Planning

AIRR Expansion AI Cloud Compute

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

Planning

04 Feb 2026 at 12:48

PlanningUpdate

10 Dec 2025 at 16:09

PlanningUpdate

10 Dec 2025 at 14:29

PlanningUpdate

01 Dec 2025 at 13:32

Planning

21 Nov 2025 at 09:57

PlanningUpdate

26 Sep 2025 at 09:52

Planning

25 Sep 2025 at 12:49

Summary of the contracting process

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The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is initiating a procurement process under the title "AIRR Expansion AI Cloud Compute" to expand the UK's AI Research Resource. This contract, valued at up to £250,000,000, is currently in the planning stage and seeks to increase the existing advanced compute capacity significantly. The procurement, which falls under the services category, focuses on integrating cloud compute resources to support AI research across the UK. A key milestone is a webinar scheduled for 10th February 2026 to engage with potential suppliers. This project, aligned with the AI Opportunities Action Plan, aims to enhance access to AI-optimised computing resources in a flexible and scalable manner across the country. A formal engagement session will take place to gather feedback and specifications from interested suppliers.

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Notice Title

AIRR Expansion AI Cloud Compute

Notice Description

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is responsible for delivering the UK's ambitions set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, and the UK Compute Roadmap, including expanding the existing advanced compute capacity of the AI Research Resource (AIRR). AIRR currently comprises of two AI-optimised supercomputers (Dawn at University of Cambridge and Isambard-AI at University of Bristol). The UK government has committed to expanding this compute capacity 20x by 2030 through a blended portfolio that combines on-premises systems with cloud-based compute. The procurement is focused on: Scaling access to AI-appropriate compute for UK researchers, SMEs and public bodies; Supporting innovation across the UK digital and research ecosystem; Enhancing flexibility to match varying workload and user needs. DSIT intends to procure a single supplier in a managed service provider capacity to integrate cloud compute resources into the existing AIRR ecosystem. This shall be conducted via a two-stage competitive selection process of Lot 6 suppliers on the CCS framework RM6190 Technology Services 4. The successful supplier shall be responsible for: Strategic Cloud Brokerage and Aggregation - managing relationships and subcontracts with Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), ensuring flexible and cost-effective access to accelerated compute. AIRR Cloud Platform integration - developing a platform layer that integrates with the existing AIRRPortal and provides user support and usage visibility. Managed Services including optimisation, forecasting, security, reporting and operation management. DSIT anticipates that the successful supplier will be required over the duration of the contract to establish and manage subcontracts with a range of CSPs to meet diverse workload needs across the AIRR programme. In addition, the supplier may also utilise their own internal cloud resources, where appropriate, to fulfil the requirements and ensure optimal service delivery. The competition process is being designed under CCS Tech Services 4 Lot 6. Suppliers on Lot 6 TS4 may wish to begin exploring potential CSP partnerships in advance of this procurement at their own risk.

Planning Information

DSIT, in collaboration with CCS, shall host a webinar on 10th February 2026 at 10:00AM with suppliers on Lot 6 Tech Services 4. DSIT is seeking feedback on: The Feasibility of the delivery partner model Proposed timelines Commercial and Technical Assumptions Supplier capacity and interest.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a227
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009957-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

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

72315000 - Data network management and support services

72317000 - Data storage services

72416000 - Application service providers

72500000 - Computer-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£214,439,710 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£214,439,710 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
30 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
4 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Jun 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
compute@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

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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