Official UK procurement notice
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme – Subject-Matter Exemption - Research and Development
Authority: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (Central government)·On behalf of: Department for Education
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionContract Award Notice following Tender Notice: www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039400-2026 ↗ , which updated Notice www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039400-2026 ↗.
The AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme contracts (a maximum of eight (8) identical contracts) will be awarded under a Procurement Act 2023 Section 3) (6) and Schedule 2, Part 2, paragraph 22, 2) (b), (c) subject-matter exemption for research and development services. The contracts to be awarded are exempt contracts and for that reason the procurement is not subject to the Procurement Act 2023. DSIT are using an informal procurement procedure (Competitive Flexible Procedure with a participation stage and two award criteria stages) which incorporates some elements of the Act and the Procurement Regulations but the notices will not include all the information required by the Procurement Regulations 2024.
The outputs of the proposed contracts are intended for the benefit of the public and do not include the provision of AI Tutoring Tools. The latter would be procured via other sourcing procedures separate from this Pioneers Programme procurement.
These contracts answer the need for research and development of a high-quality standard for AI Tutoring Tools. Although there is a wide range of Tutoring Tools available on the market, there is no established offer that meets the complete specification to a high-quality standard, encompassing all the necessary elements of an exceptional AI Tutoring Tool. Elements being for instance the digital curriculum (to be published) and multiple sources of data which require review.
AI driven Tutoring Tools currently on the market are limited in quantity, scope and evidence base with few providing full tutoring capacity and with limited public access to the research and development that underpins them. The proposed contracts seek to research and co-design a high-quality, all-encompassing standard for AI Tutoring Tools and to initiate the development of innovative, effective and safe AI Tutoring Tools to that high-quality, all-encompassing standard thereby being the most transformative for educational outcomes.
The aim of the Programme is to research, trial, develop and enable the future scalability and commercialisation of AI Tutoring Tools of the highest calibre which, alongside teachers, will improve the academic attainment of pupils across England, particularly the most disadvantaged.
NOTE ON INFORMATION TO THE WIDER MARKET AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:
The high-quality, all-encompassing standard co-designed during these contracts and the information shared by the participants (including the schools) with the Pioneer Programme suppliers, will be owned by DSIT/i.AI and will be shared with the wider market via a dedicated Pioneers Programme Reading Room.
This is to enable other organisations to access the relevant information shared with the Pioneers Programme suppliers, the insights, the standards and quality expectations generated through the Programme's research and development work, without requiring the wider market to duplicate the research investment undertaken under the Programme.
READING ROOM:
The programme Reading Room will be hosted in the DfE Content Store. Details on accessing it will be published on the AI Content Store aicontentstore.education.gov.uk ↗ next week.
Any further updates will be shared in the following webpage in the Summer of 2026: ai.gov.uk/our-work/education/ ↗
The foreground intellectual property (IP) created for the purposes of any possible prototype AI Tutoring Tool will be the property of the individual Pioneer Programme suppliers, and will not be widely shared.
Early market engagement notice (UK2):
- How the procedure runs: This is an update to notice number: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039400-2026 The AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme contracts (a maximum of eight (8) identical contracts) will be awarded under a Procurement Act 2023 Section 3) (6) and Schedule 2, Part 2, paragraph 22, 2) (b), (c) subject-matter exemption for research and development services. The contracts to be awarded are exempt contracts and for that reason the procurement is not subject to the Procurement Act 2023. This informal (competitive flexible procedure) procurement process, which includes a pre-qualification and technical capability moderated evaluation, is carried upon invitation to selected suppliers, however if a supplier believes they meet the pre-qualification criteria detailed in this notice, they may express interest in participating via the eProcurement platform (Jaggaer) “AI Tutoring Tools Reading Room – DfE Content Store” by the 7th of May 2026 12pm BST via link below: https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60989 On a date to be confirmed, all suppliers invited and which have expressed interest in participating will receive a link to access the pre-qualification and technical capability questionnaire on the eProcurement platform (Jaggaer) “AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme – Subject-Matter Research and Development Exemption” project.
CPV: Educational software development services · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Industry specific software development services · Pre-feasibility study and technological demonstration · Research and development services and related consultancy services · Research and experimental development services · Software testing · Test and evaluation
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedPublished value£2,400,000
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (1)
- Subject-Matter Exemption - Research and Development- Informal Procurement Process Technical Criteria: 100%
Published award criteria (1)
- Subject-Matter Exemption - Research and Development- Informal Procurement Process Technical Criteria
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 6 May 2026, 12:36 BST
- Last source update
- 3 Jul 2026, 13:39 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 1 Jun 2026
- Authority reference
prj_6944, itt_2584- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-041484- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Not published
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-069256Find a Tender
- How it runs
This is an update to notice number:
www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039400-2026 ↗
The AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme contracts (a maximum of eight (8) identical contracts) will be awarded under a Procurement Act 2023 Section 3) (6) and Schedule 2, Part 2, paragraph 22, 2) (b), (c) subject-matter exemption for research and development services.
The contracts to be awarded are exempt contracts and for that reason the procurement is not subject to the Procurement Act 2023.
This informal (competitive flexible procedure) procurement process, which includes a pre-qualification and technical capability moderated evaluation, is carried upon invitation to selected suppliers, however if a supplier believes they meet the pre-qualification criteria detailed in this notice, they may express interest in participating via the eProcurement platform (Jaggaer) “AI Tutoring Tools Reading Room – DfE Content Store” by the 7th of May 2026 12pm BST via link below:
beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opport… ↗
On a date to be confirmed, all suppliers invited and which have expressed interest in participating will receive a link to access the pre-qualification and technical capability questionnaire on the eProcurement platform (Jaggaer) “AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme – Subject-Matter Research and Development Exemption” project.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 7 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 7 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
This is an update to notice number:
www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039400-2026 ↗
Please access the “AI Tutoring Tools Reading Room – DfE Content Store” by the 7th of May 2026 12pm BST via link below:
beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/esop/guest/go/opport… ↗
Complete the expression of interest questionnaire on the platform and submit it by the 7th of May 2026 12pm BST. Preliminary market engagement presentations will be accessible via the Reading Room.
Alternative route should links fail:
- Access the DSIT Jaggaer eSourcing Portal using the link beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com ↗
- Click on “View our live opportunities” in the middle of the page and navigate to “AI Tutoring Tools Reading Room – DfE Content Store” and click the link to access the opportunity.
- On the top right-hand corner, click on the button titled "Login or Register To Participate”.
- You may also register on the DSIT Jaggaer eSourcing Portal by using the link beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com ↗ and clicking the button titled “Register Now”.
- Once you are logged into the eSourcing Portal, you will be able to locate the opportunity by searching “AI Tutoring Tools Reading Room – DfE Content Store”.
----------------------------
Please refer to market engagement notice (UK2):
www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015370-2026 ↗
-----------------------------
Small and medium enterprises are required to register on the Central Digital Platform and use the unique identifier obtained.
The Central Digital Platform (CDP) is an online portal which will make it easier for suppliers to find and bid for contracts. A guide and video on how to register is accessible here: Suppliers: How to register your organisation and first administrator on Find a Tender in three easy…
www.gov.uk/government/publicati… ↗
FOR QUERIES ABOUT THIS PROCUREMENT:
Please use the messaging facility within the Jaggaer Opportunity Listing. The contracting authority and procurement partner will make every effort to respond to all queries as appropriate.
Timeline
6 May 2026 → 3 Jul 2026 · 6 dates- Tender notice published169 days ago6 May 2026, 12:36 BST
- Submission deadline168 days ago7 May 2026, 12:00 BST
- Contract starts143 days ago1 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Award decision expected by142 days ago1 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Assessment summaries sent128 days ago16 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published111 days ago3 Jul 2026, 13:39 BST
Notice history
8 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 6 May 2026- Tender notice published6 May 2026, 12:36 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published16 Jun 2026, 15:17 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete16 Jun 2026, 15:17 BST
- Procurement method changed16 Jun 2026, 15:17 BST
- Contract signature expected29 Jun 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Procurement termination notice published2 Jul 2026, 10:37 BSTUK12
- Contract award notice published2 Jul 2026, 10:46 BSTUK6
- Contract details notice published3 Jul 2026, 13:39 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2026-06: 1 release · 16 Jun 2026
- 2026-05: 1 release · 6 May 2026
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medly AIAI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| Zero Gravity Tech LtdAI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| Learn Anything Education LtdAI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| FlintAI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| Pearson Education LimitedAI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| Eleven Labs Inc.AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| Eedi LtdAI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
| Google Cloud EMEA Limited, PA CONSULTING SERVICES LTDjoint awardAI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027Amended: Reflects what is notified in UK12 Procurement termination notice - Procurement Act 2023: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062109-2026: "Contract not agreed (Contract 8 initially to Google UK Limited)". Notice changes also reflect that Contract 8 was awarded to the next supplier in the ranking (see "Awarded supplier (0008)" and "Contract (0008)" entries. | £300,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Medly AI
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
4 agreed KPIs: School Engagement & Participation · Speed of response and learning dissemination · Incorporation of school & student feedback …
- School Engagement & Participation, Managed by the Contractors, partner schools participate and share relevant data for the co-design activity and the wider market. Activities meet those set out in Contractors' proposals, including participation of disadvantaged students and wider target groups.
- Speed of response and learning dissemination, Timely delivery, without the need for contracting authority follow ups or reminders, of knowledge‑transfer content, solution proposals, documentation and briefings to I.AI and DfE.
- Incorporation of school & student feedback, Development of possible prototypes demonstrates Contractors have integrated the feedback from research activities with schools, students and parents, and DfE/DSIT/I.AI.
- Prototype quality and progression, The programme produces prototypes which demonstrate sufficient promise and capability to be considered for scaled trials in schools, upon separate procurement exercises. Note: this is a programme-wide KPI. Not all Contractors are expected to meet this threshold, and payment milestones are conditional on participating in required activities, not successful product development.
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Zero Gravity Tech Ltd
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
4 agreed KPIs: School Engagement & Participation · Speed of response and learning dissemination · Incorporation of school & student feedback …
- School Engagement & Participation, Managed by the Contractors, partner schools participate and share relevant data for the co-design activity and the wider market. Activities meet those set out in Contractors' proposals, including participation of disadvantaged students and wider target groups.
- Speed of response and learning dissemination, Timely delivery, without the need for contracting authority follow ups or reminders, of knowledge‑transfer content, solution proposals, documentation and briefings to I.AI and DfE.
- Incorporation of school & student feedback, Development of possible prototypes demonstrates Contractors have integrated the feedback from research activities with schools, students and parents, and DfE/DSIT/I.AI.
- Prototype quality and progression, The programme produces prototypes which demonstrate sufficient promise and capability to be considered for scaled trials in schools, upon separate procurement exercises. Note: this is a programme-wide KPI. Not all Contractors are expected to meet this threshold, and payment milestones are conditional on participating in required activities, not successful product development.
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Learn Anything Education Ltd
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
4 agreed KPIs: School Engagement & Participation · Speed of response and learning dissemination · Incorporation of school & student feedback …
- School Engagement & Participation, Managed by the Contractors, partner schools participate and share relevant data for the co-design activity and the wider market. Activities meet those set out in Contractors' proposals, including participation of disadvantaged students and wider target groups.
- Speed of response and learning dissemination, Timely delivery, without the need for contracting authority follow ups or reminders, of knowledge‑transfer content, solution proposals, documentation and briefings to I.AI and DfE.
- Incorporation of school & student feedback, Development of possible prototypes demonstrates Contractors have integrated the feedback from research activities with schools, students and parents, and DfE/DSIT/I.AI.
- Prototype quality and progression, The programme produces prototypes which demonstrate sufficient promise and capability to be considered for scaled trials in schools, upon separate procurement exercises. Note: this is a programme-wide KPI. Not all Contractors are expected to meet this threshold, and payment milestones are conditional on participating in required activities, not successful product development.
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Flint
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
4 agreed KPIs: School Engagement & Participation · Speed of response and learning dissemination · Incorporation of school & student feedback …
- School Engagement & Participation, Managed by the Contractors, partner schools participate and share relevant data for the co-design activity and the wider market. Activities meet those set out in Contractors' proposals, including participation of disadvantaged students and wider target groups.
- Speed of response and learning dissemination, Timely delivery, without the need for contracting authority follow ups or reminders, of knowledge‑transfer content, solution proposals, documentation and briefings to I.AI and DfE.
- Incorporation of school & student feedback, Development of possible prototypes demonstrates Contractors have integrated the feedback from research activities with schools, students and parents, and DfE/DSIT/I.AI.
- Prototype quality and progression, The programme produces prototypes which demonstrate sufficient promise and capability to be considered for scaled trials in schools, upon separate procurement exercises. Note: this is a programme-wide KPI. Not all Contractors are expected to meet this threshold, and payment milestones are conditional on participating in required activities, not successful product development.
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Pearson Education Limited
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
4 agreed KPIs: School Engagement & Participation · Speed of response and learning dissemination · Incorporation of school & student feedback …
- School Engagement & Participation, Managed by the Contractors, partner schools participate and share relevant data for the co-design activity and the wider market. Activities meet those set out in Contractors' proposals, including participation of disadvantaged students and wider target groups.
- Speed of response and learning dissemination, Timely delivery, without the need for contracting authority follow ups or reminders, of knowledge‑transfer content, solution proposals, documentation and briefings to I.AI and DfE.
- Incorporation of school & student feedback, Development of possible prototypes demonstrates Contractors have integrated the feedback from research activities with schools, students and parents, and DfE/DSIT/I.AI.
- Prototype quality and progression, The programme produces prototypes which demonstrate sufficient promise and capability to be considered for scaled trials in schools, upon separate procurement exercises. Note: this is a programme-wide KPI. Not all Contractors are expected to meet this threshold, and payment milestones are conditional on participating in required activities, not successful product development.
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Eleven Labs Inc.
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Eedi Ltd
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
AI Tutoring Tools Pioneer Programme - Research and Development Services · Google Cloud EMEA Limited, PA CONSULTING SERVICES LTD
- Signed
- 29 Jun 2026
- Value
- £300,000
- Period
- 29 Jun 2026 – 31 Mar 2027
- Status
- active
Contract contract-2
- Signed
- date not published
- Value
- —
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53final-stage tenders | 46 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- Department for EducationProcuring entityContract delivery partner
Bidders & participating suppliers
9 commercial parties on the notice- Eedi LtdAwarded supplier
- ElevenLabsAwarded supplier
- FlintAwarded supplier
- Google UK LimitedAwarded supplier
- Learn Anything Education LtdAwarded supplier
- Medly AIAwarded supplier
- PA Consulting Services LimitedAwarded supplier
- Pearson Education LtdAwarded supplier
- Zero Gravity Tech LtdAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (26)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
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