---
title: "AI Search Tools and the Future of the World Wide Web"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DSIT"
published: "2026-01-29"
---

# AI Search Tools and the Future of the World Wide Web

Buyer: DSIT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd)  
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## Summary

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has concluded a public procurement process under the FUTURES FRAMEWORK, awarding a contract titled "AI Search Tools and the Future of the World Wide Web" to Firetail Limited. This procurement falls under the category of research and development services and related consultancy services, identified by CPV classification code 73000000. The contract aims to support strategic foresight around science and technology for the Government Office for Science (GOS) by providing insights into the development of AI search tools and their impact on web interactions. The procurement process was executed via a direct award method, with Firetail Limited taking on the project starting from 2nd February 2026 and ending on 31st March 2026. The contract has a value of £19,793 and covers services delivered globally, including the UK and British Overseas Territories.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in AI, digital technologies, and strategic consultancy, particularly those capable of providing evidence-based insights into technology development and its economic implications. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and organisations in the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector are specifically encouraged to engage with such tenders due to the suitability and scale provisions outlined. Businesses with expertise in technology assessments and horizon scanning, especially in emerging AI trends, would find such opportunities lucrative for growth and expansion within the public sector. Firetail Limited, an SME based in London, is a fitting example of the kind of innovative and agile company well-positioned for such awards.

## Notice

***** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded as a direct award under the FUTURES FRAMEWORK REFERENCE NUMBER: PS22410 Brief Description of Requirement Science and technology are central to economic growth and national resilience, but their rapid pace presents risks alongside opportunities. The Government Office for Science (GOS) plays a key role in supporting HMG's strategic foresight around science and technology, through horizon scanning, technology assessments, and foresight projects. To do this effectively, GOS requires evidence-based, expert-backed insight into potential future developments. One signal of interest to GOS is how the development of AI search tools (such as Generative AI and agentic AI) has changed the way that users interact with the World Wide Web and the resulting consequences. There are reports that the incorporation of AI in search tools has resulted in less website traffic, which firms, organisations and publishers rely on, disrupting the current economic model of the Web.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e80ae66-84c7-4bbf-a4a8-df4421c2cc86 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 16 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 2 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £19,793 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DSIT |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FIRETAIL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 29 Jan 2026 at 15:48 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e80ae66-84c7-4bbf-a4a8-df4421c2cc86

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e80ae66-84c7-4bbf-a4a8-df4421c2cc86
  29th January 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6c9629af-d961-47a4-8f56-281dc86b9abd.json.