--- title: "AI Tutoring Tools for Education" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-065408" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065408" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065408.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065408.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2026-02-19" --- # AI Tutoring Tools for Education Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065408 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-065408) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065408.json) ## Summary The Department for Education, based in London, United Kingdom, is currently planning a procurement process focused on the development of AI tutoring tools for education. This initiative aims to gather market insights to refine the government’s approach to adopting curriculum-aligned, AI-powered tutoring tools that support disadvantaged pupils while maintaining robust safeguarding measures. The procurement stage is in planning, with a pre-market engagement session scheduled for 18th February 2026. Suppliers are encouraged to register interest by 17th February 2026 to participate in discussions via Microsoft Teams. The overall contract period is anticipated to start on 15th June 2026 and conclude by 14th May 2028, with possible extensions until May 2029. The procurement falls under the information technology services category with an estimated value of £1.5 million to £1.8 million. This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for entities specialising in information technology services, particularly those capable of developing innovative AI solutions. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are deemed suitable for this procurement, providing an inclusive opportunity to collaborate on creating high-quality educational tools. Companies with expertise in AI development, data integration, and scaling educational technologies will find this tender especially relevant. Engaging in the pre-market activities and providing comprehensive responses to the Request for Information could establish competitive standing and inform future commercial strategies beneficial for both the Department and the participating businesses. ## Notice Purpose of the Engagement The Department is engaging with the market to gather insight that will help shape thinking around the development of safe, curriculum-aligned AI tutoring tools. This work follows the government's commitment to explore how AI-powered tutoring tools, co-designed with teachers and aligned to the National Curriculum could support disadvantaged pupils and complement high-quality teaching. ### Planning Information Aims of the Pre‑Market Engagement 1. Present the Policy Context and Emerging Vision We will outline the government’s intent to support the development of safe, trusted AI tutoring tools that enhance learning while maintaining strong safeguards and preserving the central role of teachers. 2. Gather Insight from the Market The Department is seeking active feedback to improve its understanding of: a. Key Development Challenges Obstacles suppliers face in creating safe, effective, curriculum‑aligned tools, particularly those designed to support disadvantaged pupils. b. Opportunities for Collaboration -How government and industry can work together on shared challenges, including: -Safety and safeguarding expectations -Evidence generation and evaluation -Data integration and interoperability with school systems -Approaches to scaling solutions nationally These areas relate to the government’s ambition for tools to be co‑developed with teachers, robustly tested, and aligned with the National Curriculum ahead of any potential wider use. 3. Inform Future Commercial Thinking Feedback from suppliers, including responses to a forthcoming Request for Information, will help the Department consider potential future commercial options. This may include defining scope, delivery models, and possible commercial approaches that would support the safe and equitable adoption of AI tutoring tools. The pre-market engagement will be carried out via the Microsoft Teams on 18/02/2026 between 14:00 and 15:55 (full time may not be needed, but please be there from the start). Interested suppliers should register their interest and by completing the following Microsoft Form. Please submit the form by 17/02/2026 at 17:00 to guarantee an invite to the event: https://forms.office.com/e/3qeamCCH59 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015370-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 11 Mar 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 14 Jun 2026 - 14 May 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,500,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | 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 - 72222300 - Information technology services ## Release History - 19 Feb 2026 at 15:41 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015370-2026 - 18 Feb 2026 at 17:21 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014992-2026 - 13 Feb 2026 at 14:11 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013464-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015370-2026 19th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014992-2026 18th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013464-2026 13th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://forms.office.com/e/3qeamCCH59 - https://forms.office.com/e/qp3vxEkcz5 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-h6vhtk-065408. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-065408.json.