Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Justice
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
Contact
Christine Balbier
christine.balbier@publicguardian.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 02033343555
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Public order and safety
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Deputyship and Guardianship Surety Bonds (MoJ CoP and OPG)
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 66510000 - Insurance services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
In accordance with the Mental Capacity Act legislation (full legislation can be found via link) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents and the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 legislation (full legislation can be found via link) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/27
The purpose of this PIN is to inform the market of a potential opportunity for the provision of service for surety bonds, for both deputyship and guardianship to the Office of the Public Guardian, the Ministry of Justice’s agency His Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service’s administration, the Court of Protection – of their intention and wish to engage with potential suppliers through an early market engagement event.
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as matters relating to their health and finance. The OPG is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice, set up in 2007 following the legislation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 coming into force (in 2007).
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. The MoJ work to protect and advance the principles of justice. MoJ’s vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.
His Majesty’s Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the MoJ and is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts in England and Wales as well as certain tribunals across the United Kingdom.
The Court of Protection (CoP) administered by the MoJ’s HMCTS agency to make decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions at the time they need to be made (they ‘lack mental capacity’).
The High Court has the power and responsibility to grant orders which will set out the duties of a guardian, to a missing person.
The OPG and CoP are conducting a preliminary market engagement to deep dive the marketplace, to assist with the design of the future provision of service to replace the current contract. Deputyship (OPG and CoP) and guardianship (OPG) surety bonds and protecting the vulnerable are the fundamental core business operations for both the OPG and CoP, therefore the service provision of surety bonds is a business-critical requirement for both organisations.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £15,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 66500000 - Insurance and pension services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
As described and stated in II.1.4 above, the OPG and CoP are in the process of defining the future service provision. The OPG wish to combine the requirements of the deputyship (OPG and CoP) with the guardianship (OPG) surety bonds, under one contract. Reverting to a single supplier rather than a framework of multiple suppliers. This is to simplify and streamline efficiencies for both organisations in terms of management of the services and contract. The OPG and CoP are looking to innovate and improve how mandatory processes are undertaken to decrease timescales and processes for customer deputyship and guardianship applications. The OPG and CoP are wishing to work in partnership with their new service provider to implement improvements through innovation, simplification, driving efficiencies, customer focus and customer experience to the customer application processes and timelines within.
The OPG and CoP are seeking to replace the current surety deputyship and guardianship bonds service provision by July 2026. The initial contract term will be for four years, with two additional extension periods of twelve months each.
The OPG and CoP are requesting interested partied to register their interest to Christine Balbier at christine.balbier@publicguardian.gov.uk and Ashok Chopra at ashok.chopra@publicguardian.gov.uk to obtain further information as part of the preliminary market engagement.
This notice relates to a market engagement opportunity and is not a call for competition or an invitation to take part in pre-qualification proceedings. The OPG and MoJ reserve the right to supplement and vary the conduct of the market engagement process. Where we do this, we will act transparently and treat all suppliers who have expressed an interest equally. This PIN does not constitute a commitment by OPG and MoJ to undertake any market engagement events or procurement exercises. OPG and MoJ reserve their rights as to the procurement route used. If a suitable framework is identified, OPG and MoJ may proceed to use that route. Should a suitable framework not be identified, OPG and MoJ anticipates using a competitive tendering procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The estimated date in II.3 is indicative only and subject to change. Organisations will not be prejudiced by any response to this PIN, or failure to respond.
two.2.14) Additional information
The OPG, MoJ and its advisors give no warranty in respect of the accuracy, or completeness of any information provided. Reliance on, or use of, any such information is entirely at the risk of the person so doing and save in the case of fraud, under no circumstances will the OPG or MoJ or any of its advisors be liable for or accept any responsibility for any cost, expense or liabilities incurred.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
31 July 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No