How should I engage the market before buying an AI system?
Answered
Engage AI suppliers early in planning, reach a wide mix including SMEs and VCSEs, and keep competition open. Share the same information with all suppliers so none gains a preferential advantage.
From the guidance
Primary (how) Guidelines for AI procurement
Engage with AI suppliers early and within your planning phase. Reach out in various ways to a wide variety of AI suppliers. Encourage an open environment that supports competition in the AI ecosystem.
Section: 5. Engage effectively with the market from the outset
Read this in Guidelines for AI procurement (opens in new tab)
Secondary (normative) Guidelines for AI procurement
All preliminary market engagement must observe the principles of public procurement and be handled in such a way that no supplier gains a preferential advantage. In practice, this means not setting the technical specification to suit a particular solution or supplier and making sure any information shared is also available during the procurement process.
Section: Preliminary Market Engagement
Read this in Guidelines for AI procurement (opens in new tab)