Planning

62057251 - TacSys Manufacture of Modular Platform Processing Suite Tactical Networking Devices

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Apr 2026 at 15:44

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is in the planning stage of a tendering process for the manufacture of Modular Platform Processing Suite Tactical Networking Devices, with a focus on network and audio distribution hardware. This opportunity is classified under the industry category of "Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment," with delivery designated for the South West region of the United Kingdom. Interested parties have until 29 May 2026 to engage with the procurement process. The issued documents are intended to validate the design material and assess market appetite for future manufacturing requirements up to 7500 units, which highlights a significant opportunity for prospective suppliers.

The tender offers business growth potential for manufacturers capable of handling complex production and high-quality control standards, particularly those experienced in the Defence sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate. The Ministry of Defence is specifically looking for suppliers who can adhere to strict physical tolerances and environmental performance requirements in challenging conditions. This may create opportunities for businesses specialising in tactical platforms or advanced communication devices. Comprehensive engagement through the provided contacts ensures thorough understanding and potential collaboration on this significant Defence contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

62057251 - TacSys Manufacture of Modular Platform Processing Suite Tactical Networking Devices

Notice 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: 1. 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. 2. Determine what support may be required by the existing OEM (General Dynamics) to enable manufacture by a third party. 3. Obtain indicative method statements for delivery of an initial order quantity of 500 TLAs and 2000 TCS, to include timescales, manufacturing locations, indicative costing. 4. Confirm the availability of the components that are required to manufacture the two units, this will include lead times for components. 5. 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. Additional information: 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-efcaee1d-027f-4a41-9168-5ed95fe3893a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c28b156b-0e70-417f-bd56-87aeb64e34e4
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

CPV Codes

32000000 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 May 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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