Planning

AI Technology Solutions for Public Realm Challenges

CONNECTED PLACES CATAPULT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Jan 2026 at 16:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The contract titled "AI Technology Solutions for Public Realm Challenges" is in the planning stage, initiated by Connected Places Catapult, a public undertaking based in London, UK. The industry category includes services such as video-surveillance, traffic-control equipment, and IT services, among others. A preliminary market engagement is scheduled, with interested parties invited to express their interest by 20 February 2026. This engagement session aims to assess the market readiness for AI applications in local governance and public services. The procurement process is open to potential suppliers, and a Market Engagement Workshop will follow after 23 February 2026 to further discuss the scope of proposed trials and market availability.

This tender offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in AI, IT services, and environmental monitoring solutions. It is particularly suited for SMEs capable of providing innovative solutions to public realm challenges, including improving council services and addressing social issues through technology. The procurement is expected to be structured into multiple lots or tenders, depending on market findings, offering diverse opportunities for businesses to tailor their solutions to council needs. Suppliers can benefit from collaboration with councils to enhance service delivery and achieve efficient, cost-effective outcomes, making it a promising opportunity for growth and development in the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

AI Technology Solutions for Public Realm Challenges

Notice Description

Connected Places Catapult (CPC) is a UK innovation accelerator for cities/transport, helping public bodies use innovation for better living/working/travel, and its initiative, the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), provides practical support, expert guidance and shared learning to overcome procurement barriers and bring innovation into the public sector. Councils are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public services through innovative solutions. This work supports broader council objectives to enhance service delivery and address anti-social behaviour, while maximising value for residents. This notification seeks to explore the potential impact of AI in the public realm for local authorities. The aim is to assess market maturity, identify available solutions, and develop a procurement strategy for trials and recommendations to councils. Purpose of Engagement IPEC are leading this pre-market engagement exercise to explore the range of solutions currently available in the market to help shape the scope and inform the design of a future procurements for Councils. This market engagement is a strategic initiative that brings together a number of authorities, aligns requirements, and optimises resources for tendering. It also facilitates knowledge sharing across councils, ensuring a more coordinated and impactful approach. We are particularly interested in technologies and approaches that could address one or more of the identified challenges within the public realm. Depending on the nature, maturity, and potential impact of the solutions identified, this may lead to a procurement structured into one or more lots or delivered through multiple tenders. The final approach will be shaped by market readiness and a balanced assessment of cost versus impact. While the Councils will consider a range of benefits and outcomes (such as environmental improvements and social value), the current economic climate necessitates that all new spending and existing programs are heavily scrutinised for cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Please note: This is an initial market engagement and discovery exercise. As engagement progresses and additional authorities choose to participate, updates will be communicated through future notifications. The estimated value is highly speculative and may increase to include pilot activities, testing, and potential scaling. The final value will be determined following pre-market engagement and through further collaboration with participating authorities.

Planning Information

How to Participate: Interested suppliers are invited to: -Express interest by sending your name, organisation details, and key contact information to: ipec@cp.catapult.org.uk -Complete a short questionnaire, which will be issued following your expression of interest -Attend upcoming engagement sessions, for which further details will be shared in due course Market Engagement Workshop A Market Engagement Workshop will be scheduled after 23 February 2026. This session will provide an opportunity to discuss: - Current market readiness - Market availability - Proposed trial design - Any emerging considerations from suppliers Further details, including the confirmed date, agenda, and participation instructions, will be shared in due course. Further information can be found on the Cimple platform by clicking on this link: https://cimple.uk/detail/501347

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060937
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004518-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

48 - Software package and information systems

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

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

32323500 - Video-surveillance system

34923000 - Road traffic-control equipment

34970000 - Traffic-monitoring equipment

35120000 - Surveillance and security systems and devices

48000000 - Software package and information systems

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

90511000 - Refuse collection services

90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jan 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Feb 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Sep 2026 - 4 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CONNECTED PLACES CATAPULT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@cp.catapult.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
EC1R 0BE
Post Town
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI43 Haringey and Islington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Islington
Electoral Ward
Clerkenwell
Westminster Constituency
Islington South and Finsbury

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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