---
title: "Provision of Service and Maintenance for SBA Customs Trace Detection Equipment"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0672e6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0672e6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0672e6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0672e6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2026-03-24"
---

# Provision of Service and Maintenance for SBA Customs Trace Detection Equipment

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0672e6

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0672e6.json)

## Summary

The Ministry of Defence has completed a procurement process for the provision of service and maintenance for SBA Customs Trace Detection Equipment in Cyprus. The contract involves support for two IonScanner 600 machines used by the SBAA Customs and Immigration Service. This direct award tender, initiated under UK public authority central government classifications, was awarded to Smiths Detection (Watford) Limited, with the contract period running from 31st March 2026 to 29th March 2031. The award notice was published on 24th March 2026, and the contract signature is scheduled for 30th March 2026.

This procurement creates significant opportunities for businesses specialising in drug detection apparatus, explosives detection systems, and repair or maintenance services. Companies with expertise in proprietary detection technology may find this tender particularly beneficial. The contract has been awarded through direct procurement methods due to the proprietary nature of the equipment, making it suitable for suppliers with unique technical capabilities or exclusive intellectual property rights. Although the contract is ideally suited for large businesses due to its scale, SMEs and VCSEs could also explore sub-contracting opportunities.

## Notice

Contract for a third-party supplier with the capability to provide ongoing support and maintenance for two incumbent trace detetcion IonScanner 600 machines deployed on the SBA boundary.

### Procurement Information

The scanners in use by the SBAA Customs and Immigration service are proprietary equipment.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026887-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 24 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 24 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 30 Mar 2026 - 29 Mar 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £100,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | EPISKOPI |
| Post town | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS34 8JH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire |
| Local authority | South Gloucestershire |
| Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick |
| Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SMITHS DETECTION (WATFORD |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 38544000 - Drug detection apparatus
- 38546000 - Explosives detection system
- 50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

## Release History

- 24 Mar 2026 at 14:48 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026887-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026887-2026
  24th March 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.contracts.mod.uk
- http://www.smithsdetection.com
- 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-0672e6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0672e6.json.
