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Witness Services (2023-2027)

Ministry of Justice

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

07 Oct 2021 at 22:45

Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

01 Oct 2021 at 22:45

Tender Notice
Planning

30 Sep 2021 at 22:45

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is initiating a procurement process for the Witness Service, which will provide support to witnesses in Criminal Courts across England and Wales from 2023 to 2027. An online Supplier Event is scheduled for 20 October 2021, with interested suppliers required to confirm their participation by 14 October 2021. The competition is set to go live in December 2021, with an expected transition to a new contract by August 2022. The service falls under the justice services category and aims to enhance the overall experience of witnesses in the criminal justice system.

This tender presents significant business opportunities for companies specialising in legal and support services, particularly those with experience in delivering emotional and practical assistance within court environments. Businesses capable of providing innovative solutions that improve accessibility and adapt to challenges such as pandemic-related disruptions will be particularly well-suited to compete. Engaging with this procurement process could enable successful bidders to contribute to the future design of witness support services, thereby playing a vital role in enhancing the justice system in the UK.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Witness Services (2023-2027)

Notice Description

We would like to invite interested parties to attend an online Supplier Event which will take place on 20 October 2021. To express an interest either in attending this event and/or participating in this competition please email: VW.National.Services@justice.gov.uk The form of response should be limited to the provision of a single point of contact (full company name, contact name, job title, e-mail address and telephone number).

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Ministry of Justice will shortly commence the procurement of a new contract for the Witness Service. The Witness Service is an existing service which will be recommissioned. The Witness Service has operated in all Criminal Courts in England and Wales since 2003, with a combination of volunteers and paid staff providing emotional and practical support to prosecution and defence witnesses to enable them to give their best evidence. The future service will be materially similar to the current model. However, we will also examine options for future improvement through effective engagement with the market. The Ministry of Justice is seeking a provider to provide support guided by the following principles, reflecting our vision for the service: To continue to deliver a service for witnesses attending court - building on the existing model for support and the significant benefits it provides to witnesses. To provide the service flexibility to better respond to new challenges, including pandemic-like scenarios, future use of Nightingale courts, Extended Operating Hours and support witnesses in giving remote and pre-recorded evidence. To improve the service at a detailed level, learning lessons from victim policy in recent years. This will include working to create a more trauma-informed approach, improving the accessibility of the service and improving partnership working with victim advocates. To create opportunities within the service design to test ambitious options for future improvement of the service, including through digital support. Indicative project milestones include: Competition Live - December 2021 Award confirmed and transition commenced - August 2022 Launch of the Future Witness Service (latest) - January 2021 The scope of the service, is being finalised, including through feedback from the market, and will be confirmed in the Contract notice.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02e6a7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025125-2021
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

75230000 - Justice services

75231100 - Law-courts-related administrative services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Oct 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Dec 2021Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Justice
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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