On 25 March 2024, the Cabinet Office published PPN 02/24 Improving Transparency of AI use in Procurement (PPN). The PPN applies to all central government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
The PPN acknowledges that AI is becoming increasingly prevalent in the delivery of services. It notes that where AI is likely to be used in delivery of the contract, commercial teams may want suppliers to declare this and provide further details. To assist with this, Annex B of the PPN suggests optional, non-scored questions about the use of AI, for inclusion in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). These questions aim to prompt suppliers to disclose:
• Whether they used AI to develop their bid responses. • If AI is likely to be involved in delivering the contracted services.
The PPN notes that these questions may inform the contracting authority's wider commercial strategy, as well as informing its approach to due diligence and managing risk. Annex A of the PPN contains a list of guidance and best practice documents that may be relevant to the use of AI in the public sector.
Date: 4 April