Scope
Description
The Project Delivery team (DT) are considering initiating a project to procure and support 800 (Approx) Commercial off the Shelf Handheld complex terrain pinpoint metal detect capability
The detectors have the following requirements:
The handheld Metal detector shall be a single handheld stand and point detector, to provide a location and confirmation metal detect capability. The detector should have capability to remove known metallic background noise within the location of a suspected item. This is a stand and point detection requirement, within complex and metal saturated terrain
The capability shall be Man-portable, deployable and robust for deployment in all environmental climates and at all scales to detect and locate the presence or absence of Explosive Ordnance (EO) and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
The equipment shall be supportable over a 10-year period from Initial Operation Capability (anticipated 1 years post contract award) with the ability to procure additional systems if required during this time. The total contract duration, including options is 11 years.
It is the Authority's intent to invite participation from suppliers who can demonstrate they are commercially compliant and can meet the technical requirements of being able to support the project. Which includes through life technical support, including software and maintenance updates.
The Authority intends to release a Project Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) associated with this opportunity, currently scheduled for October 2026. Please note this is an estimated date and subject to change.
It is the Authority's intention to award a Contract for the delivery of equipment and 10 years of In-Service Support including options for a supplier to deliver this requirement and provide maintenance, training and supportability (through life support) for each capability. The project has a forecasted through-life value of ~£6.7m (ex VAT).
The Authority will be conducting all applicable advertising and potential procurement exercises via the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP). Interested parties are strongly encouraged to review the information published by DSP. Interested parties will need to gain access to DSP to ensure they acquire the most up to date information.
Please note market engagement was previously conducted in the form of Supplier Briefs, meetings at DSEI, Industry and demonstration days, reference;
FTS - 2023-042573 - CF - ca5aa8dc-d65c-49f5-b37a-6a55fd3fe00f
FTS - 2024-041534 - CF - a5324c0e-8d34-48da-bfe5-f6a37e10e33d
FTS - 2024-042248 - CF - 5913c291-f06d-44b1-a3e6-64bce510af4f
The information provided within the UK1 notice is estimated and subject to change, it is not a committment by the Authority to proceed with the procurement.
Total value (estimated)
- £6,700,000 excluding VAT
- £8,000,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 January 2028 to 31 January 2035
- Possible extension to 31 January 2039
- 11 years, 1 day
Main category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38546100 - Bomb detectors
- 35124000 - Metal detectors
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 October 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Defence and security
Above or below total value threshold
Above or equal to threshold
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Contact name: PROTECT DT
Email: DESLESTSP-SEEC-Commercial@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government