Artificial Intelligence DPS updates

We recently attended CCS's Artificial Intelligence DPS webinar - here are all of the updates from the session.

At Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) recent Artificial Intelligence DPS webinar – which aimed at also getting feedback from interested suppliers – we learnt a lot about what to expect. Although some of this information is subject to change, as CCS are currently carrying out supplier engagement for the DPS, we’ve put together the key takeaways from the webinar.

This is going to be a big opportunity for suppliers of innovative technology and solutions that incorporate AI, so it’s important to put this one in the diary!

Before we start, if you need to remind yourself what the difference between a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) and a frame is, check out this useful blog.

What can be sold through the Artificial Intelligence DPS?

The AI DPS is will have four categories/filters for the technologies and solutions included. These will be confirmed at a later date, however. What we do know, is that the scope of technology includes:

• General artificial intelligence services
• Discovery and consultancy services related to AI
• Development, implementation and support of AI
• Data analytics using artificial intelligence
• Development and implementation of intelligent virtual assistants and intelligent personal assistants

As you can see, that’s quite a wide range of services that can be sold to the public sector!

It’s worth noting that suppliers will need to be able to adhere to the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), as well as the typical terms and conditions that come with joining a Crown Commercial Service DPS.

What is the timeline?

The provisional timeline for the Artificial Intelligence DPS has been given by CCS:

• Pre-market engagement: January to February 2020
• Drafting of procurement documentation: March to May 2020
• Publication of OJEU: July 2020
• DPS goes live: August 2020

This gives some time for suppliers to make sure they’ve got everything together before it opens for applications in the summer. By the sounds of it, there will be more supplier engagement sessions coming up, so make sure you keep up-to-date with CCS procurement pipeline. Or, if you want updates about key frameworks and DPSs like this one, sign up to our framework alert service.