Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

DSIT Continuation of Security Support Services

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

ContractTermination

19 Oct 2026 at 13:56

UK11 - Contract Termination Notice
ContractAmendment

22 Sep 2026 at 16:09

UK10 - Contract Change Notice
Award

06 Jul 2026 at 16:16

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

22 Jun 2026 at 12:23

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

16 Jun 2026 at 12:55

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) bought specialist security and programme delivery support for ongoing work at the AI Security Institute (AISI). The purpose was to maintain continuity of programme delivery and outputs. The work was business and management consultancy, with security support embedded in delivery. It was supplied by Avella Security Ltd, a London-based provider. The requirement covered continuation of support already in place, rather than a broader security service or a defined package of equipment or works. The procurement was arranged as a short-term bridge while DSIT completed recruitment, and the work was associated with delivery across the United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and was awarded directly to Avella Security Ltd. DSIT relied on technical and operational grounds, stating that the incumbent’s specialist expertise, programme knowledge and familiarity with stakeholders and processes meant another supplier could not reasonably deliver in the required timeframe without material risk, delay and duplicated cost. The award was dated 22 June 2026, for £50,490 excluding VAT (£60,588 including VAT). The contract was signed on 3 July 2026 and initially covered 17 July to 30 September 2026. It was subsequently terminated on 14 October 2026, with the termination classified as contract completed. The contract’s recorded period was amended to run from 19 September to 31 October 2026. There was one lot, considered suitable for SMEs.

For a future requirement of this kind, a credible supplier would need specialist security capability alongside programme delivery experience, and the ability to work within an established government programme. The rationale for this award shows that DSIT valued embedded knowledge of AISI outputs, stakeholders and internal processes, as well as continuity without a lengthy transition. Suppliers seeking comparable work would therefore need to demonstrate that they can take on complex delivery quickly, preserve momentum and manage operational risk. This was a small, short-term bridging requirement, not a large-scale security systems purchase. The stated SME suitability indicates that smaller providers can be relevant, provided they have the niche expertise and capacity to deliver the support required. Avella Security Ltd, an SME, was selected under a direct award on technical and operational grounds.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

DSIT Continuation of Security Support Services

Notice Description

DSIT has awarded a short-term contract to Avella Security Ltd for the continued provision of specialist security and programme delivery support. The requirement relates to ongoing work within the AI Security Institute (AISI) and necessitates immediate continuity of delivery to maintain programme outputs.

Procurement Information

As per UK5 notice: This contract is to be awarded using a direct award under the Procurement Act 2023, on the basis that the services can only reasonably be provided by a single supplier due to technical and operational considerations. The incumbent resource (Avella Security Ltd) holds specialist, niche expertise and embedded knowledge of the programme, including familiarity with delivery outputs, stakeholders, and internal processes. Replacing this resource would require a transition period that would result in duplication of cost, loss of delivery momentum, and material delay to programme outcomes. No reasonable alternative supplier or resource is available that could deliver the requirement within the required timeframe without introducing disproportionate technical and operational risk. On this basis, competition is not considered viable in the immediate term. The requirement is time-critical and unavoidable, as there is a need to maintain continuity of delivery without interruption. A competed procurement would introduce delays that cannot be accommodated within programme timelines and would risk delivery failure. The proposed contract is low value and short-term in nature, and has been deliberately structured as a bridging arrangement to enable DSIT to complete their recrutiment processes. This approach ensures that the use of a direct award is proportionate and controlled. This direct award forms a temporary measure only.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b5e1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098505-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK11 - Contract Termination 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

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

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£50,490 Under £100K
Contracts Value
£50,490 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Jun 20264 months ago
Contract Period
19 Sep 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EG
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AVELLA SECURITY LIMITED

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.

Loading OCDS record...