Published date: 4 October 2023

This notice was replaced on 29 November 2023

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 29 November 2023)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Bomb detectors - 38546100

Location of contract

South West

Value of contract

£331,754.15

Procurement reference

tender_369553/1265801

Published date

4 October 2023

Closing date

16 October 2023

Closing time

12am

Contract start date

17 October 2023

Contract end date

31 March 2026

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Single tender action (below threshold)

A direct contract with a single supplier, without competition.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

The Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search [EOD&S], Exploitation and Countermeasures (SEEC) Project Team, part of Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), intends to award a 3-year Contract to John Caunt Scientific Ltd (JCS) for the continued In-Service Support of BLOTCH with an estimated contract value of £331,754.15 (Inc VAT).

BLOTCH is a non-invasive anomaly detector for the detection of anomalies in the fabric of buildings and vehicles during offensive and defensive counter terrorist operations. BLOTCH was initially developed between Dstl and John Caunt Scientific Ltd (JCS) / SS Enterprise Ltd, which included the design, development, and manufacture.

The previous contract expired in April 2021. This contract was awarded to JCS, who with SS Enterprise Ltd, has been supporting the system since its In-Service Date in 2005.

There is a strict impracticality for any other suppliers other than JCS to undertake this contract. BLOTCH has a radioactive source, which needs a two-yearly wipe test to be performed with certification for safe use. Support and intrusive wipe-testing is a critical requirement of the support required for BLOTCH, and JCS has a clearly established knowledge of repair and maintenance, including any disposal required in the future. A contract with JCS would ensure the availability of equipment is maintained and radiation sources are handled and disposed of in a controlled and traceable manner as the manufacturer has the licencing agreements in place to hold radioactive sources. 

This contract is below the threshold for DSPCR 2011. This Notice has been published for transparency reasons. The Authority is negotiating a contract with JCS on a single source basis on the basis that JCS is the only supplier with the technical capability to undertake this requirement.  

About the buyer

Contact name

Toni Stadon

Address

MoD Abbeywood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
England

Email

toni.stadon100@mod.gov.uk