--- title: "Request for Information - UK Lead-Lined X Ray Cell Capabilities" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2022-02-03" --- # Request for Information - UK Lead-Lined X Ray Cell Capabilities Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence is conducting a Request for Information regarding the availability of lead-lined X-ray cells within the United Kingdom, crucial for their Counter Terrorism and Security (CTS) Division. This procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with responses due by 18 March 2022. The initiative is classified under research laboratory services and relates specifically to test and evaluation of security equipment. The geographic focus is primarily in the South West of England, with the key point of contact located at Porton Down, Salisbury (SP4 0JQ). This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses equipped with existing lead-lined X-ray cell capabilities, particularly for contractors within the research and security sectors. Companies that possess expertise in safety engineering controls and access to suitable facilities are well-positioned to respond. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, as the authority is seeking partners who can enhance their operational capabilities in a secure and compliant manner. ## Notice Dstl's Counter Terrorism and Security (CTS) Division (hereinafter referred to as the Authority), is investigating the availability of lead-lined X-ray cells within the United Kingdom which are critical to multiple capabilities in CTS. Access to an X-ray cell with sufficient radiation shielding is critical to ensuring our staff can maintain the Authority's capability to operate and test ionising radiation sources in a safe and secure way. The Authority is issuing this Request for Information to understand the availability of a lead-lined X-ray cell capability external to the Authority provided within the UK. To assist the Authority, respondents to this RFI should provide: 1) Details of the facilities that are available for use, including the geographic location; 2) Detailed technical specifications in relation to undertaking Science & Technology activities, including but not limited to: a) the size(s) of the lead-lined cell and any adjoining control spaces (L x W x H), b) the thickness of lead lining in the cell walls, ceiling and door, c) details of existing safety engineering controls, e.g. interlocks, emergency stops, 3) Details of existing radiation sources operated in the cell (e.g. energy, current, pulsed or continuous, 4) Options for booking of facilities, including but not limited to: a) lead times for booking or accessing the facility, b) the potential availability of block booking arrangements, c) facility access and working hours, 5) If you have any working security classification levels, and 6) Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) costs for the use of a facility, on a unit basis and if any discount or economies are available. The Authority is issuing this Request for Information to understand the capacity and capabilities of existing Lead-lined X-Ray Cell Capabilities within the United Kingdom, across both Industry and Academia, in particular whether your capabilities/capacity meet some/all of the requirements set out above. The Authority is seeking responses from economic operators that cover/provide information on your capacity and capability in respect of the above requirements. Information you provide to us in response to this RFI, that is not already available to us from other sources, will be handled in-confidence. By submitting a response to this RFI you are giving us permission to keep and use the information for our internal purposes, and to provide the information onwards, in-confidence, within UK Government. We will not use or disclose the information for any other purpose, without first requesting permission to do so. This RFI is not a commitment to subsequently launch a formal procurement procedure thereafter. Additional information: Economic Operators are requested to note that the Authority is not seeking manufacturers or suppliers of X-Ray Cell Labs/Equipment. We are looking for responses from economic operators who already have pre-existing Lead-lined X Ray Cell capability (and potential spare capacity) in the UK. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f34dee7-921d-4c8c-8620-b21955b1796e | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 3 Feb 2022 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 18 Mar 2022 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | | Locality | SALISBURY | | Post town | Salisbury | | Postcode | SP4 0JQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK72 Wiltshire | | Local authority | Wiltshire | | Electoral ward | Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley | | Westminster constituency | Salisbury | | Delivery location | TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73111000 - Research laboratory services - 73431000 - Test and evaluation of security equipment ## Release History - 3 Feb 2022 at 08:39 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f34dee7-921d-4c8c-8620-b21955b1796e ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f34dee7-921d-4c8c-8620-b21955b1796e 3rd February 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-ad6742b5-f06c-4ea3-a46a-7467d6810a9d.json.