Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

GB-Sheffield: AI Pilot

BIP SOLUTIONS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

26 Oct 2026 at 11:14

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

British Business Bank Plc commissioned a proof-of-concept AI project to develop AI agents and tools that assess whether its processes can be streamlined and made more efficient. The work is an AI and software development service, classified under CPV 72212411 for investment management software development. Delivery is in Yorkshire and the Humber. The buyer is described as a development bank wholly owned by the UK Government; the notice identifies BIP Solutions Limited as the buying organisation. This is an investment-led initiative focused on testing practical applications of AI within the buyer’s processes, rather than a general AI supply or support requirement.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to Leancrest Limited. The award was made on 1 November 2025, for £170,000. The contract runs from 3 November 2025 to 2 November 2026. The original tender deadline was 2 November 2025. The procedure is recorded as “Other – Not Disclosed”, so the specific route to market is not established in the published details. The award is for the AI proof-of-concept project as a whole; no lots or separate awards are described. The tender is marked as unsuitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. No evaluation criteria are stated.

This award demonstrates demand from British Business Bank Plc for a focused AI proof of concept: developing agents and tools to identify opportunities to streamline internal processes and realise efficiencies. A credible competitor for a future requirement of this kind would need to combine AI development capability with process analysis and the ability to turn potential efficiency gains into a testable proof of concept. The selected supplier was classified as a large business, and the tender was marked unsuitable for SMEs and VCSEs, indicating a requirement positioned for suppliers with substantial delivery capacity. The work is specific to applying AI to the buyer’s own processes, rather than providing generic AI products or unrelated software services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

GB-Sheffield: AI Pilot

Notice Description

Investment-led initiative to develop AI agents and tools to determine whether processes may be streamlined and efficiencies realised. This is a proof of concept project. Additional information: British Business Bank Plc, registered in England and Wales, registration number 08616013, registered office Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ, a development bank wholly owned by the HM Government. It and its subsidiaries are not banking institutions and do not operate as such. With the exception of BBB Investment Services Limited they are not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority or the Financial Conduct Authority. BBB Investment Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A complete legal structure chart for the group can be found at www.british-business-bank.co.uk.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-d0c779db-d9a1-4864-b797-685a64186576
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6c040de1-6c9e-4bbe-a31b-f4103e44efaa
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Other - Not Disclosed
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72212411 - Investment management software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£170,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£170,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Nov 202512 months ago
Contract Period
3 Nov 2025 - 2 Nov 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
BIP SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 2GQ
Postcode Area
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Leancrest Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...