Procurement support based on universal design
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Certec, Institution för Designvetenskaper |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 450 000 |
| Project duration | April 2020 - February 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
The aim of this project has been to develop concrete tools and methods that support persons working with procurement in their work to include universal design in public procurements. We have developed a template for contract terms, we have developed a thought support ("variation cards") and proposed a template for a user workshop. The project has also collaborated with the National Agency for Public Procurement on texts/advice/guidelines. The project ended with a recorded final conference in collaboration with relevant authorities aimed at people working with procurement.
Expected long term effects
The project addresses the need for increased insight into the importance of universal design in procurement, and as a result of this, that universal design is included as a requirement in various contract terms. The problem currently is that this type of requirements are often not included at all, and within the project we have developed templates and materials that support the starting of a process in this direction. As universal design becomes more established in procurement processes (both among procurers and suppliers), the required level of universal design can later be increased.
Approach and implementation
The project has been carried out in close collaboration with procurers in the city of Malmö, something that has given us necessary insights into the procurer´s work situation. This has also given us the opportunity to iteratively develop and test our materials in real procurements, as well as through specific project workshops. We furthermore conducted a workshop with stakeholders within the framework of a procurement (hotel and conference). In addition to providing input to our work, the workshop design in itself proved to work well as a tool in a procurement process.