Expanding access to specialist AI capability at a utilities company

The challenge: Expanding access to specialist AI capability at pace

A major UK water utilities company was seeking to scale AI usage across its operations, supported by a growing in-house data science and AI team. However, with existing supplier models, access to the specialist capability needed to support rapid innovation and a “learn-fast” approach was limited.

The AI supplier market is still nascent and evolving rapidly, with much capability concentrated in a fragmented ecosystem of niche providers. Many of these specialists sit outside traditional supplier models, making them harder to access through standard procurement approaches.

The client partnered with Efficio to design a sourcing approach to identify and engage a broad range of suppliers, from specialists to traditional partners with the required capability.

The approach: Redesigning the supplier selection process 

Early engagement with a wide range of AI providers was crucial to designing a process that would attract a diverse supplier base consisting of specialists and established partners. The client-Efficio team shaped evaluation criteria based on technical expertise, relevant experience, and alignment with the client’s ways of working, with the client’s Data Science and AI Architecture teams closely involved in defining requirements and evaluating suppliers. 

A three-stage process followed, with almost 200 initial submissions progressively down-selected to a final group of providers. The client-Efficio team also established a flexible framework[CA1.1] under PA23, designed to be reopened over time, ensuring continued access to emerging AI capability in a rapidly evolving market.

A tailored MSA was introduced with specific provisions for AI services, ensuring robust data security and governance when engaging providers.

The results: Access to specialist AI capability in a future-proofed model

Six expert AI providers were appointed, each demonstrating deep technical expertise and the ability to deliver genuine innovation that the organisation could not access with its existing providers. With the framework providing an ongoing route to market, the client can access new AI capability as it emerges.

Alongside improved capability access, the client-Efficio team delivered 20% savings across the framework through rate card reductions.