MOD RFI: Tactical Network and Audio Distribution Hardware Manufacturing (BCIP/MPPS)
Summary
The UK Ministry of Defence (Tactical Systems) has issued a Request for Information seeking industry capability to manufacture two tactical network and audio distribution hardware products: the Tactical Local Area Subsystem (LAS) Adapter (TLA) and the Tactical Crew Station (TCS). These form part of the Modular Platform Processing Suite (MPPS) family used in Bowman/BCIP military communications systems. The RFI seeks indicative method statements, manufacturing locations, indicative costing, component availability, and market appetite for initial quantities of 500 TLAs and 2000 TCSs, with potential for up to 7,500 additional units.
What changed
The MOD has published an early engagement RFI to assess the defense industrial base's capability to manufacture two MPPS hardware products (TLA and TCS) for tactical military platforms. Suppliers are invited to request access to the MPPS datapack, submit capability information via MS Form or email, and indicate interest in face-to-face engagement sessions. Responses are due by 29 May 2026.
For potential respondents, this RFI represents an opportunity to participate in a future manufacturing competition for defense communications hardware. Interested parties should contact duncan.gilory101@mod.gov.uk to request the MPPS technical datapack and submit official-level responses. SMEs are explicitly invited to respond, though VCSEs are not identified as suitable for this opportunity.
Archived snapshot
Apr 18, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Published date: 17 April 2026
Open early engagement - This means that a procurement idea is currently active, it is in the early stage of development and judging interest from potential suppliers.
Watch this notice Print this notice Closing date: 29 May 2026
Contract summary
Industry
- Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment - 32000000
Location of contract
BS34 8JH
Procurement reference
tender_527857/1569427
Published date
17 April 2026
Closing date
29 May 2026
Contract is suitable for SMEs?
Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?
No
Description
The Authority has a manufacture to plan opportunity for network and audio distribution hardware in connection with the portfolio of capability known as Bowman, the Common Battlefield Applications Toolset (ComBAT), Infrastructure and Platform Battlefield Information Systems Application (PBISA), and collectively known as BCIP.
The Authority has an opportunity for the manufacture of two candidate network and audio distribution hardware products that form part of the Modular Platform Processing Suite (MPPS) family of products.
The purpose of this this RFI is to confirm the ability of the industry base to manufacture the two devices and identify all possible opportunities or constraints for Defence.
The MPPS hardware will be hosted on a range of tactical platforms (including armoured fighting vehicles) and dismounted for headquarters use. As such, there is a particular focus on quality control for the units, including ability to:
- Operate within a challenging in-platform electromagnetic environment.
- Manufacture within the strict physical tolerances of the design given the platforms' constraints on size, weight and power.
- Meet the significant environmental performance requirements for operating in a wider range of deployed environments. The key outputs of the RFI are:
- Validate the hardware design material to enable manufacture of the units. This RFI seeks to validate whether the completeness and quality of the design documentation is sufficient to allow suppliers to respond to the future competition to manufacture and deliver the units to the required standard and quality.
- Determine what support may be required by the existing OEM (General Dynamics) to enable manufacture by a third party.
- Obtain indicative method statements for delivery of an initial order quantity of 500 TLAs and 2000 TCS, to include timescales, manufacturing locations, indicative costing.
- Confirm the availability of the components that are required to manufacture the two units, this will include lead times for components.
- Assess the market appetite to respond to a competition for manufacture of MPPS units at this initial order quantity and future MPPS manufacturing requirements, potentially up to 7500 additional units.
More information
Attachments
- 20260416 - 62057251 TacSys Manufacture RFI - FINAL.docx
- n/a Additional text
The Authority invites interested parties to contract the email address: duncan.gilory101@mod.gov.uk and request access to the MPPS datapack of technical information related to the hardware products; the Tactical Local Area Subsystem (LAS) Adapter (TLA) and the Tactical Crew Station (TCS). The Authority retains full discretion to disclose technical information following the completion of due diligence activities. Any such disclosure will be limited in scope, provided for a defined purpose only, and subject to restrictions intended to prevent misuse, unauthorised dissemination, or conflicts of interest.
The Authority may wish to invite respondents of this survey to a face-to-face engagement session to discuss further details around technical aspects of the product or capability.
It is acknowledged that some aspects can only be discussed in detail at UK Information Classification higher than Official-Sensitive, in which cases special arrangements can be made. Please indicate in your response if this applies.
All content within this survey is classified as Official. Please ensure your responses and any supporting information / reference materials are also at Official level. Do not include Official-Sensitive information as part of your responses. If you have material above Official-Sensitive that you could share with us to clarify your responses, please indicate this in your answers.
Please submit all responses and associated documentation to the contact email address below, where you have indicated the need to do so as per the above statement.
Respondents are invited to submit only Official or Official-Sensitive responses using the MS Form (Link: here) or alternatively responses should be sent to the e-mail address: duncan.gilory101@mod.gov.uk.
How to apply
Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.
About the buyer
Address
Tactical Systems, Cedar Lvl 2, MOD Abbey Wood North,
Bristol
BS34 8JH
England
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Watch this notice Print this notice Closing date: 29 May 2026
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