# Improving innovation procurement for the Innovation & Research \(I&R\) Designated Fund

> A sourced UK public sector contract award published by National Highways Limited.

## Key facts

- Buyer: [National Highways Limited](/buyers/national-highways-limited/contract-awards)
- Supplier: Connected Places Catapult Services Limited
- Award value: £70,000
- Tender value: £70,000
- Award date: 24 August 2026
- Published: 24 August 2026
- Contract start: 1 September 2026
- Contract end: 31 March 2027
- Stage: awarded
- Procurement category: services
- Notice ID: 80a28d13-5227-4e09-ad7d-b2497bc56c4c-911824
- OCID: ocds-b5fd17-40e0f200-2914-4def-a192-ea16ffe29f3c

## Description

This is a call-off from an existing National Highways Framework Agreement\. This work directly impacts our Innovation and Research Designated Fund \(I&R DF\)\. In Year 1 of RIS3, NH used a two-stage innovation competition model\. This starts with an open call and market engagement, followed by procurement\. NH wants to assess whether this approach can be improved for Year 2\. Including: - Exploring a single-stage model that may be simpler, more scalable and less resource intensive for Innovation, Procurement and the wider business\. - Comparing the internal vs\. external delivery of competitions\. The overall aim is to make the process easier and more accessible for both NH and the wider supply chain, including SMEs\. The appointed supplier will undertake a structured programme of review, analysis and option development to evaluate National Highways' current procurement approach associated with the Open Call and identify opportunities to improve simplicity, fairness, supplier experience and internal resource efficiency\. This will include a retrospective assessment of the interim Year 1 activity, from initiation of the Open Call through to completion of the procurement exercise and contract award\. Deliverables 1\. Summary of lessons from using the two-stage model in Year 1 \(interim year\)\. 2\. Review of whether a single-stage competition could work better in Year 2/future\. 3\. Comparison of internal delivery versus using external innovation services\. 4\. Recommendations to improve future innovation procurement, with a focus on simplicity, fairness, supplier experience and internal resource efficiency while ensuring compliance with procurement legislation and subsidy control requirements\. 5\. A plan to implement agreed changes in Year 2 of RIS3/future\. 6\. Delivery mechanism matrix reviewed and optimised\.

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## Source

[View the original notice on Contracts Finder](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/80a28d13-5227-4e09-ad7d-b2497bc56c4c-911824)