Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

003918 - Contract for AI Enabled Reaction Software to support the effective delivery of Subject Access Requests (SARs)

Durham County Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

03 Sep 2026 at 13:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council intends to procure an AI-enabled redaction solution for handling Subject Access Requests (SARs). The service will support the redaction of information in response to SARs, with the aim of improving efficiency, consistency, auditability and resilience while reducing manual effort. It should help staff manage complex file types and operate alongside human oversight, quality assurance and governance controls. The requirement covers software and associated information-technology services, including software development, support or consultancy. Delivery is for Durham County Council in Durham. The council expects the market to contain a range of viable solutions and plans to refine the requirement through supplier engagement before developing a detailed specification.

This procurement is at the planning stage: Durham County Council has announced its intention to buy but has not invited tenders. The council plans market engagement to refine requirements, assess supplier capability, develop the specification and confirm costs, governance and implementation arrangements. It expects supplier participation through the Open E-tendering system, using reference OPEN20261929, with engagement scheduled by 18 September 2026. The anticipated contract is for one lot, with a core period from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2028 and a possible extension to 30 November 2029. The estimated value is £100,000 excluding VAT, or £120,000 including VAT. The requirement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This will suit software suppliers with proven artificial-intelligence or machine-learning capability in document redaction, information governance, records management or Subject Access Request workflows. Strong candidates are likely to provide reliable processing across complex file types, consistent identification and removal of sensitive information, clear audit trails and resilient operation. Suppliers should be prepared to explain how their solution works with human review, quality assurance and governance controls rather than replacing professional oversight. Relevant experience of deploying and supporting software in a public-sector, legal, information-rights or regulated environment would help demonstrate capability. The council is still shaping the specification, so suppliers able to discuss implementation, assurance, operational risks and cost models should prepare to contribute to the planned market engagement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

003918 - Contract for AI Enabled Reaction Software to support the effective delivery of Subject Access Requests (SARs)

Notice Description

Procurement of an AI-enabled redaction solution to support Subject Access Request (SAR) handling. The solution is intended to improve the efficiency, consistency, auditability and resilience of the redaction process, reducing manual effort and supporting the management of complex file types. Any implementation would operate alongside appropriate human oversight, quality assurance and governance controls. Market research indicates that a developing supplier market exists, providing the opportunity for a range of viable solutions. The next stage will involve market engagement to refine requirements, assess supplier capability, develop a detailed specification, and confirm costs, governance arrangements and implementation considerations.

Planning Information

Participation for this opportunity is via Open E-tendering system which is free to register as a supplier via www.open-uk.org Reference - OPEN20261929 003918 - AI Enabled Redaction Software to Support the Effective Delivery of Subject Access Requests (SARs)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f146
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083466-2026
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

48 - Software package and information systems

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

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2028 2-3 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
Durham County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate & Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

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...