Procurement Routes to Market

Current Status (March 2026)

G-Cloud: Closed

Both G-Cloud 14 and G-Cloud 15 application windows have closed. The next opportunity is:

• G-Cloud 15 reopening: Estimated March 2028 (open framework model, 18-month reopening cycle)
• G-Cloud 16: Late 2027 / early 2028 (if separate from reopening)

You are NOT locked out. There are multiple verified routes available right now.

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Open Routes (Apply Now)

1. Spark DPS: RM6094 (VERIFIED OPEN)

The fastest route. Spark is a CCS Dynamic Purchasing System for emerging technology, including AI, automation, and digital innovation.

Detail	Information
Status	OPEN, suppliers can apply at any time
Assessment	Up to 15 working days
Expires	15 February 2029
Covers	AI, IoT, automation, wearables, security, emerging tech
Regulation	PCR 2015
Apply	https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps (select RM6094)
CCS page	https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6094

Why this fits SpektraBot: Spark is designed for novel technology products that don't fit neatly into traditional frameworks. An AI-powered SEND legal guidance platform is exactly the kind of emerging technology it was created for. Once admitted, public sector buyers (including LAs) can discover and procure your service through the Spark marketplace.

ACTION: Register on the CCS DPS Marketplace and apply to RM6094 immediately.

2. AI DPS: RM6200 (VERIFIED OPEN)

CCS Dynamic Purchasing System specifically for Artificial Intelligence.

Detail	Information
Status	OPEN, listed on CCS DPS Marketplace under Technology
Expires	23 February 2029
Covers	AI software applications, virtual assistants, chatbots, machine learning, augmented decision-making
Procurement	Buyers must run mini-competition (no direct award)
Apply	https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps (select RM6200)
CCS page	https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6200

Why this fits SpektraBot: SpektraBot is an AI software application providing augmented decision-making for SEND caseworkers. It falls squarely within RM6200's scope.

ACTION: Apply via the CCS DPS Marketplace alongside RM6094.

3. Direct LA Procurement (AVAILABLE NOW)

No framework needed. Under the Procurement Act 2023:

Contract Value	Procurement Route	Process
Under £50,000 (full term)	Direct award	LA can award directly, publish Contract Details Notice within 90 days
£50,000 – £214,904	Below-threshold	Must publish Transparency Notice or use competitive process
Over £214,904	Above-threshold (FTS)	Full regulated procurement required

SpektraBot at £9,999/year is well under the £50,000 direct award threshold (even over a 4-year term at £39,996). A SEND commissioner can approve this with a standard purchase order, no procurement process required.

"Sole supplier" route: Under the Procurement Act 2023, if your AI guidance platform uses proprietary models with no reasonable alternative on the market, an LA can bypass competitive tendering entirely, citing exclusive rights. SpektraBot has no direct competitor in AI SEND legal guidance for LAs.

4. Buying Consortia Registration (VERIFIED PORTALS)

Register as a supplier on these portals to be visible when LAs run technology procurements:

Consortium	Coverage	Supplier Registration	Status
ESPO	East Midlands + national	https://www.espo.org/Suppliers/becoming-a-supplier	✅ Verified
YPO	Yorkshire + national	https://www.ypo.co.uk/suppliers	✅ Verified
NEPO	North East + national	https://www.nepo.org/suppliers	✅ Verified
CPC	Further/higher education	https://www.thecpc.ac.uk/suppliers/become.php	✅ Verified
ProContract	Multi-consortium DPS portal	https://procontract.due-north.com	✅ Verified

These consortia run technology and education DPS arrangements that open periodically. Being registered means you receive notifications when relevant opportunities launch.

5. Individual LA Tenders (ONGOING)

LAs issue their own tenders for SEND-related technology. Monitor:

• Find a Tender: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/ (above-threshold)
• Contracts Finder: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/ (below-threshold)
• ProContract: https://procontract.due-north.com (consortium tenders)

ACTION: Register on all three and set up keyword alerts (see Alert Keywords section below).

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Upcoming Routes

6. Public Sector Software Solutions: RM6396 (Feb 2027)

Detail	Information
Status	Planned, tenders open 1 February 2027
Covers	SaaS solutions for public sector
Under	Procurement Act 2023
CCS page	https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6396

ACTION: Sign up for CCS alerts. Prepare application materials from December 2026.

7. G-Cloud 15 Reopening (~March 2028)

G-Cloud 15 operates as an open framework with planned reopening windows every ~18 months. The first reopening is expected around March 2028.

ACTION: Continue all other routes in parallel. Do not wait for this.

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Recommended Strategy

Phase 1: Immediate (This Week)

1. Apply to Spark DPS (RM6094) and AI DPS (RM6200) via the CCS DPS Marketplace
2. Register on all buying consortia portals (ESPO, YPO, NEPO, CPC, ProContract)
3. Register on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder with keyword alerts
4. Begin direct outreach to priority LAs (see LA Outreach guide)

Phase 2: This Month

5. Obtain D-U-N-S number: https://www.dnb.co.uk/duns-number.html (allow 30 days)
6. Confirm ICO registration: https://ico.org.uk/registration (£40/year)
7. Start Cyber Essentials preparation (mandatory for G-Cloud 15, strongly recommended for all)
8. Contact insurance broker for PI cover explicitly covering AI-generated legal information
9. Create "How to Buy SpektraBot" page on website
10. Build target LA contact list (152 LAs, prioritised by WSoA/Safety Valve/DBV status)

Phase 3: Direct LA Sales (Ongoing)

11. Direct outreach to LAs under improvement pressure (WSoA, Safety Valve, DBV)
12. Free 30-day pilots converting to paid contracts via purchase order
13. Price at £9,999/year to stay under direct award thresholds

Phase 4: Framework Applications (2027+)

14. RM6396 application when window opens (Feb 2027)
15. G-Cloud 15 reopening application (~Mar 2028)

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Why Direct Works for SpektraBot

1. Price point: At £9,999, most LAs can direct award without procurement involvement
2. Niche product: No direct competitors for AI SEND legal guidance, LAs can justify sole-source
3. Urgency: LAs with Written Statements of Action, Safety Valve agreements, or negative Ofsted inspections have improvement budgets and procurement flexibility
4. Pilot model: Free 30-day pilots convert to paid contracts via standard purchase orders
5. CIC status: Scores maximum social value points under the Social Value Model (mandatory 10% weighting in public contracts)

Target LA Categories

Category	Count	Why They Buy	Budget Source
LAs with Written Statements of Action (WSoA)	~40	Under Ofsted/CQC pressure to improve	SEND improvement budget
Safety Valve LAs	~34	DfE agreement to reduce HNB deficit	Ring-fenced improvement funding
Delivering Better Value (DBV) LAs	~55	DfE programme for deficit reduction	DfE grant funding
LAs with recent negative Area SEND inspections	~20/year	Must demonstrate improvement	Improvement budget

The Direct Procurement Pitch

"SpektraBot is available for immediate procurement. At £9,999/year, it falls within your direct award threshold, no tender process required. We also offer a free 30-day pilot for your SEND team. Contact us to start this week."

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Alert Keywords

Set up saved searches with email notifications on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder:

1. "SEND"
2. "special educational needs"
3. "education software"
4. "AI guidance"
5. "SEND legal"
6. "education technology"
7. "artificial intelligence local authority"
8. "G-Cloud"
9. "RM6094" (Spark DPS)
10. "RM6200" (AI DPS)
11. "RM6396" (Public Sector Software, upcoming)

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Key Contacts

Organisation	Contact	Purpose
CCS DPS Marketplace	https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dps	Apply to RM6094 + RM6200
CCS general	info@crowncommercial.gov.uk / 0345 410 2222	Framework queries
CCS G-Cloud team	cloudservices@crowncommercial.gov.uk	G-Cloud + category manager introduction
Find a Tender	https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/	Alert setup
Contracts Finder	https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/	Below-threshold alerts

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Verification Notes

All URLs and statuses were verified via HTTP on 10 March 2026. The following claims from research were found to be inaccurate and have been excluded:

• RM6357 (claimed "AI DPS v2"), returns 404, does not exist
• RM6202 (claimed "Digital Inclusion"), is actually "Tail Spend Solution" for office supplies
• "DfE National EHCP Digital Guidance Tool DPS", no matching notice found on Find a Tender
• Specific consortia DPS reference numbers (ESPO 704_24, YPO 001130, NEPO 301, CPC/DU/ELE/07), could not be verified; register on portals and check directly
• "LGA Open Digital & Data Framework", URL returns 403; existence unconfirmed
• NHS SBS framework URLs, return 404; NHS SBS homepage exists but specific procurement pages have moved