Award

AISI Research and Evals Partner for Cyber and Autonomous Capabilities of AI Foundation Models

DESNZ & DSIT GROUP COMMERCIAL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

03 Jul 2025 at 10:14

Summary of the contracting process

This procurement process, initiated by DESNZ & DSIT Group Commercial, focuses on securing a partner for a project titled "AISI Research and Evals Partner for Cyber and Autonomous Capabilities of AI Foundation Models". The project is categorised under research services and is situated in the UK. This contract is currently in the Award stage, having been completed on 3rd July 2025. The procurement method was limited, conducted without a prior call for competition due to its scope being outside standard directive applications. The contract, valued at £5,000,000, was awarded to Rethink Priorities UK, an SME located in Eastbourne. Key dates include the contract signing on 1st July 2025.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses, especially those specialising in AI research and cybersecurity, to engage with governmental projects in emerging AI capabilities. Companies with expertise in evaluating frontier AI systems and understanding their associated risks may find substantial growth potential in aligning with the objectives of the Artificial Intelligence Security Institute (AISI) within the Department of Science and Innovation Technology. The focus on quality, price, and social value in the award criteria also highlights the opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their comprehensive expertise and innovative solutions, which are crucial for aiding decision-makers in navigating AI security risks.

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.

Notice Title

AISI Research and Evals Partner for Cyber and Autonomous Capabilities of AI Foundation Models

Notice Description

The Artificial Intelligence Security Institute (AISI) is a directorate within the Department of Science and Innovation Technology mission (DSIT). Its mission is to minimise the surprise to the UK and humanity from rapid and unexpected advances in AI. In pursuit of this objective, it aims to offer vital insights into the capabilities of frontier AI systems by conducting evaluations of frontier models, as well as carrying out research to better understand the risks posed by these models and develop potential mitigations to alleviate these risks. This contract seeks to support AISI in delivering high quality research and evaluations that will support key decision-makers regarding AI security risks, impacts of those risks, and the appropriate mitigations.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Artificial Intelligence Security Institute (AISI) is a directorate within the Department of Science and Innovation Technology mission (DSIT). Its mission is to minimise the surprise to the UK and humanity from rapid and unexpected advances in AI. In pursuit of this objective, it aims to offer vital insights into the capabilities of frontier AI systems by conducting evaluations of frontier models, as well as carrying out research to better understand the risks posed by these models and develop potential mitigations to alleviate these risks. This contract seeks to support AISI in delivering high quality research and evaluations that will support key decision-makers regarding AI security risks, impacts of those risks, and the appropriate mitigations.

Procurement Information

RM6200 AI DPS Call-off

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055823
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037042-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Jun 20257 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DESNZ & DSIT GROUP COMMERCIAL
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

RETHINK PRIORITIES

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-h6vhtk-055823-2025-07-03T11:14:19+01:00",
    "date": "2025-07-03T11:14:19+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-055823",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-055823",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "AISI Research and Evals Partner for Cyber and Autonomous Capabilities of AI Foundation Models",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "73110000",
            "description": "Research services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "The Artificial Intelligence Security Institute (AISI) is a directorate within the Department of Science and Innovation Technology mission (DSIT). Its mission is to minimise the surprise to the UK and humanity from rapid and unexpected advances in AI. In pursuit of this objective, it aims to offer vital insights into the capabilities of frontier AI systems by conducting evaluations of frontier models, as well as carrying out research to better understand the risks posed by these models and develop potential mitigations to alleviate these risks. This contract seeks to support AISI in delivering high quality research and evaluations that will support key decision-makers regarding AI security risks, impacts of those risks, and the appropriate mitigations.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The Artificial Intelligence Security Institute (AISI) is a directorate within the Department of Science and Innovation Technology mission (DSIT). Its mission is to minimise the surprise to the UK and humanity from rapid and unexpected advances in AI. In pursuit of this objective, it aims to offer vital insights into the capabilities of frontier AI systems by conducting evaluations of frontier models, as well as carrying out research to better understand the risks posed by these models and develop potential mitigations to alleviate these risks. This contract seeks to support AISI in delivering high quality research and evaluations that will support key decision-makers regarding AI security risks, impacts of those risks, and the appropriate mitigations.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "70"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Price",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "20"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "10"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "20"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "cancelled"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "limited",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
                "id": "D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE",
                "description": "The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationale": "RM6200 AI DPS Call-off"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "037042-2025-con_7980-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "title": "AISI Research and Evals Partner for Cyber and Autonomous Capabilities of AI Foundation Models",
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-153290",
                    "name": "Rethink Priorities UK"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-153289",
            "name": "DESNZ & DSIT Group Commercial",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "DESNZ & DSIT Group Commercial",
                "noIdentifierRationale": "notOnAnyRegister"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "London",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "SW1A 2EG",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "dsit.dttgcbp@dsit.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "MINISTRY",
                        "description": "Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Science, Innovation & Technology"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-153290",
            "name": "Rethink Priorities UK",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Rethink Priorities UK",
                "id": "14807023"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "Eastbourne",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "BN22 8PW",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-1412",
            "name": "High Court of Justice",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "High Court of Justice"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "London",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-153289",
        "name": "DESNZ & DSIT Group Commercial"
    },
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "037042-2025-con_7980-1",
            "awardID": "037042-2025-con_7980-1",
            "title": "AISI Research and Evals Partner for Cyber and Autonomous Capabilities of AI Foundation Models",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 5000000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-07-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 18
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 13
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 18
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}