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United Kingdom28 days leftOpen

HMPPS Trace Detection Solution

Tender Overview

ORGANIZATION

Ministry of Justice

LOCATION

Inner London - West, United Kingdom

VALUE

£8,640,000

DEADLINE

March 03, 2026 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

38544000

REFERENCE

005954-2026

Project Timeline

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Contact Information

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View Original

Original Tender Description

Summary: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is exploring the capability and capacity of the market for the supply of a Trace Detection solution for HMPPS and Approved Premises sites. The intention is for a next-generation solution that will support HMPPS and Approved Premises sites in their efforts to detect and deter illicit substances within prisons and contribute to security and safety objectives as part of the operational policy framework. Background: HMPPS continues to prioritise security measures across the prison estate to reduce harm caused by illicit substances and support safer environments by disrupting supply routes and inform intelligence-led decision making. The use of Trace Detection equipment in prisons, is a key element of the objective to ‘manage significant and emerging risks related to drug and alcohol use and supply through effective risk management’, as set out in the operational framework. While HMPPS currently employs a range of detection tools, a mobile trace detection capability will look to strengthen operational capability on the ground through deployment of high-sensitivity detection tools where and when they are needed across multiple locations within prisons. Indicative scope of requirement: The requirements at this stage for a next-generation solution are subject to change but it is envisaged that the specification could include the following: Rapid screening (provide results within seconds to avoid operational delays, suitable for high-throughput environments like mailrooms); Drug Library (ability to regularly and quickly update the drug library to respond to emerging threats, ability to update devices remotely without the need to access prisons, broad drug library including SCRAs and Synthetic Opioids); Accuracy (ability to detect trace amounts of a wide range of illicit substances, minimise false positives and co-alarms and false negatives); Portability and ease of use (lightweight, handheld or easily moveable devices, simple interface for non-technical staff with minimal training); Durability (usable within non sterile prison environments, e.g. dust, humidity and temperature fluctuations); Low maintenance and cost efficiency (minimal or no calibration requirements, affordable consumables and long operational life); Data Management (ability to collect detection data and feed into a central data source for intelligence gathering, secure storage of detection data); Discreet operation (quiet and unobtrusive to avoid escalating tensions during checks).
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • No specific mandatory exclusion grounds are detailed in the provided information.
✓

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • No specific eligibility requirements (e.g., company registration, certifications) are detailed in the provided information.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Solution must be a next-generation trace detection system for illicit substances.
  • Solution must support HMPPS and Approved Premises sites.
  • Solution must detect and deter illicit substances within prisons.
  • Solution must contribute to security and safety objectives as part of the operational policy framework.
  • Solution must provide a mobile trace detection capability.
  • Solution must be a high-sensitivity detection tool.
  • Solution must be deployable across multiple locations within prisons where and when needed.
  • **Rapid screening:** Must provide results within seconds.
  • **Rapid screening:** Must be suitable for high-throughput environments (e.g., mailrooms).
  • **Drug Library:** Must have the ability to regularly and quickly update the drug library.
  • **Drug Library:** Must be able to respond to emerging threats.
  • **Drug Library:** Must allow remote device updates without needing to access prisons.
  • **Drug Library:** Must include a broad drug library, specifically SCRAs and Synthetic Opioids.
  • **Accuracy:** Must be able to detect trace amounts of a wide range of illicit substances.
  • **Accuracy:** Must minimize false positives, co-alarms, and false negatives.
  • **Portability and ease of use:** Devices must be lightweight, handheld, or easily moveable.
  • **Portability and ease of use:** Must have a simple interface for non-technical staff.
  • **Portability and ease of use:** Must require minimal training for staff.
  • **Durability:** Must be usable within non-sterile prison environments (e.g., dust, humidity, and temperature fluctuations).
  • **Low maintenance and cost efficiency:** Must have minimal or no calibration requirements.
  • **Low maintenance and cost efficiency:** Must use affordable consumables.
  • **Low maintenance and cost efficiency:** Must have a long operational life.
  • **Data Management:** Must be able to collect detection data.
  • **Data Management:** Must be able to feed detection data into a central data source for intelligence gathering.
  • **Data Management:** Must ensure secure storage of detection data.
  • **Discreet operation:** Must operate quietly and unobtrusively to avoid escalating tensions during checks.
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • No specific financial requirements for bidders (e.g., minimum turnover, financial ratios) are detailed in the provided information.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Submission deadline for market engagement (or future tender) is 2026-03-03T00:00:00.

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HTM
Planning Notice
General Information005954-2026.html
Summary:
The Ministry of Justice is conducting preliminary market engagement for a next-generation trace detection solution to identify illicit substances rapidly and accurately within HMPPS and Approved Premises, seeking portable, durable, low-maintenance, and data-enabled devices.
DOC
OCDS Record
OCDS Data005954-2026_ocds_record.json
Summary:
The Ministry of Justice is seeking market information for a next-generation trace detection solution to combat illicit substances in UK prisons, requiring rapid, accurate, portable, durable, low-maintenance, and data-enabled devices with an updatable drug library.
DOC
OCDS Release Package
OCDS Data005954-2026_ocds_release.json
Summary:
The Ministry of Justice is exploring the market for a next-generation, high-sensitivity, portable trace detection solution to identify illicit substances rapidly and accurately within prisons, supporting security and intelligence gathering.
PDF
Official PDF Version
General Information005954-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
The Ministry of Justice is seeking market interest for a next-generation, mobile trace detection solution to identify illicit substances rapidly and accurately in UK prisons, featuring a broad, updateable drug library, portability, durability, low maintenance, data management, and discreet operation.

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This is a well-structured market engagement notice, clearly outlining technical requirements for a next-generation solution, but it lacks formal tender elements such as a defined procedure type and evaluation criteria.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The tender is in a 'planning' status, indicating it's a market engagement notice (PIN/RFI). In this context, the absence of a formal procedure type and detailed legal grounds (exclusion/eligibility) is acceptable, as these would be defined in a subsequent formal tender. The CPV code is correctly assigned, and there are no disputes.

•Procedure type not defined
•No specific mandatory exclusion grounds detailed
Clarity80/100

The description and technical requirements, including the AI-extracted details, are exceptionally clear, comprehensive, and unambiguous for a market engagement notice. However, the complete absence of evaluation criteria is a significant clarity gap if this were a formal tender.

•No evaluation criteria specified
Completeness70/100

Basic information, estimated value, duration, and detailed technical requirements are provided. However, critical elements for a formal tender, such as eligibility, financial, and exclusion criteria, as well as evaluation criteria, are explicitly stated as missing, which is typical for a market engagement phase.

•No specific eligibility requirements detailed
•No specific financial requirements for bidders detailed
Fairness85/100

The estimated value is disclosed, and the market engagement period (40 days) is reasonable for preparation. The technical requirements, while specific, appear to be performance-based and not overtly tailored to a single company. However, the lack of evaluation criteria and the absence of e-submission are drawbacks for transparency and equal access.

•No evaluation criteria specified
•No e-submission supported
Practicality65/100

Key practical details such as contract start date, duration, and estimated value are clearly specified. However, the absence of electronic submission support is a significant practical deficiency in modern procurement, potentially increasing administrative burden.

•No electronic submission supported
Data Consistency90/100

Dates are logical and consistent, and there are no reported disputes or suspensions. Most key fields are populated, and the 'Type: None' and 'Procedure: None' are consistent with the 'planning' status of a market engagement notice.

•Liable Person field is empty
Sustainability50/100

The tender explicitly seeks a 'next-generation solution' and focuses on advanced capabilities, demonstrating a strong innovation focus. However, it explicitly lacks any green procurement criteria or social aspects, which are increasingly important in public procurement.

•Not green procurement
•No social criteria

Strengths

Clear and detailed technical requirements
Estimated value and contract duration disclosed
Strong focus on innovation and next-generation solutions
Reasonable timeframe for market engagement
Comprehensive description of the need and background

Concerns

Absence of evaluation criteria
Lack of electronic submission support
No defined procedure type for the procurement
Missing specific eligibility, financial, and exclusion criteria
Absence of green procurement and social aspects

Recommendations

1. Develop and publish clear evaluation criteria for the subsequent formal tender phase.
2. Implement electronic submission capabilities to enhance fairness and efficiency.
3. Integrate green procurement and social responsibility aspects into future tender documentation.

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Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good
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