The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) will provide an update on the development of its Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) at next month’s Innovation Festival.
The DPS will enable easier access to and procurement of innovative products, services and technology. It will allow for adherence to best value procurement rules, while making it easier for suppliers to offer access to innovations that are not easily procured. The DPS scope will cover all highways asset management categories and green space maintenance, street furniture, and traffic technology.
LCRIG Chief Executive Martin Duffy and Jason Sprague will discuss the practicalities of bringing innovation to life and how to find a route to market. They will also talk about the challenge of purchasing innovations which are proven but not yet standard.
Accessing innovations is a challenge due to procurement rules and the slow-moving approach of frameworks. Existing frameworks, by design, are not a timely and flexible route to purchase innovations. The panel will pick up on the themes of making innovation accessible and integrating flexible procurement practices with the various asset management decisions required. Martin and Jason will answer questions and give insights into how the DPS will make accessing innovations pragmatic and timely.
The session will take place on Thursday 7 July.
Jason Sprague will be at the LCRIG stand and has 15-minute sessions available to book for you to discuss and explore how you see the DPS being adopted by your organisation. Also, Jason wants to explore your innovation priorities and gain your views on the first categories of the DPS.
Please email Charlotte.bromley@lcrig.org.uk to secure a spot to speak with Jason and provide your thoughts. Jason wants to know your views on how you wish to use the DPS in your organisation.
The Innovation Festival will be a first of its kind for the highways sector – with authorities already committed to making their road networks available for trials along with funding for qualifying innovators who participate in the event.
The new event, which will take place from 6-7 July at Newark Showground, has been established to ‘make the case for innovation’ and will bring together local authorities, central government, the supply chain, associations and academia.
View the draft event programme here.
Find out more and register for the event here.