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AI in public services isn’t one-size-fits-all. The latest findings reveal that AI systems don’t impact every group equally—differences in training data, access, and cultural factors shape outcomes. If we want fair and effective AI, we need smarter evaluations that detect these disparities.

💡 Good to Know

• Hands-on workshop teaching researchers how to effectively engage public audiences with their work!

• Expert-led workshop demystifies startup investment - from legal pitfalls to attracting venture capital!

• Free masterclass reveals insider secrets to winning lucrative business contracts and tenders!

🔍 Today’s Focus:

Good to Know – Workshops on public engagement, startup investment, and winning government contracts.
Daily Spend Watch – £175M awarded yesterday, with a strong focus on infrastructure and healthcare.
Opportunity Picks – £436M Peterborough heat & power project: Why securing offtake agreements is key.
News – AI funding for cancer research, UK’s Oberon satellite, and public sector hiring.
Tech & Tools – AI-powered Git automation, real-time video call translation, and multimodal vision-language models.

Let’s dive into the details👇

DAILY SPEND WATCH

📊 Public Sector Spending Analysis: Contracts Finder Report February 10, 2025

Total awarded: £175M across 188 contracts.

Market Analysis

Yesterday's procurement activity strongly focuses on infrastructure development and healthcare modernization. The construction sector dominates, suggesting significant public sector investment in physical infrastructure. Healthcare procurement indicates continued emphasis on medical facility upgrades. Notable trends in digital transformation investments, particularly in public sector IT systems. A high proportion of contracts is suitable for SMEs, indicating good opportunities for smaller suppliers.

OPPORTUNITY PICKS

Building the Future: Strategic Insights for the PIRI Project

Overview: 39-year contract (2025-2064) for developing and operating an integrated heat and power network in Peterborough through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) with a golden share structure, valued at £436 million.

💡 Winning Strategies: Lock in Offtake Agreements Before Bid Submission

• Demonstrating pre-secured buyers for heat and power strengthens your financial case.

• It minimizes revenue risk, making your proposal more attractive to both the Council and investors.

• Negotiating agreements in advance shows commitment and market demand, improving bid scoring.

• It provides a competitive edge over rivals who may rely solely on post-award customer acquisition.

NEWS 

🚀 Kickstart Your Career with SLC!

SLC is hiring 12 Student Finance Officer apprentices in Darlington! This 18-month Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship, in partnership with Darlington College, offers hands-on experience in a major public sector organization. Apply now and start your journey!

💡 AI to Revolutionize Cancer Care and Drug Discovery

The UK government is investing £82.6M in AI-powered research to transform cancer diagnosis and drug discovery. Projects like PharosAI and Bind Research will accelerate breakthroughs using NHS data and cutting-edge computing. This bold move cements the UK’s role in AI-driven healthcare innovation—paving the way for life-saving treatments and scientific advancements.

🛰️ UK’s £127M Oberon Satellite to Enhance Defense and Jobs

The Oberon satellite system is set to boost UK defense with 24/7, all-weather surveillance. Built with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), it enhances intelligence gathering and disaster response. Plus, it’s creating 200 skilled jobs and strengthening the UK’s space sector. A significant step toward advancing national security and technological innovation.

TECHNOLOGY

🔄 Maxium: AI-powered Git workflow automation for engineering teams

🤖 DeepSeek-VL2: Apache 2.0 multimodal vision-language model for visual AI

🗣️ Talo: Real-time AI video call translation in 32 languages

TIP OF THE DAY

Strengthen Capacity Building

Offer Training Programs: Provide business management training workshops tailored to local suppliers' needs.

Collaborate with Institutions: Partner with industry organizations or technical colleges for supplier development initiatives

Joint Ventures for Growth: Engage in joint ventures between advanced suppliers and smaller businesses to enhance capacity building

Quick Question!

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