Award

International Resource - Delivery of the 2025/2026 International AI Safety Report

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

19 May 2025 at 13:37

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

23 Apr 2025 at 10:29

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, located in London, United Kingdom, has completed the procurement process for the "International Resource – Delivery of the 2025/2026 International AI Safety Report". The process involved a direct award contract method due to unique technical requirements and the direct ministerial appointment of Yoshua Bengio as the report chair. The awarded contract, valued at £720,000, was granted to the Mila Quebec AI Institute, based in Canada, known for its expertise in AI safety research. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically research services, with the project slated to start on 3rd June 2025 and conclude on 31st March 2026. The award status is currently pending, with a standstill period ending on 29th May 2025. This initiative will be delivered across the UK, aligning with the strategic timeline.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in AI and technological research, especially those capable of providing high-level technical expertise. Companies experienced in research services and technical recruitment can benefit by leveraging their capabilities in similar high-stakes governmental or international projects. Smaller enterprises with a focus on AI technologies and an ability to deliver niche, specialised services may find advantageous prospects through collaboration or subcontracting roles. This environment nurtures innovation and positions companies within the forefront of AI safety advancements, showcasing their abilities on an international stage.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

International Resource - Delivery of the 2025/2026 International AI Safety Report

Notice Description

Technical specialist organisation able to identify, source and recruit the experts needed to deliver the Report. Given the specific nature of the work, we need an organisation with the required technical specialisation.

Procurement Information

Yoshua Bengio's role as Chair: - Yoshua Bengio was a direct Ministerial Appointment as Chair of the Report for 2024/2025. Secretary of State has agreed to his appointment being extended for a further 12 months to deliver the 2025/2026 Report. - Yoshua's role as Chair is to oversee the report's delivery, determine its final scope, select members of the writing group, select senior advisors, manage the drafting process, review the Report, and convene members of the Expert Advisory Panel. He will also lead in promoting the report directly with policymakers, at Summits/Conferences and with the media. Justification for a Direct Award: The unique relationship with Yoshua Bengio as chair of the Report. Yoshua Bengio is a direct Ministerial Appointment. It is essential that the writing group (and others involved in Report delivery) are accountable to him as Chair. Contracting these individuals through Mila (Yoshua's organisation) creates a direct link between them and the Report's chair. This is essential to deliver the Report and cannot be achieved through a different organisation. Technical specialist organisation able to identify, source and recruit the experts needed to deliver the Report. Given the specific nature of the work, we need an organisation with the required technical specialisation. MILA is a global leader in AI safety research and has the largest concentration of deep learning academic researchers. Yoshua Bengio (Director and report chair) has tailored the organisation to best complement his research.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05062d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022693-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£720,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Apr 202510 months ago
Contract Period
2 Jun 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
dsit.dttgcbp@dsit.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EG
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MILA QUEBEC AI INSTITUTE (MONTREAL INSTITUTE FOR LEARNING ALGORITHMS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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