"Concept Viability improves delivery and reduces risks by enabling change projects to benefit from early advice from the IT industry in a confidential, controlled and fair way."

'Engaging with the market before stating the formal procurement process is best practice and helps to maximise value for money from the resulting procurement' Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note, May 2012

Structured industry engagement is an increasingly important part of preparing for public sector procurements. Early engagement means policies can be refined into outcome definitions before the launch of a formal competition; and carefully designed procurement strategies can be aligned to deliver the desired outcomes ensuring better overall performance and value for money. It also means potential suppliers have a real opportunity to put forward truly innovative solutions.

‘Early market engagement is known to enhance competition by enabling more suppliers, including SMEs to respond’ Cabinet Office, July 2011

Intellect is committed to helping public sector customers reach out to the tech market to draw upon its incredible depth and breadth of skills, knowledge and innovation.

About Concept Viability

Since it was launched Concept Viability has been used on around 100 projects and programmes by central government, local government and other public bodies. Developed in conjunction with the Cabinet Office, Concept Viability allows public sector customers to have a two-way dialogue with the tech market; and provides suppliers with an opportunity to help shape and validate ideas, plans and requirements. The process takes place within a safe and neutral environment, which helps customers assess the opportunities and risks associated with specific projects before committing themselves to a particular approach.

Concept Viability was referenced as an example of good practice in the Public Accounts Committee’s conclusions and recommendations on ‘Delivering successful IT-enabled business change’ (report, see page 5).

Benefits of Concept Viability for customers

• Provides a one-to-many engagement with a broad range of technology companies, including SMEs and larger more established suppliers.
• Raises the profile of the procurement opportunity to a more diverse supplier base.
• Helps customers understand how the market can help contribute to solutions, and where there are opportunities to exploit innovation.
• Provides early visibility of risks and challenges before investment has been made.
• Allows the pros and cons of different technical, commercial and delivery approaches to be explored.
• Demonstrates a mature procurement approach.

Benefits of Concept Viability for suppliers

• Provides early insight into business opportunities and the strategic drivers behind them.
• Issues or concerns can be raised without companies feeling their position in the procurement is threatened.
• Emerging technologies and associated risks can be discussed frankly, allowing suppliers to manage expectations about what the market can contribute.
• Suppliers can decide at an early stage whether to bid for work, saving significant time and financial resources.
• Allows suppliers to interact with potential supply chain or consortia partners.

Concept Viabilty is designed to inform, rather than replace, other proof of concept or feasibility work.

Concept Viability customers

Concept Viability has been used by central government, local government and other public bodies, including: Department for Work and Pensions, HM Treasury, Home Office, Land Registry, Ministry of Defence, NHS Wales, Suffolk County Council and Transport for London.

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