State-of-the-art reports on Market Engagement, Life Cycle Costing, Performance-Based Specifications and circular procurement

The four topics will be dealt with two at a time over the second and third years of the project (roughly one every 8 months/year), to ensure each receives sufficient focus once the regional networks are firmly established. The precise schedule of work will be determined at the kick-off meeting. Each topic will be led by a different expert project partner: • Market engagement – ICLEI • Life cycle costing – Ecoinstitut • Performance-based/output specifications – UWE • Circular procurement – Danish EPA To establish the basis of discussion for each topic a state-of-the-art report will be prepared by the lead expert organisation, with detailed input and feedback from the other expert organisations. This report should outline the current state of play across Europe, highlight typical challenges and possible solutions, as well as providing a series of good practice examples. To add to the experiences of the experts within the consortium, interviews with external experts and desktop research will be undertaken. Each of the regional networks will also be asked to contribute a short report on their experiences with the given topic, to feed in to the state-of-the-art report. To further ensure the comprehensiveness of the research subcontracting budget is available for each lead partner to bring in external expertise. CIPS (the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), one of the leading professional procurement organisations in Europe, has indicated its support for the project (see letter of support), however subcontracts will be awarded in compliance with the financial regulations. Once finalised, a Europe-wide consultation exercise will be carried out, with relevant experts identified and approached by consortium partners, as well as directly through the Sustainable Procurement and Innovation Network, and the Procurement Forum.