{ "tag": [ "compiled" ], "id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000838890-2026-07-30T00:00:00Z", "date": "2026-07-30T00:00:00Z", "ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000838890", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "id": "org-34", "name": "Scottish Police Authority", "identifier": { "legalName": "Scottish Police Authority" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "2 French Street, Dalmarnock", "locality": "Glasgow", "region": "UKM", "postalCode": "G40 4EH" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "jean.iyinikkel@scotland.police.uk", "telephone": "+44 0000000", "url": "http://" }, "roles": [ "buyer", "centralPurchasingBody" ], "details": { "classifications": [ { "id": "Body governed by public law", "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE" }, { "id": "03", "description": "Public order and safety", "scheme": "COFOG" } ], "url": "http://www.spa.police.uk" } }, { "id": "org-35", "name": "Forensic Technology (Europe) Ltd.", "identifier": { "legalName": "Forensic Technology (Europe) Ltd." }, "address": { "streetAddress": "9 The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Business Park, Nangor Road", "locality": "Dublin", "region": "IE", "postalCode": "22" }, "roles": [ "supplier" ], "details": { "scale": "sme", "url": "http://" } }, { "id": "org-36", "name": "Glasgow Sheriff Court", "identifier": { "legalName": "Glasgow Sheriff Court" }, "address": { "locality": "Glasgow" }, "contactPoint": { "url": "http://" }, "roles": [ "reviewBody" ] } ], "buyer": { "name": "Scottish Police Authority", "id": "org-34" }, "tender": { "id": "PROC-25-3261", "title": "Upgrade of Brasstrax, Data Concentrator and Q3D VCM", "description": "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 The procurement includes upgrading the outdated BRASSTRAX H4 cartridge imaging system, replacing a failing 10-year-old Data Concentrator server, and purchasing a Quantum 3D (Q3D) digital microscope for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.", "status": "complete", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "id": "38510000", "scheme": "CPV" } ], "deliveryLocation": { "description": "Scottish Crime Campus, Glasgow" }, "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKM" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "procurementMethod": "limited", "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition", "procurementMethodRationale": "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. While other virtual 3D comparison microscopes are available on the market, none are compatible with the existing BRASSTRAX hardware currently deployed within the NABIS network. Alternative solutions would require the purchase of entirely new hardware and software. Crucially, these alternative systems do not use the BRASSTRAX platform and do not have the same published datasets or validated algorithms, meaning that any results generated would not be compatible or directly comparable with those produced by other UK NABIS laboratories. NABIS has designated Forensic Technology Europe (FTE) Ltd as the sole supplier of the equipment to be used for the IBIS system used across the UK network. The proprietary nature of the technology, combined with the requirement for national interoperability, means that no reasonable alternative or substitute exists without undermining the effectiveness of the NABIS network, and introducing unacceptable operational, evidential, and reputational risk. 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