Private Sector Partner (PSP) for the Accelerated capability Environment (ACE)

This Tender Notice outlines the Home Offices intent to award a contract to deliver this requirement following a competitive procurement.

The Accelerated Capability Environment (ACE) solves public safety and security challenges by bringing together the best of public and private sector capabilities, especially new digital and data technologies.

The Private Sector Partner requirement is for a supplier to work closely with the Authority, to act as a flexible commissioning and delivery partner with responsibility for the dynamic ecosystem and collaboration platform (physical and virtual), to deliver commissioned ACE customer requirements (challenges or problem statements) and jointly protect HMG interests.

It should be noted that the ACE capability operates across HMG and Authorities other than the Home Office may access this agreement providing there is a memorandum of understanding in place for ACE services between the Home Office and the respective HMG organisation.

Commissions may or may not be limited to public safety and security challenges. It is anticipated that the majority of services will be delivered within the United Kingdom however the Authority may require the private sector delivery partner to support international delivery if required. Annual commissions will vary during the term of the contract based upon HMG demand. Such commissions are not guaranteed and historically as per the published ACE annual reviews these have ranged from ~£29m-£49m.

Market engagement has taken place for this opportunity with engagement calls on the 18th December 2024 and 30th January 2025. A face to face session was held at the Home Office on the 4th March 2025.

Notices (025731-2024 & 035036-2024) were issued as part of transitional arrangements from PCR2015 to PA23.

The engagements provided opportunities for interested parties to understand more on ACE and the private sector partner service as well as the procurement process.

The service is required to integrate the following key functions of leadership, mission engagement, portfolio delivery and innovation and enablers. The interaction between these and the ACE team within the Home Office make this suitable to be delivered in one lot as an integrated solution. This will provide greater taxpayer value for money through efficiency and consistency in approach.

Contract value is set at £19.8m for consistency with the tender notice but the contract drives to cost neutrality for the Authority.

The duration of the initial contract term will be up to 36 months from the date of contract signature, with an option for up to two 12-month extensions making a total potential term of 60 months.