Planning

Forensic analysis of seized items in HMPPS settings

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

11 Sep 2025 at 14:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

20 May 2025 at 15:20

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

08 Apr 2025 at 07:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is in the planning stages for a procurement titled "Forensic analysis of seized items in HMPPS settings," which falls under the services category of the laboratory and analysis services industry. This project is essential for providing forensic analysis services in approximately 108 Public Prisons and 105 Approved Premises across England and Wales. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with a market engagement scheduled to run between 1st October and 6th October 2025, allowing interested suppliers to participate through one-on-one Teams calls. The potential contract is anticipated to start on 1st April 2027 and extend until 31st March 2030, with possible renewals. The Ministry's address is 102 Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ, United Kingdom, with contact available via CommercialStandards@justice.gov.uk.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in laboratory and analytical services, particularly those equipped with drug detection and analysis capabilities. Small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply, as the procurement is suitable for SME participation. With a substantial budget, expected gross value of approximately £14.1 million, and covering a wide range of locations across England and Wales, it provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to expand their services into the public sector. Companies with a strong library of detectable substances and the ability to provide detailed forensic analysis will be well-suited to meet the needs of the Ministry of Justice in combating drug-related issues within correctional settings.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Forensic analysis of seized items in HMPPS settings

Notice Description

This requirement is for forensic analysis for the presence of drugs, on items seized from HMPPS settings (including prisons and approved premises). At the time of publishing this Notice, it is anticipated the service requirement would be for approximately 108 Public Prisons and 105 Approved Premises across England & Wales, with a estimation of approximately 6000 total item submissions per annum. This is a guide only and is subject to change - no volumes will be guaranteed under the Contract. Subject to final specification design, it is envisaged that the contract would provide laboratory-based analysis of seized substances (liquid or solid) to identify the presence of: - Controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 - Substances under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 - Prescription and pharmacy medicines The intention is that the provider will hold a library of drugs that they can detect, including the drugs outlined in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 as well as other substances. Where the provider has a certified standard in their drugs library, the identity of the substance can be confirmed and where possible advise on the nature of any other substance that could be identified through analysis. The identification of substances will assist in tackling the conveyance and abuse of drugs inside prisons and approved premises and provide an evidential basis for adjudication proceedings.

Planning Information

The Authority is keen to further engage with interested suppliers following the completion of a Market Engagement Questionnaire as part of a previous market engagement exercise undertaken in April 2025. This engagement will take the form of a 1-1 Teams call where the Authority will ask further questions to support with the development of the procurement for this Service, building on responses received from those who completed the initial questionnaire. Questions will be provided to interested parties within a suitable timeframe prior to the call to aid in preparation for it. Interested suppliers are requested to email MoJProcurement.Off@justice.gov.uk in the first instance to receive a list of available times/dates which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Timeslots are currently available between 1st October and 6th October (inclusive) however, the Authority reserves the right to extend the deadline for engagement dependent on interest received and whether it deems that further market engagement is required. This Market Engagement exercise does not commit the Authority to a formal procurement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fe70
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055910-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£11,750,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
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
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialstandards@justice.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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