This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

30 Jul 2026 at 14:59

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Police Authority has successfully completed a procurement process for upgrading critical ballistics intelligence equipment at the Scottish Crime Campus in Glasgow, categorised under the CPV code for Microscopes (38510000). This procurement, valued at £229,500 and executed through the limited award procedure due to technical exclusivity, involved the upgrade and replacement of various components such as the BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system and a Data Concentrator server, as well as the acquisition of a Quantum 3D digital microscope. This contract, awarded on 9th March 2026 to Forensic Technology (Europe) Ltd., ensures that all UK National Ballistic Intelligence Service hubs operate with standardised technology, maintaining compliance with operational, technical, and accreditation standards.

This procurement offers considerable opportunities for businesses operating in the fields of forensic technology, digital imaging, and laboratory equipment manufacturing. Enterprises with expertise in providing high-quality precision instruments and those capable of ensuring seamless integration with existing forensic infrastructures would find this tender particularly inviting. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those with a track record of delivering specialised equipment and services to law enforcement agencies, are well-positioned to leverage such opportunities for growth in this niche but vital industry segment. The contract exemplifies a strategic investment in enhancing national crime-solving capabilities, representing business potential for innovative technology providers.

How relevant is this notice?

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 The procurement includes upgrading the outdated BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system, replacing a failing 10-year-old Data Concentrator server, and purchasing a Quantum 3D (Q3D) digital microscope for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.

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 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Mar 20265 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Post Town
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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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