Scope
Reference
prj_14470
Description
This Notice is published for the purpose of initiating engagement with the market to gauge market interest to support the Authority (Ministry of Justice) and His Majesty's Prison & Probation Services (HMPPS) in developing its strategy for the future delivery of Prison Operator Services at HMP Oakwood, which is a Category C privately managed prison.
Prison Operator Services (also referred to as "prison management" in global markets) involves the provision of Operational Custodial Services and Facilities Management of prisons in England and Wales. The Authority has tendered the operation of prisons to the private sector since the early 1990s and has long advocated a shared approach to prison operation that includes a mix of public, voluntary and private sector involvement.
HMP Oakwood is a male Category C training prison located near Wolverhampton in Staffordshire, holding up to 2,134 adult men. It is the largest capacity male prison within the HMPPS estate, either publicly or privately run.
The Authority is keen to understand the market interest from possible suppliers, prior to the launch of any market engagement activity for the re-procurement of operator services at this prison. Therefore, should your organisation have the capability and capacity to deliver prison operator services at HMP Oakwood and are interested in bidding for this contract, please register your interest in this procurement opportunity by messaging the Authority with your interest via the MoJ's e-procurement portal (Jaggaer) under Prison PPQ_477 - Prison Operator Services - HMP Oakwood. (The link to the Authority's e-procurement portal is listed below)
https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk
A response by 5pm on Monday 31/03/2025 is required.
Any market engagement activity will commence following the submission of the bids for the HMP Doncaster (Operator) Competition in late June or early July 2025.
For all organisations who express interest, we will be in touch in due course with further details and joining instructions for planned Market Engagement events. Separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time when the Authority decides to commence any procurement activity.
The procurement activity for the Oakwood prison services falls outside the remit of the Authority's Prison Operator Services Framework, therefore the procurement process will be managed as a separate (standalone) procurement competition using the new Competitive Flexible procedure as part of the Procurement Act 2023, under provisions for Light Touch Regime.
Disclaimer: Please note this Notice is for market engagement purposes only. It does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Authority.
Total value (estimated)
- £600,000,000 excluding VAT
- £720,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 24 April 2027 to 23 April 2037
- Possible extension to 23 April 2040
- 13 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75231230 - Prison services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 June 2025
Engagement process description
The Authority will be providing the market with updates leading to a market engagement event and a HMP Oakwood site visit prior to the launch of the tendering documentation signalling the beginning of the procurement process.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
21 July 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Ministry of Justice
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNN-2773-HVYN
102 Petty France
London
SW1H 9AJ
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government