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New Legal Panel, AI Security Gaps, and a Museum Mega Deal – Catch Up Fast!
From a £46M museum framework to the hidden risks in AI security, here’s what’s shaping the public sector this week.
Sponsored by PublicSectorExperts.com
Hey there👋
AI is taking off across the public sector but who's securing it? With only 66 UK firms specializing in AI security (and just 14 focused solely on it), the market is still in its infancy. As £68M has already poured into this space since 2022, the window for early advantage is closing fast. Find out how public sector leaders can stay ahead.
💡 Good to Know
Shape the new CCS Legal Panel: Direct supplier feedback session on scope, structure and pricing changes.
Carmarthenshire workshop: Master local government tendering with expert guidance and practical exercises.
HealthTech networking: Learn how patient insights drive innovation while connecting with healthcare leaders and innovators in Huddersfield.
🔍 Today’s Focus:
Good to Know – Shape the new CCS Legal Panel: Direct supplier feedback on scope, structure, and pricing.
Daily Spend Watch – £1.76B in public sector contracts on March 11, 2025, 67% of awards suited for SMEs.
Opportunity Picks – £46.1M British Museum Construction Framework: Win by showcasing specialized risk management.
News – AI funding overhaul, UK government streamlines planning system, and record investments in sustainable farming.
Tech & Tools – Skarbe (AI sales assistant), IKI.AI (AI-powered knowledge hub), and Embra (AI OS for teams).
Let’s dive into the details👇
DAILY SPEND WATCH
📊 Public Sector Spending Analysis: Contracts Finder Report March 11, 2025
Market Analysis
On March 11, 2025, a total of 183 contracts were awarded through Contracts Finder with a combined value of £1.76 billion. Professional services clearly dominate public sector spending, reflecting high demand for specialized expertise across government departments. Despite strong commitment to supplier diversity, the vast majority of spending remains concentrated in large-value contracts. SME-suitable contracts make up 67% of total awards, demonstrating the government's commitment to supplier diversity. However, these typically represent smaller value opportunities.
OPPORTUNITY PICKS
Overview: £46.1 million framework for professional services consultancy with 7 lots spanning project management, engineering, architecture, and surveying, running from September 2025 to August 2029.
💡 Winning Strategies
Focus on developing a specialized museum risk management methodology that addresses the unique challenges of working with irreplaceable cultural artifacts. Detail your approach to vibration monitoring, dust control, security integration, and environmental stability during construction. This demonstrates both technical competence and an understanding of the British Museum's primary concern - protecting their collection while modernizing their facilities. Emphasizing this specialized knowledge can differentiate your bid from competitors who may focus solely on general construction expertise.
NEWS
The Government Office for Science has released bite-sized guides on emerging technologies like neurotechnology, fusion energy, and robotics. These concise resources explore advancements, applications, and government opportunities, aimed at supporting strategic decision-making. A great way for policymakers to stay ahead and spark discussions on harnessing new tech for the UK’s benefit.
The UK government has successfully allocated the largest-ever sustainable farming budget, benefitting over 50,000 farm businesses through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). With more than half of farmed land under these schemes, the government aims to balance food production with nature recovery while ensuring fair use of public funds for the future.
The UK government is reforming the planning system to speed up development and meet the 1.5 million homes target. Changes include limiting statutory consultees, removing organizations like Sport England, and introducing a performance framework to reduce delays and streamline decision-making. These efforts aim to eliminate barriers to growth and support faster housing delivery.
TECHNOLOGY
🚀 Skarbe: AI sales assistant that captures interactions to close more deals.
🧠 IKI.AI: AI-powered knowledge hub that organizes research from PDFs, links, and videos.
🤖 Embra: AI operating system unifying sales, product development, meeting management, and knowledge storage.
TIP OF THE DAY
Procurement Best Practices: Early Market Engagement
Maximize procurement success! Engage potential suppliers before tender release to refine requirements and encourage innovation. Host workshops to gather feedback on draft specifications. This ensures realistic expectations & attracts diverse solutions.
Example: A council seeking smart city solutions held a pre-procurement event, gaining insights that shaped a more effective tender document and broader participation.
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Until next time!
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