Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
ADVANCED RESEARCH AND INVENTION AGENCY
96 EUSTON ROAD,
LONDON
NW12DB
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.aria.org.uk/programme-safeguarded-ai/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://www.aria.org.uk/programme-safeguarded-ai/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://www.aria.org.uk/programme-safeguarded-ai/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Safeguarded AI: Theory
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73110000 - Research services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
ARIA is an R&D funding agency built to unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone. We empower scientists and engineers to pursue research at the edge of what is technologically or scientifically possible.
We reach across disciplines, sectors and institutions to shape, fund and manage projects across the R&D ecosystem, from startups to universities, to break down silos and discover new pathways.
We're looking for proposals for Safeguarded AI: Theory, for info see https://www.aria.org.uk/programme-safeguarded-ai/
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 73110000 - Research services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
As AI becomes more capable, it has the potential to power scientific breakthroughs, enhance global prosperity, and safeguard us from disasters. But only if it's deployed wisely.
Current techniques working to mitigate the risk of advanced AI systems have serious limitations, and can't be relied upon empirically to ensure safety. To date, very little R&D effort has gone into approaches that provide quantitative safety guarantees for AI systems, because they're considered impossible or impractical.
By combining scientific world models and mathematical proofs we will aim to construct a 'gatekeeper', an AI system tasked with understanding and reducing the risks of other AI agents.
In doing so we'll develop quantitative safety guarantees for AI in the way we have come to expect for nuclear power and passenger aviation.
Our goal: to usher in a new era for AI safety, allowing us to unlock the full economic and social benefits of advanced AI systems while minimising risks.
For more info see https://www.aria.org.uk/programme-safeguarded-ai/
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,900,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Additional funding, scope and duration could be added to any contracts awarded.
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
See ARIA website https://www.aria.org.uk/programme-safeguarded-ai/
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
28 May 2024
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.3) Additional information
Detailed timelines can be found in the programme call information on ARIAs website: https://www.aria.org.uk/programme-safeguarded-ai/
The application process consists of one stage:
- Submission of a proposal - the deadline for submission of proposals is 28.05.24 (12:00 BST).
The total funding value is the estimated budget available. We expect to fund multiple applicants.
Funding is anticipated to be award via both contracts and grants. For information on how we fund https://www.aria.org.uk/faqs-funding/
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Not Applicable, see the ARIA Act 2022
London
Country
United Kingdom