PCP is an R&D services contract in which the public procurer shares the risks and the benefits related to the IPRs with the R&D provider. The public procurer should ensure that the PCP contracts with R&D providers contain a financial compensation according to market conditions compared to exclusive development price for assigning IPR ownership rights to participating R&D providers, in order for the PCP call for tender not to involve State aid. The financial compensation compared to exclusive development price should reflect the market value of the benefits received and the risks assumed by the participating R&D provider. The market price of the benefits should reflect the commercialisation opportunities opened up by the IPRs to the R&D provider. The associated risks assumed by the R&D provider comprise, for instance, the cost carried by the R&D provider for maintaining the IPRs and commercialising the products. If the price paid by the public procurer does not reflect the benefits received and the risks assumed by the participating R&D providers, the PCP contract will normally be regarded as State aid. According to the new 2014 State aid framework for research, development and innovation a ‘market price’ is presumed whenever the PCP is conducted in compliance with several cumulative conditions.

Refers to the approach in PCP where procurers share with suppliers, at market price, the benefits and risks related to the IPRs resulting from the R&D.

The unintended collision of one motor vehicle with another, a stationary object, or person, resulting in injuries, death and/or loss of property

Seating or discussion arrangement in which (usually) all participants are considered peers.

Geographic area that is located outside towns and cities.

An agreement between two or more parties. Where one party is the customer and the other party is a supplier delivering a service. An SLA defines the basis of understanding between the buyer and the supplier. It sets the quality of service agreed and provide indicators for the measurement of performance and outlines the characteristics of the relationship (what is being delivered and how).

Firms with less than 250 employed people, with a turnover of less than €50m.

Society of procurement officers in local government

Network consisting of an anchor hospital (hub) which offers a full array of services, complemented by secondary hospitals (spokes) which offer more limited service array.

Being aware of what is happening around in order to keep safe