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MHCLG Augmented Planning Decisions

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

24 Dec 2025 at 09:31

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

17 Dec 2025 at 15:09

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

16 Dec 2025 at 17:03

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "MHCLG Augmented Planning Decisions" is being managed by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government acting as the contracting authority. This tender seeks the development of a planning tool for AI-augmented decision-making, primarily targeting IT service providers capable in areas like consulting and software development. The project is valued at £10 million and aims to reduce planning application processing times. The procurement is at the Tender stage, with the deadline for submission set for 15th January 2026. The project involves an open, competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 with a two-stage process, and the successful supplier will engage in developing a prototype to be presented on "Demo Day" with the contract period expected to start 22nd January 2026 in London, UK.

This tender opens up substantial business growth opportunities for companies specialising in IT services, particularly those experienced in AI solutions and systems integration. The requirement for a prototype during the Invitation to Tender stage suggests that innovative firms with robust research and development capabilities will be well-suited to compete. The contract presents a chance to engage with multiple UK authorities, including local planning bodies, providing a platform for suppliers to establish or expand their footprint in the government sector. Additionally, the competitive flexible procedure ensures fair competition, offering both established and emerging IT service providers an opportunity to showcase their solutions and secure a significant contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

MHCLG Augmented Planning Decisions

Notice Description

The Authority seeks to develop a planning tool that enables AI-augmented decision making for planning applications. The initial focus will be on householder developments (as defined in Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015) with a view to expand into further application types within the 'other*' category (those not classified as Major or Minor) which represent 69% of all planning applications. *"Other applications" are: advertisements, change of use, householder developments, listed building consents and relevant demolition in a conservation area. Also available at "View PS2 data" and the drop down "Other" available at: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMDQ1MmRlMjEtMThlMy00MWIxLThmNTEtMzU4M2I5ODNmYTJlIiwidCI6ImJmMzQ2ODEwLTljN2QtNDNkZS1hODcyLTI0YTJlZjM5OTVhOCJ9 The objective is to dramatically reduce planning application processing times initially targeting a reduction from upwards of 8 weeks to circa 4 weeks, with a long-term vision of near-instant decisions for straightforward applications. All reduction targets do not include elements that solutions cannot be expected to affect i.e. statutory 21-day consultation periods, site visits, neighbour notifications, external consultee responses, and committee scheduling. Proposals will need to demonstrate understanding of the relevant parts of the planning process including administrative processes (e.g. policy research, citation generation, report generation) as well as analytical processes (e.g. material considerations identification, policy compliance assessment, planning balance evaluation, decision reasoning). Solutions should be designed to assist planning officers with the above processes and provide reasoned, verifiable recommendations for decisions. Solutions must be integrated with existing planning systems. As part of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage, bidders will be required to participate in a two-week demo build (unpaid) to each develop a working prototype which will be evaluated at "Demo Day". This will take the form of a presentation of the prototype, and this will be evaluated in accordance with the process and award criteria set out in the ITT. During the contract, the service recipients (i.e. those that will use the solution) may include: DSIT MHCLG Local Planning Authorities (317 LPAs) Planning Inspectorate Devolved Administrations Combined Authorities (mayoral authorities with planning powers) National Parks Authorities (separate planning authorities) Broads Authority (special planning authority)

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Beta Phase & Scale Phase activation is at the Authority's sole discretion, depending on success of minimum viable product. Support & Grow Phase at Authority's sole discretion, dependent on the success of Beta Phase Extension to Support, Maintenance & Grow Phase at Authority's sole discretion No automatic renewal provisions

Renewal: Alpha Phase (Pilot) Duration: Estimated 3 months from contract signature Beta & Scale Phase Duration (if activated): Estimated 12 months following successful Alpha Phase completion Support & Grow Phase Duration: Estimated 12 months following Beta & Scale Phase Optional Extension: Estimated 12 months following initial Support & Grow Phase Total Potential Duration: Up to 39 months (including all phases)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f732
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086054-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,333,333 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£8,333,333 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Dec 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
22 Jan 2026 - 22 May 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
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 2EG
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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