To implement innovation-promoting public procurement (IÖB) in Austria, a dedicated IÖB Service Centre has been established within the Austrian Federal Procurement Agency (BBG). The Service Centre functions as a one-stop-shop for public sector demand units, procurement authorities, funding agencies, and enterprises, serving as the central point of contact for all IÖB-related matters. The IÖB Service Centre collaborates closely with IÖB Competence Centres, provides training and qualification measures for public sector procurers, and initiates, accompanies, or directly implements IÖB pilot projects.
Complementing the Service Centre, IÖB Competence Centres have been established. These Centres work in partnership with the IÖB Service Centre, contributing complementary expertise in funding- or sector-specific areas. Since January 2014, the FFG has served as an IÖB Competence Centre.
To implement the IÖB in Austria, a separate one was created Service point for innovation-promoting public procurement (IÖB) at the Federal Procurement GmbH (BBG). It acts as a one-stop shop for users, procuring bodies, funding agencies and commercial companies and serves as a contact for the public sector in IÖB matters. The IÖB service point works with the IÖB competence centers, offers qualification measures for users and procurement offices and initiates and supports IÖB pilot projects or carries them out itself.
In addition to the IÖB service point, IÖB competence centers will be set up. They work in partnership with the IÖB service center and bring in complementary know-how in the form of funding or sector-specific expertise. The FFG has been an IÖB competence center since January 2014.