4797400.47 · UK public procurement notice

Contracts

• Prison Catering Services · Aramark Ltd

  Signed

  1 Dec 2022

  Value

  £4,797,400

  Period

  1 Dec 2022 – 31 Oct 2027

  Status

  active

  • Change The contract has been modified to extend the term of the existing prison catering services contract for a period of up to 22 months, from January 2026 to October 2027, to provide continuity of catering services at HMP Birmingham, HMP Bullingdon, HMP Erlestoke and HMP Wymott. The modification provides for the continued delivery of the existing services by the incumbent supplier, including the provision and management of prisoner catering and, where required, staff and visitor catering, together with associated catering management, food procurement, menu planning, dietary and nutritional management, kitchen operations, food safety compliance, stock management, and related support services. The contract also continues the provision of prisoner employment, skills development and training opportunities delivered through catering operations, supporting rehabilitation objectives across the establishments. The modification is intended to maintain uninterrupted service delivery pending implementation of future catering service arrangements under the Ministry of Justice Property Transformation Programme (PTP). No material change has been made to the overall nature, scope or purpose of the services being provided. The modification relates solely to the continuation of the existing services for the extension period., Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The modification is necessary to ensure continuity of prison catering services at HMP Birmingham, HMP Bullingdon, HMP Erlestoke and HMP Wymott pending implementation of future service arrangements under PTP. The services are operationally critical and fully integrated into each establishment's regime, including catering operations, staffing arrangements, security processes, prisoner employment and training programmes, supply chains and food safety compliance requirements. The Ministry of Justice has determined that a change of contractor during the extension period cannot be made without significant technical, operational and economic disadvantages. The mobilisation of an alternative supplier would require staff transfer activity, security vetting, establishment of supply chains, implementation of new operating procedures and integration with prison operational regimes. Given the temporary nature of the extension and the subsequent transition to the future delivery model, this would result in significant duplication of mobilisation and transition costs, operational disruption and increased risk to service continuity. In addition, the need for the modification has arisen from the timing, complexity and interdependencies associated with the Property Transformation Programme and the requirement to maintain uninterrupted catering services until replacement arrangements have been fully procured, mobilised and implemented. The extension is required to bridge the period between expiry of the current contract and commencement of the future delivery model. Any interruption to catering services would create unacceptable risks to prison safety, security, decency, prisoner welfare and operational stability. The Ministry of Justice has therefore concluded that continuation of services by the incumbent supplier is necessary, proportionate and in the public interest. The modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract and relates solely to the continued provision of the existing prison catering services during the transition period.