Summary

The Federal Chancellery is launching a 57-million-franc tender for IT services in the areas of data and artificial intelligence. The procurement initiative aims at the digital transformation of the federal administration from 2026 to 2031. SMEs and start-ups are explicitly invited to participate.

Persons

  • Federal Chancellery (responsible institution)

Topics

  • Digital transformation
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Public procurement
  • Federal administration

Clarus Lead

The Federal Chancellery is allocating 57 million francs in IT services in the core areas of data and AI for five years. The initiative supports the digital transformation of all federal offices and departments through standardized, shared solutions. The tender is divided into two lots and is managed via Simap.ch – with awards to the seven best bidders per lot.

Detailed Summary

The Federal Chancellery, with support from the Federal Office of Buildings and Logistics, is seeking service providers to implement data and AI strategies during the period from 2026 to 2031. The total budget is 57 million francs. The tender aims to support offices and departments in their digital transformation and to facilitate the development of shared solutions within the federal administration.

The procurement is divided into two lots: the first lot covers data-related services, the second covers artificial intelligence services. For each lot, contracts will be awarded to the seven bidders that best meet the award criteria. Bidders may form consortia or participate as subcontractors.

Broad Participation Desired: SMEs and start-ups are explicitly invited to participate. However, a company may submit only one bid per lot. Evaluation is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2026; service delivery is to begin in the third quarter of 2026. Questions regarding the tender should be directed to the official contact addresses on Simap.ch.

Key Statements

  • 57 million francs for data and AI services over five years
  • Two lots with seven awards each (best offers)
  • Explicit invitation to SMEs and start-ups
  • Objective: standardization and digital transformation of the federal administration
  • Evaluation by end of June 2026; service delivery from Q3 2026

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: What criteria specifically define "best fulfillment of award criteria," and how is transparency ensured in the evaluation of seven awards per lot?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How is it ensured that selected bidders work independently and do not have conflicts of interest with existing federal suppliers?

  3. Causality: Why is the tender divided into two separate lots – what alternatives (e.g., integrated solutions) were considered and rejected?

  4. Feasibility: How is the risk of a fragmented landscape with seven different data providers and seven AI providers per lot addressed to avoid integration problems?

  5. Side Effects: What measures are planned to reduce dependencies on individual bidders and prevent vendor lock-in?

  6. Schedule Risks: To what extent is the evaluation target (end of June 2026) realistic if significantly more bids than expected are submitted?

  7. SME Integration: How is it practically ensured that SMEs and start-ups can compete with established large providers without falling into subcontractor dependencies?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Call for Tenders for the Procurement of IT Services in the Areas of Data and Artificial Intelligence – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/0PNEf5nyXeOYeFWbSfG4v

Verification Status: ✓ March 25, 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-check: March 25, 2026