Official UK procurement notice
Supply and Maintenance of Metal Detection Walk through Archways, Handheld Wands and Detection Poles
Authority: Ministry of Justice (Central government)
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is exploring the capability and capacity of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) market for the supply of Metal Detection equipment, including dual sensor ferro and non-ferro magnetic metal detection archways, handheld detectors, and portable detection poles. The MoJ are taking this approach to support the HMPPS estate for the duration of the Agreement and estimated asset life of the equipment.
Metal detection capability forms an important part of front-end security in prisons at staff, prisoner, and visitor gates. The Archways are part of a wider capability which looks to prevent contraband from entering prisons through multiple routes. The use of handheld wands and portable detection poles by prison staff provide essential avenues for searching for threats by scanning people, objects, specific areas and bags respectively. Archways, Hand-held Wands and Poles used in conjunction have a major impact on reducing conveyance routes for contraband entering prisons through Staff Gate Entry, Prisoner Visits and Prisoner reception by detecting threats related to SIM cards, mobile phones and razor blades amongst other metallic threat items.
The Authority will aggregate the project into three lots to allow suppliers to bid for one or more lots based on capability in meeting metal and wider threat detection requirements. The Lots will be formulated as the following:
- Lot 1- Dual sensor ferro and non-ferro magnetic metal detection archways
- Lot 2- Handheld Detectors
- Lot 3- Portable Detection Poles
The purchasing agreement for each Lot will run for a total of six years. The maintenance agreement on Lot 1 will run for a total of ten years.
The contracts for each Lot will be non-exclusive. The Authority will not guarantee any minimum volumes, value or level of demand under each Lot.
- How the procedure runs: This procurement will be conducted under The Procurement Act 2023 Competitive Flexible Procedure, using a staged process designed to assess supplier suitability, technical capability, equipment performance and commercial value before contract award. Stage 1- Participation stage Opportunity will be published openly via Find a Tender Service (FTS) and Contracts Finder. Interested suppliers can complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Assessment will cover the following: - Exclusion grounds - Financial standing - Legal and regulatory performance - Technical and professional capability - Modern Slavery - Carbon Reduction Plan requirements - Supply chain payment practices (if applicable). Evaluation will be conducted on a pass/fail basis. Only suppliers meeting all mandatory requirements will be progressed to the ITT stage. Stage 2- Invitation to Tender (ITT) Qualified suppliers are invited to submit a compliant tender response. The ITT will consist of: - Technical and quality responses - Social value requirements - Commercial pricing submission - Supporting evidence and attachments. Stage 3- Technical Evaluation Technical evaluation will contribute 60% of the overall award assessment and is split between 1. Written Technical ITT submission under Stage 2 2. Equipment Compliance and Performance Testing- suppliers must submit equipment for independent testing conducted by HMPPS. Stage 4- Commercial Evaluation Commercial evaluation will contribute 40% of the overall award assessment. The Authority may investigate abnormally low tenders and request supporting evidence where necessary. Final Stage- Determination of Most Advantageous Tender (MAT). The Authority will identify the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) using the Price per Quality Point (PQP) methodology.
CPV: Repair and maintenance services · Security equipment
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value (£6,889,960 together) · same conditions of participation on every lotLot #1Supply of goods and maintenance services for security dual sensor multi detection zone walk-through Metal Detection ArchwaysPublished value£3,960,400
Dynamic Walk-through Metal Detector that reacts to metal masses external and concealed to the body, both of ferromagnetic and non-magnetic type, transiting through its antenna. No greater than 2400 mm height, 900mm wide. Sensitivity and audio alarm adjustable.
An ongoing 10-year maintenance provision of Archways including: Minimum of 2 Planned Preventative Maintenance Visits per annum, Reactive Callouts and spare part holding throughout England & Wales
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers will need to pass all questions on the procurement specific questionnaire (PSQ) to be shortlisted for the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage. Detailed scoring methodology and ITT questions will be provided to shortlisted suppliers.
- Economic & financial standing
- Evidence of financial and economic standing
- Current and future insurance cover (prior to contract award)
- Compliance with UK GDPR
- Data handling and UK data residency controls
- Cyber Essentials requirements
- Supply chain and personnel vetting checks
- Technical & professional ability
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (all Lots)
- NIJ Standard 0601.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 1)
- NIJ Standard 0602.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 2)
- UKCA/CE mark (all Lots)
- Experience of subcontractor management (where applicable)
Lot #2Supply of hand-held metal detection wandsPublished value£843,180
Handheld paddle type metal detector. Single Handed Operation, less than 3KG, Capable of detecting Ferrous and Non-ferrous metals including stainless steel on the body and within/concealed in the body.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers will need to pass all questions on the procurement specific questionnaire (PSQ) to be shortlisted for the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage. Detailed scoring methodology and ITT questions will be provided to shortlisted suppliers.
- Economic & financial standing
- Evidence of financial and economic standing
- Current and future insurance cover (prior to contract award)
- Compliance with UK GDPR
- Data handling and UK data residency controls
- Cyber Essentials requirements
- Supply chain and personnel vetting checks
- Technical & professional ability
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (all Lots)
- NIJ Standard 0601.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 1)
- NIJ Standard 0602.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 2)
- UKCA/CE mark (all Lots)
- Experience of subcontractor management (where applicable)
Lot #3Supply of Portable Ferrous Metal Detection PolesPublished value£2,086,380
Device to be no greater than 2000mm (height) and 800mm (width). Unit must be able to fit through a 30-inch standard door width when disassembled. Minimum of 12 hours continuous battery life, greater than 15kg including device, carry case and accessories. Minimum of 1 metre pass by detection. Capable of detecting ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic type threats and must be capable of detection when threat obstructed by full body for pass by detection within operational range of the equipment.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers will need to pass all questions on the procurement specific questionnaire (PSQ) to be shortlisted for the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage. Detailed scoring methodology and ITT questions will be provided to shortlisted suppliers.
- Economic & financial standing
- Evidence of financial and economic standing
- Current and future insurance cover (prior to contract award)
- Compliance with UK GDPR
- Data handling and UK data residency controls
- Cyber Essentials requirements
- Supply chain and personnel vetting checks
- Technical & professional ability
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (all Lots)
- NIJ Standard 0601.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 1)
- NIJ Standard 0602.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 2)
- UKCA/CE mark (all Lots)
- Experience of subcontractor management (where applicable)
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Suppliers will need to pass all questions on the procurement specific questionnaire (PSQ) to be shortlisted for the Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage. Detailed scoring methodology and ITT questions will be provided to shortlisted suppliers.
- Economic & financial standing
- Evidence of financial and economic standing
- Current and future insurance cover (prior to contract award)
- Compliance with UK GDPR
- Data handling and UK data residency controls
- Cyber Essentials requirements
- Supply chain and personnel vetting checks
- Technical & professional ability
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (all Lots)
- NIJ Standard 0601.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 1)
- NIJ Standard 0602.02 or demonstrably equivalent standard, by an appropriately accredited testing body (Lot 2)
- UKCA/CE mark (all Lots)
- Experience of subcontractor management (where applicable)
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 5 Aug 2026, 12:31 BST
- Last source update
- 5 Aug 2026, 15:56 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 11 Jan 2027
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-074153- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dc4dFind a Tender
- How it runs
This procurement will be conducted under The Procurement Act 2023 Competitive Flexible Procedure, using a staged process designed to assess supplier suitability, technical capability, equipment performance and commercial value before contract award.
Stage 1- Participation stage
Opportunity will be published openly via Find a Tender Service (FTS) and Contracts Finder. Interested suppliers can complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Assessment will cover the following:
- Exclusion grounds
- Financial standing
- Legal and regulatory performance
- Technical and professional capability
- Modern Slavery
- Carbon Reduction Plan requirements
- Supply chain payment practices (if applicable).
Evaluation will be conducted on a pass/fail basis. Only suppliers meeting all mandatory requirements will be progressed to the ITT stage.
Stage 2- Invitation to Tender (ITT)
Qualified suppliers are invited to submit a compliant tender response. The ITT will consist of:
- Technical and quality responses
- Social value requirements
- Commercial pricing submission
- Supporting evidence and attachments.
Stage 3- Technical Evaluation
Technical evaluation will contribute 60% of the overall award assessment and is split between
- Written Technical ITT submission under Stage 2
- Equipment Compliance and Performance Testing- suppliers must submit equipment for independent testing conducted by HMPPS.
Stage 4- Commercial Evaluation
Commercial evaluation will contribute 40% of the overall award assessment. The Authority may investigate abnormally low tenders and request supporting evidence where necessary.
Final Stage- Determination of Most Advantageous Tender (MAT).
The Authority will identify the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) using the Price per Quality Point (PQP) methodology.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 7 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 7 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 1 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
5 Aug 2026 → 1 Apr 2027 · 5 dates- Tender notice published82 days ago5 Aug 2026, 12:31 BST
- Clarification questions by55 days ago1 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Submission deadline49 days ago7 Sept 2026, 17:00 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 76 days11 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 155 days1 Apr 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
3 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 5 Aug 2026- Tender notice published5 Aug 2026, 12:31 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published5 Aug 2026, 12:35 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published5 Aug 2026, 15:56 BSTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Documents will be provided electronically through the procurement portal to suppliers who successfully satisfy the conditions of participation and are invited to submit a full tender response.
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender