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Upgrade of Brasstrax, Data Concentrator and Q3D VCM

Scottish Police Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

30 Jul 2026 at 15:59

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Police Authority procured specialist forensic ballistics equipment for the Scottish Crime Campus in Glasgow. The requirement covered an upgrade to the end-of-life BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system, replacement of a failing 10-year-old Data Concentrator server, and purchase of a Quantum 3D digital microscope for virtual bullet comparisons. The equipment supports the Integrated Ballistics Intelligence System used by the National Ballistic Intelligence Service (NABIS). The investment was intended to standardise technology across UK NABIS hubs, reduce critical system downtime and maintain consistent ballistic evidence comparisons. It falls within the goods category and is described under CPV 38510000, microscopes. The Scottish Police Authority acted as buyer and central purchasing body. The supplier was based in Dublin, while delivery and operational use were at the Scottish Crime Campus in Glasgow.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through a limited procedure without prior publication of a call for competition. The stated rationale was that technical requirements and the need for compatible IBIS technology meant the supplies could be provided only by a particular economic operator. The contract was awarded to Forensic Technology (Europe) Ltd and signed on 9 March 2026. Its value is £229,500. One electronic bid was recorded, from an SME based in the EU. The procurement information records quality as carrying 60% of the evaluation and price 40%. The requirement was linked to a single lot, whose status is recorded as cancelled, while the associated award and contract are active. The procurement was covered by the Government Procurement Agreement.

This procurement indicates demand for suppliers with specialist expertise in forensic ballistics and integrated firearm evidence systems, rather than general microscope or server supply. A credible future competitor would need to provide, upgrade or support BRASSTRAX cartridge imaging, Data Concentrator infrastructure and Quantum 3D digital microscopy, with the systems operating as part of the IBIS and NABIS network. Compatibility with established algorithms, reference data and outputs is central, as evidence must remain directly comparable across UK NABIS hubs. Relevant capability would include maintaining operational continuity, replacing ageing technical infrastructure and supporting evidential accuracy. Suppliers would also need to understand compliance with NABIS operating arrangements, the SPA’s NABIS memorandum of understanding and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation requirements. Quality-led evaluation means technical assurance and service reliability would be important alongside price.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Upgrade of Brasstrax, Data Concentrator and Q3D VCM

Notice Description

The Scottish Police Authority was required to Award a contract to upgrade end-of-life Integrated Ballistics Intelligence System (IBIS) equipment at the Scottish Crime Campus. The procurement includes upgrading the outdated BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system, replacing a failing 10-year-old Data Concentrator server, and purchasing a Quantum 3D (Q3D) digital microscope for virtual bullet comparisons.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Scottish Police Authority has awarded a contract to upgrade end-of-life Integrated Ballistics Intelligence System (IBIS) equipment at the Scottish Crime Campus. The procurement includes upgrading the outdated BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system, replacing a failing 10-year-old Data Concentrator server, and purchasing a Quantum 3D (Q3D) digital microscope for virtual bullet comparisons.This investment standardises technology across all UK National Ballistic Intelligence Service (NABIS) hubs, eliminates critical system downtime, and ensures operational compliance with NABIS MoU timeframes and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Procurement Information

The Firearms Unit within the Forensic Services relies on specialist IBIS equipment that forms an integral part the NABIS Network, which enables ballistic evidence from firearm discharges to be compared consistently across all UK NABIS hubs. To maintain the integrity, accuracy, and evidential robustness of national ballistic comparisons, all hubs are required to use the same IBIS technology so that the underlying algorithms, reference data, and outputs remain directly comparable. This requirement is set out in national operating arrangements and restated in the existing MoU governing SPA's participation in NABIS.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d801
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072343-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38510000 - Microscopes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£229,500 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Police Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G40 4EH
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Calton
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Forensic Technology (Europe) Limited

Further Information

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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