Award

AI Search Tools and the Future of the World Wide Web

DSIT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

29 Jan 2026 at 15:48

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has concluded a public procurement process under the FUTURES FRAMEWORK, awarding a contract titled "AI Search Tools and the Future of the World Wide Web" to Firetail Limited. This procurement falls under the category of research and development services and related consultancy services, identified by CPV classification code 73000000. The contract aims to support strategic foresight around science and technology for the Government Office for Science (GOS) by providing insights into the development of AI search tools and their impact on web interactions. The procurement process was executed via a direct award method, with Firetail Limited taking on the project starting from 2nd February 2026 and ending on 31st March 2026. The contract has a value of £19,793 and covers services delivered globally, including the UK and British Overseas Territories.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in AI, digital technologies, and strategic consultancy, particularly those capable of providing evidence-based insights into technology development and its economic implications. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and organisations in the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector are specifically encouraged to engage with such tenders due to the suitability and scale provisions outlined. Businesses with expertise in technology assessments and horizon scanning, especially in emerging AI trends, would find such opportunities lucrative for growth and expansion within the public sector. Firetail Limited, an SME based in London, is a fitting example of the kind of innovative and agile company well-positioned for such awards.

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

AI Search Tools and the Future of the World Wide Web

Notice Description

***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded as a direct award under the FUTURES FRAMEWORK REFERENCE NUMBER: PS22410 Brief Description of Requirement Science and technology are central to economic growth and national resilience, but their rapid pace presents risks alongside opportunities. The Government Office for Science (GOS) plays a key role in supporting HMG's strategic foresight around science and technology, through horizon scanning, technology assessments, and foresight projects. To do this effectively, GOS requires evidence-based, expert-backed insight into potential future developments. One signal of interest to GOS is how the development of AI search tools (such as Generative AI and agentic AI) has changed the way that users interact with the World Wide Web and the resulting consequences. There are reports that the incorporation of AI in search tools has resulted in less website traffic, which firms, organisations and publishers rely on, disrupting the current economic model of the Web.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e80ae66-84c7-4bbf-a4a8-df4421c2cc86
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Single tender action (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£19,793 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
2 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 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
DSIT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FF
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FIRETAIL

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-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd-2026-01-29T15:48:21Z",
    "date": "2026-01-29T15:48:21Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "tender_515551/1548929",
        "title": "AI Search Tools and the Future of the World Wide Web",
        "description": "***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded as a direct award under the FUTURES FRAMEWORK REFERENCE NUMBER: PS22410 Brief Description of Requirement Science and technology are central to economic growth and national resilience, but their rapid pace presents risks alongside opportunities. The Government Office for Science (GOS) plays a key role in supporting HMG's strategic foresight around science and technology, through horizon scanning, technology assessments, and foresight projects. To do this effectively, GOS requires evidence-based, expert-backed insight into potential future developments. One signal of interest to GOS is how the development of AI search tools (such as Generative AI and agentic AI) has changed the way that users interact with the World Wide Web and the resulting consequences. There are reports that the incorporation of AI in search tools has resulted in less website traffic, which firms, organisations and publishers rely on, disrupting the current economic model of the Web.",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "73000000",
            "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy 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"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Single tender action (below threshold)",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-16T18:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-02-02T00:00:00Z",
            "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-272972",
            "name": "DSIT",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "DSIT"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Polaris House",
                "locality": "Swindon",
                "postalCode": "SN2 1FF",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "professionalservices@uksbs.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-05428065",
            "name": "Firetail Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Firetail Limited",
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "05428065"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "104 Southover, London, N12 7HD"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-272972",
        "name": "DSIT"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2026-01-20T00:00:00Z",
            "datePublished": "2026-01-29T15:48:21Z",
            "value": {
                "amount": 19793,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-05428065",
                    "name": "Firetail Limited"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-02-02T00:00:00Z",
                "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/8e80ae66-84c7-4bbf-a4a8-df4421c2cc86",
                    "datePublished": "2026-01-29T15:48:21Z",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}