Prison Operator Services - HMP Oakwood

Descriptions

Updated procurement timescales and updated contractural value, and details relating to the competition pre launch activities

This Notice is published for the purpose of initiating engagement 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 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.

The Competitive Flexible procedure will consist of three stages: a Conditions of Participation stage, a Tender stage and a Preferred Bidder stage.

The Indicative Competition timeline for HMP Oakwood is as follows:

Pre-Competition Market Engagement events - 14/07/2025 - 18/07/2025

Conditions of Participation phase - week ending 25/07/2025 to week ending 22/08/2025

Bidder Engagement (site visits and Oakwood context) - 15/09/2025-26/09/2025

Submission phase including face to face dialogue - 29/09/2025 - 14/11/2025

Preferred Bidder Stage - 23/02/2026 - 06/03/2026

Governance - 09/03/2026 - 31/07/2026

Contract Award - 03/08/2026

Mobilisation - 24/08/2026 - 23/04/2027

Bidders should note that the dates above are indicative may be subject to change. Bidders should also note that the Invitation to Tender (ITT) documents along with the launch of the Data Room for HMP Oakwood, will be published at the start of the Conditions of Participation phase from week ending 25th July 2025.

The Authority is keen to understand the market interest from possible suppliers, prior to the launch of any market engagement activity planned for week commencing 14th July 2025. Therefore, should your organisation have the capability and capacity to deliver prison operator services at HMP Oakwood and have not yet expressed your interest in bidding for this contract, please register for this procurement opportunity by messaging the Authority with your interest via the MoJ's e-procurement portal (Jaggaer) under Prison PQQ_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 7th July 2025 is required.

All organisations who express an interest, we will be in touch via the messaging facility on PQQ_477 - Prison Operator Services - HMP Oakwood from 1 July 2025, to request completion of a Confidentiality Agreement and an Ethical Walls Agreement (if applicable). Further details and joining instructions for planned Market Engagement events will also be provided via the messaging facility on the Authority's e-procurement portal.

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. Separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time when the Authority decides to commence any procurement activity.