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Onsite Search Optimisation & AI Conversational Search

Financial Conduct Authority

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

15 Sep 2026 at 11:00

Award Notice
Award

13 Aug 2026 at 08:10

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The FCA procured specialist onsite search and content intelligence services for its FCA.org.uk website. The requirement covers optimisation of the website’s internal search, analysis of user search terms, implementation of AI conversational search, and review of website content so that it is ready for use and discovery by AI systems. This is a digital services requirement within the web search engine provider category (CPV 72414000), delivered for the FCA in London. The work combines search technology, search analytics, artificial intelligence and content improvement rather than general website development. It is therefore relevant to suppliers with experience improving search journeys and preparing substantial public-facing website content for AI-enabled discovery and interaction.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a selective call-off from a framework agreement. The tender deadline was 6 July 2026 at 12:00. Two active awards were made to SOFTCAT LTD - FCA on 15 July 2026. The first award is valued at £86,500 and covers the period from 24 July 2026 to 23 July 2027. The second is valued at £243,363.85 for the same period; these are separate awards and should not be combined. The published tender value is £243,363.85. The opportunity was evaluated through the framework call-off route, with the procurement categorised as services. The FCA recorded the requirement as unsuitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations.

This award demonstrates demand from the FCA for an integrated capability spanning onsite search optimisation, search-term analytics, AI conversational search and content intelligence. A credible competitor for a future requirement from this buyer would need to combine technical search-engine expertise with practical experience of deploying AI-enabled website search and analysing user behaviour. It would also need to assess large volumes of public-facing content, identify improvements, and help make content suitable for AI discovery and use. The framework call-off route indicates that access to the relevant framework and the ability to compete within its procedures are important. The recorded exclusion of SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations suggests that the buyer expects a supplier with substantial capacity and established delivery capability.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Onsite Search Optimisation & AI Conversational Search

Notice Description

Onsite search optimisation for the FCA website (FCA.org.uk), Analytics of search terms, AI conversational search and Content Intelligence to review and action site content for AI readiness.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1533b8fa-0d20-43c8-a326-2933ea3a1cdd
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a573b738-b6cd-4966-95ff-0043aa8c5a70
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72414000 - Web search engine providers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£243,363 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£329,863 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Jul 20263 months ago
Contract Period
24 Jul 2026 - 23 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Financial Conduct Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E20 1JN
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Softcat Plc

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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