Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) Xray Replacement and Repair

(a) Absence of competition for technical reasons

The requirement to ensure full technical compatibility with the existing Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) system, associated Baggage Handling System (BHS), and integrated technologies (including image retention and remote screening systems) restricts the market to a single supplier. The replacement equipment must operate seamlessly with the existing Nuctech HBS, including shared operating systems, configuration, and Concept of Operations (CONOPs). Introduction of an alternative manufacturer would require material system reconfiguration, create interoperability risks, and compromise operational functionality and compliance. Accordingly, only SCANX UK (Nuctech) can meet these technical requirements.

(b) No reasonable alternatives

While alternative suppliers exist in the wider market, they do not constitute reasonable alternatives in this context. The introduction of non-compatible equipment would result in:

• Disproportionate additional cost, including duplication of integrated systems (estimated at £100k), separate service contracts, and loss of economies of scale
• Increased operational and compliance risk, including more complex training requirements, divergent operating procedures, and heightened risk of non-compliance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards
• Technical inefficiencies and integration risks requiring modification to the BHS infrastructure
• Reduced operational resilience and increased likelihood of disruption, with potential financial penalties

These impacts render alternative solutions operationally and economically unviable.