Planning

HMPPS Prison Retail Services

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

14 Jan 2026 at 14:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "HMPPS Prison Retail Services." This procurement falls under the category of services within the retail trade industry, specifically focusing on the delivery of non-essential goods to prisoners across 109 public prisons in England and Wales. The Ministry is conducting market engagement activities to shape future requirements, with key dates such as a Virtual Market Engagement Event scheduled for 9th February 2026 and on-site prison visits anticipated between 2nd-20th March 2026. The procurement process involves consideration of the service delivery model, which may include various approaches to fulfilment, logistics, and distribution of goods ranging from food and beverages to tobacco products. All engagement activities are expected to conclude by 31st March 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in retail trade, storage, and warehousing services. Companies with capabilities in logistics and distribution, particularly those experienced in delivering goods within controlled environments like prisons, would find this procurement process of interest. The Ministry of Justice is looking for flexibility and innovative solutions to ensure a cost-neutral service that meets security and safety standards. Potential suppliers who can offer comprehensive solutions or collaborate to provide portions of the required services could position themselves as valuable partners in this significant public service contract. Businesses have the opportunity to not only grow by securing this service contract but also to contribute to meaningful reforms within the UK's prison retail services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

HMPPS Prison Retail Services

Notice Description

The HMPPS Prison Retail Service is a critical service which delivers non-essential goods to prisoners within the UK prison system. The service is required to deliver approximately 250,000 transactions per month, to a population of circa 88,000 prisoners, across 109 public prisons in England & Wales. The service draws from a National Product List agreed centrally (currently max. 1000 products), from which prisoners can purchase using their own funds. Each prison offers a Local Product List derived from the National Product List, to meet the needs of their prisoners. The products required range from ambient, chilled and frozen food/drinks to toiletries/healthcare; and vapes/tobacco. This list is not exhaustive, and product types may be subject to change. Some goods supplied may also be bespoke to HMPPS, to meet security requirements. The Authority requires a service that meets the needs of the prisoners (the customer), whilst maintaining safety and security standards and supporting wider strategic aims of HMPPS. This will require flexibility across different parts of the estate. The Authority is considering all aspects of the future service, including but not limited to: * range of goods available * ordering processes * fulfilment, logistics and distribution * end user receipt of goods The preferred delivery model for the fulfilment, logistics and distribution aspect of the service may include a hybrid approach, combining elements such as: * bulk delivery * off-site pick & pack workshops * on-site pick & pack workshops * on-site shops Management of these elements may be undertaken by the supplier, the Authority, or a combination of both. This list is not exhaustive, and options are still being considered by HMPPS. A key aim of the service is that it is cost-neutral and that the service overheads and operating costs are covered by the cost of sales. The Authority is seeking to engage with interested parties capable of delivering all or part(s) of the service, to help shape future requirements, prior to any formal procurement exercise. Please note: All information provided in this Notice is indicative only and is subject to change.

Planning Information

The Authority intends to run a schedule of market engagement activity as follows, to provide information regarding the service requirements and invite feedback from suppliers: - Virtual Market Engagement Event: To be held via Microsoft Teams on the afternoon of Monday 9th February 2026. Timings and an agenda for the event will be confirmed when the calendar invite is sent. - Site Visit(s) to Prison(s): Anticipated to take place between 2nd-20th March 2026, with Prison(s) and date(s) to be confirmed. Further details will follow at the Virtual Market Engagement Event. Attendance will be limited to one representative per organisation. Please be aware that due to the nature of a Prison environment, there may be further limitations on maximum numbers and security restrictions at any site visit(s). - Market Engagement Questionnaire: To gain feedback from suppliers following the Virtual Market Engagement Event and Prison site visit(s). To register your interest for this schedule of market engagement activity, please complete the following registration form: https://forms.office.com/e/KYL0w3r6G5 Invitations and any further information will be sent via email following registration. Please note: Dates and activity may be subject to change.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0605bb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003128-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

CPV Codes

15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

55900000 - Retail trade services

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

63120000 - Storage and warehousing services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jan 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2029 - 31 Jul 2034 Over 5 years
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
Not specified
Contact Email
mojprocurementfood@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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