Award

PURCHASE & SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF DIGITAL RECORDING EQUIPMENT

POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR CHESHIRE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

02 Jul 2025 at 09:59

Award

16 Jun 2025 at 09:01

Award

12 Jun 2025 at 11:44

Summary of the contracting process

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire has completed the procurement process for the purchase, support, and maintenance of digital recording equipment. The contract, initiated as a direct award on the basis of technical and compatibility requirements, was awarded to David Horn Communications Limited. The procurement focused on sound recorders and maintenance services, placing it within the goods category. The contract commenced on 1st September 2025 and will run until 31st August 2030. The legal framework for this procurement is based on the UK Procurement Act 2023, and the process followed a direct award approach due to the necessity of compatibility with existing equipment.

This tender presents unique business growth opportunities for suppliers dealing with specialised recording equipment, particularly those that can address compatibility and maintenance complexities. Although the tender was awarded directly to David Horn Communications Limited due to specific technical and intellectual property constraints, companies with similar technical capabilities or complementary services could explore avenues for future engagements with public sector buyers experiencing similar challenges. Businesses that specialise in high-tech maintenance services or those that can develop compatible integration solutions could greatly benefit from partnerships or future opportunities within this industry sector.

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Notice Title

PURCHASE & SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF DIGITAL RECORDING EQUIPMENT

Notice Description

Support and maintenance of existing recorders including purchase and support of new recorders.

Procurement Information

This is a Contract Details Notice. This notice is presented on the basis of two exemptions permitting direct award without competition under the Procurement Act 2023. These are as follows:- Are required to be compatible with an existing asset. This must be intended as an extension to or partial replacement of existing goods or services where a change would result in goods or services that are different or incompatible with the existing goods and services. The difference or incompatibility must result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. Cheshire Constabulary currently have 42 fixed recorders and 11 portable recorders, which were procured via a Value Added Reseller from David Horn Communications Ltd. DHC are the only Supplier who can provide support and maintenance for their recorders. Where the provider is the sole supplier of the goods, services or works. There are clearly other suppliers of Digital recording equipment out there, however only David Horn Communications Ltd themselves or DHC via a reseller can supply the required models when replacements are needed. This is because Cheshire Constabulary can't procure other makes of recorders from alternative Suppliers because CC need DHC recorders due to compatibility issues because they need to integrate with the existing infrastructure within the Constabulary and the wider West Coast Collaboration Forces. This means there is an absence of competition for technical grounds as only a specific supplier can supply (or a particular supplier holds the intellectual property or other exclusive rights) and there are no reasonable alternatives.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05479b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036689-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

32332300 - Sound recorders

50342000 - Repair and maintenance services of audio equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£374,972 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£374,972 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER FOR CHESHIRE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
katie.howell2@cheshire.police.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WINSFORD, CHESHIRE
Postcode
CW7 2UA
Post Town
Crewe
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Winsford Over & Verdin
Westminster Constituency
Mid Cheshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

DAVID HORN COMMUNICATIONS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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