Award

ITEP1018 - AI Assurance Proof of Concept

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

18 Sep 2025 at 15:30

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Highways has completed the procurement process for a project titled "ITEP1018 - AI Assurance Proof of Concept," aimed at developing tools and frameworks for evaluating AI systems against ethics and performance standards. This procurement, classified under the industry category of "System quality assurance assessment and review services" (CPV code 72225000), covered multiple delivery locations, including the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Channel Islands. The tender, valued at GBP 119,597.5, employed a selective procurement method through a call-off from a framework agreement. The tender period concluded on 15th September 2025, with the contract award being published on 18th September 2025. The contract is scheduled to commence on 22nd September 2025 and end on 31st March 2026.

This project presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in AI systems assurance, particularly those skilled in testing techniques like stress testing and scenario analysis. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could benefit from engaging in such contracts to establish or expand their market presence in AI assurance. Companies with capabilities in building robust, ethical AI solutions are particularly well-suited for future contracts in this domain as National Highways continues to enhance its AI evaluation infrastructure. Opportunities may arise for businesses looking to forge partnerships with industry leaders, such as the already awarded supplier, Kainos Software Ltd.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

ITEP1018 - AI Assurance Proof of Concept

Notice Description

ITEP1018 - AI Assurance Proof of Concept This requirement is for a proof of concept project which will build on the work of Cyber Futures. Key activities include building tools and frameworks to assess and assure AI systems effectively. These tools will evaluate AI systems against key values such as fairness, safety, and resilience, ensuring they meet ethical standards and perform reliably under real-world conditions. The project will demonstrate and apply AI testing techniques, such as stress testing and scenario analysis, to identify potential weaknesses and ensure robustness.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-49e34e1f-3f97-472a-884e-a6cc27850d9d
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/abb02e67-07b3-4f79-848f-64837eafce39
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72225000 - System quality assurance assessment and review services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£119,597 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£119,597 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
21 Sep 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 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
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 6GA
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

KAINOS SOFTWARE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-49e34e1f-3f97-472a-884e-a6cc27850d9d-2025-09-18T16:30:03+01:00",
    "date": "2025-09-18T16:30:03+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-49e34e1f-3f97-472a-884e-a6cc27850d9d",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "tender_501562/1517033",
        "title": "ITEP1018 - AI Assurance Proof of Concept",
        "description": "ITEP1018 - AI Assurance Proof of Concept This requirement is for a proof of concept project which will build on the work of Cyber Futures. Key activities include building tools and frameworks to assess and assure AI systems effectively. These tools will evaluate AI systems against key values such as fairness, safety, and resilience, ensuring they meet ethical standards and perform reliably under real-world conditions. The project will demonstrate and apply AI testing techniques, such as stress testing and scenario analysis, to identify potential weaknesses and ensure robustness.",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "72225000",
            "description": "System quality assurance assessment and review services"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "countryName": "British Oversea Territories"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Channel Islands"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Europe"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Rest of the World"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 119597.5,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Call-off from a framework agreement",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-09-15T17:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-09-22T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": false
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-324981",
            "name": "National Highways",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "National Highways"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Three Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway,",
                "locality": "Birmingham",
                "postalCode": "B4 6GA",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "National Highways",
                "email": "enterprisesystemsprocurement@nationalhighways.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-324982",
            "name": "Kainos Software Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Kainos Software Ltd"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "4-6 Upper Crescent, Belfast, BT7 1NT"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-324981",
        "name": "National Highways"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-49e34e1f-3f97-472a-884e-a6cc27850d9d-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2025-09-15T00:00:00+01:00",
            "datePublished": "2025-09-18T16:30:02+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amount": 119597.5,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-CFS-324982",
                    "name": "Kainos Software Ltd"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2025-09-22T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "description": "Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/abb02e67-07b3-4f79-848f-64837eafce39",
                    "datePublished": "2025-09-18T16:30:02+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}