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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

07 Jul 2026 at 09:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

03 Jul 2026 at 11:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

03 Jul 2026 at 11:10

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO), a central government public authority based in Newport, UK, has announced the planning stage of a potential procurement for an AI-assisted patent search solution. The engagement aims to explore the market's capabilities in supporting patent examiners to efficiently identify potentially relevant prior art documents using advanced search techniques. A preliminary market engagement has been scheduled, inviting supplier feedback on technologies, service models, and security approaches, with an emphasis on the protection of confidential data. Interested parties must submit their responses before 24th July 2026, as this is an initial information-gathering exercise, not a formal procurement process.

This procurement presents significant business growth opportunities for firms specialising in AI, semantic search technologies, or patent consultancy services. Companies offering innovations in AI-enabled data protection are particularly well-suited to compete. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, especially those experienced in developing application software or consultancy services related to patent examination. This engagement is an excellent platform for businesses to showcase their capabilities and potentially influence the future procurement strategies of the IPO.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

AI Patent Search Tool

Notice Description

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to a potential future procurement for an AI-assisted patent search solution. The IPO is seeking to understand the capabilities available within the market to support patent examiners in identifying potentially relevant prior art documents from publicly available patent and technical information sources. The requirement is intended to explore solutions capable of using semantic, conceptual, AI-assisted or other advanced search techniques to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of patent searching, whilst maintaining examiner oversight and decision-making. The engagement will seek supplier feedback on available technologies, service models, security approaches, commercial models, routes to market and procurement considerations. Particular emphasis will be placed on the handling of confidential patent application information and the protection of customer data within AI-enabled solutions. This engagement is for information-gathering purposes only and does not form part of any formal procurement process. Any future procurement opportunity will be advertised separately. Please respond here - https://atamis-2198.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=projects&uid=a07Sq00001RiA0iIAF&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=.

Planning Information

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to a potential future procurement for an AI-assisted patent search solution. The IPO is seeking to understand the capabilities available within the market to support patent examiners in identifying potentially relevant prior art documents from publicly available patent and technical information sources. The requirement is intended to explore solutions capable of using semantic, conceptual, AI-assisted or other advanced search techniques to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of patent searching, whilst maintaining examiner oversight and decision-making. The engagement will seek supplier feedback on available technologies, service models, security approaches, commercial models, routes to market and procurement considerations. Particular emphasis will be placed on the handling of confidential patent application information and the protection of customer data within AI-enabled solutions. This engagement is for information-gathering purposes only and does not form part of any formal procurement process. Any future procurement opportunity will be advertised separately. Please respond here - https://atamis-2198.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=projects&uid=a07Sq00001RiA0iIAF&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c352
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063478-2026
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

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

CPV Codes

72212000 - Programming services of application software

79120000 - Patent and copyright consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Jul 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 2 Nov 2030 4-5 years
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
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWPORT
Postcode
NP10 8QQ
Post Town
Newport
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL54 Monmouthshire and Newport
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newport
Electoral Ward
Tredegar Park and Marshfield
Westminster Constituency
Newport West and Islwyn

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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