Feasibility Study into the use of AI/ML to improve outcomes for SMEs in Government Contracting

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In 2020 the Government set out how procurement would transform post-EU exit through a [Greenpaper][0] as well as procurement policies focussed on [Social Value][1] assessments and [Net Zero][2] plans for large contracts.The combination of these policy shifts is driving wholesale change in how Government and the Private Sector work together. This is going to have a material impact on businesses and how they work with Government. In particular, the change in regulation _create a more complex environment for Small and Medium Enterprises to compete on._Furthermore, [Government supply chains][3] are under significant pressure caused by _global macro-events_ of COVID19 the Ukraine war and a broader economic downturn. How to deliver cost effective public services is being challenged and in these cycles it makes price a greater focus for buyers and intrinsically drives awards business away from SMEs. Furthermore, _the economic downturn creates greater financial risks on SMEs_.Cimple has been working across the UK Government providing a marketplace solution that supports SMEs accessing Government (and wider Enterprise) opportunities helping them to optimise sales workflows.We believe that the power of data, behavioural science and leading AI/ML can be used to support SMEs accessing and bidding on contracts not just in the Public Sector but more broadly. Furthermore, this AI/ML deployment can be used to improve productivity within SMEs ([IMF 2021][4]) [costing the UK SMEs up to £57bn a yea][5]r (Natwest 2018).The aim of the project is to undertake a research and feasibility project on:* How AI/ML models deployed will be trusted by Government, SMEs and with the latter help to optimise their sales operations (and subsequently growth).* Bring together a leading consortium of academics and specialists to take forward research recommendations developing data architectures, AI/ML models, specifications and deployment models.Through this project, Cimple will help to enable economic growth in SMEs whilst accelerating the adoption of trustworthy AI in a critical business process where value is blocked or locked.[0]: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/green-paper-transforming-public-procurement[1]: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0620-taking-account-of-social-value-in-the-award-of-central-government-contracts[2]: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-policy-note-0621-taking-account-of-carbon-reduction-plans-in-the-procurement-of-major-government-contracts[3]: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9350/[4]: https://www.imf.org/en/News/Seminars/Conferences/2021/09/29/-/media/E683A100682B482E9CF77CA50515CADB.ashx[5]: https://www.natwestgroup.com/news-and-insights/feature-content/our-updates/2011-2020/natwest-research-shows-effect-of-productivity-gap.html