AI Technology Solutions for Public Realm Challenges
Contract Value:
150K -
Notice Type:
Prior Information Notice
Published Date:
19 January 2026
Closing Date:
Location(s):
UK UNITED KINGDOM
UKI LONDON (UK UNITED KINGDOM)
Description:
The initiative aims to explore AI technologies to enhance public services for local authorities, assessing market maturity and identifying solutions to improve service delivery and address challenges in the public realm.
Connected Places Catapult (CPC) is a UK innovation accelerator for cities/transport, helping public bodies use innovation for better living/working/travel, and its initiative, the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), provides practical support, expert guidance and shared learning to overcome procurement barriers and bring innovation into the public sector. Councils are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve public services through innovative solutions. This work supports broader council objectives to enhance service delivery and address anti-social behaviour, while maximising value for residents. This notification seeks to explore the potential impact of AI in the public realm for local authorities. The aim is to assess market maturity, identify available solutions, and develop a procurement strategy for trials and recommendations to councils. Purpose of Engagement IPEC are leading this pre-market engagement exercise to explore the range of solutions currently available in the market to help shape the scope and inform the design of a future procurements for Councils. This market engagement is a strategic initiative that brings together a number of authorities, aligns requirements, and optimises resources for tendering. It also facilitates knowledge sharing across councils, ensuring a more coordinated and impactful approach. We are particularly interested in technologies and approaches that could address one or more of the identified challenges within the public realm. Depending on the nature, maturity, and potential impact of the solutions identified, this may lead to a procurement structured into one or more lots or delivered through multiple tenders. The final approach will be shaped by market readiness and a balanced assessment of cost versus impact. While the Councils will consider a range of benefits and outcomes (such as environmental improvements and social value), the current economic climate necessitates that all new spending and existing programs are heavily scrutinised for cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Please note: This is an initial market engagement and discovery exercise. As engagement progresses and additional authorities choose to participate, updates will be communicated through future notifications. The estimated value is highly speculative and may increase to include pilot activities, testing, and potential scaling. The final value will be determined following pre-market engagement and through further collaboration with participating authorities.
How to Participate: Interested suppliers are invited to: -Express interest by sending your name, organisation details, and key contact information to: ipec@cp.catapult.org.uk -Complete a short questionnaire, which will be issued following your expression of interest -Attend upcoming engagement sessions, for which further details will be shared in due course Market Engagement Workshop A Market Engagement Workshop will be scheduled after 23 February 2026. This session will provide an opportunity to discuss: - Current market readiness - Market availability - Proposed trial design - Any emerging considerations from suppliers Further details, including the confirmed date, agenda, and participation instructions, will be shared in due course. Further information can be found on the Cimple platform by clicking on this link: https://cimple.uk/detail/501347