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Procurement details: RM1043.9-1-Department For Work and Pensions-Financial Support Services

3

Applications submitted

Two stage

Call-off procedure

19200000

Value

Outside scope

Off-payroll status

26 May 2026

Application Closing Date

1. Context and requirements

• Summary of the work:

  The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) seeks a supplier to deliver a 6‑month Proof of Solution (PoS) as part of the Inception phase of the Financial Support Services (FSS) Initiative. The PoS will assess the technical feasibility, usability, and value of key components required to underpin a future single financial support service, including workflow orchestration, web portal integration, automation and AI capabilities, and development of a data schema. The work includes producing prototypes, testing prioritised hypotheses, demonstrating technical integration, and evidencing patterns that would support a future Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The supplier will work collaboratively with DWP multi‑disciplinary teams in a test‑and‑learn environment, sharing learning, supporting knowledge transfer, and contributing to artefacts that inform investment decisions. While the primary scope is delivery of the PoS within the 6‑month period, the resulting contract may include optional Statements of Work (SoWs) to support further development, subject to DWP approvals and progression beyond Inception.

• Pricing model:

  Fixed price

• Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource:

  Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply

• Organisation the work is for:

  DWP

• Where you want the supplier to work:

  No specific location (for example they can work remotely)

• Latest start date:

  2026-07-01

• Expected contract length:

  4-00-00

• Expected contract structure:

  The initial term of the contract will be 2 years with an option to extend for 1+1.

• Estimated contract value (excl VAT):

  19200000

• Budget details:

  The Estimated Contract Value is the value of initial term plus the value of the +1 +1 extension provisions. There will be no minimum spend, volume or workload commitment under this Contract, and the Authority does not guarantee that any further Statements of Work will be issued beyond the initial Proof of Solution

• Why the work is being done:

  The initial requirement is a 6 month Proof of Solution, with contractual flexibility to draw down additional Statements of Work (SoW) as needed, including activity to progress from inception into the build of the live service. This is part of an ambitious initiative to transform a major part of the Department’s operations. The central hypothesis is that the administration of benefits can be centralised into a single service for financial support rather than a combination of approaches that exist today. The Supplier will provide multi-disciplinary digital teams to deliver targeted research, technical prototyping and Proof of Solution (PoS) activities during Inception, followed by the delivery of digital outcomes in subsequent phases (subject to approval by the Authority). Project Aims and Scope – through this initiative, the Authority aims to increase the proportion of citizen interactions delivered through digital self-service while also improving the productivity of agents within DWP and providing appropriate alternative channels. Achieving this will require specific digital capabilities and capacity from both internal staff and the Supplier.

• Problem to be solved:

  This competition is part of an ambitious Initiative to transform a major part of the Department’s operations. The central hypothesis is that the administration of benefits can be centralised into a single service for financial support rather than a combination of approaches that exist today.

• Who the users are and what they need to do:

  The service will be used by Citizens (enabling them to apply for and receive financial support, and make changes), and DWP Agents (supporting them to make decisions where required, and to support citizens who need assistance).

• Work done so far:

  A Discovery phase has been carried out to identify high level user needs and the business opportunity. An initial target architecture has been identified, with assumptions to test as part of Proof of Solution.

• Current phase:

  Not applicable

• Existing team:

  The supplier will work in collaboration and cooperation with the Authority. The current team is made up of Digital (Architecture, Delivery, Product and User Centred Design specialists) and Business Transformation. Other suppliers may work on the wider Initiative, but there are no dependencies expected between suppliers.

• Incumbent supplier:

  No

• Working arrangements:

  The supplier is expected to work in collaboration with the Authority throughout the contract, demonstrating and sharing progress and playing a key role in identifying and assessing options and opportunities for the development of the service. Expectations – the Supplier will work in a collaborative way, with an emphasis on developing the Authority’s capability, sharing knowledge and responding to learning across the Initiative’s teams throughout the engagement. The Supplier will work as part of a “test and learn” approach with the Authority, adapting the scope and approach based on evidence and outcomes as part of Inception and delivery of the service. The Supplier will work with the Authority to elaborate on a Backlog of hypotheses, and user scenarios as part of the Proof of Solution. The Supplier will work with the Authority to develop an agreed prioritised Roadmap and Delivery Plan to set direction of the iInitiative. This will be subject to iteration based on progress and learning during delivery. The Supplier will share progress against agreed goals, demonstrate the developed products, and learnings. The emphasis will be on demonstrating working software as opposed to presentations. The Supplier will be expected to travel to DWP locations in order to take part in meetings, workshops and other colocated work. DWP will provide DWP devices. The supplier may also use appropriately secured supplier devices. Expenses are expected to be included within pricing.

• Security clearance:

  Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

• Security clearance:

  Security Check (SC)

• Additional information on security clearance:

  BPSS required for all resources working on the contract. SC clearance may be stipulated for certain roles under specific SOWs.

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• Quality:

  80

• Price:

  20

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm and provide evidence that you have ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  Yes

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm and provide evidence that you have Cyber Essential Plus accreditation, by attaching the relevant documentation

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  Yes

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  Please attach the relevant documentation

• Enter your question:

  Q.3 The Authority requires a Supplier who is able to work collaboratively with the Authority to development of a quality service Using specific examples, provide evidence of where you have developed and delivered quality services as a prime contractor, at a significant level of scale and complexity. Examples should be from experience with central government departments and / or complex, highly regulated environments. Guidance: Your response will be assessed against the extent to which your response demonstrates the following criteria. Please provide examples against the following: Evidence from specific examples, detailing your organisation's lead role, what you delivered, and the outcomes this enabled Expertise in an outcome-driven Test and Learn approach Approaches to collaborative, scaled agile delivery Experience of working with Central Government or comparable organisations in the last 3 years Tangible achievements and lessons learned Your response must describe how you delivered quality software-enabled services for the client.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Suppliers can enter information

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  Yes

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  Please upload your response in a maximum of 3 pages (A4),Arial Size 11.

• Enter your question:

  Q.4 The Authority requires a Supplier who can leverage current and future progress in Automation and Artificial Intelligence, in reducing manual effort for DWP agents and in AI-assisted development and prototyping approaches. Provide examples of where you have implemented automation, AI or machine learning as part of software delivery. Guidance: Your response will be assessed against the extent to which your response demonstrates the following criteria. Please provide examples against the following: Identification and assessment of options Evaluation and experimentation with automation, AI and machine learning, ensuring solutions are fit for purpose Implementation of automation, AI and machine learning into production services, including iteration Impact for operations and front-line staff, including time saved and improved accuracy Impact to software delivery through AI-assisted prototyping and development Risk-based approach to innovation and delivery with AI and automation Tangible achievements and lessons learned

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Suppliers can enter information

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  Yes

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  Please upload your response in a maximum of 2 pages (A4), Arial Size 11.

• Enter your question:

  Q.5 The Authority requires a Supplier who can work in a collaborative way to deliver Proof of Solution and software delivery outcomes as part of an ambitious transformation initiative. Describe your approach to working with central government departments and / or complex, highly regulated environments organisations to deliver meaningful change. Guidance: Your response will be assessed against the extent to which your response demonstrates the following criteria. Please provide examples against the following: Your approach to working in collaboration with client teams Experience of transparent and collaborative decision making Experience of sharing approach, knowledge and skills with Public Sector clients How you work in partnership with client teams as a single delivery team, sharing success How you embed inclusive and user‑centred approaches, ensuring that solutions work for users with different levels of digital confidence and accessibility needs. Approach to sharing knowledge

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Suppliers can enter information

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  Yes

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  Please upload your response in a maximum of 2 pages (A4),Arial Size 11.

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm that you will be able to undertake valid security checks (BPSS and SC) clearance, for the duration of this contract.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  No

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  Please attach the relevant documentation

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm that you are able to provide expertise in the required technologies. Including: Python, JavaScript and JavaScript frameworks, Flask, FastAPI, HTML, GOV.UK Design System, OAuth/OIDC, JSON, MongoDB, Linux, Docker, AWS, Git, DevOps.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Describe the response length/limit for this answer (e.g. 'not to exceed 2500 characters'):

  2500 characters

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  No

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm that you have experience of providing similar services as a prime contractor at scale with central government departments and / or complex, highly regulated environments.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Describe the response length/limit for this answer (e.g. 'not to exceed 2500 characters'):

  2500 characters

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  No

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm that you have acted as prime contractor for at least one similar engagement (proof of solution, technical discovery) informing architectural decisions.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Describe the response length/limit for this answer (e.g. 'not to exceed 2500 characters'):

  2500 characters

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  No

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm that you are aware that the engagement is based on an initial outcome-based Proof of Solution, with continuation through future Statements of Work not guaranteed.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Describe the response length/limit for this answer (e.g. 'not to exceed 2500 characters'):

  2500 characters

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  No

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  No document required

• Enter your question:

  Please confirm that you have read and understood the documentation and can meet the requirements.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Describe the response length/limit for this answer (e.g. 'not to exceed 2500 characters'):

  2500 characters

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  No

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  No document required.

• Enter your question:

  Q.1 The Authority requires a Supplier is who able demonstrate appropriate levels of performance, rigour and continuous improvement in its approach. How does your organisation demonstrate defined, standardised and repeatable software development and delivery processes? How are these tailored and applied to achieve successful outcomes? Guidance: Your response will be assessed against the extent to which your response demonstrates the following criteria: Organisational standards that are tested, proven and continuously improved and iterated Examples of tailoring of processes to specific clients to deliver outcomes in complex environments Approach to building and growing software delivery teams, with the right skills and expertise Measuring and developing the maturity of software development teams Demonstrating performance and achieving successful outcomes

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Suppliers can enter information

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  Yes

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  Please upload your response in a maximum of 3 pages (A4), Arial Size 11.

• Enter your question:

  Q.2 The Authority requires a Supplier who is able to work collaboratively with the Authority to progress the Initiative’s Proof of Solution, delivering valuable outcomes. Using specific examples, provide evidence of where you have undertaken similar Proof of Solution, research and development work as prime contractor. Examples should be from experience with central government departments and / or complex, highly regulated environments. Guidance: Your response will be assessed against the extent to which your response demonstrates the following criteria. Please provide examples against the following: Evidence from specific examples, detailing your organisation's lead role, what you delivered, and the outcomes this enabled. Expertise in developing and running an outcome-driven Test and Learn approach. Approaches to innovation and evidence of turning this into valuable outcomes. Working in a collaborative way with client technical and business teams. Experience of working with Central Government or comparable organisations in the last 3 years Tangible achievements and lessons learned.

• What type of response would you expect from the supplier for this question?:

  Yes or No

• Would the supplier need to attach any document?:

  Yes

• What type of document do you want the supplier to attach?:

  Please upload your response in a maximum of 3 pages (A4) Arial Size 11.

• Enter your question:

  x

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• Publication date:

  24 April 2026, 07:57

• Deadline for asking questions:

  05 May 2026, 09:00

• Closing date for applications:

  08 May 2026, 15:00

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Clarification questions and responses

There are no questions and clarifications relating to this opportunity.

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