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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

HMPPS Residual Drug Detection

Ministry of Justice · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 4 Oct 2026, 20:01.

Opportunity overview

Summary The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is exploring the capability and capacity of the market for the supply of a Residual Drug 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 Drugs 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 residual drugs 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 o Provide results within seconds to avoid operational delays o Suitable for high-throughput environments like mailrooms Drug Library o Ability to regularly and quickly update the drug library to respond to emerging threats. o Ability to update devices remotely without the need to access prisons. o Broad drug library including SCRAs and Synthetic Opioids Accuracy o Ability to detect trace amounts of a wide range of illicit substances o Minimise false positives and co-alarms and false negatives Portability and ease of use o Lightweight, handheld or easily moveable devices o Simple interface for non-technical staff with minimal training Durability o Usable within non sterile prison environments, e.g. dust, humidity and temperature fluctuations Low maintenance and cost efficiency o Minimal or no calibration requirements. o Affordable consumables and long operational life Data Management o Ability to collect detection data and feed into a central data source for intelligence gathering o Secure storage of detection data Discreet operation o Quiet and unobtrusive to avoid escalating tensions during checks.

Classification

  • CPV38544000 — Drug detection apparatus

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe
Main Procurement Category
goods
Above Threshold
Yes
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Communication

Future Notice Date
21 Sept 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Feb 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Jan 2032, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
38544000
Description
Drug detection apparatus

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
The Authority is keen to further engage with suppliers who wish to participate in the market engagement exercise. To submit an expression of interest to take part in the engagement, suppliers will need to complete a Market Engagement Questionnaire in the below link by no later than Friday 6th March 2026. The engagement will take the form of an in-person session on Thursday 12th March 2026. Suppliers who are participating will be expected to showcase their solution to the Authority and take questions from key HMPPS stakeholders within the project. More details on the engagement including the location of the event will be issued to suppliers eligible to participate on completion and approval of the Market Engagement Questionnaire attached to this notice. Please click on the link below to access the questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/e/izewubEkeW Please note- this engagement exercise does not commit the Authority to a formal procurement.
Due
6 Mar 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
015311-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
19 Feb 2026, 14:41
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Ministry of Justice
Id
GB-PPON-PDNN-2773-HVYN

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PDNN-2773-HVYN

Address

Street Address
102 Petty France
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW1H 9AJ
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKI32

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI32 · SW1H 9AJ · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. 005954-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 015311-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·