Scope
Description
An advanced AI-driven cybersecurity platform enabling organizsations to detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats in real time wherever they strike.
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Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £884,632 excluding VAT
- £1,061,558.40 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
6 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 7 January 2026 to 6 January 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
- 72210000 - Programming services of packaged software products
- 72211000 - Programming services of systems and user software
Contract locations
- UKD72 - Liverpool
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
Darktrace is an advanced AI-driven cybersecurity platform that has been integral to the Sovini cyber defences since 2021. It is designed to learn and understand the common patterns of users, systems, and applications, enabling it to identify anomalies or unusual behaviors that may indicate cyber attacks.
Artificial Intelligence gathering of this nature inside a business of our size and complexity, takes multiple years to allow its advanced machine learning to mature and develop accurate and reliable patterns of user and system behaviour. Alongside this, there has been an increase of Cyber-attacks on RP's and likeminded organisations, with 30% reporting to have experienced at least 1 breach or attack during 2024-25 alone.
To change the Darktrace system now would increase the risk to Sovini significantly, as any replacement technology would have to go through a similar learning process (ours being 4 years) and during this period would create vulnerabilities in internal and external technology processes, leaving us vulnerable to hackers and external attacks. The use of AI is increasing within the toolset of Cyber criminals and as such, any period of weakness is more than ever likely to be taken advantage of should it be identified
Supplier
Darktrace Holdings Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCRL-6218-RCNL
Maurice Wilkes Building, St John's Innovation Park, Cowley Road
Cambridge
CB4 0DS
United Kingdom
Email: FINGROUP@DARKTRACE.COM
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Sovini Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDDW-2534-TWPT
Unit 1 Heysham Road, Dunnings Bridge Road
Bootle
L30 6UR
United Kingdom
Telephone: 0333 733 1200
Email: procurement@sovini.co.uk
Region: UKD73 - Sefton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government