AI³ Delivery Partners Project

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PZZJ-6312-QTTD",
    "name": "Department for Business \u0026 Trade"
  },
  "date": "2025-10-16T15:32:23+01:00",
  "id": "065996-2025",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0589f1",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "SW1A 2DY",
        "region": "UKI32",
        "streetAddress": "Old Admiralty Building"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "commercialddat@businessandtrade.gov.uk",
        "name": "Commercial DDaT"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "description": "Public authority - central government",
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE"
          }
        ]
      },
      "id": "GB-PPON-PZZJ-6312-QTTD",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PZZJ-6312-QTTD",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "name": "Department for Business \u0026 Trade",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "awardPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-05-19T23:59:59+01:00"
    },
    "description": "The DBT Digital, Data and Technology team leads on development of AI tools and services within the Department for Business and Trade.\nIt does so through an \u2018AI\u00b3\u2019 model, which aims to identify, test, develop and evaluate use cases for applying artificial intelligence within the Department.\nThis model consists of three parts:\n\u2022\tAI Lab: Rapid, time limited exploration and assessment of AI use cases and experiments\n\u2022\tAI Factory: Development and operationalisation of experiments into production ready tools and components\n\u2022\tAI Operations: Maintenance, scaling, and operationalisation of AI solutions\nThe Authority is seeking to procure specialist expertise to support delivery of this model. We require this to take the form of suitably-skilled teams and individuals provided by the Supplier joining relevant AI\u00b3 teams and project teams within the AI Lab, AI Factory or AI Operations. \nSupplier resources will work alongside and under the direction of Civil Servants within the DBT Digital, Data and Technology team within the Department. \nThis may be for both short and long-term projects as agreed via statements of work, and requiring a variety of digital and data skills.\nFor a more detailed description of this requirement, please refer to Appendix B of the ITP.",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
        "id": "conflictOfInterest"
      },
      {
        "accessDetails": "Once this tender notice is published, interested suppliers should go to the Authority\u0027s Portal, Jaggaer (https://uktrade.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html) to register and access the opportunity there, where an Invitation to Participate (ITP) document will be available\nThe stage 2 Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be made available to all suppliers who have passed stage 1 (participation) via Jaggaer. The stage 3 supplementary Invitation to Tender (sITT) will be made available to the five successful suppliers for each lot via Jaggaer.\nAll documents will be issued via Jaggaer, so all suppliers will need to be registered on Jaggaer. Future ITTs will only be sent to successful suppliers with unsuccessful supliers being notified on this fact.",
        "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
        "id": "future"
      },
      {
        "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
        "format": "application/pdf",
        "id": "A-6358",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-6358"
      },
      {
        "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
        "format": "application/pdf",
        "id": "A-6359",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-6359"
      },
      {
        "datePublished": "2025-10-16T15:32:23+01:00",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "065996-2025",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065996-2025"
      }
    ],
    "enquiryPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-10-29T10:00:00+00:00"
    },
    "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2025-11-10T12:00:00+00:00",
    "id": "PR4965",
    "items": [
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Systems and technical consultancy services",
            "id": "72220000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Systems and technical consultancy services",
            "id": "72220000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "id": "2",
        "relatedLot": "2"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Systems and technical consultancy services",
            "id": "72220000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ],
        "id": "3",
        "relatedLot": "3"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Specialist Expertise",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Resourcing Approaches",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Ways of Working",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Capability Building",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "This will be assessed in stage 3. Please refer to Section 6 of Part 9 of the ITP.  This will not be weighted but applied in accordance with the Price per Quality Point  (PQP) formula used in stage 3.",
              "name": "Social Value",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers will be asked to completed a pricing schedule of rates that will calculate a Total Evaluated Cost that will be used as part of the Weighted Value for Money Index (WVfMI) calculation. See the ITP and further information will be provided in the stage 2 ITT.\nNote: this criteria is not weighted in of itself, but used to calculate the WVfMI score at stage 2.",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Total Evaluted Cost",
              "type": "price"
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers will be asked to price a scenario using a set pricing schedule and using their rates from Stage 2. The completed schedule will give a price to be evaluated that will then be used to calculate the Price per Quality Point (PQP) score for Stage 3. See the ITP for further details, and the stage 3 supplementary ITT will contain further details.\nPlease note: this criteria is not weighted in of itself, but used to obtain a price to be evaluated in calculating the PQP score for stage 3.",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Priced Scenario",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "The Authority will refine the award criteria and ratings at publication of each stage. Indicative weighting ranges are given below:\nA: Stage 2 Quality Criteria Total = 100%\nA01: Specialist Expertise = 20-50%\nA02: Resourcing Approaches = 10-40%\nA03: Ways of Working = 10-40%\nA04: Capability Building = 10-40%\nB: Stage 3 Quality Criteria Total = 100%\nB01: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB02: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB03: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB04: Social Value = 10%\nPlease note, the pricing criteria given here for each stage are listed for information - however are not weighted in of themselves, instead they are used to calcualate a Weighted Value for Money Index Score at Stage 2, and then a Price per Quality Point Score at Stage 3."
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2028-05-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-05-30T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "AI Lab: Rapid, time limited exploration and assessment of AI use cases and experiments. \nThe Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) team is implementing the \u2018AI\u00b3\u2019 model to identify, test, develop, and evaluate use cases for artificial intelligence across departmental functions.  \nThis model comprises three development phases:  \n\u2022\tAI Lab: Rapid, time limited exploration and assessment of AI use cases and experiments. \n\u2022\tAI Factory: Development and operationalisation of experiments into production ready tools and components \n\u2022\tAI Operations: Maintenance, scaling, and operationalisation of AI solutions   \nThis lot is focused on the AI Lab phase, which is key to the success of the wider AI\u00b3 model.  \nObjectives: \nThe Supplier   must provide specialist resources to: \n\u2022\tIdentify high value AI use cases through structured engagement with HMG stakeholders   \n\u2022\tAssess the feasibility and potential impact of these use cases \n\u2022\tRapidly prototype and test working experiments, with clear identification of success measures and experiment scope \n\u2022\tEnsure ethical, secure, and compliant use of data throughout the process \n\u2022\tSupport decision making for onward investment and scaling \nScope:  \nThe Supplier, through provision of its specialists to the Buyer, will be expected   to deliver the following   through agreed SOWs that will refine the specific deliverables: \nUse Case Identification: \no\tFacilitate ideation workshops and horizon scanning activities \no\tEngage with the Buyer\u2019s (and potentially wider HMG\u2019s) internal teams   to uncover operational challenges and innovation opportunities \no\tReuse and adapt existing AI solutions from across government and industry  \nTechnical Feasibility Assessment \no\tApply data science and machine learning engineering expertise to evaluate proposed use cases  \no\tRecommend appropriate technical approaches and architectures  \no\tCollaborate with the Buyer\u2019s teams to ensure alignment with existing infrastructure and standards  \nData Ethics and Governance \no\tEnsure all AI use cases comply with ethical standards and data governance policies \no\tAdvise on responsible AI practices, including bias mitigation and transparency \no\tSupport GDPR compliance and data protection assessments \nPrototyping and Experimentation \no\tRapidly develop prototypes using standard design patterns for government services \no\tDesign and execute experiments to validate concepts \no\tDocument outcomes and provide recommendations for further development or discontinuation \nCollaboration and Integration \no\tWork alongside   civil servants and embedded teams \no\tContribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement exercises \nPlease refer to the ITP (Appendix B) for more information on the required skills and roles needed for this lot.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "1",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "Optional extensions to the initial period is 12 months. If the contract is extended, estimated value for maximum extension period is \u00a31,000,000 excluding VAT for each lot. A notice of 3 months must be given as a minimum."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "All suppliers that selected this lot that meet the Participation requirements set out in the PSQ and ITP shall be issued the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Stage 2. The top 5 highest Weighted Value for Money Index scores for each lot from Stage 2 will be taken forward to Stage 3 and issued the Supplementary Invitation to Tender (sITT).",
              "forReduction": true
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers are required to meet the minimum financial standards set out in Question 13 of the PSQ (Appendix F)         in the Invitation to Participate document (ITP). They must self-certify their ability to meet these standards in response to sub-question 13.b or 13.c, and confirm they can provide any information required under sub-question 13.d. The Authority may verify a Supplier\u2019s ability to meet the financial standards it has self-certified at any point in the Procurement. The Authority may require the Supplier to confirm that the information contained within the relevant Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date and to submit any other information required under sub-question 13.d. Where such information is insufficient, the Authority may request additional information. If the Authority determines that the Supplier does not meet the minimum financial standards set out in sub-question 13.c, or the Supplier fails to provide sufficient information, the Supplier may be excluded from further participation in the Procurement.\nAssociated Suppliers\nSuppliers may rely on an associated supplier to meet the minimum financial standards. If this is the case, suppliers must provide more detail as as set in Q13.a of the PSQ in the ITP.\nMinimum Credit Ratings\nSuppliers or any Associated Supplier must meet one or more of the minimum credit ratings. Please refer to Q13.b of the PSQ in the ITP.\nFinancial Indicators\nIf credit ratings are not met, suppliers must self-certify that they or any Associated Supplier meet at least two of the three financial indicators. Please refer to Q13.c of the PSQ in the ITP.\nCore Supplier Information\nSuppliers must confirm that their Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date, and be prepared to provide it if requested. Please refer to Q13.d of the PSQ in the ITP.\nInsurance \nSuppliers must confirm whether they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to award of the contract, the level of insurance cover indicated in Q15 of the PSQ in the ITP. \nLegal Capacity\nSuppliers must confirm that they have, or will have by the time of Contract award, the necessary human and technical resources to ensure compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and to protect the rights of data subjects. Please refer to Q17.a of the PSQ in the ITP.\nAdditionally, suppliers must provide details of the technical facilities and measures (including systems and processes) they have in place, or will have in place by Contract award, to ensure compliance with UK data protection law and the protection of data subject rights.  Please refer to Q17.b of the PSQ in the ITP.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "As part of the procurement process, suppliers are required to provide detailed responses to several compliance and governance-related questions in the PSQ (Appendix F) of the ITP. These questions assess the supplier\u2019s ability to manage subcontractors, identify and mitigate conflicts of interest, comply with modern slavery legislation, meet cybersecurity standards, and declare any procurement-related conflicts. Responses must be complete and accurate, and in some cases, failure to respond or provide sufficient information may result in exclusion from further participation in the procurement.\nSuppliers must demonstrate experience of sub-contractor management where they intend to sub-contract a proportion of the relevant Contract. This includes how they have previously maintained healthy supply chains and the procedures used to ensure performance. Please refer to Q18 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm whether there is an actual, perceived or potential Contract Conflict of Interest which could impact on the duties owed under the relevant Contract. Please refer to Q21.a of the PSQ in the ITP. If there is a conflict, the supplier  must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, confidentiality agreements, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q21.b of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm that they are a \u2018relevant commercial organisation\u2019 and are compliant with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, or alternatively provide a link to an equivalent statement if applicable. Please refer to Q22 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm that they and any Intended Subcontractor have Cyber Essentials Plus certification (or equivalent), or evidence that certification will be achieved prior to Contract commencement. Suppliers must confirm that they and any intended Subcontractor will comply with ISO27001. Please refer to Q32 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm whether they, any Associated Person or Intended Subcontractor have an actual, perceived or potential Procurement Conflict of Interest with the Authority or its advisers. Please refer to Q33 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nIf there is a conflict of interest, they must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, access controls, confidentiality agreements, audit rights, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q34 of the PSQ in the ITP.",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "AI Lab",
        "value": {
          "amount": 3000000,
          "amountGross": 3600000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Stage 2 - Specialist Expertise",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Resourcing Approaches",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Ways of Working",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Capability Building",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "This will be assessed in stage 3. Please refer to section 6 of Part 9 of the ITP.  This will not be weighted but applied in accordance with the Price per Quality Point  (PQP) formula used in stage 3.",
              "name": "Social Value",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers will be asked to completed a pricing schedule of rates that will calculate a Total Evaluated Cost that will be used as part of the Weighted Value for Money Index (WVfMI) calculation. See the ITP and further information will be provided in the stage 2 ITT.\nNote: this criteria is not weighted in of itself, but used to calculate the WVfMI score at stage 2. For the purposes of publishing this on the Central Digital Platform, we have had to input a weighting of 0.01 - please ignore this and refer to the ITP at all times.",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Total Evaluated Cost",
              "type": "price"
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers will be asked to price a scenario using a set pricing schedule and using their rates from Stage 2. The completed schedule will give a price to be evaluated that will then be used to calculate the Price per Quality Point (PQP) score for Stage 3. See the ITP for further details, and the stage 3 supplementary ITT will contain further details.\nPlease note: this criteria is not weighted in of itself, but used to obtain a price to be evaluated in calculating the PQP score for stage 3. For the purposes of publishing this on the Central Digital Platform, we have had to input a weighting of 0.01 - please ignore this and refer to the ITP at all times.",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Priced Scenario",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "The Authority will refine the award criteria and ratings at publication of each stage. Indicative weighting ranges are given below:\nA: Stage 2 Quality Criteria Total = 100%\nA01: Specialist Expertise = 20-50%\nA02: Resourcing Approaches = 10-40%\nA03: Ways of Working = 10-40%\nA04: Capability Building = 10-40%\nB: Stage 3 Quality Criteria Total = 100%\nB01: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB02: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB03: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB04: Social Value = 10%\nPlease note, the pricing criteria given here for each stage are listed for information - however are not weighted in of themselves, instead they are used to calcualate a Weighted Value for Money Index Score at Stage 2, and then a Price per Quality Point Score at Stage 3."
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2028-05-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-05-30T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "AI Factory: Development and operationalisation of experiments into production ready tools and components.  \nThe Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) team is implementing the \u2018AI\u00b3\u2019 model to identify, test, develop, and evaluate use cases for artificial intelligence across departmental functions. \nThis model comprises three development phases: \n\u2022\tAI Lab: Rapid, time limited exploration and assessment of AI use cases and experiments\n\u2022\tAI Factory: Development and operationalisation of proofs of concept into production ready tools and components\n\u2022\tAI Operations: Maintenance, scaling, and operationalisation of AI solutions  \nThis lot is focused on the AI Factory phase, building on the AI Lab.\nObjectives/Scope:\nThe Supplier must provide specialist resources to develop and operationalise AI into services, tools and components, building on successful experiments from the AI Lab:\nThis will include:\n\u2022\tService and technical architecture design informed by data expertise to translate proofs of concept into robust, user-facing tools and services\n\u2022\tInnovation in delivery and application of AI technology, going beyond standard tools and technologies to deliver measurable applications of AI.\n\u2022\tAssessing, designing and optimising data science and ML engineering approaches to ensure that technical AI proofs of concept perform in a real-world environment \n\u2022\tPartnering with other digital teams within the Buyer\u2019s DDaT team to co-deliver new AI features and components within existing digital and data services\n\u2022\tProduct and delivery expertise informed by data to ensure rapid, tightly scoped delivery of services within a few months\n\u2022\tUser-centred design expertise to ensure that products and tools are able to meet user needs, and to identify opportunities for re-use or wider roll-out of products developed\n\u2022\tHelping to build skills around operationalisation of AI among civil servants, including core technical and infrastructure skills\n\u2022\tEvaluation and performance analysis expertise to identify meaningful metrics for assessing the performance of AI products being delivered and enabling continuous improvement  \nThis is not an exhaustive list, and specific deliverables will be defined, refined and agreed with the commission of each SOW.\nPlease refer to the ITP (Appendix B) for more information on the required skills and roles needed for this lot.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "2",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "Optional extensions to the initial period is 12 months. If the contract is extended, estimated value for maximum extension period is \u00a31,000,000 excluding VAT for each lot. A notice of 3 months must be given as a minimum."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "All suppliers that selected this lot that meet the Participation requirements set out in the PSQ and ITP shall be issued the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Stage 2. The top 5 highest Weighted Value for Money Index scores for each lot from Stage 2 will be taken forward to Stage 3 and issued the Supplementary Invitation to Tender (sITT).",
              "forReduction": true
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers are required to meet the minimum financial standards set out in Question 13 of the PSQ (Appendix F)         in the Invitation to Participate document (ITP). They must self-certify their ability to meet these standards in response to sub-question 13.b or 13.c, and confirm they can provide any information required under sub-question 13.d. The Authority may verify a Supplier\u2019s ability to meet the financial standards it has self-certified at any point in the Procurement. The Authority may require the Supplier to confirm that the information contained within the relevant Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date and to submit any other information required under sub-question 13.d. Where such information is insufficient, the Authority may request additional information. If the Authority determines that the Supplier does not meet the minimum financial standards set out in sub-question 13.c, or the Supplier fails to provide sufficient information, the Supplier may be excluded from further participation in the Procurement.\nAssociated Suppliers\nSuppliers may rely on an associated supplier to meet the minimum financial standards. If this is the case, suppliers must provide more detail as as set in Q13.a of the PSQ in the ITP.\nMinimum Credit Ratings\nSuppliers or any Associated Supplier must meet one or more of the minimum credit ratings. Please refer to Q13.b of the PSQ in the ITP.\nFinancial Indicators\nIf credit ratings are not met, suppliers must self-certify that they or any Associated Supplier meet at least two of the three financial indicators. Please refer to Q13.c of the PSQ in the ITP.\nCore Supplier Information\nSuppliers must confirm that their Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date, and be prepared to provide it if requested. Please refer to Q13.d of the PSQ in the ITP.\nInsurance \nSuppliers must confirm whether they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to award of the contract, the level of insurance cover indicated in Q15 of the PSQ in the ITP. \nLegal Capacity\nSuppliers must confirm that they have, or will have by the time of Contract award, the necessary human and technical resources to ensure compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and to protect the rights of data subjects. Please refer to Q17.a of the PSQ in the ITP.\nAdditionally, suppliers must provide details of the technical facilities and measures (including systems and processes) they have in place, or will have in place by Contract award, to ensure compliance with UK data protection law and the protection of data subject rights.  Please refer to Q17.b of the PSQ in the ITP.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "As part of the procurement process, suppliers are required to provide detailed responses to several compliance and governance-related questions in the PSQ (Appendix F) of the ITP. These questions assess the supplier\u2019s ability to manage subcontractors, identify and mitigate conflicts of interest, comply with modern slavery legislation, meet cybersecurity standards, and declare any procurement-related conflicts. Responses must be complete and accurate, and in some cases, failure to respond or provide sufficient information may result in exclusion from further participation in the procurement.\nSuppliers must demonstrate experience of sub-contractor management where they intend to sub-contract a proportion of the relevant Contract. This includes how they have previously maintained healthy supply chains and the procedures used to ensure performance. Please refer to Q18 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm whether there is an actual, perceived or potential Contract Conflict of Interest which could impact on the duties owed under the relevant Contract. Please refer to Q21.a of the PSQ in the ITP. If there is a conflict, the supplier  must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, confidentiality agreements, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q21.b of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm that they are a \u2018relevant commercial organisation\u2019 and are compliant with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, or alternatively provide a link to an equivalent statement if applicable. Please refer to Q22 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm that they and any Intended Subcontractor have Cyber Essentials Plus certification (or equivalent), or evidence that certification will be achieved prior to Contract commencement. Suppliers must confirm that they and any intended Subcontractor will comply with ISO27001. Please refer to Q32 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm whether they, any Associated Person or Intended Subcontractor have an actual, perceived or potential Procurement Conflict of Interest with the Authority or its advisers. Please refer to Q33 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nIf there is a conflict of interest, they must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, access controls, confidentiality agreements, audit rights, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q34 of the PSQ in the ITP.",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "AI Factory",
        "value": {
          "amount": 3000000,
          "amountGross": 3600000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Specialist Expertise",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Resourcing Approaches",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Ways of Working",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More detail will be provided in the stage 2 ITT",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Capability Building",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "More information will be provided in the stage 3 supplementary ITT",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Scenario Based Question",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "This will be assessed in stage 3. Please refer to section 6 of Part 9 of the ITP.  This will not be weighted but applied in accordance with the Price per Quality Point  (PQP) formula used in stage 3.",
              "name": "Social Value",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers will be asked to completed a pricing schedule of rates that will calculate a Total Evaluated Cost that will be used as part of the Weighted Value for Money Index (WVfMI) calculation. See the ITP and further information will be provided in the stage 2 ITT.\nNote: this criteria is not weighted in of itself, but used to calculate the WVfMI score at stage 2. For the purposes of publishing this on the Central Digital Platform, we have had to input a weighting of 0.01 - please ignore this and refer to the ITP at all times.",
              "name": "Stage 2 - Total Evaluated Cost",
              "type": "price"
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers will be asked to price a scenario using a set pricing schedule and using their rates from Stage 2. The completed schedule will give a price to be evaluated that will then be used to calculate the Price per Quality Point (PQP) score for Stage 3. See the ITP for further details, and the stage 3 supplementary ITT will contain further details.\nPlease note: this criteria is not weighted in of itself, but used to obtain a price to be evaluated in calculating the PQP score for stage 3. For the purposes of publishing this on the Central Digital Platform, we have had to input a weighting of 0.01 - please ignore this and refer to the ITP at all times.",
              "name": "Stage 3 - Priced Scenario",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ],
          "weightingDescription": "The Authority will refine the award criteria and ratings at publication of each stage. Indicative weighting ranges are given below:\nA: Stage 2 Quality Criteria Total = 100%\nA01: Specialist Expertise = 20-50%\nA02: Resourcing Approaches = 10-40%\nA03: Ways of Working = 10-40%\nA04: Capability Building = 10-40%\nB: Stage 3 Quality Criteria Total = 100%\nB01: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB02: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB03: Scenario Based Question = 10-40%\nB04: Social Value = 10%\nPlease note, the pricing criteria given here for each stage are listed for information - however are not weighted in of themselves, instead they are used to calcualate a Weighted Value for Money Index Score at Stage 2, and then a Price per Quality Point Score at Stage 3."
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2028-05-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-05-30T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "AI Operations: Maintenance, scaling, and operationalisation of AI Solutions.\nThe Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) team is implementing the \u2018AI\u00b3\u2019 model to identify, test, develop, and evaluate use cases for artificial intelligence across departmental functions. \nThis model comprises three development phases: \n\u2022\tAI Lab: Rapid, time limited exploration and assessment of AI use cases and experiments\n\u2022\tAI Factory: Development and operationalisation of experiments into production ready tools and components\n\u2022\tAI Operations: Maintenance, scaling, and operationalisation of AI solutions  \nThis lot is focused on the AI Operations phase, building on the AI Factory  .\nObjectives  \nThe Supplier must provide specialist resources to maintain, scale and support the robust operation of AI tools and components, as well as the underlying data, AI and technical infrastructure used across AI teams.\nThe Supplier will provide specialist resources to:\n\u2022\tScale AI solutions for department-wide use with reliability, security, and maintainability.\n\u2022\tEnsure AI components and services are reliable, performant, and secure through strong data, infrastructure, and ML   engineering practices.\n\u2022\tEnable reuse of technical solutions across multiple use cases to simplify the overall technical landscape.\n\u2022\tRecommend infrastructure approaches aligned with the Buyer\u2019s technical guidance.\n\u2022\tEnsure compliance with the Buyer\u2019s engineering standards, governance frameworks, and internal assurance   processes.\n\u2022\tMonitor and manage performance, cost, and environmental impact of AI services, including LLM   usage and infrastructure consumption.\n\u2022\tProvide product and delivery management for live and mature services, including identifying user-driven improvements and managing enhancements.\n\u2022\tUpskill DBT civil servants in operationalising AI, including core technical and infrastructure skills.\n\u2022\tProvide guidance and set standards on how the Buyer\u2019s DDaT teams can best deploy AI in their own services,\n\u2022\tContinuously improve AI services and tools based on evidence-driven user insights.\n\u2022\tShowcase AI Ops work to the wider DBT through demos and show-and-tells.\nScope\nThe supplier will be expected to deliver the following (which will be refined on a case-by-case basis as SOWs are agreed):  \nOperationalisation and Scaling\n\u2022\tTake AI Factory tools and components and operationalise them into robust, reusable, and scalable services on the Buyer\u2019s infrastructure.\n\u2022\tMaintain and enhance live AI services and tools, ensuring alignment with the Buyer\u2019s standards as defined in agreed SOWs.  \nComponent Development and Management\n\u2022\tDevelop and iterate reusable AI components; maintain a shared component library on the Buyer\u2019s infrastructure  .\n\u2022\tPartner with the Buyer\u2019s digital teams to create components that integrate across multiple digital and data services, promoting efficiency and consistency.\nInfrastructure and Compliance\n\u2022\tImplement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and follow the Buyer\u2019s engineering best practices as defined in agreed SOWs  .\n\u2022\tEngage with governance and assurance processes, including IRAP/TDA compliance.\n\u2022\tRecommend infrastructure approaches aligned with DBT technical guidance.\nMonitoring and Sustainability\n\u2022\tProvide service monitoring and enhancement to optimise performance, reduce waste, control costs, and minimise environmental impact.\nDocumentation and Knowledge Transfer\n\u2022\tProduce and maintain documentation for developers (both Supplier and Buyer) and the Buyer\u2019s end users  \n\u2022\tSupport the DBT AI and wider DBT DDaT   teams in using AI-related infrastructure and components effectively.\n\u2022\tCollaborate with the Buyer\u2019s teams to ensure alignment with existing infrastructure and standards.\n\u2022\tDeliver mentoring and pairing to build civil service capability in AI operationalisation.\nContinuous Improvement\n\u2022\tIdentify new features through user research, then design, develop, test, and evaluate enhancements to improve existing AI services.\nPlease refer to the ITP (Appendix B) for more information on the required skills and roles needed for this lot.",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "id": "3",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "Optional extensions to the initial period is 12 months. If the contract is extended, estimated value for maximum extension period is \u00a31,000,000 excluding VAT for each lot. A notice of 3 months must be given as a minimum."
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "All suppliers that selected this lot that meet the Participation requirements set out in the PSQ and ITP shall be issued the Invitation to Tender (ITT) for Stage 2. The top 5 highest Weighted Value for Money Index scores for each lot from Stage 2 will be taken forward to Stage 3 and issued the Supplementary Invitation to Tender (sITT).",
              "forReduction": true
            },
            {
              "description": "Suppliers are required to meet the minimum financial standards set out in Question 13 of the PSQ (Appendix F)         in the Invitation to Participate document (ITP). They must self-certify their ability to meet these standards in response to sub-question 13.b or 13.c, and confirm they can provide any information required under sub-question 13.d. The Authority may verify a Supplier\u2019s ability to meet the financial standards it has self-certified at any point in the Procurement. The Authority may require the Supplier to confirm that the information contained within the relevant Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date and to submit any other information required under sub-question 13.d. Where such information is insufficient, the Authority may request additional information. If the Authority determines that the Supplier does not meet the minimum financial standards set out in sub-question 13.c, or the Supplier fails to provide sufficient information, the Supplier may be excluded from further participation in the Procurement.\nAssociated Suppliers\nSuppliers may rely on an associated supplier to meet the minimum financial standards. If this is the case, suppliers must provide more detail as as set in Q13.a of the PSQ in the ITP.\nMinimum Credit Ratings\nSuppliers or any Associated Supplier must meet one or more of the minimum credit ratings. Please refer to Q13.b of the PSQ in the ITP.\nFinancial Indicators\nIf credit ratings are not met, suppliers must self-certify that they or any Associated Supplier meet at least two of the three financial indicators. Please refer to Q13.c of the PSQ in the ITP.\nCore Supplier Information\nSuppliers must confirm that their Core Supplier Information is accurate and up to date, and be prepared to provide it if requested. Please refer to Q13.d of the PSQ in the ITP.\nInsurance \nSuppliers must confirm whether they already have or can commit to obtain, prior to award of the contract, the level of insurance cover indicated in Q15 of the PSQ in the ITP. \nLegal Capacity\nSuppliers must confirm that they have, or will have by the time of Contract award, the necessary human and technical resources to ensure compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and to protect the rights of data subjects. Please refer to Q17.a of the PSQ in the ITP.\nAdditionally, suppliers must provide details of the technical facilities and measures (including systems and processes) they have in place, or will have in place by Contract award, to ensure compliance with UK data protection law and the protection of data subject rights.  Please refer to Q17.b of the PSQ in the ITP.",
              "type": "economic"
            },
            {
              "description": "As part of the procurement process, suppliers are required to provide detailed responses to several compliance and governance-related questions in the PSQ (Appendix F) of the ITP. These questions assess the supplier\u2019s ability to manage subcontractors, identify and mitigate conflicts of interest, comply with modern slavery legislation, meet cybersecurity standards, and declare any procurement-related conflicts. Responses must be complete and accurate, and in some cases, failure to respond or provide sufficient information may result in exclusion from further participation in the procurement.\nSuppliers must demonstrate experience of sub-contractor management where they intend to sub-contract a proportion of the relevant Contract. This includes how they have previously maintained healthy supply chains and the procedures used to ensure performance. Please refer to Q18 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm whether there is an actual, perceived or potential Contract Conflict of Interest which could impact on the duties owed under the relevant Contract. Please refer to Q21.a of the PSQ in the ITP. If there is a conflict, the supplier  must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, confidentiality agreements, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q21.b of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm that they are a \u2018relevant commercial organisation\u2019 and are compliant with section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, or alternatively provide a link to an equivalent statement if applicable. Please refer to Q22 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm that they and any Intended Subcontractor have Cyber Essentials Plus certification (or equivalent), or evidence that certification will be achieved prior to Contract commencement. Suppliers must confirm that they and any intended Subcontractor will comply with ISO27001. Please refer to Q32 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nSuppliers must confirm whether they, any Associated Person or Intended Subcontractor have an actual, perceived or potential Procurement Conflict of Interest with the Authority or its advisers. Please refer to Q33 of the PSQ in the ITP.\nIf there is a conflict of interest, they must submit a conflict of interest statement including a description of the conflict, roles and responsibilities, separation measures, access controls, confidentiality agreements, audit rights, standards for integrity, and any other relevant information. Please refer to Q34 of the PSQ in the ITP.",
              "type": "technical"
            }
          ]
        },
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "AI Operations",
        "value": {
          "amount": 3000000,
          "amountGross": 3600000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procedure": {
      "acceleratedRationale": "Qualifying planned procurement notice",
      "features": "This will be a competitive flexible procedure to award 3 lots where each lot aligns to a delivery element of the AI\u00b3 Delivery Partners Project. There will be 3 stages for each lot.  Suppliers may only submit a tender for one lot. A single Supplier can only win one lot.  Suppliers are unable to subcontract on a second lot should they be the lead supplier or subcontracter on one lot, therefore are unable to bid for multiple lots.  \nAll suppliers must first register on Jaggaer via the link provided in this notice to access the Invitation to Particpate (ITP) Procurement Document before considering the below three stages that comprise the Procurement. \nThe three stages are: \n1. A participation stage.\nThis will include compliance checks, applying exclusion grounds and assessment of responses to the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), including Conditions of Participation, listed Appendx F of the Invitation to Participate (ITP) document, which all Suppliers are required to complete in accordance with the instructions contained in the ITP document.\nSuppliers who meet the stage 1 (Participation) requirements outlined in that PSQ and the ITP shall be invited to submit a tender. \nThe ITP document can be found on Jaggaer under Project Reference PR_4965\n2. A Weighted VFM assessment stage. \nStage 2 will commence with the issue of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to all Suppliers who have met the stage 1 (Participation) set out in the PSQ. \nThe Invitation to Tender shall contain detailed award criteria, an accompanying scoring methodology and the stage 2 assessment methodology.\n In summary, the following assessment methodology will be used for each lot (with each lot being a separate assessment): \n\t\u2022 Each Supplier\u2019s response to the stage 2 quality award criteria shall be assessed and a quality score given.\n\t\u2022 Each Supplier\u2019s completion of a pricing schedule that comprises rates grouped into both buckets weighted on likelihood of use, and tiers based on volume discounts (i.e., length of a project). These shall be assessed and a total evaluated cost given from the sum of the weighted bucket costs. \n\t\u2022 The formula set out below shall be used to give a Weighted Value for Money Index score.\nWeighted Value for Money Index=Quality Score ^ (Quality Weighting/Price Weighting)/Total Evaluated Cost \nThe quality weighting/price weighting (as applied as per the formula above) for each lot shall be as follows:\nLot 1: 60%/40% \nLot 2: 60%/40%\nLot 3: 60%/40% \nFor each lot, the five Suppliers with the highest weighted value for money index score for each lot shall be taken forward to stage 3\n3. PQP stage \nStage 3 shall commence with the issue of a supplementary Invitation to Tender to the five highest scoring Suppliers for each lot in stage 2. \nThe supplementary Invitation to Tender shall contain a scenario that will be referred to in the award criteria. \nThe stage 3 award criteria, accompanying scoring methodology and assessment methodology will each be set out in detail in the supplementary Invitation to Tender. In summary, the following assessment methodology will be used for each lot (with each lot being a separate assessment):\n\t\u2022 Each shortlisted Supplier\u2019s response to the weighted scenario based award criteria  shall be assessed and a scenario quality score given. \n\t\u2022 The social value policy outcomes used for this Procurement shall be \n\t\t\u25cb Skills for growth: supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps, and employment \n\t\t\u25cb Training for those who face barriers to employment .\nEach shortlisted Supplier\u2019s response to the weighted social value criteria shall be assessed and the score added to the scenario quality score to give a total quality score.\nEach shortlisted Supplier will be asked to price the scenario, using a set pricing schedule  provided by the Authority. Prices used by the Supplier must be in line with those submitted in the pricing schedule at stage 2. The completed stage 3 pricing schedule will give a total \u201cprice to be evaluated. \nThe formula below shall be used to give a price per quality point:\nPrice per Quality Point (PQP) Score  \t=\tPrice to be Evaluated /\n\t\t                                                                         Quality Score\nThe Supplier with the lowest PQP Score for each lot at the end of stage 3 shall be awarded the contract for that lot. A further check for excluded or excludable Suppliers will be conducted prior to award of any Contract.",
      "isAccelerated": true
    },
    "procurementMethod": "selective",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "All tenders must be submitted via the authority\u0027s chosen e-tendering system. The chosen e-tendering system is Jaggaer, which can be accessed here: https://uktrade.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html\nOnce registered, you should be able to search for the opportunity, either by title, or using the project reference PR_4965",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ]
    },
    "title": "AI\u00b3 Delivery Partners Project",
    "value": {
      "amount": 9000000,
      "amountGross": 10800000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}