Irish law as S.I. 284/2016.
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