Upgrade of Brasstrax, Data Concentrator and Q3D VCM

Notice Information

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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 The procurement includes upgrading the outdated BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system, replacing a failing 10-year-old Data Concentrator server, and purchasing a Quantum 3D (Q3D) digital microscope for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 The procurement includes upgrading the outdated BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system, replacing a failing 10-year-old Data Concentrator server, and purchasing a Quantum 3D (Q3D) digital microscope for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. While other virtual 3D comparison microscopes are available on the market, none are compatible with the existing BRASSTRAX hardware currently deployed within the NABIS network. Alternative solutions would require the purchase of entirely new hardware and software. Crucially, these alternative systems do not use the BRASSTRAX platform and do not have the same published datasets or validated algorithms, meaning that any results generated would not be compatible or directly comparable with those produced by other UK NABIS laboratories. NABIS has designated Forensic Technology Europe (FTE) Ltd as the sole supplier of the equipment to be used for the IBIS system used across the UK network. The proprietary nature of the technology, combined with the requirement for national interoperability, means that no reasonable alternative or substitute exists without undermining the effectiveness of the NABIS network, and introducing unacceptable operational, evidential, and reputational risk. On this basis, a non-competitive procurement from FTE is justified, proportionate, and necessary to ensure continuity of service, compliance with national requirements to ensure interoperability across the UK NABIS network.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000838890
Publication Source: Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL561287
Current Stage: Award
All Stages: Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type: OJEU - F3 - Contract 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 20261 weeks 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: Complete
Awards Status: Not Specified
Contracts Status: Active

Buyer & Supplier

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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

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL561287
Upgrade of Brasstrax, Data Concentrator and Q3D VCM - 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.

Notice URLs

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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