Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Ref: 066788/S 000-2025
Nature of contract: Service contract
Procedure: Open procedure
Regulation of procurement: Not applicable
Type of bid required: Not applicable

UKPGA UK4: Tender Notice

I) Contracting Authority/Entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Official name: Ministry of Justice
National registration number: PDNN-2773-HVYN

Postal address: 102 Petty France
Town: London
Region: Westminster
Postal code: SW1H 9AJ
Country: United Kingdom

Email: MojProcurementLearningAndDevelopment@justice.gov.uk

Internet address

I.3) Communication
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
Electronically
via

I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Public authority – central government

II) Object
II.1.1) Title
Community Justice Learning (Professional Qualification in Probation)
Reference number: ocds-h6vhtk-0504cd

II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
Special regime
LightTouch

II.1.4) Short description
The Authority is launching a tender to procure the delivery of Community Justice Learning (CJL), which forms the academic component of the Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP) programme.
The PQiP is the mandatory training route for all Probation Officers employed by the Probation Service. It comprises a BA (Hons) Degree or Graduate Diploma in Community Justice, alongside a Level 5 Vocational Qualification in Probation Practice, which is delivered in-house by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) staff.
Under Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007, the Secretary of State for Justice may determine the qualifications, experience and training required to practise as a Probation Officer. Since 1 April 2016, the PQiP has been the sole statutory route to qualification. HMPPS is the only employer of Probation Officers in England and Wales, and the PQiP programme is the only route to train and qualify for this profession.
The Authority holds a CJL Course Design Framework, which defines the academic structure, outcomes and learning standards that all suppliers will be required to adopt and implement during the Mobilisation Phase. Contractors will be required to design their academic course content in accordance with this framework and secure appropriate accreditation through the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) or Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).
The academic elements of the PQiP to be delivered under this contract include:
• A Level 6 academic qualification forming the core programme which all learners must complete; and
• Level 4 and Level 5 components providing advanced standing onto the core programme where required, depending on each learner’s prior learning and experience.
Learning will be delivered through biannual cohorts across four standard entry routes:
1. Probation Services Officer Progression (PSOP);
2. Standard PQiP (post-graduate) – full-time;
3. Standard PQiP (post-graduate) – part-time; and
4. PQiP non-graduate route – full-time.
Course duration will vary between 15 and 30 months, depending on the entry route and prior learning.
From time to time, the Authority may wish to commission ‘optional services’ from the Supplier / Contractor. Optional Services are services which are related and complementary to the contracted Services but incidental and discrete in nature and could for example include (without limitation) specific short term academic research projects and mapping of qualifications.
The estimated annual volume is approximately 1,200 learners (not guaranteed), divided across four regional Lots as follows:
• Lot 1: London – estimated 22% market share
• Lot 2: North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands– estimated 28% market share
• Lot 3: North West, Greater Manchester, Wales– estimated 22% market share
• Lot 4: East of England, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, South Central, South West– estimated 27% market share
The delivery model will be 100% virtual, with all learning conducted through live, synchronous online teaching (e.g. Microsoft Teams). Suppliers may offer face-to-face sessions at their own discretion and cost where beneficial to learners.
The contract term will be 10.5 years, anticipated to commence in September 2026, structured as follows:
• Mobilisation Phase (6 months): Development and finalisation of curriculum, securing accreditation, and readiness for delivery;
• Service Delivery Phase (8.5 years): Delivery of up to 13 learner cohorts, beginning in March 2027; and
• Teach-Out Phase (1.5 years): Completion period for learners who have taken breaks in learning before contract expiry.
If you are interested in this opportunity, suppliers are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the guidance on registering for and using the Central Digital Platform (CDP), available via Information and guidance for suppliers – GOV.UK.
Full tender documentation and submission instructions will be available when the Invitation to Tender (ITT) is formally launched. The Authority will assess all Tenders in order to identify the Supplier which has submitted the Most Advantageous Tender. Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) means the Tender that offers the best value for money based on the evaluation assessment criteria. The assessment criteria chosen to determine the MAT is Price Per Quality Point (“PPQP”).
The information set out in this notice, including the nature and scope of the requirement, estimated values, and CPV classifications, is provided for guidance and may be subject to change. The Authority reserves the right to amend the procurement approach or requirements at any stage and is not bound to enter into any contract as a result of this notice. All procurements remain subject to Cabinet Office and HM Treasury controls and approvals.
The Ministry of Justice is using the E-Sourcing Portal, Jaggaer, for this procurement which means the ITT is available only in electronic form. To access this procurement opportunity please log on to Jaggaer at and search for the ITT using reference ITT_9959 – Community Justice Learning, to be able to view the ITT documents and submit a response.
If you do not already have a Jaggaer account please register to create an account via the following link –
If you have any issues registering, please contact 0845 0100 132 or e-mail esourcing@justice.gov.uk.
Any queries regarding Jaggaer should be sent to the Authority’s Central Support Team (Mon – Fri 08:30 – 17:00) by calling 0845 0100 132 or by emailing: esourcing@justice.gov.uk

II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value (including VAT)
96,624,000
Value (excluding VAT)
80,520,000
Currency
GBP

II.2) Description
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1 – London
Contract/Lot No
1

II.2.2) CPV codes
Main CPV code
80000000

II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
UKI – LONDON

II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Community Justice Learning Lot 1 – London

II.2.5) Award Criteria
Highest precedence first unless weighted otherwise
Quality
Name: Section 1 – Delivery to Regions within Lots
Weighting: Lot Specific Questions

Quality
Name: Section 2 – Course Mobilisation Services
Weighting: Mobilisation Plan
Academic and other Personal used during the Mobilisation Phase

Quality
Name: Section 3 – Course Delivery Requirements and Curriculum, Teaching & Assessment
Weighting: Course Delivery
Quality Assurance
Academic Staff during course delivery
Support services and Support Staff

Quality
Name: Section 4: Supporting Students
Weighting: Learner Support

Quality
Name: Section 5 – Course Governance, Contract Management, Management Information and KPI’s
Weighting: Performance Monitoring
Risk Management and Contingency Plans

Quality
Name: Section 6 – Social Value
Weighting: Creating a pipeline of opportunities for the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.
Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: in the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

II.2.6) Estimated Value
Value (excluding VAT)
17,952,500
Currency
GBP

II.2.7) Contract dates (estimated)
Start
2026-09-01 00:00
End
2037-02-28 23:59
Duration
10 years 6 months

II.2) Description
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 – North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands
Contract/Lot No
2

II.2.2) CPV codes
Main CPV code
80000000

II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
UKC – NORTH EAST (ENGLAND)
UKE – YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER
UKF – EAST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND)
UKG – WEST MIDLANDS (ENGLAND)

II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Community Justice Learning Lot 2 – North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands

II.2.5) Award Criteria
Highest precedence first unless weighted otherwise
Quality
Name: Section 1 – Delivery to Regions within Lots
Weighting: Lot Specific Questions

Quality
Name: Section 2 – Course Mobilisation Services
Weighting: Mobilisation Plan
Academic and other Personal used during the Mobilisation Phase

Quality
Name: Section 3 – Course Delivery Requirements and Curriculum, Teaching & Assessment
Weighting: Course Delivery
Quality Assurance
Academic Staff during course delivery
Support services and Support Staff

Quality
Name: Section 4: Supporting Students
Weighting: Learner Support

Quality
Name: Section 5 – Course Governance, Contract Management, Management Information and KPI’s
Weighting: Performance Monitoring
Risk Management and Contingency Plans

Quality
Name: Section 6 – Social Value
Weighting: Creating a pipeline of opportunities for the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.
Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: in the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

II.2.6) Estimated Value
Value (excluding VAT)
22,772,500
Currency
GBP

II.2.7) Contract dates (estimated)
Start
2026-09-01 00:00
End
2037-02-28 23:59
Duration
10 years 6 months

II.2) Description
II.2.1) Title
Lot 3 – North West, Greater Manchester Wales
Contract/Lot No
3

II.2.2) CPV codes
Main CPV code
80000000

II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
UKD3 – Greater Manchester
UKD – NORTH WEST (ENGLAND)
UKL – WALES

II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Community Justice Learning Lot 3 – North West, Greater Manchester, Wales

II.2.5) Award Criteria
Highest precedence first unless weighted otherwise
Quality
Name: Section 1 – Delivery to Regions within Lots
Weighting: Lot Specific Questions

Quality
Name: Section 2 – Course Mobilisation Services
Weighting: Mobilisation Plan
Academic and other Personal used during the Mobilisation Phase

Quality
Name: Section 3 – Course Delivery Requirements and Curriculum, Teaching & Assessment
Weighting: Course Delivery
Quality Assurance
Academic Staff during course delivery
Support services and Support Staff

Quality
Name: Section 4: Supporting Students
Weighting: Learner Support

Quality
Name: Section 5 – Course Governance, Contract Management, Management Information and KPI’s
Weighting: Performance Monitoring
Risk Management and Contingency Plans

Quality
Name: Section 6 – Social Value
Weighting: Creating a pipeline of opportunities for the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.
Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: in the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

II.2.6) Estimated Value
Value (excluding VAT)
17,782,500
Currency
GBP

II.2.7) Contract dates (estimated)
Start
2026-09-01 00:00
End
2037-02-28 23:59
Duration
10 years 6 months

II.2) Description
II.2.1) Title
Lot 4 – East of England, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, South Central, South West
Contract/Lot No
4

II.2.2) CPV codes
Main CPV code
80000000

II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
UKH – EAST OF ENGLAND
UKJ4 – Kent
UKJ2 – Surrey, East and West Sussex
UKK – SOUTH WEST (ENGLAND)
UKJ – SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND)

II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Community Justice Learning Lot 4: East of England, Kent, Surrey and Sussex, South Central, South West

II.2.5) Award Criteria
Highest precedence first unless weighted otherwise
Quality
Name: Section 1 – Delivery to Regions within Lots
Weighting: Lot Specific Questions

Quality
Name: Section 2 – Course Mobilisation Services
Weighting: Mobilisation Plan
Academic and other Personal used during the Mobilisation Phase

Quality
Name: Section 3 – Course Delivery Requirements and Curriculum, Teaching & Assessment
Weighting: Course Delivery
Quality Assurance
Academic Staff during course delivery
Support services and Support Staff

Quality
Name: Section 4: Supporting Students
Weighting: Learner Support

Quality
Name: Section 5 – Course Governance, Contract Management, Management Information and KPI’s
Weighting: Performance Monitoring
Risk Management and Contingency Plans

Quality
Name: Section 6 – Social Value
Weighting: Creating a pipeline of opportunities for the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.
Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: in the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

II.2.6) Estimated Value
Value (excluding VAT)
22,012,500
Currency
GBP

II.2.7) Contract dates (estimated)
Start
2026-09-01 00:00
End
2037-02-28 23:59
Duration
10 years 6 months

III) Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Additional technical selection criteria
TECHNICAL ABILITY
PSQ 16. Please confirm and provide evidence of your experience in the development and delivery of criminal justice degree programmes.
Your response must demonstrate:
Previous delivery of a at least one criminal justice degree programme, covering levels 4, 5 and 6 on the Recognised Qualifications Framework
Please provide details of the scale of provision (e.g. number of students taught, duration of delivery), validation/accreditation details and levels taught (covering levels 4 – 6 inclusive on the Recognised Qualifications Framework).
• That your organisation has established processes for developing and maintaining criminal justice curricula that are evidence-based and regularly updated in line with:
• developments in the criminal justice sector (for example: policy and legislative changes, emerging research, advances in practice such as trauma-informed approaches, and new or evolving areas of criminal justice study such as cybercrime or counter-terrorism); and
• the quality and standards expected within the higher education sector
• That you have employed recognised teaching and learning approaches with reference to positive outcomes they have led to (e.g. retention, student feedback, external examiner comments)
Please note the definition of criminal justice degree programmes includes, but is not limited to:
• Criminology and Criminal Justice BSc/BA (Hons)
• Policing Studies BA (Hons)
• Criminal Investigation and Policing BA (Hons)
• Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime BSc (Hons)
• Applied Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Criminology and Law BA (Hons)
• Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Youth Justice BA (Hons)
Response format: two-page maximum limit for this question – Arial font, font size 12
TECHNICAL – DEGREE AWARDING POWERS
PSQ 17. Do you currently have UK degree awarding powers? As with any Condition of Participation, you may rely on an Associated Person to fulfil this requirement
PSQ 17a. If you have answered “No” to PSQ 17, please confirm if you (or an Associated Person) will be able to obtain UK degree awarding powers within 1 week of the date on which the Contract Award Notice is published by providing detail to demonstrate how you will achieve this.
CYBER ESSENTIALS
PSQ 18 – Do you currently have Cyber Essentials Certification? If not, please confirm you will have certification in place by the end of Mobilisation Milestone 1 (27th November 2026)
TECHNICAL ABILITY
PSQ 16. Please confirm and provide evidence of your experience in the development and delivery of criminal justice degree programmes.
Your response must demonstrate:
Previous delivery of a at least one criminal justice degree programme, covering levels 4, 5 and 6 on the Recognised Qualifications Framework
Please provide details of the scale of provision (e.g. number of students taught, duration of delivery), validation/accreditation details and levels taught (covering levels 4 – 6 inclusive on the Recognised Qualifications Framework).
• That your organisation has established processes for developing and maintaining criminal justice curricula that are evidence-based and regularly updated in line with:
• developments in the criminal justice sector (for example: policy and legislative changes, emerging research, advances in practice such as trauma-informed approaches, and new or evolving areas of criminal justice study such as cybercrime or counter-terrorism); and
• the quality and standards expected within the higher education sector
• That you have employed recognised teaching and learning approaches with reference to positive outcomes they have led to (e.g. retention, student feedback, external examiner comments)
Please note the definition of criminal justice degree programmes includes, but is not limited to:
• Criminology and Criminal Justice BSc/BA (Hons)
• Policing Studies BA (Hons)
• Criminal Investigation and Policing BA (Hons)
• Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime BSc (Hons)
• Applied Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Criminology and Law BA (Hons)
• Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Youth Justice BA (Hons)
Response format: two-page maximum limit for this question – Arial font, font size 12
TECHNICAL – DEGREE AWARDING POWERS
PSQ 17. Do you currently have UK degree awarding powers? As with any Condition of Participation, you may rely on an Associated Person to fulfil this requirement
PSQ 17a. If you have answered “No” to PSQ 17, please confirm if you (or an Associated Person) will be able to obtain UK degree awarding powers within 1 week of the date on which the Contract Award Notice is published by providing detail to demonstrate how you will achieve this.
CYBER ESSENTIALS
PSQ 18 – Do you currently have Cyber Essentials Certification? If not, please confirm you will have certification in place by the end of Mobilisation Milestone 1 (27th November 2026)
TECHNICAL ABILITY
PSQ 16. Please confirm and provide evidence of your experience in the development and delivery of criminal justice degree programmes.
Your response must demonstrate:
Previous delivery of a at least one criminal justice degree programme, covering levels 4, 5 and 6 on the Recognised Qualifications Framework
Please provide details of the scale of provision (e.g. number of students taught, duration of delivery), validation/accreditation details and levels taught (covering levels 4 – 6 inclusive on the Recognised Qualifications Framework).
• That your organisation has established processes for developing and maintaining criminal justice curricula that are evidence-based and regularly updated in line with:
• developments in the criminal justice sector (for example: policy and legislative changes, emerging research, advances in practice such as trauma-informed approaches, and new or evolving areas of criminal justice study such as cybercrime or counter-terrorism); and
• the quality and standards expected within the higher education sector
• That you have employed recognised teaching and learning approaches with reference to positive outcomes they have led to (e.g. retention, student feedback, external examiner comments)
Please note the definition of criminal justice degree programmes includes, but is not limited to:
• Criminology and Criminal Justice BSc/BA (Hons)
• Policing Studies BA (Hons)
• Criminal Investigation and Policing BA (Hons)
• Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime BSc (Hons)
• Applied Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Criminology and Law BA (Hons)
• Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Youth Justice BA (Hons)
Response format: two-page maximum limit for this question – Arial font, font size 12
TECHNICAL – DEGREE AWARDING POWERS
PSQ 17. Do you currently have UK degree awarding powers? As with any Condition of Participation, you may rely on an Associated Person to fulfil this requirement
PSQ 17a. If you have answered “No” to PSQ 17, please confirm if you (or an Associated Person) will be able to obtain UK degree awarding powers within 1 week of the date on which the Contract Award Notice is published by providing detail to demonstrate how you will achieve this.
CYBER ESSENTIALS
PSQ 18 – Do you currently have Cyber Essentials Certification? If not, please confirm you will have certification in place by the end of Mobilisation Milestone 1 (27th November 2026)
TECHNICAL ABILITY
PSQ 16. Please confirm and provide evidence of your experience in the development and delivery of criminal justice degree programmes.
Your response must demonstrate:
Previous delivery of a at least one criminal justice degree programme, covering levels 4, 5 and 6 on the Recognised Qualifications Framework
Please provide details of the scale of provision (e.g. number of students taught, duration of delivery), validation/accreditation details and levels taught (covering levels 4 – 6 inclusive on the Recognised Qualifications Framework).
• That your organisation has established processes for developing and maintaining criminal justice curricula that are evidence-based and regularly updated in line with:
• developments in the criminal justice sector (for example: policy and legislative changes, emerging research, advances in practice such as trauma-informed approaches, and new or evolving areas of criminal justice study such as cybercrime or counter-terrorism); and
• the quality and standards expected within the higher education sector
• That you have employed recognised teaching and learning approaches with reference to positive outcomes they have led to (e.g. retention, student feedback, external examiner comments)
Please note the definition of criminal justice degree programmes includes, but is not limited to:
• Criminology and Criminal Justice BSc/BA (Hons)
• Policing Studies BA (Hons)
• Criminal Investigation and Policing BA (Hons)
• Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Cybercrime BSc (Hons)
• Applied Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Criminology and Law BA (Hons)
• Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice BSc (Hons)
• Youth Justice BA (Hons)
Response format: two-page maximum limit for this question – Arial font, font size 12
TECHNICAL – DEGREE AWARDING POWERS
PSQ 17. Do you currently have UK degree awarding powers? As with any Condition of Participation, you may rely on an Associated Person to fulfil this requirement
PSQ 17a. If you have answered “No” to PSQ 17, please confirm if you (or an Associated Person) will be able to obtain UK degree awarding powers within 1 week of the date on which the Contract Award Notice is published by providing detail to demonstrate how you will achieve this.
CYBER ESSENTIALS
PSQ 18 – Do you currently have Cyber Essentials Certification? If not, please confirm you will have certification in place by the end of Mobilisation Milestone 1 (27th November 2026)

IV) Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure

IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Tender period dates
Enquiry deadline
2025-10-31 23:59
Estimated award decision date
2026-07-14 23:59

IV.2.2) Tender submission deadline
2025-11-19 14:00

IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English

VI) Complementary information
Link to source/bidding documents

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement
Yes

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
2025-10-20 15:23