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AI3 Delivery Partners Project

Department for Business & Trade

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

31 Jul 2026 at 16:51

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

16 Oct 2025 at 15:32

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

18 Aug 2025 at 15:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

18 Aug 2025 at 15:21

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Business & Trade procured specialist digital, data and artificial intelligence consultancy services for its AI³ Delivery Partners Project. The work supports three connected areas of delivery: the AI Lab, which explores and assesses potential artificial intelligence use cases; the AI Factory, which develops experiments into production-ready tools and components; and AI Operations, which maintains, scales and operationalises AI solutions. Suppliers provide suitably skilled teams and individuals who work alongside and under the direction of civil servants in the Department’s Digital, Data and Technology team. Assignments may cover short or long-term projects agreed through statements of work and require a range of digital and data skills. Delivery is across the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and was awarded on 31 July 2026 through a selective competitive flexible procedure. Three separate lots were awarded: AI Lab to The Dot Collective for £3,000,000 excluding VAT (£3,600,000 including VAT); AI Factory to Version 1 Solutions Limited for £3,000,000 excluding VAT (£3,600,000 including VAT); and AI Operations to CACI Ltd for £3,000,000 excluding VAT (£3,600,000 including VAT). Each contract is scheduled to run from 17 August 2026 to 17 August 2028, with a possible extension to 17 August 2029. The process used participation, weighted value-for-money and final priced-scenario stages. Quality, specialist expertise, resourcing, ways of working, capability building, scenario responses and social value were assessed alongside pricing. One supplier could bid for and win only one lot.

This procurement demonstrates sustained demand from the Department for specialist teams able to explore, develop and operate artificial intelligence services in a central-government environment. A credible future competitor would need practical expertise across AI experimentation, production development, operational support, digital delivery and data work, with the ability to supply both individuals and flexible multidisciplinary teams for statements of work. Evidence of effective resourcing, collaborative ways of working and capability building would be important. Suppliers would also need robust financial capacity, suitable insurance, UK GDPR compliance and data-protection controls. Relevant delivery partners should be able to manage subcontractors and supply chains, address conflicts of interest, comply with modern slavery obligations, hold Cyber Essentials Plus or an equivalent certification, and comply with ISO 27001. Social value delivery includes skills growth, employment and training for people facing barriers to employment.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

AI3 Delivery Partners Project

Notice Description

The DBT Digital, Data and Technology team leads on development of AI tools and services within the Department for Business and Trade. It does so through an 'AI3' model, which aims to identify, test, develop and evaluate use cases for applying artificial intelligence within the Department. This model consists of three parts: * AI Lab: Rapid, time limited exploration and assessment of AI use cases and experiments * AI Factory: Development and operationalisation of experiments into production ready tools and components * AI Operations: Maintenance, scaling, and operationalisation of AI solutions The Authority is seeking to procure specialist expertise to support delivery of this model. We require this to take the form of suitably-skilled teams and individuals provided by the Supplier joining relevant AI3 teams and project teams within the AI Lab, AI Factory or AI Operations. Supplier resources will work alongside and under the direction of Civil Servants within the DBT Digital, Data and Technology team within the Department. This may be for both short and long-term projects as agreed via statements of work, and requiring a variety of digital and data skills.

Lot Information

AI Lab

Renewal: Optional extensions to the initial period is 12 months. If the contract is extended, estimated value for maximum extension period is PS1,000,000 excluding VAT for each lot. A notice of 3 months must be given as a minimum.

AI Factory

Renewal: Optional extensions to the initial period is 12 months. If the contract is extended, estimated value for maximum extension period is PS1,000,000 excluding VAT for each lot. A notice of 3 months must be given as a minimum.

AI Operations

Renewal: Optional extensions to the initial period is 12 months. If the contract is extended, estimated value for maximum extension period is PS1,000,000 excluding VAT for each lot. A notice of 3 months must be given as a minimum.

Planning Information

A pre-market engagement full-day session is intended to take place online on the 10th of September 2025. It is designed to provide potential suppliers with a comprehensive understanding of the upcoming commercial opportunity. The event will begin with a presentation outlining the nature of the requirement, including its strategic context, background, and the business drivers behind the need. Suppliers attending will gain insight into the proposed contracting model, including delivery expectations for each lot, and any innovative or flexible approaches being considered. The session will also include an overview of the procurement process, covering each stage through to contract award. A timeline will be shared to help suppliers plan their engagement, alongside guidance on how to bid effectively — including Social Value requirements, base evaluation criteria, and tips for submitting a strong tender response. The day is intended to encourage early dialogue, and ensure suppliers are well-informed and positioned to contribute to the process. It also offers an opportunity for DBT to gauge supplier capability, appetite, and potential innovation before formal procurement begins. To express interest in attending the event and receive joining instructions - please contact commercialddat@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0589f1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072903-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£9,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£9,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
29 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
9 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
31 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
17 Aug 2026 - 17 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Business & Trade
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
SW1A 2DY
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
3
Supplier Names

CACI Ltd

The Dot Collective

Version 1 Solutions Limited

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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