--- title: "HMPPS Residual Drug Detection" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF JUSTICE" published: "2026-02-19" --- # HMPPS Residual Drug Detection Buyer: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Justice, based in London, is in the planning stage of a procurement process for a Residual Drug Detection solution for Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Approved Premises sites. This initiative falls within the industry category of drug detection apparatus. The procurement seeks to enhance security measures within prisons by deploying sophisticated detection tools against illicit substances. Interested suppliers are invited to participate in a market engagement process, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for 6th March 2026, followed by an engagement event scheduled for 12th March 2026. This tender offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in high-sensitivity drug detection technologies, particularly those capable of developing portable and cost-efficient solutions that can function effectively in unique environments like prisons. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in rapid screening, drug library updates, trace detection, and data management are well-positioned to compete. The procurement method aims to leverage cutting-edge solutions that reduce operational delays and maintain security and safety objectives, providing a platform for businesses to showcase and expand their technological capabilities within the public sector. ## Notice Summary The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is exploring the capability and capacity of the market for the supply of a Residual Drug Detection solution for HMPPS and Approved Premises sites. The intention is for a next-generation solution that will support HMPPS and Approved Premises sites in their efforts to detect and deter illicit substances within prisons and contribute to security and safety objectives as part of the operational policy framework. Background HMPPS continues to prioritise security measures across the prison estate to reduce harm caused by illicit substances and support safer environments by disrupting supply routes and inform intelligence-led decision making. The use of Drugs Detection equipment in prisons, is a key element of the objective to 'manage significant and emerging risks related to drug and alcohol use and supply through effective risk management', as set out in the operational framework. While HMPPS currently employs a range of detection tools, a mobile residual drugs detection capability will look to strengthen operational capability on the ground through deployment of high-sensitivity detection tools where and when they are needed across multiple locations within prisons. Indicative scope of requirement: The requirements at this stage for a next-generation solution are subject to change but it is envisaged that the specification could include the following: Rapid screening o Provide results within seconds to avoid operational delays o Suitable for high-throughput environments like mailrooms Drug Library o Ability to regularly and quickly update the drug library to respond to emerging threats. o Ability to update devices remotely without the need to access prisons. o Broad drug library including SCRAs and Synthetic Opioids Accuracy o Ability to detect trace amounts of a wide range of illicit substances o Minimise false positives and co-alarms and false negatives Portability and ease of use o Lightweight, handheld or easily moveable devices o Simple interface for non-technical staff with minimal training Durability o Usable within non sterile prison environments, e.g. dust, humidity and temperature fluctuations Low maintenance and cost efficiency o Minimal or no calibration requirements. o Affordable consumables and long operational life Data Management o Ability to collect detection data and feed into a central data source for intelligence gathering o Secure storage of detection data Discreet operation o Quiet and unobtrusive to avoid escalating tensions during checks. ### Planning Information The Authority is keen to further engage with suppliers who wish to participate in the market engagement exercise. To submit an expression of interest to take part in the engagement, suppliers will need to complete a Market Engagement Questionnaire in the below link by no later than Friday 6th March 2026. The engagement will take the form of an in-person session on Thursday 12th March 2026. Suppliers who are participating will be expected to showcase their solution to the Authority and take questions from key HMPPS stakeholders within the project. More details on the engagement including the location of the event will be issued to suppliers eligible to participate on completion and approval of the Market Engagement Questionnaire attached to this notice. Please click on the link below to access the questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/e/izewubEkeW Please note- this engagement exercise does not commit the Authority to a formal procurement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015311-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 21 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Feb 2027 - 31 Jan 2032 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £7,200,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF JUSTICE | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1H 9AJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) ### Codes - 38544000 - Drug detection apparatus ## Release History - 19 Feb 2026 at 14:41 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015311-2026 - 22 Jan 2026 at 16:50 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005954-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015311-2026 19th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005954-2026 22nd January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://forms.office.com/e/izewubEkeW - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/procurement - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-h6vhtk-060cbe. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe.json.