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2D Xray sensor upgrade for seed sorter

Forestry Commission

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

08 Sep 2026 at 10:06

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

07 Sep 2026 at 12:51

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Forestry Commission procured a 2D X-ray scanning head to upgrade a PhenoScort seed-sorting machine. The requirement is for specialised agricultural and forestry equipment, integrating the additional sensor with the existing seed-sorting platform, including its proprietary software, patented technology and machine architecture. Delivery and related work cover England, from the North East and North West through Yorkshire and the Midlands to the East, London, the South East and the South West. The Forestry Commission is the public-sector buyer. The procurement concerns a goods supply and equipment-integration requirement rather than a general inspection, consultancy or standalone software service.

This procurement is complete and was awarded on 7 September 2026 following a direct award. PhenoKey B.V. was selected as supplier for the single lot. The awarded value is EUR 655,000 excluding VAT, or EUR 786,000 including VAT. The contract period runs from 21 September 2026 to 20 September 2027, with signature scheduled for 18 September 2026. The direct award was justified because no other 2D X-ray sensor could be fitted and fully integrated with the existing machinery. The buyer identified proprietary software, patented technology and compatibility with the existing platform as requiring the original provider, with supplier substitution expected to require substantial re-engineering and re-validation.

For a supplier assessing future work for the Forestry Commission, this award demonstrates demand for high-value, specialised equipment that can be integrated into an existing seed-sorting platform. A credible competitor would need proven 2D X-ray sensing capability, experience integrating hardware with proprietary software and established machine architectures, and the technical capacity to manage engineering, testing and re-validation. Evidence of patented or otherwise protected technology may be important where compatibility and intellectual-property rights shape the route to market. Suppliers would also need to support equipment used across England and provide reliable specialist delivery and integration over a substantial public-sector contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

2D Xray sensor upgrade for seed sorter

Notice Description

Addition of 2D X-ray scanning head to a PhenoScort seed sorting machine

Procurement Information

There are no other 2d Xray sensors available which can be fitted and fully integrated with the existing machinery. The proposed 2D X-ray sensor upgrade is an extension to a highly specialised PhenoScort seed-sorting platform purchased 12 months ago and can only be supplied by the original provider because it must integrate with proprietary software, patented technology, and existing machine architecture. A change of supplier would create incompatibility, require significant re-engineering and re-validation, and result in disproportionate technical difficulties and costs

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f36c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084727-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

CPV Codes

03000000 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£655,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
21 Sep 2026 - 20 Sep 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Forestry Commission
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
BS16 1EJ
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)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PhenoKey B.V.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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