Award

Air Terminal Passenger & Baggage Handling Security Scanner

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

13 Mar 2026 at 14:53

Award

02 Mar 2026 at 12:02

Award

15 Oct 2025 at 08:54

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has successfully completed a direct procurement process, awarding a contract to Smiths Detection Watford Limited for Air Terminal Passenger & Baggage Handling Security Scanner equipment at the Royal Air Force Brize Norton. This contract, valued at £156,473, involves the installation of new security scanners for both hold and cabin baggage. Governed by the Procurement Act 2023, the rationale for a direct award was based on operational compatibility and continuity across existing equipment, ensuring seamless integration and maintenance. The contract, starting on 23rd March 2026 and ending on 1st September 2026, is located in the United Kingdom, specifically High Wycombe and Hemel Hempstead, within the public authority central government sector.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in security technology and baggage-scanning equipment. Companies with expertise in technical solutions compatible with existing systems stand to benefit, particularly those that can provide comprehensive operational user support. Smiths Detection, as the selected supplier, underscores the potential for businesses that offer scalable solutions and have established relationships for maintenance and training continuity. The procurement process confirms that businesses capable of meeting such specialised requirements are well-positioned to compete for similar defence sector contracts, fostering growth through strategic partnerships and robust service offerings.

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Notice Title

Air Terminal Passenger & Baggage Handling Security Scanner

Notice Description

The Air Terminal at the Royal Air Force Brize Norton is investing in new passenger handling processing equipment. This includes the provision of new security scanners for both hold and cabin baggage and is commensurate with the separate and already contracted-for purchase of non-scanner equipment. The supplier will install a passenger and baggage handling scanner.

Procurement Information

The Authority, proposes to enter into a contract with Smiths Detection Limited ("Smiths") on a single source basis in accordance with paragraph 5 of Schedule 7 to the Procurement Act 2023 for the provision of two Air Terminal Passenger & Baggage Handling Security Scanner (the "Scanners"). This procurement will be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 ("PA 2023") Chapter 3, Section 41: Direct Award in Special Cases. It is considered that direct award of the proposed contract is lawful in accordance with PA 2023 Schedule 5 paragraph 7 which relates to the supply of goods, services or works by the existing supplier when a change in supplier would result in the Authority receiving goods that are different from, or incompatible with, existing goods, and the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance. It is considered that direct award is lawful in accordance with paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 PA 2023 as the Scanners are the same as the existing scanners in operation and no other supplier can provide a replica of the existing scanners in both the security area and baggage hall, at Brize Norton. The Scanners are required to be the same as the existing scanners in operation, as operating two (or more) different scanners, would cause disproportionate technical difficulties in the operation and maintenance of both the existing scanners and the new Scanners. In particular, it would cause operational user risks to arise. Further, by purchasing these Scanners from Smiths, training and maintenance will be covered by an existing contract between the Authority and Smiths. No other supplier will be able to offer this without disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. In addition, the Authority requires continuity across equipment to ensure interoperability and continuity for training and maintenance, therefore Smiths is the only supplier able to provide the Scanners and the ongoing maintenance and training required.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ccf6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023082-2026
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

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)


CPV Codes

38581000 - Baggage-scanning equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£130,394 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£130,394 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Oct 20256 months ago
Contract Period
23 Mar 2026 - 1 Sep 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
HIGH WYCOMBE
Postcode
HP14 4UE
Post Town
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SMITHS DETECTION WATFORD

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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