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
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