Tender

Custom Fit Motorcycle Examiner Earplugs 2026

DRIVER AND VEHICLE STANDARDS AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

29 Jan 2026 at 11:02

Planning

08 Dec 2025 at 10:42

Summary of the contracting process

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), a central government public authority, has initiated a procurement process to award a contract for "Custom Fit Motorcycle Examiner Earplugs 2026". The project is currently in the tender stage, with a closing date for submissions on 2nd March 2026. This procurement, positioned within the protective gear industry, involves the annual supply of approximately 200 pairs of custom-fitted earplugs. The contract covers the fitting and delivery services across the United Kingdom, with an estimated contract value of £135,000 (excluding VAT). The process is conducted as an open procedure and involves electronic submissions via the Jaggaer portal. The contract period begins on 14th May 2026 and may be renewed twice, each for an additional 12 months.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in audiology or custom-fitting protective gear products, particularly those experienced in working with public sector clients. The focus on quality and cost in the award criteria (50% quality, 40% cost, and 10% social value) indicates that competitive pricing accompanied by high production standards will be advantageous. Suitable candidates include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), who stand an excellent chance to expand their client base by engaging with a high-profile governmental agency like DVSA.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Custom Fit Motorcycle Examiner Earplugs 2026

Notice Description

DVSA motorcycle examiners conduct riding tests for candidates seeking entitlement to ride motorcycles on public roads. To carry out these tests, examiners spend up to eight hours a day on a motorcycle and may reach speeds of up to 70 mph. Research indicates that riding at speeds above 60 mph can lead to hearing loss caused by excessive wind noise. To mitigate this risk, DVSA introduced routine audiology assessments for motorcycle examiners and the use of custom-fitted earplugs. DVSA now intends to award a contract to a single supplier to provide two pairs of custom-fitted earplugs for each examiner, with replacements supplied every two years. The service will include on-site fitting, where the supplier visits DVSA locations to take ear canal impressions before delivering the custom earplugs. It is estimated that approximately 100 ear impressions will be taken annually, resulting in the supply of around 200 pairs of custom-fitted earplugs each year.

Planning Information

DVSA is issuing this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (UK2) as a Request for Information (RFI) to engage with the market. The purpose is to gather insights into the market’s capacity and appetite for the upcoming Custom Fit Motorcycle Examiner Earplugs 2026 requirement. The RFI will be open from 08th December 2025 to 22nd December 2025. If you are interested in participating and would like access to the RFI documents, please contact the team at: G&Scategoryteam@dvsa.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f075
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007922-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories


CPV Codes

18143000 - Protective gear

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£135,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£135,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
2 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
22 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
13 May 2026 - 13 May 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2028-01-24

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DRIVER AND VEHICLE STANDARDS AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercialenquiries@dvsa.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS5 0DA
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Lawrence Hill
Westminster Constituency
Bristol East

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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