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Trace, Evaluate and Reinforce (TracER)

THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

06 Aug 2026 at 10:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

13 Jul 2026 at 14:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport is procuring TracER, a goods requirement intended to improve assurance of explosive trace detection screening and the detection of explosive trace contamination. The work concerns the products, equipment and associated technical input needed to trace, evaluate and reinforce ETD screening assurance. It may involve security and defence equipment, laboratory and precision equipment, industrial machinery, chemicals, electrical equipment, transport-related equipment and research and development services. Delivery is required in the United Kingdom and the United States. The opportunity is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises. Suppliers from security technology, explosive trace detection, laboratory testing, engineering, scientific research, equipment supply or related assurance backgrounds may therefore find the requirement relevant.

The procurement has reached tender: the Department for Transport invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. It is a single lot with an estimated value of £135,000 excluding VAT, or £162,000 including VAT. The enquiry deadline was 27 July 2026 at 12:00, and the tender submission deadline is 17 August 2026 at 12:00. The contract is scheduled to run from 2 November 2026 to 31 October 2027. The process has two stages: conditions of participation followed by an invitation to tender. Suppliers must meet the minimum standards in PQQ_784 and sign a non-disclosure agreement before accessing sensitive information. Successful participants at stage one are shortlisted for stage two, with the award based on the most advantageous tender.

This opportunity suits suppliers able to demonstrate the capability, capacity and relevant experience to deliver explosive trace detection assurance. Businesses may need to combine scientific or laboratory expertise with security screening, equipment, engineering, testing, evaluation or research and development capability. The requirement is relevant to organisations that can assess explosive trace contamination and support improvements to the reliability and assurance of ETD screening. Suppliers must be able to satisfy the conditions of participation and minimum standards in the pre-qualification questionnaire. They must also handle sensitive Department for Transport and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory information under appropriate confidentiality and security protections, including signing a non-disclosure agreement. Smaller organisations and mission-led enterprises are explicitly considered suitable.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Trace, Evaluate and Reinforce (TracER)

Notice Description

TracER is intended to improve assurance of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) screening to detect explosive trace contamination.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c9a2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074547-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

14 - Mining, basic metals and related products

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

19 - Leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials

22 - Printed matter and related products

24 - Chemical products

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

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

42 - Industrial machinery

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

50 - Repair and maintenance services

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

65 - Public utilities

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

76 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

09000000 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

14000000 - Mining, basic metals and related products

15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

18000000 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

19000000 - Leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials

22000000 - Printed matter and related products

24000000 - Chemical products

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

33000000 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

34000000 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35000000 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

42000000 - Industrial machinery

43000000 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

65000000 - Public utilities

71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

75000000 - Administration, defence and social security services

76000000 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

90000000 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

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
6 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DR
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Vincent Square
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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