Contract for the Supply and Maintenance of Trace Detection Devices

Border Force is a law enforcement command within the Home Office (Buyer). Border Force secures the border and promotes national prosperity by facilitating the legitimate movement of individuals and goods, whilst preventing those that would cause harm from entering the UK. This is achieved through the immigration and customs checks carried out by at ports and airports.

The objective of the Trace Detection Contract is to deter and prevent goods that would harm the national interests from entering the UK. One of the many ways we achieve this is through search of baggage, vehicles and cargo. This element is split into two Lots:

Lot 1 - desktop trace detection devices which detect trace levels of narcotics on a range of items including, but not limited to, personal effects such as suitcases and clothing, cargo and varying surfaces across encountered vehicles. Anticipated value £3,350,000.

Lot 2 - portable trace detection devices which detect trace levels of narcotics on a range of items including, but not limited to, personal effects such as suitcases and clothing, cargo and varying surfaces across encountered vehicles. Anticipated value £1,450,000.

In addition, Home Office, working in conjunction with Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) through the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), have identified a requirement for a counter measure that effectively finds and detects narcotics in a prison context. This requirement is covered under a single Lot:

Lot 3 - desktop devices which detect trace levels of narcotics on a range of items including, but not limited to, personal effects such as bags, clothing and mail. Anticipated value £4,250,000.

The length of contract will be 4 years for procurement of devices. During that period, BF/MoJ expects to have a requirement for up to 60 devices for Lot 1, up to 20 devices for Lot 2 and 90 devices for Lot 3, however this statement should in no way be construed as a commitment to purchase units during the contract period in this, or any other quantity, as the contract will not be based on guaranteed volumes. BF/MoJ requires the devices to remain operational for 10 years from the date of purchase. Bidders will be required to provide evidence of their ability to maintain the devices, including having access to the required spare parts, consumables, replacement devices (i.e. where the devices are beyond economical repair) and drug library updates during the 10 years. For bidders who are not the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), this may include providing evidence to the authority that the necessary contractual arrangements are in place with the OEM to ensure continued access to any required support, spare parts, consumables and replacement devices during the 10 year period.

The contract will be open to usage by the Ministry of Justice, the Scottish Prison Service, the Northern Ireland Prison Service and any other person or organisation named in the Contract, as a Cluster Member.

Additional information: The Contract is divided into Lots, Tenders may be submitted for all Lots with the maximum number of Lots that may be awarded to one tenderer being 3.

The Buyer is not responsible for any bidding costs incurred by potential suppliers in respect of this procurement. The Buyer reserves the right to abandon the competitive process and not award any contract; make any changes it sees as reasonable to the competition; remove and/or amend element(s) from the scope of the requirements; and accept or reject any tender.

Before being given access to the Home Office e-sourcing portal, where the Tender Documents are held, Suppliers will be required to sign the Buyer's Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This NDA should be requested via email from John Bowness at [email protected]. A scanned copy incorporating the wet signature should be then be returned via email to John Bowness at [email protected] to enable access to the ITT documentation. The terms of the NDA are non-negotiable and your unequivocal acceptance of those therein are required to proceed with this opportunity.