Scope
Reference
DOJ DAC 15/25
Description
The Department of Justice (DoJ) coordinates the Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme which is the Executive's response to its commitment made under the Fresh Start agreement of November 2015 and the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) document of 2020. It is reflected in the draft Programme for Government / Outcomes Delivery Plan and DoJ Corporate Plan for 2022-25.
The Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality, and Organised Crime Programme is a collaborative, Executive-wide approach which has the outcome of 'safer communities, resilient to paramilitarism, criminality and coercive control'. It was initially established in 2016 as a result of the Fresh Start Agreement as a means of implementing the Independent Panel's Report on the Disbandment of Paramilitary Groups.
To support this goal, and to better understand need to improve service delivery, the Programme seeks to commission a comprehensive study on the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), childhood trauma, and exposure to violence among the Northern Ireland prison population. This research will fill a critical evidence gap, inform rehabilitation and public safety strategies, and support trauma-informed approaches within the justice system.
Contract 1. EPPOC NIPS ACEs Study
Supplier
Contract value
- £160,000 excluding VAT
- £192,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 October 2025 to 30 October 2026
- 1 year
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
Direct award conditions and permissible justifications are set out under Chapter 3 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act.
Based on the information provided there may be justification for a direct award on the grounds set out under paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 where the following conditions are met in relation to the public contract-
(a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
(b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.
On the basis of the information presented, it may be possible to rely on a derogation in this case (i.e. Para 6 of Schedule 5) due to the fact that the Supplier, under the conditions of the initial study, holds exclusive rights to the underlying data until February 2027, and this proposed follow‑on work requires lawful access and use of that data during this exclusivity period to meet programme timescales and objectives.
Supplier
Withheld Section94 Supplier
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBXY-3232-WNHZ
Withheld address line 1
Withheld Town
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Email: withheldemail@noreply.com
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. EPPOC NIPS ACEs Study
Contracting authority
The Department of Justice
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNYR-2253-MGXT
Block C, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate
Belfast
BT4 3SG
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies & Services Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
Clare House, 303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast