Scope
Description
Establishing a new Centre for AI Measurement. The Centre will host a programme of work to:
a) Establish a centre of excellence focussed on enabling and accelerating the creation of new testing and evaluation tools for AI systems (the Centre for AI Measurement).
b) Create a programme of research and development on good practice, evaluation and performance measures for AI systems, with a focus on highly capable AI systems.
c) Support industry in developing, validating and verifying new products and services for AI assurance.
d) Coordinate knowledge sharing and communication within the AI assurance sector, those furthering the science of measurement with regard to AI, and international partners.
Contract 1. Centre for AI Measurement
Supplier
Contract value
- £10,500,000 excluding VAT
- £12,600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
19 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
Direct award is justified under Procurement Regulations 24, Schedule 5, point 6, due to the absence of competition for technical reasons and the lack of reasonable alternatives.
Supplier
National Physical Laboratory Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYDB-8862-JBYM
National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, England
Teddington
TW11 0LW
United Kingdom
Email: enquiry@npl.co.uk
Region: UKI75 - Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Centre for AI Measurement
Contracting authority
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWZ-3216-PVQL
22 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2EG
United Kingdom
Email: aiocommercial@dsit.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government