---
title: "2D Xray sensor upgrade for seed sorter"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06f36c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06f36c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f36c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f36c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Forestry Commission"
published: "2026-09-08"
---

# 2D Xray sensor upgrade for seed sorter

Buyer: Forestry Commission  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06f36c

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## Summary

The Forestry Commission procured a 2D X-ray scanning head to upgrade a PhenoScort seed-sorting machine. The requirement is for specialised agricultural and forestry equipment, integrating the additional sensor with the existing seed-sorting platform, including its proprietary software, patented technology and machine architecture. Delivery and related work cover England, from the North East and North West through Yorkshire and the Midlands to the East, London, the South East and the South West. The Forestry Commission is the public-sector buyer. The procurement concerns a goods supply and equipment-integration requirement rather than a general inspection, consultancy or standalone software service.

This procurement is complete and was awarded on 7 September 2026 following a direct award. PhenoKey B.V. was selected as supplier for the single lot. The awarded value is EUR 655,000 excluding VAT, or EUR 786,000 including VAT. The contract period runs from 21 September 2026 to 20 September 2027, with signature scheduled for 18 September 2026. The direct award was justified because no other 2D X-ray sensor could be fitted and fully integrated with the existing machinery. The buyer identified proprietary software, patented technology and compatibility with the existing platform as requiring the original provider, with supplier substitution expected to require substantial re-engineering and re-validation.

For a supplier assessing future work for the Forestry Commission, this award demonstrates demand for high-value, specialised equipment that can be integrated into an existing seed-sorting platform. A credible competitor would need proven 2D X-ray sensing capability, experience integrating hardware with proprietary software and established machine architectures, and the technical capacity to manage engineering, testing and re-validation. Evidence of patented or otherwise protected technology may be important where compatibility and intellectual-property rights shape the route to market. Suppliers would also need to support equipment used across England and provide reliable specialist delivery and integration over a substantial public-sector contract.

## Notice

Addition of 2D X-ray scanning head to a PhenoScort seed sorting machine

### Procurement Information

There are no other 2d Xray sensors available which can be fitted and fully integrated with the existing machinery. The proposed 2D X-ray sensor upgrade is an extension to a highly specialised PhenoScort seed-sorting platform purchased 12 months ago and can only be supplied by the original provider because it must integrate with proprietary software, patented technology, and existing machine architecture. A change of supplier would create incompatibility, require significant re-engineering and re-validation, and result in disproportionate technical difficulties and costs

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084727-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 7 Sep 2026 |
| Contract period | 21 Sep 2026 - 20 Sep 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £655,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Forestry Commission |
| Locality | BRISTOL |
| Postcode area | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS16 1EJ |
| 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 | PhenoKey B.V. |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

### Codes

- 03000000 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

## Release History

- 8 Sep 2026 at 10:06 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084727-2026
- 7 Sep 2026 at 12:51 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084378-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084727-2026
  8th September 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084378-2026
  7th September 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.phenokey.com
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry-commission
- 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-06f36c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f36c.json.