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Supply and Maintenance of Walk through Archways, Hand-held Wands and Hardware Detection Poles

Ministry of Justice · Central government

In brief

Ministry of Justice has announced plans to buy security work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The estimated value is £5,666,250 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 115 months, starting 1 July 2026.

It is split into 3 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by
5pm, Monday 20 April 2026
Bids by
5pm, Thursday 30 April 2026

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 37 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is exploring the capability and capacity of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) market for the supply of a Metal Detection equipment, including dual sensor ferro and non-ferro magnetic metal detection archways, handheld detectors, and portable detection poles. The MoJ are taking this approach to support the HMPPS estate for the duration of the Agreement and estimated asset life of the equipment. The tender is expected to be published in September 2025. Metal detection capability forms an important part of front-end security in prisons at staff, prisoner, and visitor gates. The Archways are part of a wider capability which looks to prevent contraband from…Read the full description
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is exploring the capability and capacity of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) market for the supply of a Metal Detection equipment, including dual sensor ferro and non-ferro magnetic metal detection archways, handheld detectors, and portable detection poles. The MoJ are taking this approach to support the HMPPS estate for the duration of the Agreement and estimated asset life of the equipment. The tender is expected to be published in September 2025. Metal detection capability forms an important part of front-end security in prisons at staff, prisoner, and visitor gates. The Archways are part of a wider capability which looks to prevent contraband from entering prisons through multiple routes. The use of handheld wands and portable detection poles by prison staff provide essential avenues for searching for threats by scanning people, objects, specific areas and bags respectively. Archways, Hand-held Wands and Poles used in conjunction have a major impact on reducing conveyance routes for contraband entering prisons through Staff Gate Entry, Prisoner Visits and Prisoner reception by detecting threats related to SIM cards, mobiles phones and razor blades amongst other metallic threat items. The Authority will aggregate the project into three lots to allow suppliers to bid for one or more lots based on capability in meeting metal and wider threat detection requirements. The Lots will be formulated as the following: - Lot 1- Dual sensor ferro and non-ferro magnetic metal detection archways - Lot 2- Handheld Detectors - Lot 3- Portable Detection Poles Lots and details of technical specifications for equipment are liable to change to this currently being in pre-procurement stage. To submit an Expression of Interest for the above requirement, please complete the following form https://forms.office.com/e/mMZdhibyvk by Tuesday 10th June (17.00GMT). All submissions will only be viewable by the Ministry of Justice, treated with commercial sensitivity and will not be shared outside of the Commercial Team.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
  4. Send clarification questions before 5pm, Monday 20 April 2026.
  5. Make sure your bid arrives before 5pm, Thursday 30 April 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Dual Sensor Multi Zone Walk Through Archway Metal Detectors and Maintenance Provision
1 July 2026 to 30 January 2036
What this lot covers

Dynamic Metal Detector that reacts to metal masses external and concealed to the body, both of ferromagnetic and non-magnetic type, transiting through its antenna. No greater than 2400 mm height, 900mm wide. Sensitivity and audio alarm adjustable. An ongoing 4-10-year maintenance provision of Archways including: Minimum of 2 Planned Preventative Maintenance Visits per annum, Reactive Callouts and spare part holding throughout England & Wales

Security£3,476,750
Dual Detection Handheld Wands
1 July 2026 to 30 January 2036
What this lot covers

Handheld paddle type metal detector. Single Handed Operation, less than 3KG, Capable of detecting Ferrous and Non-ferrous metals including stainless steel on the body and within/concealed in the body.

Security£552,000
Hardware Detection Poles
1 July 2026 to 30 January 2036
What this lot covers

Device to be no greater than 2000mm (height) and 800mm (width). Unit must be able to fit through a 30-inch standard door width when disassembled. Minimum of 12 hours continuous battery life, >15kg including device, carry case and accessories. Minimum of 1 metre pass by detection. Capable of detecting ferromagnetic and nonmagnetic type threats and must be capable of detection when threat obstructed by full body for pass by detection within operational range of the equipment.

Security£1,637,500

Timeline

  1. Planned procurement notice · UK3, notice 084466-2025
  2. Planned procurement notice · UK3, notice 017592-2026

About the buyer

Ministry of JusticeLast 12 months

Procurements

314

Awards

226

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From notice 084466-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 18 December 2025, last updated 26 February 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.