Award

Award of AI adoption training

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF WALES

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

20 Apr 2026 at 12:55

Award

13 Apr 2026 at 16:39

Award

03 Apr 2026 at 11:34

Award

19 Mar 2026 at 14:07

Summary of the contracting process

The Development Bank of Wales has awarded a contract titled "AI Adoption Training" to VisVira for the provision of AI adoption and Generative AI consultancy services. This initiative aims to make the organisation AI-ready by embedding artificial intelligence into daily operations, enhancing productivity, and driving innovation. Scheduled from 7 April 2026 to 31 October 2026, it encompasses building foundational AI skills across all colleagues, ensuring the effective use of Microsoft Copilot, empowering AI champions within teams, and establishing governance structures for responsible AI use. The contracting process was conducted through a direct award to ensure continuity and leverage VisVira's unique expertise, valued at £150,000. The services will be delivered in Cardiff, United Kingdom, under Welsh devolved regulations.

This contract presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in AI consultancy, particularly those with expertise in AI training, Microsoft Copilot deployment, and organisational AI readiness. Companies capable of delivering secure, highly confidential AI solutions that align with strategic business objectives can benefit from such engagements. The direct award method underscores the essential continuity of service, highlighting the strategic urgency to meet board commitments for FY 26/27. Hence, businesses with a strong record in AI advocacy and proven cost-effectiveness are well-positioned to support similar initiatives, fostering long-term growth alongside technological advancements.

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Notice Title

Award of AI adoption training

Notice Description

After a publication of a UK 5 and a UK 6 notice DBW has entered into a contract for AI adoption. DBW needs consultancy support to deliver on DBW's programme of work to make the organisation AI ready, embedding artificial intelligence into daily operations, enhancing productivity and driving innovation. We would like the programme aims to:* Build foundational AI skills across all colleagues, ensuring everyone gains an understanding of Generative AI and can use Microsoft Copilot safely and effectively. We will make Copilot licenses available to all colleagues post-introductory training on an opt-in basis* Empower AI Champions to lead adoption and change within their teams. Unauthorised disclosure could be expected to cause major damage to the organisation or its reputation Assist us in developing a longer term AI adoption strategy and roadmap to present to the Board in April 2025 and establish robust governance, compliance, and support structures for responsible AI use. For FY 26/27 the DBW AI adoption strategy aims to make the organisation AI ready, embedding artificial intelligence into daily operations, enhancing productivity and driving innovation. As part of our AI adoption programme we want to:* Build foundational AI skills across all colleagues, ensuring everyone gains an understanding of AI and can use Microsoft Copilot safely and effectively. We will make Copilot licenses available to all users across the organisation on an opt-in basis* Empower AI Champions to lead adoption and change within their teams* Establish robust governance, compliance, and support structures for responsible AI use.

Procurement Information

To successfully realise these outcomes, DBW requires specialist consultancy support to build organisational capability, provide structured AI adoption training, develop long-term governance arrangements, and create a Board-ready AI strategy and roadmap for delivery from FY 26/27 onwards. Due to the specialist nature of the work, the requirement must be delivered by a supplier with deep expertise in Generative AI, Microsoft Copilot deployment, organisational AI readiness, and responsible AI governance, whilst also meeting DBW's need to handle Highly Confidential information securely. change of supplier at this stage would: Disrupt progress Duplicate costs Introduce misalignment in training, governance design, and strategy development Create delays incompatible with DBW's deadline for Board submission in April 2025 Maintaining continuity represents best value and reduces delivery risk. A direct award is justified on the basis of: Essential continuity of delivery Supplier's unique expertise in AI adoption, Microsoft Copilot, and responsible AI Urgency driven by DBW's Board commitments and FY 26/27 strategy Demonstrated value for money Security requirements linked to Highly Confidential data Awarding directly ensures that DBW can deliver a safe, effective, and strategically aligned AI Adoption Programme that embeds responsible, organisation-wide use of AI technologies.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066f07
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035642-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Feb 20263 months ago
Contract Period
6 Apr 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEVELOPMENT BANK OF WALES
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 4BZ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Butetown
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

GENERATIVE AI STRATEGY

VISVIRA

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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