--- title: "GEA Pathfinder" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DSIT" published: "2025-10-24" --- # GEA Pathfinder Buyer: DSIT Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336.json) ## Summary The "GEA Pathfinder" procurement process is managed by the Public Sector AI Directorate within the Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT). This project focuses on the IT services industry, specifically targeting consulting, software development, internet, and support. The procurement status is currently in the planning stage, with a market engagement end date set for 13 November 2025. The initiative is expected to cover regions including the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, Isle of Man, the Rest of the World, and within the UK. This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses to engage with the government in transforming public sector operations through AI-based solutions. It encourages participation from a diverse range of suppliers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). Companies specializing in budgeting and workforce forecasting solutions are particularly well-suited to offer innovative, AI-driven solutions that address operational efficiencies in various government departments. The DSIT aims to compile a catalogue of tested products, providing businesses the opportunity to influence the future landscape of UK public sector efficiencies. ## Notice Background and Objectives of the Pathfinder Project: The Public Sector AI (PSAI) Directorate within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) exists to help the government make brilliant public services that empower people in the UK. We work at the very centre of government to drive digital transformation focused on user needs and to reimagine how government uses AI to deliver public services and initiatives. The newly established Government Efficiency Accelerator (GEA) programme is a flagship initiative aimed at driving operational efficiencies across some of the government's key enabling functions (Finance, Policy, HR) through the safe and responsible adoption of AI. The GEA is working in collaboration with the GCF Commercial Innovation Hub (CIH) to better understand the availability of AI based solutions that can be used by teams across government departments to drive efficiency and increase productivity. The goal of this Pathfinder Project is to engage with the market to understand current capabilities, initially focusing on three core business areas: Finance, HR and policy (more details on a specific problem area below). Applicants should note that this engagement is not intended to lead to the procurement of a particular solution for DSIT or any other UK Government Department. Rather, we are looking to build a catalogue of tested and "kitemarked" products that will be made available to public sector organisations to consider procuring them in the knowledge that they have been tested and will meet requirements such as security, usability, transparency etc. We are interested in hearing from all types of suppliers and would particularly encourage SMEs and VCSEs to submit proposals. Challenge Summary: As noted above, the GEA and CIH are engaging with the market to build a deeper understanding of how AI based solutions and products can help make government departments more efficient and productive. We appreciate there are a multitude of potential use cases so for this initial engagement we have chosen to focus on problems relating to budgeting and workforce forecasting. We are inviting suppliers to submit proposals outlining how their products could be used by finance teams across UK government departments in a safe, transparent and unbiased way. We are keen to explore solutions which can reduce the level of repetitive tasks required specifically when budgeting and conducting workforce forecasting. Submissions should demonstrate how the solution can streamline tasks, improve accuracy, and shorten time spent on repetitive work in order to free colleagues up to complete higher-value work. There is no fixed scope, as we aim for platform-agnostic, AI driven and innovative tools that adapt to various organisational needs. Solution should be accessible to organisations of all sizes and is not dependent on any specific ERP platform. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/31001724-4311-4400-9bdd-5710d407e793 | | 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 | 24 Oct 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 13 Nov 2025 | | 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 | DSIT | | Locality | SALFORD | | Post town | Manchester | | Postcode | M3 5BS | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD34 Greater Manchester South West | | Local authority | Salford | | Electoral ward | Blackfriars & Trinity | | Westminster constituency | Salford | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ## Release History - 24 Oct 2025 at 10:27 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/31001724-4311-4400-9bdd-5710d407e793 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/31001724-4311-4400-9bdd-5710d407e793 24th October 2025 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/7c0c30d7-7020-477b-8053-ee9be978e832 n/a - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/2f073d24-d256-4105-a0b5-21cc2ab10296 n/a ## 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-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4c442061-1bee-4a5f-ad63-6cda11522336.json.