Award

Air Terminal Passenger & Baggage Handling Security Scanner

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Mar 2026 at 12:02

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

15 Oct 2025 at 08:54

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has procured an Air Terminal Passenger & Baggage Handling Security Scanner for RAF Brize Norton, located in the United Kingdom. This procurement falls under the industry category of baggage scanning equipment. The procurement process was completed via a direct award method, ensuring continuity and compatibility with existing equipment, with Smiths Detection Limited selected as the supplier. The award was formalised on 2 March 2026, with a standstill period ending on 11 March 2026, and the contract period running from 16 March 2026 to 14 August 2026.

This tender represents opportunities for businesses specialising in security equipment manufacturing and supply, especially those that can deliver compatible and advanced technology solutions. Companies similar to Smiths Detection Limited, particularly those capable of providing baggage-scanning equipment that aligns with existing systems, may find lucrative prospects in such direct award procurements. Small to medium-sized enterprises with expertise in technical compatibility and interoperability in security solutions could also seek opportunities in similar government projects, ensuring their offerings support seamless operational efficiency.

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Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ccf6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018381-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Mar 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
16 Mar 2026 - 14 Aug 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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