Contract

Nexus AI

  • Department for Work & Pensions

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-060504

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04e789 (view related notices)

Published 29 September 2025, 1:42pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Department for Work & Pensions

Caxton House, 6-12 Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA

London

SW1H 9NA

Email

ai.commercial@dwp.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

Buyer's address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

National or federal Agency/Office

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Nexus AI

Reference number

Project_26634 / C7927

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 Authority requires a strategic Supplier capable of meeting requirements related to the exploration, deployment, and ongoing support of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and services. These include, but are not limited to: Tech Spikes, Horizon Scans, Proofs of Concept (PoCs), Software Trial Teams, working with colleagues to identify business problems, supply expertise to build Beta MVP products and maintain / support products that have gone Live.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £27,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI - London

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Authority is seeking support from subject matter experts in AI to build a deep and continually updated understanding of AI capabilities mapped against DWP’s key business challenges and opportunities. The Authority requires the development and implementation of these services to be able to meet governmental ambitions.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 65%

Price - Weighting: 35%

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Restricted procedure

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2025/S 000-007055


Section five. Award of contract

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

12 September 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 15

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 15

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

IBM UK Ltd

Building C IBM Hursley Office Hursley Park Road Winchester Hampshire

Winchester

SO21 2JN

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
National registration number

741598

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £9,000,000

Total value of the contract/lot: £9,000,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The contract includes two (2) optional extension periods, each of up to one (1) year in duration. The maximum contract value for each extension period shall not exceed £9,000,000 (ex VAT).

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Department for Work & Pensions

Caxton House, 6-12 Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NA

London

SW1H 9NA

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions