Innovators that have developed a final product or service that’s ready to be offered as a solution for the networks will first have to go through a procurement process with the network before the solution can be purchased. A high-level flowchart showing the 3 different procurement routes is included in Appendix 1 of the Innovation Procurement Guide 

It depends on the specific circumstances but the innovation project may be exempt from certain procurement rules. 

Where an innovator has a solution ready for deployment, the procurement process that needs to be followed will depend on the value, according to the Utility Contract Regulations: 

(i)   For goods or services over a particular value the network will be required to undertake a competitive tender process following one of the allowed procedures and to advertise the opportunity for submissions on the Find a Tender (FTS)

(ii)  For goods or services under the UCRs’ value thresholds, depending on the circumstances the network may run its own competitive tender. The value threshold can be seen here

Time estimates very much depend on the particular procurement route. The timescales below are under optimal conditions, such as fast evaluations of submissions and limited negotiations. Each stage may take significantly longer if there are negotiations, or if trials of products are required. Regulated tender timescales could be much longer if there is a complex requirement and a contract notice on FTS is required. 

•      Single Source = 2-4 weeks
•      3 Bid Process= 5-8 weeks
•      Regulated Tender = 7-26 weeks

Each energy network will have slightly different processes in place, but the journey with the majority of EIC partner networks will include the following four stages:

(i) Need Recognition; (ii) Procurement Process; (iii) Approval and Contract Execution; and (iv) Deployment and Payment. 

You can find out more about each of these stages by downloading the EIC’s free Innovation Procurement Guide