Scope
Reference
project_19029
Description
**This Planned Procurement Notice is issued for information only, to update the market on anticipated procurement timescales. It does not invite requests to participate or the submission of tenders.**
Provision of in-country and overseas Escorting, including related services, to transport detained individuals to and from various locations including but not limited to Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs), air and sea ports, Holding Rooms, Residential Short Term Holding Facilities, and overseas to other countries.
Background:
The Home Office is responsible for detaining and enforcing the removal of people from the UK who have no legal basis to remain here. The Escorting Services contract is fundamental to delivering this through the movement of people within the UK, which supports the functioning of the immigration detention / removal estate; the removal of people from the UK, which is predominately via air travel and a mix of escorted (to destination) and unescorted (not escorted to destination). The contract also includes the operation, management and maintenance of Residential Short-Term Holding Facilities and the operation and management of Non-Residential Short-Term Holding Facilities at air/seaports and Immigration Enforcement reporting centres (STHFs). STHFs support the wider immigration detention / removal estate, enforcement activity within the community and protection of the UK border.
Requirement (please note not exhaustive and subject to change):
Management Services – includes operational control centre, performance monitoring and reporting, audit arrangement, and complaint procedures.
Core Services – includes welfare, care of children, risk assessments, use of force, medical support, staffing & personnel and training.
In-Country Escorting – 24/7 escorting between locations within the UK. Includes prisons, police stations, hospitals (inc bed watches), STHFs, Immigration Removal Centres. Also includes escort to aircraft for purpose of removal (unescorted) and provision of medical escorts.
Overseas Escorting – 24/7 escorting from place of detention within the UK to designated overseas destination, primarily via air travel with a mix between scheduled and charter flights. Also includes provision of medical escorts and interfacing with the authorities travel service provider.
Non-Residential STHF - the operation and management of designated holding rooms across all parts of the UK. There are currently 28 of these facilities which operate up to 24/7 and can hold people up to 24 hours and beyond in certain circumstances.
Residential STHF – the operation, management and maintenance of RSTHF across all parts of the UK. There are currently 3 of these facilities which operate 24/7 and can hold people up to 7 days in certain circumstances.
Juxtaposed Controls (Northern France) 24/7 escorting services with the UK control zones (Calais, Coquelles, and Dunkerque) and operation and management of 5 (currently) holding rooms at these French ports.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,201,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,441,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2028 to 30 April 2038
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 50111000 - Fleet management, repair and maintenance services
- 60130000 - Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
- 79710000 - Security services
- 55500000 - Canteen and catering services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
7 September 2026
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
16 November 2026, 11:59pm
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
7 January 2028
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Details of the Competitive Flexible Procedure steps will be depicted at a later stage.
This Planned Procurement Notice is issued for information only, to update the market on anticipated procurement timescales. It does not invite requests to participate or the submission of tenders.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
via the Authority's procurement portal
Contracting authority
Home Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGC-6513-PQLZ
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government