Planning

Deputyship and Guardianship Surety Bonds (MoJ CoP and OPG)

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

14 Feb 2025 at 17:23

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is planning a procurement process for the provision of Deputyship and Guardianship Surety Bonds. This opportunity, classified under the insurance services category (CPV code 66510000), falls within the public order and safety sector. It aims to streamline and innovate the service provision for the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and the Court of Protection (CoP) across all regions of the UK. The procurement stage is currently at the 'planning' phase, with future notices expected by 31 July 2025, and the service provision anticipated to replace the current contract by July 2026. Interested parties are urged to engage early in the market discussions to help shape the future service design.

This tender offers significant growth potential for businesses specialising in insurance and surety services, particularly those with expertise in simplifying and innovating administrative processes. A single supplier will manage the service, providing an excellent opportunity for businesses adept at handling large-scale contracts and delivering customer-focused improvements. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with innovative solutions that enhance efficiencies in the mandatory deputyship and guardianship processes are encouraged to participate. Interested suppliers should contact the MoJ representatives, Christine Balbier and Ashok Chopra, for further engagement and information.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Deputyship and Guardianship Surety Bonds (MoJ CoP and OPG)

Notice Description

In accordance with the Mental Capacity Act legislation (full legislation can be found via link) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents and the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 legislation (full legislation can be found via link) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/27 The purpose of this PIN is to inform the market of a potential opportunity for the provision of service for surety bonds, for both deputyship and guardianship to the Office of the Public Guardian, the Ministry of Justice's agency His Majesty's Court and Tribunal Service's administration, the Court of Protection - of their intention and wish to engage with potential suppliers through an early market engagement event. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as matters relating to their health and finance. The OPG is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice, set up in 2007 following the legislation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 coming into force (in 2007). The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. The MoJ work to protect and advance the principles of justice. MoJ's vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society. His Majesty's Court and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the MoJ and is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts in England and Wales as well as certain tribunals across the United Kingdom. The Court of Protection (CoP) administered by the MoJ's HMCTS agency to make decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can't make decisions at the time they need to be made (they 'lack mental capacity'). The High Court has the power and responsibility to grant orders which will set out the duties of a guardian, to a missing person. The OPG and CoP are conducting a preliminary market engagement to deep dive the marketplace, to assist with the design of the future provision of service to replace the current contract. Deputyship (OPG and CoP) and guardianship (OPG) surety bonds and protecting the vulnerable are the fundamental core business operations for both the OPG and CoP, therefore the service provision of surety bonds is a business-critical requirement for both organisations.

Lot Information

Lot 1

As described and stated in II.1.4 above, the OPG and CoP are in the process of defining the future service provision. The OPG wish to combine the requirements of the deputyship (OPG and CoP) with the guardianship (OPG) surety bonds, under one contract. Reverting to a single supplier rather than a framework of multiple suppliers. This is to simplify and streamline efficiencies for both organisations in terms of management of the services and contract. The OPG and CoP are looking to innovate and improve how mandatory processes are undertaken to decrease timescales and processes for customer deputyship and guardianship applications. The OPG and CoP are wishing to work in partnership with their new service provider to implement improvements through innovation, simplification, driving efficiencies, customer focus and customer experience to the customer application processes and timelines within. The OPG and CoP are seeking to replace the current surety deputyship and guardianship bonds service provision by July 2026. The initial contract term will be for four years, with two additional extension periods of twelve months each. The OPG and CoP are requesting interested partied to register their interest to Christine Balbier at christine.balbier@publicguardian.gov.uk and Ashok Chopra at ashok.chopra@publicguardian.gov.uk to obtain further information as part of the preliminary market engagement. This notice relates to a market engagement opportunity and is not a call for competition or an invitation to take part in pre-qualification proceedings. The OPG and MoJ reserve the right to supplement and vary the conduct of the market engagement process. Where we do this, we will act transparently and treat all suppliers who have expressed an interest equally. This PIN does not constitute a commitment by OPG and MoJ to undertake any market engagement events or procurement exercises. OPG and MoJ reserve their rights as to the procurement route used. If a suitable framework is identified, OPG and MoJ may proceed to use that route. Should a suitable framework not be identified, OPG and MoJ anticipates using a competitive tendering procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The estimated date in II.3 is indicative only and subject to change. Organisations will not be prejudiced by any response to this PIN, or failure to respond. Additional information: The OPG, MoJ and its advisors give no warranty in respect of the accuracy, or completeness of any information provided. Reliance on, or use of, any such information is entirely at the risk of the person so doing and save in the case of fraud, under no circumstances will the OPG or MoJ or any of its advisors be liable for or accept any responsibility for any cost, expense or liabilities incurred.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e262
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005258-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

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

66 - Financial and insurance services


CPV Codes

66500000 - Insurance and pension services

66510000 - Insurance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Feb 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jul 2025Expired
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
Christine Balbier
Contact Email
christine.balbier@publicguardian.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 02033343555

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Post Town
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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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