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What works in AI Adoption within DCMS Sectors

DEPARTMENT FOR DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA & SPORT

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Tender

24 Sep 2026 at 17:17

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

14 Sep 2026 at 10:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

27 Jul 2026 at 17:20

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

27 Jul 2026 at 16:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Culture, Media & Sport is commissioning research into what works in adopting artificial intelligence across its sectors. The work will examine how businesses adopt AI, the challenges they encounter, and the opportunities and benefits they realise. It will also test which policy interventions best support businesses seeking to adopt AI. The research is intended to produce direct, robust evidence of effectiveness rather than relying on businesses’ self-reported views. The anticipated approach includes observing how individuals and teams use AI tools at work and testing hypothetical interventions through randomised controlled trials; bidders may propose alternative methods that better answer the research questions. This is research and development and related consultancy work, delivered in the United Kingdom.

The buyer invited offers through a two-stage competitive procedure. Stage 1 uses a Procurement Specific Questionnaire to assess pass/fail conditions and score case studies; the five highest-scoring candidates are invited to Stage 2 to submit technical proposals and prices. The enquiry deadline was 14 October 2026 at 17:00, and the deadline for expressions of interest was 23 October 2026 at 17:00. The planned contract period runs from 12 February 2027 to 11 February 2030, with award expected by 8 February 2027. The estimated value is £1.5 million, with a gross estimate of £1.8 million. Stage 1 case studies are scored for research aims and scope (10%), methods (40%), practical impact (30%) and delivery and stakeholder management (20%). Stage 2 weighting is 70% quality, 10% social value and 20% price.

This opportunity suits research organisations and consultancies able to design and deliver rigorous studies of business adoption and public policy. Suppliers should be able to gather direct evidence of how teams use AI in their work and assess the effects of policy interventions, potentially using ethnographic research and randomised controlled trials or well-justified alternatives. Shortlisting requires two case studies from the previous five years demonstrating relevant experience at comparable size, scale and complexity. Case studies may come from commercial or public contracts, or from grant-funded or academic work. Bidders must also demonstrate financial capacity, normally through two years of verified financial statements and annual turnover of at least £400,000; newly formed entities and consortia may provide specified alternative evidence. Required insurance levels and the pass/fail participation conditions also apply. The competition is suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

What works in AI Adoption within DCMS Sectors

Notice Description

Full information is provided within the specification. DCMS are seeking to commission "what works" research into the impact and effectiveness of AI adoption interventions within DCMS sectors. We are interested in two broad sets of questions. The first is analysis of how businesses within DCMS sectors that are in the process of adopting AI achieve this, the challenges they face and the opportunities and benefits realised. We anticipate this will be explored through an ethnographic study that observes how individuals and teams actually use AI tools in their jobs. The second set of questions is what policy interventions work best to support businesses that wish to adopt AI, which we anticipate will be answered by testing hypothetical interventions through randomised control trials (RCTs). Bidders will be able to propose alternative methodologies if they think they suit these questions better; the core need for this project is to produce direct, robust evidence of what works, as opposed to what is self-reported (e.g. through interviews, focus groups, surveys, and similar) to work.

Planning Information

The webinar has now concluded. To view the presentation and associated Q&A, please visit the links below. Presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZLYwrdvYoMXU8s9tjz79ajrHcpmFn4Q7/view?usp=drive_link Q&A https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wXijWILOUTIGtrUtTy0JxmXWsqNueRC8/view?usp=sharing

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d489
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090755-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
21 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
12 Feb 2027 - 11 Feb 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR DIGITAL, CULTURE, MEDIA & SPORT
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 2BQ
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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