--- title: "PIN: Market Engagement for Witness Service (2023-2027)" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF JUSTICE" published: "2021-09-30" --- # PIN: Market Engagement for Witness Service (2023-2027) Buyer: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Justice is in the planning stage for a new procurement process titled "PIN: Market Engagement for Witness Service (2023-2027)," aimed at recommissioning the existing Witness Service that supports witnesses in all Criminal Courts across England and Wales. The procurement activities are scheduled to start with an online Supplier Event on 20 October 2021, and interested parties must express their intent to participate by 14 October 2021. The indicative timeline includes the competitive phase commencing in December 2021 and the launch of the new service by January 2023; the engagement period ends on 31 October 2021. This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in justice services, especially those capable of delivering emotional and practical support to witnesses. Companies that emphasise trauma-informed approaches, digital solutions, and flexible service delivery will be particularly well-suited to compete. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to consider participation, as the Ministry of Justice seeks innovative solutions that can adapt to new challenges while enhancing witness support services. ## Notice The Ministry of Justice will shortly commence the procurement of a new contract for the Witness Service. The Witness Service is an existing service which will be recommissioned. The Witness Service has operated in all Criminal Courts in England and Wales since 2003, with a combination of volunteers and paid staff providing emotional and practical support to prosecution and defence witnesses to enable them to give their best evidence. The future service will be materially similar to the current model. However, we will also examine options for future improvement through effective engagement with the market. The Ministry of Justice is seeking a provider to provide support guided by the following principles, reflecting our vision for the service: To continue to deliver a service for witnesses attending court - building on the existing model for support and the significant benefits it provides to witnesses. To provide the service flexibility to better respond to new challenges, including pandemic-like scenarios, future use of Nightingale courts, Extended Operating Hours and support witnesses in giving remote and pre-recorded evidence. To improve the service at a detailed level, learning lessons from victim policy in recent years. This will include working to create a more trauma-informed approach, improving the accessibility of the service and improving partnership working with victim advocates. To create opportunities within the service design to test ambitious options for future improvement of the service, including through digital support. Indicative project milestones include: Competition Live - December 2021 Award confirmed and transition commenced - August 2022 Launch of the Future Witness Service (latest) - January 2021 The scope of the service, is being finalised, including through feedback from the market, and will be confirmed in the Contract notice. Additional information: The Ministry of Justice will shortly commence the procurement of a new contract for the Witness Service. The Witness Service is an existing service which will be recommissioned. The Witness Service has operated in all Criminal Courts in England and Wales since 2003 , which provides emotional and practical support to prosecution and defence witnesses to enable them to give their best evidence . The future service will be materially similar to the current model. However, we will also examine options for future improvement through effective engagement with the market. The Ministry of Justice is seeking a supplier to provide support to witnesses, guided by the following principles, reflecting our vision for the service: o To continue to deliver an effective service for witnesses attending court - building on the existing model for support and the significant benefits it provides to witnesses. o To provide the service flexibility to be able to respond to potential future challenges, including pandemic-like scenarios, use of Nightingale courts, Extended Operating Hours and supporting witnesses in giving remote and pre-recorded evidence. o To improve the service at a detailed level, learning lessons from current delivery and being informed by current and developing victim support policy This will include working to create a more trauma-informed approach, improving the accessibility of the service and improving partnership working with victim advocates. o To create opportunities within the service design to test ambitious options for future improvement of the service, including through digital support. Indicative project milestones include: o Competition Live - December 2021 o Award confirmed and transition commenced - August 2022 o Launch of the Future Witness Service (latest) - January 2023 The scope of the service is being finalised, including through feedback from the market, and will be confirmed in the Contract notice . _________________________________________________ We would like to invite interested parties to attend an online Supplier Event which will take place on 20 October 2021. To express an interest either in attending this event and/or participating in this competition please email: VW.National.Services@justice.gov.uk BY 14 October 2021 We have set up an e-Sourcing event to facilitate market engagement activities and share some documentation ahead of this event. To register, you must have a valid DUNS number for the organisation which you are registering and who will be entering into a contract if invited. Once registered, organisations wishing to participate in the event must send an email to: VW.National.Services@justice.gov.uk You will receive an email acknowledgment of your interest. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/87077a4e-5aac-4cbe-ba05-5c4fb2d88e7f | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Sep 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 31 Oct 2021 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Cancelled | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF JUSTICE | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1H 9AJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 75 - Administration, defence and social security services ### Codes - 75230000 - Justice services ## Release History - 30 Sep 2021 at 15:58 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/87077a4e-5aac-4cbe-ba05-5c4fb2d88e7f - 30 Sep 2021 at 14:44 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0ea46c78-d480-46b3-93ea-647a2cb339fd ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/87077a4e-5aac-4cbe-ba05-5c4fb2d88e7f 30th September 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0ea46c78-d480-46b3-93ea-647a2cb339fd 30th September 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - http://www.justice.gov.uk Witness Service ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-2348b5c2-0abf-4a46-9f7a-f65bb659a1fe.json.