This notice relates to the competition for the provision of Prison Operator Services in England and Wales. The service involves the provision of Operational Custodial Services and Facilities Management of the prisons. These services are categorised as 'social and other specific services' in accordance with Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council Article and schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulation 2015 (the Regulations), Section 7 of the Regulations applies. The services will fall under the Light Regime of the Directive.

The Framework Agreement will be with the Ministry of Justice operating through Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Bidders who are successfully admitted to the Prison Operator Framework will be eligible to participate in Mini-Competitions for the provision of custodial services and works at specific prisons.

The first Mini-Competition will be for the management, maintenance and operation of a new build Category C Resettlement Prison in Wellingborough. This prison is scheduled to open in early 2021; to ensure that custodial services and works are in place for this opening, the Mini-Competition for this provision is being launched at a similar time to the competition to let the Framework Agreement. Only bidders who are successfully admitted to the Prison Operator Services Framework Agreement will be eligible for award of the Call-Off Contract to operate HMP / YOI Wellingborough.

Bidders who initially respond to this notice and successfully meet the Authority's minimum criteria stipulated in the Selection Questionnaire (SQ), will be taken through to the next stage of the competition (the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD)) for the Prison Operator Services Framework Agreement and be eligible to participate in the Mini-Competition for the award of a contract to operate HMP / YOI Wellingborough.

The operation of current prison contracts (as they expire) and new-build prisons will be considered for competition via the Prison Operator Services Framework Agreement.

The Prison Operator Services Framework Agreement will be for a period of six (6) years. A longer Framework Agreement is required to ensure there are sufficient Mini-Competition opportunities to maximise market interest and sufficient investment opportunity for new entrants.

Bidders will be required to demonstrate they have the capability and competency to manage, maintain and operate prisons to be accepted on the Prison Operator Services Framework Agreement.

Further details of the services and process will be set out in the Invitation to Participate in Dialogue (ITPD) documents.