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AI Growth Zone Programme Delivery for Ecosystem Profile and Coordination

North East Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

21 Oct 2026 at 10:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

21 Oct 2026 at 10:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North East Combined Authority intends to procure services to strengthen the profile and coordination of the North East’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. The work is one of three planned work packages supporting the wider AI Growth Zone programme. This package is focused on making regional AI assets, businesses, institutions and partners more visible and better coordinated, developing a clearer regional identity, and creating an accessible digital presence. The programme aims to establish the North East as a hub for AI capability and innovation, and to help ensure AI opportunities benefit businesses, communities and the regional economy. The services are intended for delivery in the North East of England.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the buyer has set out its intention to procure, but has not yet invited tenders. The buyer expects the contract to run from 16 November 2026 to 15 November 2030. Its stated total estimated value is £5 million. The procurement is planned as a single lot, with the buyer indicating that small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises are suitable. A supplier and stakeholder questionnaire and an engagement event are planned to gather market insight and help refine the approach before formal procurement. The engagement event is scheduled for 29 October 2026. No evaluation basis or procurement method is set out at this planning stage.

This work is likely to suit organisations able to combine ecosystem development, coordination and communications expertise. Relevant strengths include understanding regional AI businesses, institutions and other partners; bringing stakeholders together; improving the visibility and identity of a regional innovation ecosystem; and creating an accessible digital presence. The buyer is looking for market insight to shape its approach, so suppliers with knowledge of the North East’s AI landscape and a practical understanding of how to connect ecosystem assets may be well placed to contribute. The wider programme also covers AI adoption in growth sectors and support for high-potential digital and AI companies, offering context for suppliers whose experience spans these areas. Organisations of different sizes and specialisms are welcomed to engage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

AI Growth Zone Programme Delivery for Ecosystem Profile and Coordination

Notice Description

The North East AI Growth Zone brings together the region's AI-related assets, businesses, institutions and partners with an ambition to establish the North East as a hub for AI capability and innovation. The programme is moving into its delivery phase, with a focus on ensuring the opportunities created by AI translate into benefits for businesses, communities and the wider regional economy. As part of this next phase, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority will be bringing forward a number of procurement opportunities to support delivery of the programme. This webinar will provide prospective suppliers with an early overview of three forthcoming work packages: AI Adoption in Key Growth Sectors - supporting businesses in key sectors of the North East economy to move from early experimentation towards the operational adoption of AI technologies. Support for High-Potential Digital and AI Companies - supporting high-potential digital, AI-native and AI-enabled businesses to commercialise, grow and scale in the North East. Ecosystem Profile and Coordination - strengthening the visibility and coordination of the North East AI ecosystem, including the development of a clearer regional identity and accessible digital presence. We will also introduce a supplier + stakeholder questionnaire designed to gather market insight and help inform and refine our approach ahead of the formal procurement process. The session is aimed at organisations with relevant expertise and an interest in the forthcoming opportunities. We welcome engagement from organisations of different sizes and specialisms.

Planning Information

Please see below link to register for the Engagement Event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ne-ai-growth-zone-market-engagement-event-tickets-2003609683499

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078c80
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099331-2026
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, VCSE
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

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Nov 2026 - 15 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
North East Combined Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE4 5BZ
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham, TLC2 Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Arthur's Hill
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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