Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Department for Work and Pensions
Manchester Corporate Hub
Manchester
M2 3AA
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Social protection
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Nexus AI
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert potential suppliers to a future opportunity with specific requirements related to Nexus AI services within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
DWP identifies, builds, and tests proof-of-concepts (see glossary for definition) to investigate how AI can help the Department address “to be identified” business problems. We plan to then roll out AI tools to DWP colleagues when we are confident that they have met the necessary technical and business criteria to successfully add value to the Department and our customers. Our approach to safe acceleration is value-led, responsible, secure and firmly human centred, as aligned in the AI Playbook for the UK Government (See glossary).
Having caried out a series of Proof-of-Concept experiments into various types of AI, such as Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Expert Systems etc, the AI & Innovation Directorate is seeking to procure services, which may or may not be limited to:
Services related to Artificial Intelligence
Implementation and support of AI systems
Pipeline management
Evaluation of AI projects throughout their lifecycle
Supporting with Risk Management, Governance and Responsible AI Approach
Supporting the development of value frameworks
Delivering engagement, enablement and change management
Developing and maintaining common components to recycle capabilities across DWP and across Government
The supplier will be responsible for services related to the AI & Innovation programme that may involve the following workstreams:
Innovation & Ideation
Strategy & Control
Delivery & Scaling
The supplier will consider sustainable, responsible, ethical, legal and commercial enablers and ensure that DWP continues with its overall strategy of keeping humans in the loop on any decision.
DWP reserves the right to suspend, withdraw or amend any intention to proceed with any procurement competition in relation to the Services identified in this section II and reserves the right not to award any contract. Any costs incurred by bidders in engaging with DWP for this opportunity and preparing and submitting bids, will be borne by the bidder.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £10,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
It is envisaged that the Invitation to Tender will be published May 2025 with an aim to award a contract in between June and July 2025.
DWP will be running this procurement through the Artificial Intelligence DPS framework (RM6200) and interested parties must be registered as a supplier on the DPS in order to formally access and respond to the ITT.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
12 May 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Further details for this DPS can be found at https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps under the 'Technology – Artificial Intelligence' section.
Interested potential Bidders are urged to register as a DPS supplier using the above link and completing the DPS Registration as soon as possible. This DPS is managed by CCS and not DWP, therefore for any technical assistance please ensure you direct queries to CCS.
Important: For both new and existing suppliers, please ensure that the category filters which you are appointed for on the DPS are up to date and match the relevant criteria:
Scope of Engagement: AI Readiness, Applicability & Value Analyses, Use Case Pilots, Research & Development (R&D), AI Safety, Design & Build, Implementation, Data Ethics in Use of AI, Product and Service Maintenance
Type of Artificial Intelligence: Natural Language Processing (NLP), Machine Learning (ML), Generative AI, Expert Systems
Sector: Central Government
For DPS info email: info@crowncommercial.gov.uk
Potential suppliers will not be prejudiced by any response to this PIN, or failure to respond. This PIN does not formally signify the beginning of a procurement and does not constitute a commitment by DWP to undertake any procurement exercise. In the event that DWP decides to formally commence the procurement of the Nexus AI Service, a separate contract notice will be issued.
DWP expressly reserves the rights:
to use a reverse auction;
to cancel this procurement at any stage;
to not award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice, and in no circumstances will DWP be liable for any costs incurred by potential suppliers.
Glossary:
Proof of Concept (PoC) Definition: Demonstration with sufficient evidence, that a certain idea, method, or concept is feasible. This work may sit outside standard GDS development phases and is an additional Innovation function before committing to a Discovery, Alpha or Beta phase. While the work undertaken for the PoC is expected to align with the Service Standards Principles, Design and Accessibility etc the product produced by the PoC itself may not be fully compliant at this phase. (Sufficient evidence would be case dependant and agreed between parties as part of the Statement of Work)
AI Playbook for the UK Government link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-playbook-for-the-uk-government