This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

01 Sep 2026 at 08:28

PlanningUpdate

25 Jun 2026 at 10:22

Planning

22 Jun 2026 at 09:50

Summary of the contracting process

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is procuring under-vehicle inspection equipment for use when staff need to inspect vehicles for defects but cannot access beneath the vehicle or use an inspection pit. The requirement covers manufacture, supply and maintenance of eight units from a single supplier. The equipment must provide high-resolution still and video imaging, including low-light and thermal imaging, with encrypted local storage, data transfer and live zoom and focus. It must be rugged, portable, safe to use around vehicles and suitable for uneven surfaces and PSV access, without vehicles driving over it. Associated requirements include user documentation, training, telephone or online support, maintenance and repair, software updates and replacement arrangements. Delivery is across the United Kingdom. The procurement covers goods and related services, including special-purpose electrical equipment and machinery.

The process reached tender: DVSA invited offers through an open procedure. The estimated value is £205,000 excluding VAT and £250,000 including VAT. It is a single lot, with the contract running from 31 October 2026 to 31 October 2029. Questions could be submitted until 18 September 2026 at 4:00pm, and tenders were due by 6 October 2026 at 4:00pm. The intended award decision date is 25 October 2026 at 11:59pm. Electronic submission is allowed in English through the Jaggaer portal. Evaluation is weighted 60% to the technical envelope, including social value, and 40% to the commercial envelope. The procurement is above threshold and covered by the Government Procurement Agreement. Payment follows delivery, while repair, maintenance and innovation work can be invoiced after completion.

This opportunity suits equipment manufacturers, specialist inspection-technology businesses and suppliers able to combine hardware, software, cybersecurity and after-sales support. The core solution needs AES-256 encrypted storage, USB or USB-C transfer to Windows laptops and mobile phones, at least 12MP still images, 4K video, low-light and thermal imaging, ISO 8601 time and date stamping, and live-view zoom and focus. Products must include an IP66 ruggedised control system, operate over at least 30 metres, provide at least four hours of battery life, and withstand a 1.5-metre drop and corrosion. ATEX Zone 2 compliance, no sparking components, a secure case, a maximum 16kg total weight and ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus are required where applicable. Suppliers must manage supply-chain security, maintenance, support tickets and user training.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Under Vehicle Inspection Equipment 2026

Notice Description

This notice informs the market that DVSA intends to award a contract to a single supplier to manufacture Under Vehicle Inspection Equipment. This equipment will enable DVSA staff to inspect vehicles for defects in situations where access beneath the vehicle or where an inspection pit is not available. This notice is issued to engage the market at a supplier day in advance of a forthcoming procurement for the supply and maintenance of eight units. Elements we are looking for in terms of this requirement, some of the 'Could Have' elements listed below can be added as part of a continuous improvement initiative over the life of the contract: Category Requirement Imaging & Evidence - AES-256 encrypted local storage, USB/USB-C transfer to Windows laptops and mobile phones (Must Have) Imaging & Evidence - High-resolution imaging: Still images >=12MP, 4K video, low-light & thermal imaging (Must Have) Imaging & Evidence - Time & date stamping in ISO 8601 format (Must Have) Imaging & Evidence - Moveable camera to see around components (Should Have) Imaging & Evidence = Side-view camera with option to view with thermal imaging (Should Have) Imaging & Evidence - The capability to zoom in and focus on the camera's live view [not just once image has been taken] (Must Have) Imaging & Evidence - Optional secure wireless transfer (Could Have) Control System - IP66 ruggedized casing, usable with gloves (Must Have) Control System - Range >=30m, battery life >=4 hours, screen resolution >=1080p (Must Have) Control System - Ability to annotate images [to highlight defects] while retaining the original raw image (Should Have) Control System - Large display screen viewable in all weather (Must Have) Physical / Build - Drop-proof from 1.5m, corrosion-resistant (Must Have) Physical / Build - Operate on uneven surfaces, height <=80mm for PSV access (Must Have) Power & Battery - Removable battery pack with spare, fast charging <=2 hours (Must Have) Power & Battery - Battery health monitoring system (Should Have) Safety & Compliance - ATEX Zone 2 compliance, no sparking components (Must Have) Transport & Storage - Secure case, total weight <=16kg (Must Have) Transport & Storage - Shock-absorbing storage case with lockable latches (Should Have) Transport & Storage - Lanyard for control device to prevent dropping (Must Have) Transport & Storage - Van- or wall-mounted charging cradle option (Could Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Comprehensive user guide with troubleshooting (including quick-start guide) (Must Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Cleaning kit with instructions (Could Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Agreed process to support end users through phone or online chat throughout contract period (Must Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Structured maintenance and repair policy that ensures minimal downtime (Must Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Structured policy for replacing faulty devices that ensures minimal downtime (Could Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Process for software update versions e.g. Windows etc. (Must Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Support ticket service level agreement (SLA) with guaranteed responses within 72 hours (Must Have) Documentation / Training & Support - Training options: live (in person or online) or recorded sessions (Should Have) Optional Enhancements - AI-assisted vehicle mapping for defect detection (Should Have) Optional Enhancements - GPS tagging for inspection location (Could Have) Optional Enhancements - Integration with DVSA enforcement applications (Could Have) Optional Enhancements - Automated navigation/collision avoidance functionality (Could Have) Optional Enhancements - Remote cloud sync for inspection logs (Won't Have) Cyber Security - Development process has followed Secure By Design Principles (Could Have) Cyber Security - ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus where applicable (Must Have) Cyber Security - Suppliers cascade security standards (e.g. ISO27001) to third parties and maintain transparent processes for supply chain risk managemet (Must Have) The authority does not want a solution that will require vehicles to drive over the inspection equipment.

Planning Information

A supplier engagement event is provisionally scheduled for 7th July, 09:30 - 15:00, at a DVSA site at Garretts Green MPTC, Granby Avenue, Garretts Green, Birmingham, B33 0SD. Suppliers are encouraged to attend in person and, where possible, bring examples of similar equipment previously developed to demonstrate their capabilities. Attendance will only be facilitated online via MS Teams in exceptional circumstances, where a valid reason for not attending in person is provided; this may then be arranged on an alternative date. Suppliers who are unable to attend but wish to provide written feedback are invited to register their interest to receive the schedule of requirements upon release. If you wish to participate in this consultation, and have not previously engaged with the Authority, you are required to create an account on Jaggaer if you do not already have one. The portal can be accessed using the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/ Any correspondence must be submitted via Jaggaer and not directly to different areas of DVSA.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b9b6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082429-2026
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

42 - Industrial machinery


CPV Codes

42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery

42992000 - Special-purpose electrical goods

42997300 - Industrial robots

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£205,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£205,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
6 Oct 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
17 Aug 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Oct 2026 - 31 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS5 0DA
Postcode Area
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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