Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

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 01:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Police Authority bought specialist forensic technology for the Scottish Crime Campus in Glasgow. The requirement was to upgrade end-of-life Integrated Ballistics Intelligence System (IBIS) equipment used by the Firearms Unit. It covered an upgrade to the 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 investment standardises equipment with other UK National Ballistic Intelligence Service (NABIS) hubs, supporting consistent comparison of ballistic evidence, reducing system downtime and maintaining operational compliance. This is a goods procurement for suppliers of integrated forensic, ballistics imaging, digital microscopy and specialist data-server technology. The equipment is intended for use at the Scottish Crime Campus.

The procurement has been completed and the contract is active. The Scottish Police Authority used a limited, non-competitive award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition, relying on technical reasons and the absence of a compatible alternative. Forensic Technology (Europe) Ltd was awarded the single lot, with one bid received. The contract value is £229,500. The contract was signed on 9 March 2026. Evaluation was based on quality weighted at 60% and price at 40%. The procurement rationale states that the equipment had to remain compatible with the BRASSTRAX platform and the wider UK NABIS network, including its algorithms, reference data and outputs. Alternative systems were considered incompatible with the existing infrastructure and national interoperability requirements.

This award indicates demand for highly specialised forensic technology that integrates with the existing IBIS and BRASSTRAX platforms rather than standalone replacement systems. Suppliers well placed for comparable work would need demonstrable capability in cartridge imaging, ballistic evidence comparison, virtual 3D microscopy, specialist servers and associated system integration. Experience supporting the UK NABIS network, or other nationally standardised forensic environments, would be particularly relevant because interoperability, consistent algorithms, shared reference data and comparable outputs are central to the requirement. Credible competitors would also need to support continuity of service, minimise operational downtime and work within the evidential requirements of forensic laboratories. Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards and the operational requirements governing NABIS participation would strengthen a supplier’s position when this buyer next reviews similar equipment needs.

How relevant is this notice?

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. 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

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 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
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

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.

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.

Loading OCDS record...