Award

Centre for AI Measurement

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

12 Feb 2026 at 10:19

Award

07 Jan 2026 at 11:10

Award

07 Jan 2026 at 10:39

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology has completed the procurement process for establishing a new Centre for AI Measurement, awarding the contract to NPL Management Limited. This initiative falls under the industry category of research and development services and related consultancy services. The contract, valued at £10.5 million, was signed on 21 January 2026, and covers the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030. Located in London, this project aims to revolutionise AI assurance by focusing on testing, evaluation, and performance measures for highly capable AI systems. The procurement was executed through a direct award, justified by the absence of technical competition and alternatives.

This contract presents significant opportunities for large organisations involved in AI research and assurance, fostering growth through collaborative research and development projects. NPL Management Limited, known for its expertise in scientific measurement, is set to drive innovation in AI testing tools and evaluation practices. Businesses specialising in AI systems and consultancy services would find competing in projects like this beneficial, with prospects for developing, validating, and verifying new AI products and services. The Centre will also play a key role in knowledge sharing within the AI assurance sector, potentially opening doors for further collaborations and strategic partnerships in the burgeoning field of AI technology.

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Notice Title

Centre for AI Measurement

Notice Description

Establishing a new Centre for AI Measurement. The Centre will host a programme of work to: a) Establish a centre of excellence focussed on enabling and accelerating the creation of new testing and evaluation tools for AI systems (the Centre for AI Measurement). b) Create a programme of research and development on good practice, evaluation and performance measures for AI systems, with a focus on highly capable AI systems. c) Support industry in developing, validating and verifying new products and services for AI assurance. d) Coordinate knowledge sharing and communication within the AI assurance sector, those furthering the science of measurement with regard to AI, and international partners.

Procurement Information

Direct award is justified under Procurement Regulations 24, Schedule 5, point 6, due to the absence of competition for technical reasons and the lack of reasonable alternatives.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0600b1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012718-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£10,500,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£10,500,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

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

NPL MANAGEMENT

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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