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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

MHCLG Augmented Planning Decisions

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 30 Sept 2026, 14:16.

Opportunity overview

The Authority seeks to develop a planning tool that enables AI-augmented decision making for planning applications. The initial focus will be on householder developments (as defined in Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015) with a view to expand into further application types within the ‘other*’ category (those not classified as Major or Minor) which represent 69% of all planning applications. *“Other applications” are: advertisements, change of use, householder developments, listed building consents and relevant demolition in a conservation area. Also available at “View PS2 data” and the drop down ”Other” available at: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMDQ1MmRlMjEtMThlMy00MWIxLThmNTEtMzU4M2I5ODNmYTJlIiwidCI6ImJmMzQ2ODEwLTljN2QtNDNkZS1hODcyLTI0YTJlZjM5OTVhOCJ9 The objective is to dramatically reduce planning application processing times initially targeting a reduction from upwards of 8 weeks to circa 4 weeks, with a long-term vision of near-instant decisions for straightforward applications. All reduction targets do not include elements that solutions cannot be expected to affect i.e. statutory 21-day consultation periods, site visits, neighbour notifications, external consultee responses, and committee scheduling. Proposals will need to demonstrate understanding of the relevant parts of the planning process including administrative processes (e.g. policy research, citation generation, report generation) as well as analytical processes (e.g. material considerations identification, policy compliance assessment, planning balance evaluation, decision reasoning). Solutions should be designed to assist planning officers with the above processes and provide reasoned, verifiable recommendations for decisions. Solutions must be integrated with existing planning systems. As part of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage, bidders will be required to participate in a two-week demo build (unpaid) to each develop a working prototype which will be evaluated at "Demo Day". This will take the form of a presentation of the prototype, and this will be evaluated in accordance with the process and award criteria set out in the ITT. During the contract, the service recipients (i.e. those that will use the solution) may include: DSIT MHCLG Local Planning Authorities (317 LPAs) Planning Inspectorate Devolved Administrations Combined Authorities (mayoral authorities with planning powers) National Parks Authorities (separate planning authorities) Broads Authority (special planning authority)

Classification

  • CPV72000000 — IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Lots

  • Lot 1£8.3m

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
Linked to notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076775-2025
Status
active
Above Threshold
Yes
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Expression Of Interest Deadline
15 Jan 2026, 17:00

Procedure

Features
This procurement is a competitive flexible procedure under Section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023. The process has been specifically designed to be carried out on an accelerated basis, and consists of two stages. Stage 1 of the competitive flexible procedure was completed on the 15th December 2025, with five suppliers being invited to part-take in Stage 2 (ITT). The two stages are set out below. How It Works: Stage 1: Participation & Selection Bidders will be issued with a PSQ including instructions and a set of questions which are to demonstrate bidders': - Compliance - Supply chain approach - Financial capacity - Legal capacity - Security and Data Protection compliance -Conflicts of Interest -Technical ability Responses to all questions will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria are also provided within the PSQ document. A maximum of 5 bidders have been taken forward to Stage 2 (Invitation to Tender). Stage 2: Invitation to Tender Stage 2 will commence on the 16th December 2025 following the issuing of letters inviting bidders that have been successfully shortlisted at Stage 1 to participate in Stage 2, which is the submission of final tenders. Final tenders must be submitted in accordance with the timetable and instructions set out in the Invitation to Tender document. This stage will involve evaluating bidders based on a comprehensive assessment of both cost and non-cost factors. The evaluation criteria and weightings associated with the quality and price elements have been included in the Invitation to Tender document. As part of Stage 2, bidders will be required to complete a Demo Build, followed by a presentation (as set out above). The presentation will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria which will be set out in the ITT, along with the bidders' tender responses.

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Expected award period

Ends
19 Jan 2026, 23:59

Tender Period

Ends
15 Jan 2026, 17:00

Enquiry period

Ends
15 Jan 2026, 09:00

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Options
Yes
Has Renewal
Yes

Value

Amount
8,333,333.33
Currency
GBP
Including VAT
10,000,000

Options

Description
Beta Phase & Scale Phase activation is at the Authority's sole discretion, depending on success of minimum viable product. Support & Grow Phase at Authority’s sole discretion, dependent on the success of Beta Phase Extension to Support, Maintenance & Grow Phase at Authority’s sole discretion No automatic renewal provisions

Renewal

Description
Alpha Phase (Pilot) Duration: Estimated 3 months from contract signature Beta & Scale Phase Duration (if activated): Estimated 12 months following successful Alpha Phase completion Support & Grow Phase Duration: Estimated 12 months following Beta & Scale Phase Optional Extension: Estimated 12 months following initial Support & Grow Phase Total Potential Duration: Up to 39 months (including all phases)

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Demo Build Presentation
Type
quality
Description
Bidders will be required to complete a Demo Build (a working prototype), followed by a live demonstration lasting 60 minutes. The presentation will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria which have been set out in the ITT.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
40
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Name
Questionnaire
Type
quality
Description
This will comprise a set of Technical Questions based on the requirements in order to test various aspects of the bidders’ approach. These will be evaluated in accordance with the scoring matrices set out in the ITT. Social Value Question will be associated in this this criteria.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
40
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Name
Commercial
Type
price
Description
Bidders will be required to complete as part of their tender a Financial Response Template, which will be evaluated by the Authority in accordance with the process set out in the ITT. Costs will be required to be provided for: Alpha Phase Development Beta & Scale Phase Development (if proceed) Further Development & Implementation (Phasing Post Live) (costed option) Level 3 Support and Maintenance (Post Live) (costed option) Level 2 Support and Maintenance (Post Live) (costed option) Day Rates Full Award Criteria Details: Are set out in the ITT.

Numbers

Entry 1
Number
20
Weight
percentageExact

Contract period

Ends
22 May 2028, 23:59
Starts
22 Jan 2026, 00:00
Max Extent Date
22 May 2029, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
72000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Entry 2
Id
A-9285
Format
application/octet-stream
Description
ITT to access attachments
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Entry 3
Id
A-9286
Format
application/pdf
Description
Invitation to Tender Document
Document Type
biddingDocuments
Entry 4
Id
083564-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
16 Dec 2025, 17:03
Entry 5
Id
083953-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
17 Dec 2025, 15:09
Entry 6
Id
086054-2025
Format
text/html
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Document Type
tenderNotice
Published
24 Dec 2025, 09:31

Planning and budget

No Engagement Notice Rationale
No notice issued as no detailed input required from market. High level market engagement conducted to verify potential for solution. No material information disclosed that has not or will not be provided to all other bidders. Authority satisfied no unfair advantage conferred on any potential supplier.

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-PPON-PVWZ-3216-PVQL
Name
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKI32
Country
GB
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1A 2EG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
22 Whitehall

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Description
Public authority - central government

Identifier

Id
PVWZ-3216-PVQL
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Organisation 2
Id
GB-PPON-PWCX-8281-CLPR
Name
Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
Role Details
MHCLG is the contracting authority for this procurement. In accordance with section 1(3)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023, MHCLG is carrying out this procurement through the Commercial Innovation Hub part of Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), which is acting as its agent.

Roles

procuringEntity

Address

Region
UKI32
Country
GB
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1P 4DF
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
2 Marsham St

Identifier

Id
PWCX-8281-CLPR
Scheme
GB-PPON

Contact

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI32 · SW1A 2EG · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-05f732-2025-12-24T09:31:27ZTender notice on Find a Tender ·