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UK2 Market Engagement Notice - Light Catering Equipment

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

01 Jul 2026 at 14:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

12 May 2026 at 12:10

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is embarking on a planning phase for a procurement process related to light catering equipment, with the main procurement category being goods. The process involves the procurement of items such as catering equipment, utensils, and cookware, which will be distributed to custodial establishments under the management of His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) across England and Wales. Key upcoming deadlines include the registration for market engagement by 17th July 2026. The planning stage entails gathering supplier input and conducting a possible virtual supplier engagement event in August 2026, culminating in a questionnaire response deadline on 31st July 2026. The anticipated contract will commence on 1st November 2027 and run until 31st October 2032, highlighting a structured pipeline aimed at guaranteeing sustainable procurement solutions.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises, that specialise in the supply of light catering equipment. By contributing to the supply of high-quality kitchen equipment to the HMPPS, businesses can strengthen their market presence within the public sector. The focus on sustainable and innovative product solutions promises additional opportunities for companies leading in eco-friendly practices and product innovation. Furthermore, the open procedure procurement method ensures a transparent and competitive tender process, encouraging a variety of suppliers to partake and potentially secure a lucrative contract to assure steady revenue streams and long-term partnerships with a central government authority.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UK2 Market Engagement Notice - Light Catering Equipment

Notice Description

This contract covers all light catering equipment used in food preparation across HMPPS establishments, with 385 items currently listed on the catalogue. Forecasting is based on approximately 78,000 individual items and mixed-size packs (e.g. packs of 12 spoons). Goods must be delivered directly to each establishment in line with agreed delivery schedules, security requirements, and vehicle restrictions associated with historic prison archways.

Planning Information

1. Description of Service Requirement His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), an Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), currently operates a national Light Catering Equipment (LCE) contract that provides catering equipment, utensils, cookware, food preparation equipment and associated products to custodial establishments across England and Wales. The future requirement is expected to include: • Supply of a broad range of light catering equipment products to prisons and other MoJ establishments. • Maintenance of a comprehensive and regularly updated product catalogue. • Provision of a reliable ordering and fulfilment service. • Delivery of products to multiple locations across England and Wales. • Management of product warranties, defects, returns and replacements. • Access to sustainable and environmentally responsible product options where available. • Customer support and account management services. • Capacity to respond to changing operational requirements and demand levels. The requirement will prioritise: • Value for money. • Quality, durability and fitness for purpose. • Supply chain resilience and continuity of supply. • Sustainability and environmental considerations. • Efficient ordering and delivery arrangements. • Flexibility to support changing operational needs across the prison estate. The information set out above is preliminary and subject to change. Nothing in this notice should be taken as an indication of the final scope, specification, procurement procedure, or commercial structure. ________________________________________ 2. Scope of Market Engagement HMPPS is seeking supplier input into areas including, but not limited to, the following: • Product ranges and market capability. • Sustainable and innovative product solutions. • Delivery models and logistics arrangements. • Catalogue management and digital ordering solutions. • Capacity, resilience and supply chain considerations. • Pricing approaches and commercial structures. • Mobilisation and implementation considerations. • Risks, challenges and barriers to market participation. ________________________________________ 3. Engagement Approach 3.1 Questionnaire Suppliers will be invited to complete a structured Early Market Engagement Questionnaire (EMEQ) to provide market insight. Responses will not be evaluated or used to assess supplier capability or suitability for this or any future procurement. 3.2 Supplier Engagement Event (Indicative) HMPPS may hold a virtual supplier engagement event providing: • An overview of the anticipated requirement. • An opportunity for suppliers to seek clarification. • Discussion of key market themes and opportunities. • Information regarding the proposed procurement timeline and objectives. This will be confirmed following receipt of the EMEQ responses, and details will be provided to registered suppliers as appropriate. Any supplier event will be open to all suppliers who register in accordance with this notice. HMPPS may publish a summary of key themes, questions and responses following the event. ________________________________________ 4. How to Participate Suppliers wishing to participate should register their interest by email no later than 17:00 on 16 July 2026. Email: Mojprocurementfood@justice.gov.uk Subject Line: LCE Market Engagement Registration – [Organisation Name] Please include: • Organisation name. • Contact name and role. • Contact email address. • Brief description of your organisation's relevant experience within the catering equipment sector. Registered suppliers will initially receive: • Questionnaire documentation. • Submission guidance. • An invitation to any subsequent supplier engagement event if held. Registration for, and participation in, this preliminary market engagement is not a prerequisite for participation in this or any future procurement. ________________________________________ 5. Key Dates (Indicative) Activity Date Registration deadline 17:00 on 16/07/2026 Questionnaire issued 17/07/2026 Questionnaire response deadline 17:00 on 31/07/2026 Supplier engagement event (if held) TBC – August 2026 ________________________________________ 6. Important Information • This is not a call for competition. • Participation is voluntary and non-evaluative. • Participation will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process. • HMPPS/MoJ is not obliged to commence a procurement as a result of this engagement exercise. • Any future procurement will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. ________________________________________ 7. Equal Treatment and Transparency HMPPS will ensure that: • No supplier gains an unfair competitive advantage. • Relevant information is shared appropriately at any future procurement stage. • Engagement is conducted transparently, proportionately and in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Any material information provided during the preliminary market engagement that may be relevant to a future procurement will be appropriately recorded and, where required, made available to all potential suppliers at an appropriate stage to ensure a level playing field. ________________________________________ 8. Next Steps Following market engagement, HMPPS will: • Analyse supplier feedback and market intelligence. • Refine the requirement and specification. • Consider opportunities for innovation and sustainability. • Develop the commercial model and contract structure. • Finalise the procurement strategy and route to market. A future opportunity may be advertised through the UK e-notification service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06969e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061903-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

CPV Codes

39311000 - Light catering equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,692,979 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Jul 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Jan 20277 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2027 - 31 Oct 2032 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

JSON Markdown

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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