RM1043.8-1-Ministry Of Justice Enhancing Digital Services within the Criminal Courts-closed

Tender description

Pre-market engagement Not Applicable Work done so far The Crime Programme, part of HMCTS Reform, has delivered substantial transformation across criminal courts in England and Wales. Originally launched in 2011 and integrated into the wider Reform Programme in 2016, it aimed to modernise outdated processes and systems through digital innovation. Key outcomes achieved include: • Delivery of the Common Platform (CP): A unified digital case management system used across Magistrates’ and Crown Courts, replacing legacy systems and enabling more efficient case handling. • Implementation of the Automated Track Case Management (ATCM) service: Supporting the Single Justice Procedure, this system streamlines low-level, non-contested cases through automation. • User-centred design and agile delivery: Services have been developed iteratively, informed by user research and feedback from legal professionals, court staff, and other stakeholders. • Decommissioning planning: Work has begun to phase out legacy systems and infrastructure, ensuring continuity of service and data integrity. Following the closure of the Crime Reform Programme in March 2025, a series of enhancements have been initiated to: • Realise outstanding benefits from the Reform Programme • Address remaining technical debt • Improve user experience and operational efficiency • Support full decommissioning of legacy systems These enhancements build on previous investments and provide a stable foundation for further development. The supplier will be expected to work collaboratively with the existing team to deliver these enhancements, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and continuity of service across the criminal justice system. Which phase the project is in Not applicable Existing team The Supplier will be working alongside established, multi-disciplinary delivery teams. These teams are structured to support agile delivery and includes a blend of strategic, technical, and delivery-focused roles. Collaboration with other suppliers may be required depending on the scope of work and integration points, and this will be coordinated through the Buyers Delivery Manager . Each team typically includes the following capabilities (indicative FTE allocation): • Delivery Manager (0.5 FTE) – Oversees delivery planning, progress tracking, and stakeholder engagement. Acts as the primary point of contact for coordination and issue resolution. • Architect (0.5 FTE) – Provides technical oversight and ensures solutions align with enterprise architecture and strategic direction. • Technical Lead (1 FTE) – Guides the development team, ensures code quality and technical coherence, and supports decision-making on implementation approaches. • Business Analyst (0.5 FTE) – Works closely with stakeholders to capture requirements, define user stories, and support backlog refinement. • Backend Developer – Java (3 FTE) – Responsible for building and maintaining server-side logic, APIs, and integrations using Java-based technologies. • Frontend Developer – TypeScript/Angular (1 FTE) – Develops user interfaces and client-side functionality using Angular and TypeScript. • DevOps Engineer (0.5 FTE) – Supports CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation, and environment management to ensure smooth deployment and operations. • Quality Assurance Specialist (2 FTE) – Conducts testing activities including functional, integration, and regression testing to maintain high product quality. These teams typically operates in a collaborative and iterative manner, with regular ceremonies and shared tooling to support transparency and continuous improvement. Address where the work will be done Base Location: 102 Petty France, Westminster, London SW1H 9AJ and any other HMCTS premises as required. Supplier’s premises, and remotely but regular collaborative days at the Base Location (estimated as one day every two-weeks). Working arrangements HMCTS services are built to GDS standards using a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) essential. SOW’s will be drafted and agreed on a project by project basis to define the development outcomes of each project phase and typically span three to six months. The hours of delivery for this service are: i. Deliver the outcomes and roadmap in line with the SOW within standard 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday on a routine basis with occasional Extended and Out of Hours support to meet development and release schedule. ii. Functional and non-functional testing support between 9am – 5pm on a routine basis with occasional support out of hours in line with feature delivery and release schedules; Further information on base location, expenses etc will be detailed in each SoW. Provide more information about your security requirements: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Provide more information about your security requirements: Security Check (SC) Provide more information about your security requirements: We intend to use the long form version of Call-Off Schedule 9 (Security), and all Supplier Staff working on this contract shall hold as a minimum Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Security Check (SC) will also be requirement for all Supplier Staff that access the HALO system and live data. Latest start date 2026-03-26 Enter the expected contract length: 2 years Extension period: 1 year Special terms and conditions Any Special Terms will be stated in the call-off contract order form Write the term or acronym: N/A Are you prepared to show your budget details?: Yes Indicative maximum: 38000000 Indicative minimum: 0 Provide further information: Estimated at £38m over a three year term (comprising of the full Contract Period including the optional extension), and subject to budgetary approvals, internal governance and the satisfactory delivery of outcomes Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply Summary of work HMCTS is seeking a flexible, outcome-based, digital delivery Managed Service Provider (“the Supplier”) to accelerate the transformation of the criminal justice system. The Supplier will support the Enhancing Criminal Courts programme, enabling the full spectrum of design, development, testing, and release of digital services that must: • Meet GDS Standards • Align with future programme and individual project timelines, milestones and priorities • Operate within defined budgetary control, as agreed on a project-by-project basis The Supplier will be responsible for: • Maintaining delivery capacity and cadence to ensure continuity of service as detailed on a SoW by SoW basis • Supporting HMCTS strategic priorities, including: o Enhancements to the Common Platform o Agile responses to evolving user needs and policy changes o Decommissioning legacy systems to unlock further efficiencies • Delivering high-quality outcomes through: o Scalable development and testing approaches o Automation and performance monitoring o Transparent reporting against agreed KPIs The Supplier will work in close collaboration with existing HMCTS teams and other suppliers, including: • Rainbow teams providing specialist capabilities in design, development, and testing • DTS teams supporting live services, defect management, DevOps, and operational stability The Supplier must be capable of scaling to meet programme demands and will be expected to transition digital delivery services into business-as-usual operations upon completion of relevant workstreams (on a SoW-by-SoW basis). This procurement is a critical enabler for HMCTS’s digital transformation agenda over the next three years. The selected Supplier will play a key role in helping shape the future of criminal justice delivery, ensuring digital services are modern, efficient, and user-centred. Where the supplied staff will work No specific location (for example they can work remotely) Who is the organisation using the products or services Secretary of State for Justice. For the benefit of HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) Why the work is being done HMCTS is undertaking the EDSCC programme to build on the foundational work delivered through the Crime Reform Programme and to realise outstanding benefits associated with the Common Platform. EDSCC supports the broader justice transformation agenda by modernising criminal court services and improving outcomes for all users. The Common Platform—a unified digital case management system—has replaced legacy systems and enabled end-to-end digital working across HMCTS, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and other justice partners. It provides a single, real-time source of case information and supports the full lifecycle of a case, from charge through to resolution. While significant progress has been made, further enhancements are required to: • Improve functionality and user experience • Respond to evolving policy and operational needs • Support the full decommissioning of legacy systems This procurement will enable HMCTS to maintain delivery momentum and avoid disruption by securing a flexible, outcome-focused Supplier. The Supplier must work collaboratively with HMCTS and existing teams to deliver enhancements, resolve defects, and manage change requests. The focus will be on delivering high-quality, user-centred digital services that meet government standards and support the future of criminal justice. The business problem you need to solve The business problem centres on the need to: • Sustain delivery momentum across multiple workstreams, including defect resolution, enhancements, and new feature development • Ensure continuity of service while decommissioning legacy systems and transitioning to modern digital platforms • Respond rapidly to evolving user needs and policy changes, maintaining agility and alignment with programme priorities Maintain high standards of quality and performance, including robust testing, automation, and compliance with Government Service Standards First user type: Our Users are: