--- title: "Early Engagement Event - DfE Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Catalyst Fund" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2024-09-04" --- # Early Engagement Event - DfE Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Catalyst Fund Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406.json) ## Summary The Department for Education (DfE) is planning a procurement process titled "Early Engagement Event - DfE Artificial Intelligence (AI) Education Catalyst Fund," classified under educational software development services (CPV 72212190). The process is currently in the planning stage, with an early engagement event scheduled virtually on 9th September 2024, from 12:00 to 13:00 (BST). The objective of this competition is to develop generative AI tools for formative assessment to support high-quality education. The location is not restricted, covering the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, Isle of Man, Rest of the World, and the United Kingdom. Key milestones include the engagement end date of 9th September 2024, and the competition opens for applications on the same day, closing at 11:00 am on 9th October 2024. This procurement provides significant business growth opportunities, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). The initiative seeks innovative solutions to enhance educational outcomes, which translates to a steady demand for educational software. Businesses focusing on AI, educational technology, and software development aligned with educational standards such as the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) would be well-suited to compete. Contracts range from £50,000 to £200,000, inclusive of VAT, for each project over up to five months, totalling up to £994,000 for all contracts, providing substantial financial incentives for successful bidders. ## Notice This is a Contracts for Innovation competition funded by The Department for Education (DfE). There will be a market engagement event held virtually (on zoom) on 9th September 2024, from 12:00 midday until 13:00pm (approx. one hour). You will be able to register to attend this event through the Innovate UK website. On the Innovate UK page, select Dates and you will find a link to join the briefing event. https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2024/overview/736647cd-6147-4a68-884e-69280ba649fa The event will be an opportunity to hear more about this competition and ask questions before submitting your application. You can find more information on the Contracts for Innovation website: https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/guidance-for-applicants/general-guidance The competition will be ran using the UKRI platform and not Jaggaer. Competition information: The aim of this competition is to develop tools which use generative AI to support teachers with assessing progress and providing feedback, known as formative assessment. These tools must support high quality education through evidence based teaching and learning approaches. These must align with relevant standards such as the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS). Successful applicants will have access to a quality assured library of educational content and code optimised for use with large language models. A total of up to PS994,000, inclusive of VAT, is allocated to this competition. Contracts will be between PS50,000 and PS200,000, inclusive of VAT, for each project for up to 5 months. The competition will open for applications on the 9th September 2024 and then closes at 11:00am on 9th October 2024. These dates may be subject to change. You can find more information and how to apply for the competition on the Contracts for Innovation website. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ddbb2165-256d-441e-86e1-1a723bcfb2ef | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 4 Sep 2024 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 9 Sep 2024 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3BT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72212190 - Educational software development services ## Release History - 4 Sep 2024 at 15:24 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ddbb2165-256d-441e-86e1-1a723bcfb2ef - 4 Sep 2024 at 15:20 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f47967fc-2457-4ff0-b246-149c5efafc29 - 3 Sep 2024 at 16:51 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/acea90c8-ddd6-425d-8325-64bf5f089b0f ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ddbb2165-256d-441e-86e1-1a723bcfb2ef 4th September 2024 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f47967fc-2457-4ff0-b246-149c5efafc29 4th September 2024 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/acea90c8-ddd6-425d-8325-64bf5f089b0f 3rd September 2024 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/2024/overview/736647cd-6147-4a68-884e-69280ba649fa You can find more information and how to apply for the competition on the Contracts for Innovation website. see link. ## Notice URLs - https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/guidance-for-applicants/general-guidance ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-307da59c-bbfe-4476-acf0-bb117fe20406.json.