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Voice Communications and Control System (BEB, SYY, WIC)

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

22 Oct 2026 at 10:03

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Highlands and Islands Airports Limited bought replacement voice communications and control systems for Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick airports. The equipment supports air traffic services and replaces ageing communications infrastructure. The work covers supplying, installing, testing, commissioning and handing over the systems, together with implementation services, staff training, warranty and ongoing support. The requirement is for airport communications and air traffic control systems, rather than general telecoms equipment alone, and involves work at three named airport locations in Scotland. HIAL is the buying organisation and manages airport-related activities across the Highlands and Islands. The systems are critical to the continued operation of air traffic services at these airports.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to Copperchase Ltd; the contract is active and was signed on 6 August 2026. The contract value is £511,425.88. The requirement was treated as one lot, but that lot is marked cancelled in the process data, despite the active award and contract. HIAL used a direct award without a prior competition, through a Non-Competitive Action, citing the urgent operational need to replace obsolete systems and avoid extending risks to air traffic services. The recorded evaluation basis was price. The data reports one bid, from an SME. No contract end date or duration is stated, so the period of delivery or support cannot be established from these details.

This award shows demand for integrated voice communications and control systems serving air traffic operations at regional airports, including equipment supply, installation, testing, commissioning, handover, training, warranty and support. A credible supplier for a future requirement would need to deliver the whole system lifecycle and work within the operational constraints of airports where communications equipment underpins air traffic services. Experience replacing ageing or unsupported infrastructure, managing implementation safely and maintaining continuity during transition would be relevant to the risk described by HIAL. The award went to an SME, and the recorded process received one bid, indicating that a specialist supplier can serve as the lead contractor for this type of requirement. The procurement was directly awarded on grounds of urgency, so competitors should be prepared to demonstrate capability, readiness and a persuasive delivery plan.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Voice Communications and Control System (BEB, SYY, WIC)

Notice Description

Supply, installation and commissioning of replacement Voice Communications and Control Systems (VCCS) at Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick airports, including training, warranty and associated implementation services.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The procurement was undertaken to secure the supply, installation, testing, commissioning and handover of replacement Voice Communications and Control Systems (VCCS) for Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick airports. The requirement included associated implementation, training and support services to replace ageing communications infrastructure supporting the provision of air traffic services. Additional information: The award criteria shown reflect the Authority's intended assessment methodology for the procurement requirement. The contract was subsequently awarded following approval of a Non-Competitive Action.

Procurement Information

HIAL identified an urgent requirement to replace obsolete Voice Communications and Control Systems (VCCS) at Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick Airports. The existing systems were assessed as presenting a high and increasing operational risk due to obsolescence, the unavailability of manufacturer support, existing faults and the potential impact on the continued provision of air traffic services. Following consideration of the operational risks, business case and supporting justification, a Non-Competitive Action process was undertaken and a contract was awarded to Copperchase Limited for the supply, installation, commissioning, training, warranty and support associated with replacement VCCS equipment. The Authority considered that delaying implementation until completion of a competitive procurement process would materially extend the period during which the identified operational risks remained.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078d7c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099797-2026
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

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

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

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

51 - Installation services (except software)

CPV Codes

31682210 - Instrumentation and control equipment

32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

32570000 - Communications equipment

32573000 - Communications control system

34962000 - Air-traffic control equipment

34962100 - Control tower equipment

34962200 - Air-traffic control

34962220 - Air-traffic control systems

34997000 - Control, safety or signalling equipment for airports

35711000 - Command, control, communication systems

51300000 - Installation services of communications equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£511,425 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Oct 20265 days 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
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 7JB
Postcode Area
Inverness
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM6 Highlands and Islands
Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Culloden and Ardersier
Westminster Constituency
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Copperchase 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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