---
title: "AI Roadmap"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-8f4543cf-ca5f-4822-91a7-aadb792d1771"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-8f4543cf-ca5f-4822-91a7-aadb792d1771"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-8f4543cf-ca5f-4822-91a7-aadb792d1771.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-8f4543cf-ca5f-4822-91a7-aadb792d1771.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE)"
published: "2024-02-26"
---

# AI Roadmap

Buyer: OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-8f4543cf-ca5f-4822-91a7-aadb792d1771

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## Summary

The Open University has awarded a contract for their "AI Roadmap" project. The contract falls under the IT services category, with a total value of £999,999.60. The procurement method used was selective, involving call-off from a framework agreement. The contract period is from February 26, 2024, to February 25, 2026. The procurement stage was at the award stage as of February 22, 2024, after a tender period that ended on January 15, 2024. The buying organisation, The Open University, is located in Milton Keynes, England.

This contract presents opportunities for SMEs with expertise in MLOps, AI, ML Models, Data Engineering, BI, Application Development, and Cloud Support. The project aims to develop and deploy various AI-based services using Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. Businesses well-suited to compete in this tender are those with capabilities in MLOps implementation, web application development, and other AI initiatives. The selected supplier for the contract is Innovation Technology and Business Solutions Limited, which aligns with the Open University's preference for the .NET framework for application development.

## Notice

The AI Roadmap is a multi-year programme for the Open University (OU) that will enable the development and deployment of a series of AI based services. These services will be primarily developed using Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. To achieve this, the OU will at times require external support to supplement the skills and capabilities of the existing AI Roadmap team. Support will be required in the next 6 months for MLOps implementation and web application development support, and potentially for other initiatives at some point over the next 2 years. The ML Ops implementation, known as Project 1, will be the realisation of our newly defined MLOps framework. This will see the development and deployment of all new ML models built using this framework, whilst existing ML models will be retrospectively adapted to ensure overall operational efficiencies, increased automation, and a reduction in overall risk to the development and use of AI capabilities. The application development support, known as Project 2, will cover the Student Performance Tracker (SPT) development. This will involve the development of a pilot data application built on MS Azure and aimed at the operational use of AI solutions in supporting student outcomes. As part of the SPT development process, the .NET framework will be used for development of the application's backend. To bring our QME application in line with SPT development, Project 3 will be undertaken to retrospectively change that application's backend to .NET framework as well. .NET is the Buyer's preferred backend development framework for all application development. The OU require a single supplier with the appropriate expertise across MLOps, AI, ML Models, Data Engineering, BI, Application Development and Cloud Support over the next 2 years.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c19a929e-e876-44b8-a846-1851b1cfaeb4 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Feb 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 15 Jan 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 22 Feb 2024 |
| Contract period | 26 Feb 2024 - 25 Feb 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £999,999 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £999,999 |
| 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 | OPEN UNIVERSITY(THE) |
| Locality | MILTON KEYNES |
| Post town | Milton Keynes |
| Postcode | MK7 6AA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ12 Milton Keynes |
| Local authority | Milton Keynes |
| Electoral ward | Monkston |
| Westminster constituency | Milton Keynes Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

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

## Release History

- 26 Feb 2024 at 12:15 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c19a929e-e876-44b8-a846-1851b1cfaeb4

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c19a929e-e876-44b8-a846-1851b1cfaeb4
  26th February 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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