The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is establishing a framework for the Community Accommodation Service (CAS) comprising of 4 lots, (the “Framework”).
The Framework has been established in accordance with section 49 of the Procurement Act 2023 and will operate as a light touch open framework, allowing suppliers to be admitted at initial establishment and at planned reopening points.
CAS provides temporary accommodation and associated support to individuals leaving custody or serving sentences in the community. The services support public protection, offender management and resettlement outcomes, including the prevention of homelessness on release from prison. CAS is not intended to provide settled accommodation or replace the statutory duties of local authorities. It operates as a bridge back into the community and is proportionate to the level of risk presented. Accommodation is the core service, with varying levels of support provided, depending on the service type.
This Framework is the first in a series of light touch open framework agreements that will form the Authority’s open framework established under to section 49 of the PA 23 (the “Open Framework”).
The Open Framework will operate for a maximum period of 8 years. During that period, the Authority intends to award a series of framework agreements and periodically open the market to permit the admission of new suppliers. The anticipated term of each framework agreement is as follows:
1. First framework agreement - 2 years with an option to extend for up to 1 additional year (i.e. maximum term of 3 years);
2. Second framework agreement - 1 year with options to extend in annual increments for up to a further 3 years (i.e. maximum term of 4 years);
3. Third framework agreement - 1 year with options to extend in annual increments, providing the overall term of the open framework does not exceed 8 years.
The durations set out above are indicative only. The Authority reserves the right to amend the duration of any framework agreement, provided that the total duration of the Open Framework does not exceed the statutory maximum period of eight years.
The Authority will re-open the Open Framework to the market at fixed points throughout the maximum eight-year term.
When the Authority re-opens the Open Framework, it will publish a new Tender Notice, evaluate new applications and if applicable will re-evaluate tenders from those suppliers originally appointed to the first framework agreement. New applications made by tenderers not appointed to the first framework agreement will be assessed on the same award criteria as set out in the ITT.
All lots will be subject to same Open Framework timetable and reopening arrangements. The Authority does not intend to apply different reopening dates or admission periods to individual lots. However, each lot will, operate independently in relation to its scope and the call-off contracts awarded under that lot.
The Framework will be structured into the following four lots:
• Lot 1: Independent Approved Premises Accommodation and Support
24 hour staffed community residences that provide temporary accommodation and close monitoring for high-risk prison leavers and people on probation.
• Lot 2: Accommodation and Support
Community accommodation and support for individuals leaving custody, released from court on bail, and other cohorts.
• Lot 3: Temporary Accommodation and Floating Support
Short term transitional accommodation for prison leavers at risk of homelessness with a basic floating support service.
• Lot 4: Alternative Community Accommodation with Support Services
Delivery of community accommodation and appropriate support services for individuals within the criminal justice system with alternative service needs.
Call-Off contracts under each lot may include the provision of services across England and Wales. The geographic scope and structure will be set out in the relevant call-off documents and may vary by region, service type, site, cohort or other operational requirement.
Each lot will operate independently and all suppliers that have met the Conditions of Participation and satisfied the award criteria for the relevant lot will be admitted to the Open Framework. Admission to a lot does not confer exclusivity and does not guarantee the award of any Call-Off contract. Suppliers admitted to a lot will be eligible to compete for Call-Off contracts awarded under that lot.
Call-Off contracts will ordinarily be awarded through competitive selection processes between suppliers appointed to the relevant lot, in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The Authority reserves the right to award a Call-Off contract without further competition where permitted under the Procurement Act 2023 and where the procurement documents set out the applicable circumstances, core terms and objective mechanism for supplier selection. The rules governing framework operation, reopening arrangements, award without competition and Call-Off competition procedures will be set out in the relevant procurement documents.
The estimated maximum value of the framework is £2,000,000,000 (excluding VAT). This represents the potential aggregate value of contracts awarded over the full duration of the framework and does not constitute a commitment to spend. The Authority has attributed the following indicative values to each lot:
• Lot 1: Independent Approved Premises Accommodation and Support – up to £347,000,000 (excluding VAT
• Lot 2: Accommodation and Support – up to £307,000,000 (excluding VAT)
• Lot 3: Temporary Accommodation and Floating Support – up to £1,244,000,000 (excluding VAT)
• Lot 4: Alternative Community Accommodation with Support Services – up to £113,000,000 (excluding VAT)
The indicative values attributed to individual lots are not intended to represent fixed financial allocations. The Authority may adjust the value attributed to any lot during the operation of the framework to reflect changes in demand, service requirements or procurement strategy, provided that the aggregate value of all contracts awarded under the framework does not exceed the overall maximum framework value of £2,000,000,000 (excluding VAT).
This Contract Award Notice confirms the MoJ's intention to enter into framework agreements with multiple suppliers.
The earliest date the contract will be signed is 2 November 2026. The standstill period will end on 21 October 2026.
