UK2 Market Engagement Notice - Light Catering Equipment

1. Description of Service Requirement

His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), an Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), currently operates a national Light Catering Equipment (LCE) contract that provides catering equipment, utensils, cookware, food preparation equipment and associated products to custodial establishments across England and Wales.

The future requirement is expected to include:

• Supply of a broad range of light catering equipment products to prisons and other MoJ establishments.
• Maintenance of a comprehensive and regularly updated product catalogue.
• Provision of a reliable ordering and fulfilment service.
• Delivery of products to multiple locations across England and Wales.
• Management of product warranties, defects, returns and replacements.
• Access to sustainable and environmentally responsible product options where available.
• Customer support and account management services.
• Capacity to respond to changing operational requirements and demand levels.

The requirement will prioritise:

• Value for money.
• Quality, durability and fitness for purpose.
• Supply chain resilience and continuity of supply.
• Sustainability and environmental considerations.
• Efficient ordering and delivery arrangements.
• Flexibility to support changing operational needs across the prison estate.

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.

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2. Scope of Market Engagement

HMPPS is seeking supplier input into areas including, but not limited to, the following:

• Product ranges and market capability.
• Sustainable and innovative product solutions.
• Delivery models and logistics arrangements.
• Catalogue management and digital ordering solutions.
• Capacity, resilience and supply chain considerations.
• Pricing approaches and commercial structures.
• Mobilisation and implementation considerations.
• Risks, challenges and barriers to market participation.

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3. Engagement Approach

3.1 Questionnaire

Suppliers will be invited to complete a structured Early Market Engagement 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)

HMPPS may hold a virtual supplier engagement event providing:

• An overview of the anticipated requirement.
• An opportunity for suppliers to seek clarification.
• Discussion of key market themes and opportunities.
• Information regarding the proposed procurement timeline and objectives.

This will be confirmed following receipt of the EMEQ responses, and details will be provided to registered suppliers as appropriate. Any supplier event will be open to all suppliers who register in accordance with this notice.

HMPPS may publish a summary of key themes, questions and responses following the event.

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4. How to Participate

Suppliers wishing to participate should register their interest by email no later than 17:00 on 16 July 2026.

Email: [email protected]

Subject Line: LCE Market Engagement Registration – [Organisation Name]

Please include:

• Organisation name.
• Contact name and role.
• Contact email address.
• Brief description of your organisation's relevant experience within the catering equipment sector.

Registered suppliers will initially receive:

• Questionnaire documentation.
• Submission guidance.
• An invitation to any subsequent supplier engagement event if held.

Registration for, and participation in, this preliminary market engagement is not a prerequisite for participation in this or any future procurement.

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5. Key Dates (Indicative)

Activity Date

Registration deadline 17:00 on 16/07/2026

Questionnaire issued 17/07/2026

Questionnaire response deadline 17:00 on 31/07/2026

Supplier engagement event (if held) TBC – August 2026

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6. Important Information

• This is not a call for competition.
• Participation is voluntary and non-evaluative.
• Participation will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process.
• HMPPS/MoJ is not obliged to commence a procurement as a result of this engagement exercise.
• Any future procurement will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

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7. Equal Treatment and Transparency

HMPPS will ensure that:

• No supplier gains an unfair competitive advantage.
• Relevant information is shared appropriately at any future procurement stage.
• Engagement is conducted transparently, proportionately and in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

Any material information provided during the preliminary market engagement that may be relevant to a future procurement will be appropriately recorded and, where required, made available to all potential suppliers at an appropriate stage to ensure a level playing field.

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8. Next Steps

Following market engagement, HMPPS will:

• Analyse supplier feedback and market intelligence.
• Refine the requirement and specification.
• Consider opportunities for innovation and sustainability.
• Develop the commercial model and contract structure.
• Finalise the procurement strategy and route to market.

A future opportunity may be advertised through the UK e-notification service in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.