This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

12 Jul 2026 at 12:19

Award

22 Jun 2026 at 08:38

Award

02 Apr 2026 at 15:08

Summary of the contracting process

This procurement process, led by East West Rail Company Limited, involved the direct award of a contract for the provision of an Artificial Intelligence Schedule Risk Analysis Tool to NPLAN LIMITED. The tool, designed to improve reliability in project delivery forecasts and schedule assurance, utilises proprietary machine-learning models and datasets from past infrastructure projects. Located in Milton Keynes, the buyer is a public authority within the central government category. The procurement method was direct, based on technical reasons leading to a single supplier award. The contract, valued at £3,014,851.02 (gross amount: £3,617,821.21) and classified under software-related services, initiated on 6th July 2026, is scheduled to end on 5th July 2027 but may extend until 2037.

This tender presents robust growth opportunities, primarily for technology companies specialising in AI and predictive analytics solutions, especially those with expertise in rail infrastructure. Companies with proprietary datasets applicable to diverse industries, including rail, would find this procurement advantageous. As the criteria focused on technical capability and exclusive intellectual property, businesses equipped with unique, comparable functionality would be well-suited to engage in similar procurement opportunities. Additionally, small and medium enterprises, given the direct award conditions leaning towards specialist suppliers, are likely to find similar tenders attainable.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of Artificial Intelligence Schedule Risk Analysis Tool

Notice Description

Licence of an Artificial Intelligence Schedule Risk Analysis Tool, which uses a proprietary dataset and analysis of previously completed projects to apply learning to current schedules, to better predict the outcome

Procurement Information

This direct award is proposed under Section 41 and Schedule 5, paragraphs (5) and (6) of the Procurement Act 2023 on the basis that the contract may be awarded without competition where, for technical reasons, only a particular supplier is capable of delivering the requirement. EWR Co has determined that the services can only be supplied by Nplan Ltd for the following technical reasons: * A common AI-based schedule risk analysis solution, underpinned by a proprietary and unique relevant dataset, is required across the East West Rail programme to ensure consistency of methodology, outputs and reporting. Nplan's service operates on the basis of a proprietary dataset comprising over 750,000 schedules across various industries but critically including historical Crossrail, Network Rail and HS2 data which is are of particular relevance to EWR given that these examples also pertain to rail construction; and * EWR does not believe any other supplier offers a comparable service with the same functionality based on real GB rail data. There are therefore no reasonable alternatives to the Nplan service offering. For these reasons, EWR Co considers that Nplan Ltd is the only supplier capable of meeting the specific and complex technical requirements of the project while ensuring value for money and continuity of delivery

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067c3d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065391-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

72260000 - Software-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£3,014,851 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£3,014,851 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Apr 20264 months ago
Contract Period
5 Jul 2026 - 5 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
EAST WEST RAIL COMPANY LIMITED
Additional Buyers

EAST WEST RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK9 1EN
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Central Milton Keynes
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NPLAN

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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