---
title: "Upgrade of Brasstrax, Data Concentrator and Q3D VCM"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d801"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d801"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d801.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d801.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SCOTTISH POLICE AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-07-30"
---

# Upgrade of Brasstrax, Data Concentrator and Q3D VCM

Buyer: SCOTTISH POLICE AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d801

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d801.json)

## Summary

The Scottish Police Authority has successfully completed a procurement process for upgrading critical ballistics intelligence equipment at the Scottish Crime Campus in Glasgow, categorised under the CPV code for Microscopes (38510000). This procurement, valued at £229,500 and executed through the limited award procedure due to technical exclusivity, involved the upgrade and replacement of various components such as the BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system and a Data Concentrator server, as well as the acquisition of a Quantum 3D digital microscope. This contract, awarded on 9th March 2026 to Forensic Technology (Europe) Ltd., ensures that all UK National Ballistic Intelligence Service hubs operate with standardised technology, maintaining compliance with operational, technical, and accreditation standards.

This procurement offers considerable opportunities for businesses operating in the fields of forensic technology, digital imaging, and laboratory equipment manufacturing. Enterprises with expertise in providing high-quality precision instruments and those capable of ensuring seamless integration with existing forensic infrastructures would find this tender particularly inviting. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those with a track record of delivering specialised equipment and services to law enforcement agencies, are well-positioned to leverage such opportunities for growth in this niche but vital industry segment. The contract exemplifies a strategic investment in enhancing national crime-solving capabilities, representing business potential for innovative technology providers.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072343-2026 |
| Notice type | 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 30 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 9 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £229,500 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SCOTTISH POLICE AUTHORITY |
| Locality | GLASGOW |
| Post town | Glasgow |
| Postcode | G40 4EH |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM3 West Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM32 Glasgow City |
| Local authority | Glasgow City |
| Electoral ward | Calton |
| Westminster constituency | Glasgow East |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY (EUROPE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 38510000 - Microscopes

## Release History

- 30 Jul 2026 at 14:59 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072343-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.spa.police.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000838890
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA19762

## 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-06d801. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d801.json.