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Preliminary Market Engagement - Bulk Scanning (Paper-to-Digital Services)

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

24 Jun 2026 at 13:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

26 May 2026 at 11:33

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is conducting a preliminary market engagement process for its upcoming tender related to Bulk Scanning services, aiming to transform physical documents into digital format for supporting court and tribunal operations. This encompasses a wide range of services including document preparation, scanning, and secure handling, with a strong focus on data protection and service resilience. The procurement stage is currently at the planning phase, with key dates indicating a registration deadline for potential suppliers by 8th July 2026, and a subsequent questionnaire deadline on 24th July 2026. Supplier engagement events are tentatively scheduled for the first week of August. This initiative, located in London, aligns with the Government's agenda of delivering cost-effective and security-compliant services under the services industry category.

The engagement presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in scanning and digital services to showcase their capabilities and potentially secure a large-scale government contract, potentially valued at approximately £36 million. SMEs and VCSEs with innovative delivery models, scalable operations, and robust technology solutions are well-positioned to compete for this contract. Engaging in this preliminary market stage allows businesses to influence the procurement process and align their offerings with the Ministry’s requirements, paving the way for organisational growth and entry into public sector markets.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement - Bulk Scanning (Paper-to-Digital Services)

Notice Description

The Authority is preparing to launch a retender for the provision of Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) bulk scan services. Please note, this notice does not constitute a call for pre-market engagement or competition, it is to inform the market of a future potential opportunity. HMCTS has made public commitments to provide public facing services for vulnerable users unable to access digital services. The Bulk Scan service supports processes requiring service users to submit original documentation as part of ongoing cases, however the majority of the processes handled by the Bulk Scan service is to validate original documentation submitted by legal professionals, such as Wills and Marriage Certificates. The services currently using Bulk Scan are Probate, Social Security & Child Support (SSCS), Crime (Single Justice Service (SJS)), Family Public Law (FPL), No Fault Divorce (NFD), Family Private Law (PrL), Financial Remedy (FR), and Civil Money Claims (CMC). The service is in scope to be rolled out to Employment Tribunal (ET), Immigration & Asylum Chamber (IAC), Adoption and others at a later date. This project is still progressing. All information contained in this notice, including but not limited to, timings, value and potential scope, is indicative only and may be subject to change. No response is required from interested parties regarding this notice however HMCTS confirms it intends to publish a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) notice in due course though as per above this is subject to change.

Planning Information

1. Description of Service Requirement HMCTS currently operates services to convert physical documentation into digital format to support court and tribunal operations. The future requirement is expected to include: • Receipt and secure handling of physical documents • Document preparation and scanning • Image and data quality assurance • Data capture and indexing (where required) • Secure onward transmission to HMCTS systems • Handling of sensitive, confidential, or original materials • Flexible scaling to accommodate changing demand The requirement will prioritise: • Value for money • Security and data protection compliance • Service resilience and continuity • Flexibility to manage fluctuating volumes 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 HMCTS is seeking supplier input into areas including but not limited to the following: • Delivery models and operating approaches • Capacity and scalability • Pricing and commercial structures • Technology and innovation • Mobilisation and transition considerations • Risks and barriers to entry 3. Engagement Approach 3.1 Questionnaire Suppliers will be invited to complete a structured 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) HMCTS may hold a virtual supplier day, providing: • Overview of the requirement • Opportunity for clarification • Discussion of key themes This will be confirmed following receipt of the EMEQ responses and details provided as appropriate to registered suppliers. Any supplier day will be open to all suppliers who register in accordance with this notice. HMCTS may publish a summary of key themes, questions and responses following the event. 4. How to Participate Suppliers should register interest via emai by 5pm on the 8th July: Email: HMCTSCommercial@justice.gov.uk Subject line: Bulk Scanning PME Registration – [Organisation Name] Please include: • Organisation name • Contact name and role • Contact email address Registered suppliers will initially receive: • Questionnaire documentation • Submission guidance An invite to any subsequent supplier 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) Registration deadline by 17:00 on the 08/07/2026 Questionnaire issued 09/07/2026 Questionnaire deadline by 17:00 on the 24/07/2026 Supplier event (TBC) TBC but estimated first week of August 6. Important Information • This is not a call for competition • Participation is voluntary and non-evaluative • Participation will not confer any advantage or disadvantage • HMCTS is not obliged to commence a procurement • Any future procurement will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 7. Equal Treatment and Transparency HMCTS will ensure that: • No supplier gains an unfair competitive advantage • Relevant information is shared appropriately at any future procurement stage • Engagement is conducted transparently and proportionately HMCTS will ensure that any material information provided during preliminary market engagement which may be relevant to a future procurement is recorded and made available to all potential suppliers at an appropriate stage to ensure a level playing field. 8. Next Steps Following engagement, HMCTS will: • Analyse responses • Refine requirements and commercial approach • Determine procurement strategy and route to market A future opportunity may be advertised via a UK4 Tender Notice

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a358
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059464-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79999000 - Scanning and invoicing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,324,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Feb 20276 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2028 - 31 Jan 2035 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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