8 suppliers are expected to be awarded to start solution design in Phase 1, in November 2021. The call will be open until 15th September.

The Pre-Commercial Procurement project eCare launches its call for tenders that will remain open until the 15th of September 2021. The call is open to all types of operators presenting an offer as a single entity or in a joint tender. Awarded suppliers will enter a competitive process of 3 phases where they have the opportunity to co-develop and test their innovative ideas under the real-world conditions within the 4 public procurers and could receive up to €1,323,000 each, if they reach the last phase.

In addition, they will also have the opportunity to gain leadership in new markets and the option to retain the IPR ownership of the solution to exploit it beyond the PCP. The eCare Call for Tenders was officially announced on the European Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) the 25th of June 2021. The buyers group will announce the awarded contracts next 16th of November 2021 with the publication of the contract award notice.

The frailty challenge

Frailty is an age-related state affecting 1 out of 4 adults over 85 years old in Europe. It is characterized by a weakened response to stressors and an increased risk of poor clinical outcome. It is assumed that frailty is a dynamic process that leads to a spiral of decline that exacerbates risk of geriatric syndromes. Older people living with frailty are at risk of adverse outcomes such as dramatic changes in their physical and mental wellbeing after an apparently minor event which challenges their health, such as an infection, loneliness or new medication. We are facing a paradigm shift. Longevity is one of the biggest achievements of modern societies, but the life quality of older adults in their latest years may be poorer due to frailty and long-term conditions. That’s why eCare looks for disruptive digital solutions for the prevention and comprehensive management of frailty in older adults. The target group are the pre-frail/frail old adults with an emphasis on those that feel lonely and/or isolated. The goal is to encourage independent living, wellbeing and to relieve health and care services budget pressure. In the 21st century it is no longer a question of living longer, but of living longer and better. Ageing from now on should be healthy, active and technologically connected.

The buyers group

The eCare buyers group is formed by four organisations from three countries: 

• Azienda Sanitaria Locale Benevento (lead procurer, Italy) is one of the 7 Local Health Agencies of the Campania Region. It is a public entity with managerial, technical and financial autonomy, organized in 5 districts including hospitals and three multifunctional health centers, including prevention and mental health departments.
• Santander City Council (Spain) is carrying out development and promotion actions linked to the Smart city aimed at the economic and social transformation of the city. This transformation is based on the promotion of knowledge and innovation, ICT technologies and broad citizen participation.
• Consorci Sanitari Integral (Spain) is a public organisation of the Catalonia Government. It’s a health and social organization in the Barcelona area. Currently, CSI manages 13 centers: 3 in-patients care hospitals, 1 socio-health hospital, 4 primary care centers, 2 residences and 3 specialized care centers.
• University Hospital RWTH Aachen (Germany) combines patient-oriented medicine and care, teaching and research at an international level. With 34 specialized clinics, 25 institutes and five interdisciplinary units, the university hospital covers the entire medical spectrum.

About eCare PCP

eCare PCP is a European project that aims to encourage older adults to live independently, detecting and preventing loneliness and isolation, promoting healthy habits and exercise. The project will procure the development, testing and implementation of digital tools/services and communication concepts to facilitate the transition to integrated care models across health and social services for the prevention and comprehensive management of frailty.

More info https://ecare-pcp.eu/tender/