Contract award notice – utilities
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Highlands and Islands Airports Limited
Head Office, Inverness Airport
Inverness
IV2 7JB
UK
Contact person: Jelili Oyetunde
Telephone: +44 1667213200
E-mail: Procurement@hial.co.uk
Fax: +44 1667464300
NUTS: UKM6
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.hial.co.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA13542
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.6) Main activity
Airport-related activities
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Voice Communications and Control System (BEB, SYY, WIC)
Reference number: HIA-26-012
II.1.2) Main CPV code
32573000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
Supply, installation and commissioning of replacement Voice Communications and Control Systems (VCCS) at Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick airports, including training, warranty and associated implementation services.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
511 425.88
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
32000000
32570000
32573000
35711000
51300000
31682210
34962000
34962100
34962200
34962220
34997000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM6
Main site or place of performance:
Benbecula; Stornoway Isle of Lewis; Wick
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The procurement was undertaken to secure the supply, installation, testing, commissioning and handover of replacement Voice Communications and Control Systems (VCCS) for Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick airports. The requirement included associated implementation, training and support services to replace ageing communications infrastructure supporting the provision of air traffic services.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
The award criteria shown reflect the Authority's intended assessment methodology for the procurement requirement. The contract was subsequently awarded following approval of a Non-Competitive Action.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
Extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable for the contracting authority and in accordance with the strict conditions stated in the Directive
Explanation
HIAL identified an urgent requirement to replace obsolete Voice Communications and Control Systems (VCCS) at Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick Airports. The existing systems were assessed as presenting a high and increasing operational risk due to obsolescence, the unavailability of manufacturer support, existing faults and the potential impact on the continued provision of air traffic services. Following consideration of the operational risks, business case and supporting justification, a Non-Competitive Action process was undertaken and a contract was awarded to Copperchase Limited for the supply, installation, commissioning, training, warranty and support associated with replacement VCCS equipment. The Authority considered that delaying implementation until completion of a competitive procurement process would materially extend the period during which the identified operational risks remained.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
06/08/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Copperchase Ltd
Unit 12 Enterprise Court, Crossland Park
Cramlington
NE23 1LZ
UK
Telephone: +44 1670736696
E-mail: sales@copperchase.co.uk
NUTS: UKC2
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 511 425.88
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
The contract was awarded via a Non-Competitive Action (NCA). The Authority identified an urgent operational requirement to replace ageing and obsolete Voice Communications and Control Systems (VCCS) at Benbecula, Stornoway and Wick airports. HIAL concluded that proceeding with a direct award would mitigate the operational risks associated with maintaining critical air traffic services while replacement equipment was procured and implemented. The contract was awarded to Copperchase Limited for the supply, installation, commissioning, training, warranty and associated support services.
(SC Ref:846109)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Inverness Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House, Inverness Justice Centre, Longman Road
Inverness
IV2 7JB
UK
Telephone: +44 1463230782
E-mail: inverness@scotcourts.gov.uk
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courts-and-tribunals/courts-tribunals-and-office-locations/find-us/inverness-justice-centre/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
22/10/2026