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Project_9906 AI Tools for Education Phase 2

Department for Education

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

13 Oct 2025 at 14:09

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

26 Sep 2025 at 11:12

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

25 Sep 2025 at 13:22

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

28 Jul 2025 at 12:53

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education, located in London, UK, has concluded a procurement process under the title "Project_9906 AI Tools for Education Phase 2", focusing on the integration and development of generative AI tools designed to enhance formative assessment in education. This initiative is part of a Contracts for Innovation competition funded by Innovate UK. The procurement involves the piloting, testing, and validation of AI-based educational tools in alignment with current educational standards such as the National Curriculum and EYFS. The award phase of this process was completed on the 13th of October, 2025, with contracts scheduled to run until 30th June 2026. A direct award procurement method was utilised, allocating a total of up to £1 million, with multiple contracts awarded following a mini competition.

This procurement creates significant opportunities for SMEs, particularly those involved in IT services, consulting, software development, and research and development. With contracts awarded to a diverse range of small and medium-sized enterprises including Learncycle Ltd, Openkit Ltd, Lettingsowl Ltd, Kita Education Ltd, and Corduroy Dinosaur Ltd, companies specialising in innovative educational technology solutions stand to benefit. The emphasis on technical readiness and evidence-based teaching approaches presents a platform for businesses to not only showcase their developmental capabilities but also to potentially influence educational methodologies through innovative AI applications. Such opportunities can drive business growth by positioning firms as leaders in the emergent ed-tech market.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Project_9906 AI Tools for Education Phase 2

Notice Description

This is a Contracts for Innovation competition funded by Innovate UK and delivered by the Department for Education. The aim of this phase is to develop tools which use generative AI to support teachers with assessing progress and providing feedback, known as formative assessment. These tools must support high quality education through evidence based teaching and learning approaches. These must align with relevant standards such as the National Curriculum or Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS). The Department will be procuring contracts to support Phase 2 for AI Tools for Education which will include piloting, testing and demonstration or validation of prototype genAI tools for use in operating conditions in education up to Technical Readiness Levels 7 and 8 and this will build upon the work completed in Phase 1. The suppliers will be required to develop tools which use generative AI to support teachers with assessing progress and providing feedback, known as formative assessment. This competition does not include the adoption, implementation, or commercial production or supply of any tools. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution. A total of up to PS1 million inclusive of VAT is allocated to Phase 2 with up to 10 contracts awarded to successful organisations which will be selected following a mini competition. Contracts will commence in October 2025 and must end by 30th June 2026.

Procurement Information

The Department has procured contracts to support Phase 2 for AI Tools for Education which will include piloting, testing and demonstration or validation of prototype genAI tools for use in operating conditions in education up to Technical Readiness Levels 7 and 8 and this will build upon the work completed in Phase 1. The suppliers will be required to develop tools which use generative AI to support teachers with assessing progress and providing feedback, known as formative assessment. This competition does not include the adoption, implementation, or commercial production or supply of any tools. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution The DfE relies on the justification at para. 2 (Prototypes & Development) of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023 for the direct award of these contracts. This mini competition is being undertaken in accordance with section 41(3) of the Procurement Act 2023 which permits contracting authorities to carry out a selection process before awarding one or more contracts in a range of special cases including contracts for prototypes and other novel goods or services. A total of up to PS1 million inclusive of VAT was allocated to Phase 2 with 6 contracts awarded to successful organisations which have been selected following a mini competition. Contracts will commence 9th October 2025 and must end by 30th June 2026. This is a Contracts for Innovation competition funded by Innovate UK and delivered by the Department for Education.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056707
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064795-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£995,935 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£673,729 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Jul 20251 years ago
Contract Period
13 Oct 2025 - 30 Jun 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Education
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3BT
Postcode Area
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
6
Supplier Names

Corduroy Dinosaur Ltd

Kings College London

Kita Education Ltd

Learncycle Ltd

Lettingsowl Ltd

Openkit Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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