Challenge background
The Public Sector AI (PSAI) Directorate within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) exists to help the Government make brilliant public services that empower people in the UK, working at the very centre of Government to drive digital transformation focused on user needs and to reimagine how Government uses AI to deliver public services and initiatives.
The newly established Government Efficiency Accelerator (GEA) programme is a flagship initiative aimed at driving operational efficiencies across some of the government’s key enabling functions (Finance, Policy, HR) through the safe and responsible adoption of AI. The GEA is working in collaboration with the GCF Commercial Innovation Hub (CIH) to better understand the availability of AI based solutions that can be used by teams across Government departments to drive efficiency and increase productivity.
The goal of this Pathfinder Project is to engage with the market to understand current capabilities, initially focusing on three core business areas: Finance, HR and policy (more details on a specific problem area below).
Applicants should note that this engagement is not intended to lead to the procurement of a particular solution for DSIT or any other UK Government Department. Rather, PSAI are looking to build a catalogue of tested and “kitemarked” products that will be made available to public sector organisations to consider procuring them in the knowledge that they have been tested and will meet requirements such as security, usability, transparency etc.
Who can apply?
PSAI are interested in hearing from all types of suppliers and would particularly encourage SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and VCSEs (voluntary, community, and social enterprises) to submit proposals.
Challenge summary
As noted above, the GEA and CIH are engaging with the market to build a deeper understanding of how AI based solutions and products can help make Government departments more efficient and productive. There are a multitude of potential use cases so for this initial engagement PSAI have chosen to focus on problems relating to budgeting and workforce forecasting.
PSAI are inviting suppliers to submit proposals outlining how their products could be used by finance teams across UK Government departments in a safe, transparent and unbiased way. They are keen to explore solutions which can reduce the level of repetitive tasks required specifically when budgeting and conducting workforce forecasting. Submissions should demonstrate how the solution can streamline tasks, improve accuracy, and shorten time spent on repetitive work in order to free colleagues up to complete higher-value work.
There is no fixed scope, as the aim is for platform-agnostic, AI driven and innovative tools that adapt to various organisational needs. Solution should be accessible to organisations of all sizes and is not dependent on any specific ERP platform.
How to apply
The application form can be downloaded (as a word document) from the Contracts Finder service. This can be submitted as a word document or PDF. You will be asked to sum up your proposal, how it complies with relevant standards (data protection, security risks, ethical standards and legal compliance), and your EDI and environmental approaches.
Successful applicants following completion of the first stage will be informed by 26 November and invited to pitch to an evaluation panel made up of a subject matter expert from finance, a technical specialist and a member of DSIT’s commercial team. These pitches will take place 1-5 December 2025.