Homeland Security Group: Radiological and Nuclear Borders Portable Detection Capabilities​ ​

The Home Office intends to commence early market engagement, seeking insight from potential suppliers of Radiological & Nuclear (RN) Detection Equipment and Services. This builds on the market engagement undertaken by the Home Office last year and will focus on the deployment of highly mobile RN search and detection capabilities at border points that cater for non-scheduled, largely non-commercial aircraft and vessels. These are referred to as General Aviation (GA) and General Maritime (GM) e.g., light aircraft airfields, marinas and at sea capabilities.

Please note that this is not a call for competition. It is an opportunity for the Home Office to understand the ability of the market to provide portable RN detection equipment for Border Force or Police, which can be used to provide screening in the General Aviation and General Maritime environments. The aim being for us to continue to enhance UK RN capabilities and coverage in these areas.

The Authority is interested in understanding the latest capabilities and technologies in RN detection, identification, and measurement for small to medium detectors that can be operated as:

1. Hands-free portable detectors for gamma and neutron detection, which allows officers to screen for RN sources incidental to their day-to-day role.
2. Medium sized hands-free detectors that are portable by one person into confined spaces (e.g. backpack, holster, wearables) when more sensitive detection is required, or a small detector alarm requires a confirmatory secondary examination.
3. Gamma and neutron detectors that can be deployed by one person to screen passing people and baggage. These devices should be capable of being deployed and operational shortly after arrival at site and be readily stowed away shortly thereafter. A fixed power supply cannot be expected.

[Note 2 and 3 could well be served by one piece of equipment]

The detection equipment must be able to differentiate between different radiation types, conduct isotopic identification including Special Nuclear Materials, and offer NORM suppression where relevant. It is recognised that some specification flexibility might be necessary for the smallest detectors on current technologies.

Interested suppliers should visit https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com and look for: "pqq_349 - 01 NDA Early Market Engagement for RN Borders Portable Detection". An early market engagement document will be accessible to suppliers following the completion of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).

We are intending to hold individual supplier engagement sessions at the end of April / May 2023.

For technical assistance please contact the JAGGAER Supplier Helpdesk at customersupport@jaggaer.com or 0800 069 8630 (0800 - 1800hrs).