INTERCEPT Insight #2: Conducting an OMC in the INTERCEPT Project: Engaging the Market for Remote Vehicle Stopping Solutions

Open Market Consultations (OMCs) are a strategic and legally grounded instrument in the European Union’s innovation procurement framework. They allow public buyers to engage with the market before launching a tender, to assess the maturity of potential solutions, validate assumptions regarding technical and legal feasibility, and ensure future procurements are transparent, competitive, and proportionate. Rooted in EU public procurement law, OMCs provide a structured, non-discriminatory method to align demand and supply in pre-commercial and innovative procurement contexts, including Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI). This insight explores both the legal basis and practical implementation of OMCs, with a focus on their procedural safeguards, strategic utility, and role in preparing demand-driven innovation procurements. Drawing on the European Assistance for Innovation Procurement (EAFIP) Toolkit and relevant EU case law, the insight highlights how OMCs must comply with principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination, transparency, and proportionality, while ensuring that competition is not distorted or precluded and protecting commercially sensitive information. This insight also examines the specific application of this methodology in the INTERCEPT project, a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (CSA) preparing the ground for a potential cross-border PCP in Remote Vehicle Stopping (RVS) technologies for Law Enforcement Authorities (LEAs). Starting with the publication of a Prior Information Notice (PIN), followed by a detailed OMC document, targeted Request for Information (RFI) questionnaires, multilingual webinars, e-pitching sessions and a central hybrid event in Warsaw, INTERCEPT’s OMC serves as a model for responsible and inclusive pre-procurement engagement. Preliminary findings suggest strong market interest but also legal and operational gaps that support the case for a structured innovation procurement. The final OMC report, published on 18 July 2025, provided further guidance for the next steps in PCP planning.