MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution

Preliminary Market Engagement Notice

Reference & Title: prj_15796 MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution – Request for Information

Procurement Unique Identifier: PDNN-2773-HVYN

Date of Issue: 10/11/2025

Contracting Authority: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

Contact Details: Shannon Wood, Commercial Lead for Emerging Technology – shannon.wood1@justice.gov.uk

1. Purpose of the Notice

This UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice is issued in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The purpose of this notice is to inform the market of a MoJ Request for Information (RFI) and to engage with suppliers to obtain feedback and insights on the potential requirement for an AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-Based Software Solution.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. The MoJ works to protect and advance the principles of justice; our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is an executive agency, sponsored by the MoJ and carries out sentences given by the courts, in custody and in the community, and rehabilitates people in its care through education and employment.

For at least the past three years, there have been over 80,000 prisoners held in custody at any given time. In 2015/16 the estimated total cost of crime in England and Wales is more than £58 billion. Rehabilitative services, including reading education, have proven to reduce recidivism, changing lives.

Over 60% of prisoners have literacy levels below those expected at the end of primary education. Traditional reading interventions can fail to engage adult learners in custody, especially those with neurodiverse needs or disrupted educational histories. This contributes to poor mental health, behavioural issues, and reduced rehabilitation prospects.

The MoJ is keen to obtain feedback and insights on the potential requirement for an AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-Based Software Solution. This Request for Information (RFI) is a preliminary market engagement exercise to seek information relating to this requirement, and to gain a better understanding of the types and availability of products and services, as well as the commercial terms on which to acquire them.

2. Access and Communication

This RFI is being conducted through the MoJ e-Sourcing portal and all communications between MoJ and Suppliers during this RFI process must strictly be made using the MoJ e-Sourcing portal.

Suppliers must create an account on the e-sourcing portal found via the link here: https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html

Suppliers can access the RFI via PQQ_541 ‘MoJ/HMPPS AI-enhanced Digital Reading Education Cloud-based Software Solution’.

The PQQ will hold the following RFI documents and information which consists of:

Attachment 1 RFI Instructions

Attachment 2 RFI Background and Scope

Attachment 2, Annex A Prison Education Services Standard Non-Functional requirements

Attachment 3 RFI Questionnaire

Clarification questions and answers document (shared using the messaging facility)

Suppliers will respond to the RFI by uploading the completed Attachment 3 RFI Questionnaire to Technical Envelope, Question 1.1 ‘RFI Questionnaire’.

3. Timescales

These are our intended RFI timescales. We will inform you if and when timelines change.

Time / Date

Activity

10th November 2025

UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice released and supplier e-sourcing system registration

12th November 2025

RFI opens and Clarification period starts

19th November 2025, 17:00

Clarification period ends

20th November 2025, 17:00

Deadline for the publication of responses to RFI Clarification questions

26th November 2025, 17:00

Deadline for submission of RFI Responses

December to January 2025

Confirm the next steps to Suppliers

4. Disclaimer

Nothing shall constitute a commitment to ordering or award unless the MoJ publishes an Invitation to Tender that results in the award of a Contract.

The contents of the Market Engagement are not binding and may be subject to change or cancellation.