The SHIELD PCP Open Market Consultations (OMC) main event took place on 25–26 February 2026 in Paris. It marked a crucial step in preparing the upcoming Tender aimed at addressing a significant technological gap in security.
Security practitioners need the right technology — yet too often it is simply not available on the market. SHIELD PCP has the clear ambition to bridge that gap. Building on the results of SHIELD4CROWD, which laid the foundation for this initiative, the project team identified a well-defined need: security practitioners require innovative technologies to manage complex and dynamic crowd situations.
Based on the Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) approach, SHIELD PCP will launch a Tender to engage technology providers in developing solutions tailored to specific operational requirements linked to these identified needs.
The OMC phase included the main event in Paris, complemented by online webinars and additional consultation activities. This process was instrumental in helping to:
- Validate findings from prior-art analysis
- Gather supplier insights on emerging and relevant technologies
- Clarify operational needs
- Support a two-way dialogue between procurers and industry
The OMC events attracted numerous European security technology providers. The main event in Paris also brought together public buyers, members of the User Observatory Group, and the SHIELD PCP project consortium.
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Fruitful discussions enabled the project’s team to present details of the upcoming Tender, clarify expectations, and — crucially — explore companies’ perspectives. This exchange was particularly important, as these companies will compete in the forthcoming PCP process, which must reflect both operational realities and market capabilities.
In addition, the SHIELD PCP team took part in a dedicated training session on procurement strategy and tender documentation, and organised an internal session focused specifically on project progress and the identification of next steps.
The focus now shifts to analysing the outcomes of the Paris meeting and the broader OMC phase, and to preparing for the Tender phase, scheduled to launch in May. With the Tender fast approaching, maintaining momentum and ensuring alignment among all stakeholders is essential.
Follow our channels to stay updated on the next steps and key announcements related to the upcoming Tender.
