Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bd2-cd75-7078-acee-f5c162b3ceb5/hmpps-residual-drug-detection

pending GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs

# HMPPS Residual Drug Detection

[Ministry of Justice](https://tendernation.io/buyers/ministry-of-justice)

Estimated value

£7,200,000

Published

19 Feb 2026

Deadline

Rolling deadline

## Who can bid

- Buyer says suitable for SMEs

    The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid.
- Open procedure

    Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage.

[More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses)

## About this tender

### 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.

Read full description

## CPV classification

Drug detection apparatus

Source

Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe-2026-02-19T14:41:01Z

[View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-060cbe-2026-02-19T14:41:01Z)

Never miss a tender like this again

Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start.

[Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register)

[Buyer profile Ministry of Justice: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/ministry-of-justice) [Sector More Laboratory & precision equipment tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/laboratory-precision-equipment)

## More tenders like this

[Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) – Vodíkový polygon CEETe H2 / CEETe H2 Hydrogen Polygon · Vysoká škola báňská - Technická univerzita Ostrava · 18 days left · 6 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-14ee-7238-941c-57e426068058/czechia-laboratory-optical-and-precision-equipments-excl-glasses-vodikov) [Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) – Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Training for 3 Automatic Asphalt Extraction Devices, including all necessary accessories required for complete and fully operational systems · Public Works Department · 29 days left · 17 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-1c2c-7367-bb86-fdb6f5219ed7/cyprus-laboratory-optical-and-precision-equipments-excl-glasses-supply) [Parking meters – Parkautomaten · Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart, Haupt- und Personalamt, Abt. Allgemeiner Service, Zentraler Einkauf · 32 days left · 20 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-1396-70d0-82b5-dd09b1916cf7/germany-parking-meters-parkautomaten) [Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) – Dostawa systemu obrazowania fluorescencyjnego na rzecz Instytutu Agrofizyki im. Bohdana Dobrzańskiego PAN w Lublinie · Instytut Agrofizyki IM.BOHDANA Dobrzańskiego Polskiej Akademii Nauk · 32 days left · 20 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-ceff-70be-b876-1f526e8d1cf5/poland-laboratory-optical-and-precision-equipments-excl-glasses-dostawa) [Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) – Sprzedaż wraz z dostarczeniem sondy wieloparametrowej z elektrodami oraz pompy próżniowej · Uniwersytet Rzeszowski · 30 days left · 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-1441-70f4-a723-f4e57a503570/poland-laboratory-optical-and-precision-equipments-excl-glasses-sprzedaz) [Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) – X-ray CT system for the analysis of rock and soil samples · ETH Zürich - Abt. Procurement & Export Services · 37 days left · 25 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-1c5a-739b-bb20-024917276057/switzerland-laboratory-optical-and-precision-equipments-excl-glasses-x-r)
