Planning

HMPPS Prison Retail Services

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

12 May 2026 at 13:01

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

14 Jan 2026 at 14:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is currently planning the procurement of HMPPS Prison Retail Services, detailed in a notice published on 12 May 2026. This service aims to deliver non-essential goods to prisoners in approximately 108 public prisons across England and Wales, along with privately managed prisons that may opt into the service. The procurement falls under the category of services, specifically involving retail trade services, storage and warehousing services, food, beverages, tobacco, and related products, as well as transport services. The process is in the planning stage, with further market engagement activities scheduled for April 2027 and the contract expected to commence on 1 August 2029, concluding on 31 July 2037. The procurement method includes planning for a future market engagement notice to shape final requirements.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses within retail, logistics, and distribution sectors, particularly those capable of managing large-scale operations with flexibility in delivery models. Businesses equipped to handle supply chain logistics, stock management, and the distribution and fulfilment of diverse product categories will find this a promising venture. Opportunities also exist for companies capable of integrating digital and non-digital order processing in various prison environments. Engaging with this procurement process can significantly enhance business growth, providing a long-term contractual relationship with a central government authority.

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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 in total, to a population of circa 88,000 prisoners, across 108 public prisons in England & Wales. The Authority may also require that privately managed prisons are able to opt-in to elements of the service. The service will draw from a National Product List (NPL) agreed centrally, from which prisoners can purchase using their own funds. Each prison will offer a Local Product List (LPL) derived from the National Product List, to meet the needs of their prisoners. The products required range from ambient, fresh, 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 (e.g. Vapes). 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. The service consists of the following key elements: * Supply of goods - consistent and stable supply of the products listed on the NPL and associated LPLs. * Ordering processes - the taking and processing of individual prisoner orders in both digital and non-digital prisons. * Order fulfilment - servicing of the prisoner orders, through pick & pack workshops or shops. * Stock management - replenishment and management of stock both at wholesale and workshop/shop level, to ensure availability to service orders. * Distribution - delivery of bulk goods or picked & packed orders to receiving site and subsequently end-users (where applicable). Delivery of the service will require flexibility across different parts of the estate, in light of both Governor preferences for fulfilment and the digital/physical infrastructure available within establishments. Please note: Development of the final service model and associated requirements are still being considered by HMPPS. All information provided in this Notice is indicative only and is subject to change. The Authority intends to publish a further UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice in due course regarding this requirement, within which information will be provided on how to engage with the Authority.

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/043487-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline 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
12 May 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 Apr 202712 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2029 - 31 Jul 2037 Over 5 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
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
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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