Planning

SOL30245 AI Delivery Partner - Phase 1 Discovery 2026

SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

16 Feb 2026 at 10:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Feb 2026 at 10:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is initiating a procurement process titled "SOL30245 AI Delivery Partner – Phase 1 Discovery 2026," aiming to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for enhancing service delivery in key areas. This opportunity falls under the information technology services industry category and is based in Solihull, United Kingdom. Currently in the planning stage, it involves pre-market engagement (PME) to refine the procurement's requirements. Interested parties must complete the PME questionnaire by 25th February 2026. The tender is planned for services valued at £300,000, with the contract commencing on 1st May 2026 and ending on 31st December 2026.

This tender offers ample opportunities for businesses specialising in AI technologies and information systems to partner with a sub-central government authority. The focus on AI-enabled efficiencies presents promising growth potential for companies adept at delivering strategic technology reviews and developing innovative solutions. With suitability for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), businesses offering cutting-edge approaches in AI can compete vigorously, reducing cost pressures for a public authority. Engaging in this procurement could position businesses as pivotal contributors to government service digital transformations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SOL30245 AI Delivery Partner - Phase 1 Discovery 2026

Notice Description

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) require a partner to support the Council in understanding where Artificial Intelligence (AI) can deliver practical and measurable improvements across key service areas. To achieve this, SMBC are seeking a provider who can deliver a structured approach to identify processes that are suitable for AI enabled efficiencies, with the intention of reducing cost pressures and improving service delivery by focusing on the areas with the greatest potential impact, enabled efficiencies, with the intention of reducing cost pressures and improving service delivery by focusing on the areas with the greatest potential impact.

Planning Information

This is a pre-market engagement (PME) exercise. SMBC are undertaking this pre-market engagement (PME) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current capabilities, innovations, delivery approaches and best practices available within the supplier community. This early dialogue will help us refine our requirements, validate our assumptions, and ensure that any future procurement is shaped by an informed view of what the market can deliver. The PME questionnaire submission deadline is COP on 25th February 2026 via SMBC Sourcing to Contract platform Atamis https://solihull.my.site.com/s/

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06549c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013737-2026
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

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

CPV Codes

72222100 - Information systems or technology strategic review services

72222300 - Information technology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Feb 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 6-12 months
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
SOLIHULL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procteam@solihull.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SOLIHULL
Postcode
B91 3QB
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG32 Solihull
Delivery Location
TLG32 Solihull
Local Authority
Solihull
Electoral Ward
St Alphege
Westminster Constituency
Solihull West and Shirley

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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