Firearms Make Safe Training

Description

The requirement includes the delivery of bespoke, practical training aligned to Border Force's operational needs, with appropriate specialist expertise, facilities, equipment and learning outcomes. Border Force requires specialist Firearms Make Safe Training to ensure personnel have the knowledge, skills and practical competence to safely identify, handle and make safe firearms and firearms-related items encountered in the course of their duties. The training is necessary to support operational safety, maintain staff competency and confidence, and ensure personnel can respond appropriately when dealing with firearms in controlled training and operational environments.

Key facts

Procedure

Direct award

Lots

1

Contact

name@homeoffice.gov.uk

Contract period

9 Nov 2026 → 31 Mar 2027

Value incl. VAT

£159k

Category

services

Awarded suppliers

• ROYAL ARMOURIES TRADING AND ENTERPRISES LTD · GB-COH-216900270 · UKE42, GB

Ground given for limiting competition

The buyer’s own stated reason for awarding without open competition, as published. Their assertion, not a finding.

The 2024 market engagement identified no other suppliers with the specialist expertise, accredited instructors, operational credibility, facilities, and capability required to deliver a bespoke Firearms Make Safe training package that meets Border Force's operational requirements and represents value for money. The Royal Armouries has an established track record of successfully delivering this highly specialised training, with proven understanding of Border Force's operational environment, enabling consistency, quality assurance, and continuity of capability. Existing commercial frameworks were also assessed but do not provide a suitable route, as they either do not include suppliers capable of delivering this niche requirement or do not adequately accommodate the bespoke scope, specialist facilities, and tailored learning outcomes required. Conducting a full competitive tender would therefore be unlikely to generate meaningful competition, while introducing additional time, cost, mobilisation risk, and potential disruption to the continuity of critical operational training without a proportionate benefit. Consequently, a direct award represents the most proportionate and effective approach to securing this specialist service while maintaining operational resilience and delivering value for money.