Scope
Reference
Project_2691
Description
This Tender Notice outlines the Home Offices intent to award a contract to deliver this requirement following a competitive procurement.
The Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) solves public safety and security challenges by bringing together the best of public and private sector capabilities, especially new digital and data technologies.
The Private Sector Partner requirement is for a supplier to work closely with the Authority, to act as a flexible commissioning and delivery partner with responsibility for the dynamic ecosystem and collaboration platform (physical and virtual), to deliver commissioned ACE customer requirements (challenges or problem statements) and jointly protect HMG interests.
It should be noted that the ACE capability operates across HMG and Authorities other than the Home Office may access this agreement providing there is a memorandum of understanding in place for ACE services between the Home Office and the respective HMG organisation.
Commissions may or may not be limited to public safety and security challenges. It is anticipated that the majority of services will be delivered within the United Kingdom however the Authority may require the private sector delivery partner to support international delivery if required. Annual commissions will vary during the term of the contract based upon HMG demand. Such commissions are not guaranteed and historically as per the published ACE annual reviews these have ranged from ~£29m-£49m.
Market engagement has taken place for this opportunity with engagement calls on the 18th December 2024 and 30th January 2025. A face to face session was held at the Home Office on the 4th March 2025.
Notices (025731-2024 & 035036-2024) were issued as part of transitional arrangements from PCR2015 to PA23.
The engagements provided opportunities for interested parties to understand more on ACE and the private sector partner service as well as the procurement process.
The service is required to integrate the following key functions of leadership, mission engagement, portfolio delivery and innovation and enablers. The interaction between these and the ACE team within the Home Office make this suitable to be delivered in one lot as an integrated solution. This will provide greater taxpayer value for money through efficiency and consistency in approach.
Contract value is set at £19.8m for consistency with the tender notice but the contract drives to cost neutrality for the Authority.
The duration of the initial contract term will be up to 36 months from the date of contract signature, with an option for up to two 12-month extensions making a total potential term of 60 months.
Contract 1. Private Sector Partner (PSP) for the Accelerated capability Environment (ACE)
Supplier
Contract value
- £16,500,000 excluding VAT
- £19,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Date signed
8 January 2026
Contract dates
- 8 January 2026 to 7 January 2029
- Possible extension to 7 January 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
2x up to 12 months extension options
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
• Provision of dedicated, longer-term Artificial Intelligence (AI) related technology and
data science services, potentially through contract-compliant but separate governance
processes, that could constitute some, or even all, of the functions of an "AI Lab" environment for specific customer sets.
• Run environments providing access across one or more HMG departments or agencies
or to the private sector to data or software libraries (e.g. GitHub-style market-places), potentially charging for use.
• Develop and agree joint services with other innovation and technology units and
partners across HM government, for example (including but not limited to) NSSIF, DASA and
others.
• Support to the Authority in the commercialisation of innovations developed through
ACE, under previous and new contracts.
• Support to the Authority in the development and professionalisation of innovation skills
and capabilities across the Authority.
CPV classifications
- 45111290 - Primary works for services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Key performance indicators
| Name | Description | Reporting frequency |
|---|---|---|
| KP1 - Quality | Delivering high quality commission outcomes |
3 months |
| KPI 3 (Growth) | Demonstrate ACE contribution to UK economic growth |
3 months |
| KPI 4 (Culture) | Fostering a culture of innovation and creativity for ACE |
3 months |
| KPI 5 - Social Value | Kickstart economic growth |
3 months |
| KPI 2 (Finance) | Provision of Financial Information |
1 months |
Signed contract documents
00 ACE PSP - MSC - Front Sheet - v3.0.pdf
00 MSC - Core Terms -v2.2 (1) (1).pdf
01 ACE - MSC - Schedule 1 (Definitions).pdf
08 ACE - MSC - Schedule 8 (Supplier Solution).pdf
06 ACE - MSC - Schedule 6 (Insurance Requirements).pdf
04 ACE - MSC - Schedule 4 (Standards).pdf
03 ACE - MSC - Schedule 3 (Performance Levels).pdf
07 ACE - MSC - Schedule 7 (Authority Responsibilities).pdf
09 ACE - MSC - Schedule 9 (Implementation).pdf
02 ACE - MSC - Schedule 2 (Services Description).pdf
05 ACE - MSC - Schedule 5 Security-Management-Schedule-Supplier-led-Assurance.pdf
11 Model Services Contract - Schedule 11 (Charges and Invoicing).pdf
12 ACE - MSC - Schedule 12 (Payments on Termination).pdf
13 ACE - MSC - Schedule 13 (Benchmarking).pdf
14 ACE - MSC - Schedule 14 (Financial Distress).pdf
15 ACE - MSC - Schedule 15 (Financial Reports and Audit Reports).pdf
16 ACE - MSC- Schedule 16 (Anticipated Savings).pdf
17 ACE - MSC - Schedule 17 (Governance).pdf
18 ACE - MSC - Schedule 18 (Change Control Procedure).pdf
19 ACE MSC - Schedule 19 (Dispute Resolution Procedure).pdf
20 ACE - MSC - Schedule 20 (Reports and Records Provisions).pdf
21 ACE - MSC - Schedule 21 (Exit Management).pdf
22 ACE - MSC - Schedule 22 (Service Continuity Plan and Corporate Resolution Planning).pdf
23 ACE - MSC - Schedule 23 (Conduct of Claims).pdf
24 ACE - MSC - Schedule 24 (Staff Transfer).pdf
26 ACE - MSC - Schedule 26 (Processing Personal Data).pdf
27 ACE - MSC - Schedule 27 (Intellectual Property Rights).pdf
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Supplier
PA Consulting Services Limited
- Companies House: 00414220
10 Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 5DN
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Home Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGC-6513-PQLZ
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Email: name@homeoffice.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government