Planning

MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

10 Nov 2025 at 15:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is initiating a public procurement process for an AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-Based Software Solution, with the process currently at the planning stage. This procurement aims to enhance educational opportunities within the justice system, particularly for His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), by focusing on digital and AI capabilities to support reading education. The procurement, identified as PDNN-2773-HVYN, is conducted through a Request for Information (RFI) to gain insights into market capabilities and offerings. The deadline for submissions is set for 26th November 2025, with communications facilitated through the MoJ e-Sourcing portal. This initiative falls under the services industry category and is primarily focused on the United Kingdom.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in software development services, especially those with expertise in AI and digital education solutions. Companies capable of providing innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of educating a diverse prison population will find this project relevant. SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations are particularly encouraged to engage, given their suitability for achieving tailored and impactful solutions. The MoJ's focus on incorporating advanced technology in educational programmes within the prison system underscores a unique opportunity for businesses to contribute to social rehabilitation efforts and reduce recidivism through enhanced literacy support.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution

Notice Description

Preliminary Market Engagement Notice Reference & Title: prj_15796 MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution - Request for Information Procurement Unique Identifier: PDNN-2773-HVYN Date of Issue: 10/11/2025 Contracting Authority: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) Contact Details: Shannon Wood, Commercial Lead for Emerging Technology - shannon.wood1@justice.gov.uk 1. Purpose of the Notice This UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice is issued in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose of this notice is to inform the market of a MoJ Request for Information (RFI) and to engage with suppliers to obtain feedback and insights on the potential requirement for an AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-Based Software Solution. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. The MoJ works to protect and advance the principles of justice; our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society. His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is an executive agency, sponsored by the MoJ and carries out sentences given by the courts, in custody and in the community, and rehabilitates people in its care through education and employment. For at least the past three years, there have been over 80,000 prisoners held in custody at any given time. In 2015/16 the estimated total cost of crime in England and Wales is more than PS58 billion. Rehabilitative services, including reading education, have proven to reduce recidivism, changing lives. Over 60% of prisoners have literacy levels below those expected at the end of primary education. Traditional reading interventions can fail to engage adult learners in custody, especially those with neurodiverse needs or disrupted educational histories. This contributes to poor mental health, behavioural issues, and reduced rehabilitation prospects. The MoJ is keen to obtain feedback and insights on the potential requirement for an AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-Based Software Solution. This Request for Information (RFI) is a preliminary market engagement exercise to seek information relating to this requirement, and to gain a better understanding of the types and availability of products and services, as well as the commercial terms on which to acquire them. 2. Access and Communication This RFI is being conducted through the MoJ e-Sourcing portal and all communications between MoJ and Suppliers during this RFI process must strictly be made using the MoJ e-Sourcing portal. Suppliers must create an account on the e-sourcing portal found via the link here: https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html Suppliers can access the RFI via PQQ_541 'MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution'. The PQQ will hold the following RFI documents and information which consists of: Attachment 1 RFI Instructions Attachment 2 RFI Background and Scope Attachment 2, Annex A Prison Education Services Standard Non-Functional requirements Attachment 3 RFI Questionnaire Clarification questions and answers document (shared using the messaging facility) Suppliers will respond to the RFI by uploading the completed Attachment 3 RFI Questionnaire to Technical Envelope, Question 1.1 'RFI Questionnaire'. 3. Timescales These are our intended RFI timescales. We will inform you if and when timelines change. Time / Date Activity 10th November 2025 UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice released and supplier e-sourcing system registration 12th November 2025 RFI opens and Clarification period starts 19th November 2025, 17:00 Clarification period ends 20th November 2025, 17:00 Deadline for the publication of responses to RFI Clarification questions 26th November 2025, 17:00 Deadline for submission of RFI Responses December to January 2025 Confirm the next steps to Suppliers 4. Disclaimer Nothing shall constitute a commitment to ordering or award unless the MoJ publishes an Invitation to Tender that results in the award of a Contract. The contents of the Market Engagement are not binding and may be subject to change or cancellation.

Planning Information

This RFI is being conducted through the MoJ e-Sourcing portal and all communications between MoJ and Suppliers during this RFI process must strictly be made using the MoJ e-Sourcing portal. Suppliers must create an account on the e-sourcing portal found via the link here: https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html Suppliers can access the RFI via PQQ_541 ‘MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution’. The PQQ will hold the following RFI documents and information which consists of: Attachment 1 RFI Instructions Attachment 2 RFI Background and Scope Attachment 2, Annex A Prison Education Services Standard Non-Functional requirements Attachment 3 RFI Questionnaire Clarification questions and answers document (shared using the messaging facility) Suppliers will respond to the RFI by uploading the completed Attachment 3 RFI Questionnaire to Technical Envelope, Question 1.1 ‘RFI Questionnaire’.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dded
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072496-2025
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72212983 - Development software development services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Mar 20266 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Mar 2026 - 1 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Contact Name
Shannon Wood
Contact Email
shannon.wood1@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

Download

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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