Planning

Wastewater Testing

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Apr 2026 at 09:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Wastewater Testing," primarily focusing on health surveillance within prisons in the United Kingdom. The process aims to leverage wastewater testing to gain insights into the health of the prison population, monitoring drugs, pathogens, and health markers. This procurement falls within the services category and is classified under analysis and laboratory services. The engagement is set to gather market readiness and capability to deliver a trial multi-target surveillance programme. Interested parties are invited to complete a Market Engagement Questionnaire, with submissions due by 8th May 2026, at 23:59hrs. The initiative does not yet constitute a formal procurement, and any information gathered is subject to change.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the laboratory services and analysis sectors, particularly those with expertise in wastewater testing and health surveillance. Companies specialised in providing laboratory solutions and analysis services can leverage their capabilities to impact health insights in correctional facilities. SMEs are explicitly encouraged to participate, making it an attractive prospect for smaller enterprises to bolster their growth through government contracts. By engaging in this preliminary market exercise, businesses can potentially shape the design and scope of a future programme, opening avenues for commercial partnership and influence in a vital public health sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Wastewater Testing

Notice Description

The Ministry of Justice recognises the potential of prison wastewater testing in offering insight into the health of the prison population. This questionnaire is issued by the Ministry of Justice to gather information on market capability and appetite to deliver a trial multi-target wastewater-based surveillance programme, which would aim to explore the feasibility of monitoring drugs, pathogens, and human health biomarkers in prison wastewater samples. Responses will be used to inform the design, scope, and delivery model of any potential future programme. This is a market engagement exercise only and does not constitute a commitment to procure.

Planning Information

We are keen to hear from suppliers to better understand the appetite, capability and capacity to deliver this requirement which will support with the development of any future procurement for this Service. A Market Engagement Questionnaire has been developed and we invite responses via the link below: https://forms.office.com/e/WkM8gYzSG0 The deadline for completion of the Market Engagement Questionnaire is 23:59hrs on Friday 8 May 2026. This Market Engagement exercise does not commit the Authority to a formal procurement and any information provided in this questionnaire is subject to change.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0683e0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034565-2026
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
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
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2028 - 31 Mar 2031 2-3 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
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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