Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Security Industry Authority
London
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/security-industry-authority
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Public order and safety
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) Passport Scheme
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79212110 - Corporate governance rating services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This notice is to alert the supplier community to a potential opportunity, and to assist the Security Industry Authority (SIA) with developing aspects of its procurement strategy.
The SIA is reviewing possible options for its Approved Contractor Scheme passport route which is subject to the Concession Regulations 2016.
The SIA is responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It is an independent body reporting to the Home Secretary, under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA). The SIA’s mission is to deliver proportionate regulation to the private security industry to reduce criminality, protect the public and improve standards under the PSIA.
The SIA has two main duties. One is the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities within the private security industry; the other is to manage the voluntary approved contracts scheme for private security organisations.
The Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is one of the regulatory objectives to be delivered by the SIA as defined within the Private Security Act 2001.
ACS is a voluntary scheme of approval for private security businesses operating within the UK. Organisations seeking approval need to be delivering private security related services within the sectors that the SIA licence individuals in.
Please see details of what a passport scheme is here Setting up an ACS passport scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £1,005,320
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Firstly, to be eligible to bid for a passport contract suppliers will need to have created a bespoke passport scheme prior to bidding.
That bespoke scheme needs to comply with the bullets below:
• integrates international, British and other industry standards with the ACS standard.
• recognises other accreditation or certification schemes.
• is accredited by the SIA and quality assured by a UKAS accredited assessment body.
Please see details of what a passport scheme is here Setting up an ACS passport scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This process can take up to one year and with significant costs. Please note that setting up a passport scheme does not guarantee a contract will be awarded to your organisation.
Secondly, once suppliers’ schemes are reviewed and approved by the SIA, they would then be eligible to bid for the passport scheme once it is advertised.
The estimated contract length for successful suppliers would be 2 years maximum.
This exercise is designed to provide a platform for the SIA to brief suppliers on the opportunity. A key ambition of this market engagement is to test the appetite, market capacity, capability, experience, and maturity to be able to provide this service.
Any parties interested in expressing an interest in this opportunity are required to register by emailing sia.procurement@sia.gov.uk and providing details of your organisation and key contact details.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
A notice relating to the Passport Scheme has been published with the following reference: 2024/S 000-003290. As no expressions of interest were received the contract has been awarded using the following exemption: 31, 6, b (ii) from the concessions regulations 2026.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-003290
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
833
Title
Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) Passport Scheme
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 November 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Insight Certification Ltd T/A NSI
Maidenhead
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
National registration number
02525516
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Lowest offer: £2,143 / Highest offer: £3,300 taken into consideration
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
Please note: this is a concession contract.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Public Procurement Review Service
London
publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3450103503
Country
United Kingdom