Institutional Readiness Assessment and AI Strategy Scoping

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Institutional Readiness Assessment and AI Strategy Scoping

Notice Description

York St John University (YSJ) is preparing to procure specialist support to deliver a Governance and Institutional Readiness Assessment and AI Strategy. Generative AI is already widely embedded across institutional activity, including teaching, learning, research and professional services, with evidence indicating the use of a significant number of tools across the University and a largely decentralised approach to adoption. In response, the University is seeking to move from fragmented, unmanaged adoption towards a coherent, governed and strategically aligned approach to AI, enabling safe, effective and purposeful use at scale. This pre-market engagement exercise is intended to inform the development of the full procurement and ensure that the Invitation to Tender (ITT) reflects current best practice, innovation and market capability. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-York:-Systems-and-technical-consultancy-services./26QBGUNP78 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://neupc.delta-esourcing.com/respond/26QBGUNP78

Planning Information

Governance and Institutional Readiness Assessment and AI Strategy The University’s objective is to establish a clear institutional AI strategy and governance model that enables a coordinated, controlled and adaptable approach to AI. This includes strengthening the University’s ability to: •Shape how AI is used across academic and professional services •Manage associated risks, including legal, ethical and operational considerations •Monitor and assess AI usage across the institution •Enable consistent, safe and effective adoption at scale The University is seeking market insight to inform how this requirement can best be delivered, including approaches, methodologies and innovations that are aligned to the Higher Education sector. Indicative scope of requirement While requirements continue to be refined, the University anticipates that the appointed partner will support: •AI Readiness and Maturity Assessment Evaluation of current AI adoption, governance effectiveness, and institutional risk exposure •Assessment of Existing Systems and AI Capability Review of enterprise platforms (e.g. M365, VLE, CRM) and embedded AI capabilities Identification of value, gaps and unmanaged risk •AI Strategy Development (Primary Output) A clear, practical and implementable institutional AI strategy Defined principles covering teaching, research and professional services •Governance and Operating Model (Primary Output) Design of a governance structure enabling effective oversight, control and decision-making •Platform, Access and Tooling Model Approach for providing safe, consistent access to approved AI tools Reduction in reliance on unapproved or high-risk tools •Policy, Guidance and Acceptable Use Framework Development of a clear and usable framework aligned to institutional governance and controls •User Experience and Adoption Ensuring tools and guidance are accessible, practical and embedded in workflows •Indicative Roadmap and Decision Framework A high-level, flexible implementation pathway supported by structured decision-making •Risk, Control and Benchmarking Proportionate control framework and benchmarking against sector leaders Purpose of this engagement This pre-market engagement exercise is designed to: •Test the University’s current assumptions about delivery approach and scope •Understand what represents standard practice in AI strategy and governance engagements •Identify innovative approaches, tools and methodologies emerging in the market •Explore delivery models appropriate to the UK Higher Education context •Ensure the eventual ITT reflects practical, implementable and market-aligned requirements Insights gathered will directly inform the final specification and procurement approach. Engagement activities During the engagement period, the University may: •Invite suppliers to submit written responses or position statements •Hold market engagement sessions or one-to-one discussions •Request demonstrations of relevant methodologies, frameworks or tools Participation is entirely voluntary and will not influence any future procurement evaluation. How to participate Suppliers interested in contributing to this engagement are be invited to register their interest by emailing an initial proposal to procurement@yorksj.ac.uk. Further details regarding timelines and engagement activities will be shared with participants. Important notice This notice is issued solely for the purpose of pre-market engagement. It: •Does not constitute a call for competition •Does not form part of any procurement process •Does not commit the University to undertake any future procurement The intention is to ensure that any future procurement is well-informed, proportionate and aligned to market capability.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06b4ba
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056058-2026
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: Not specified
Awardee Scale: Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

72220000 - Systems and technical consultancy services

72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value: £60,000 Under £100K
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: Not specified
Contracts Value: Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 15 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: 3 Jul 20262 weeks to go
Award Date: Not specified
Contract Period: 31 Aug 2026 - 30 Nov 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY
Contact Name: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality: YORK
Postcode: YO31 7EX
Post Town: York
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3): TLE21 York
Delivery Location: TLE21 York
Local Authority: York
Electoral Ward: Guildhall
Westminster Constituency: York Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056058-2026
15th June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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