U.S. Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PCW-D, Bldg 10, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

10 -- 50 CALIBER SNIPER RIFLE SYSTEM DUE 091696 POC Jack McDonough email=jmcdon, Contract Specialist, 201-724-4049, Beverly F. Wasniewski, Contracting Officer, 201-724-2164. The government is interested in acquiring a rifle system capable of delivering long range, precision fire on targets out to a range of 2,000 meters. This Caliber .50 Sniper Rifle (CFSR) system must be a man portable, shoulder fired system utilizing military standard .50 caliber ammunition. The primary components of the system are a rifle, optical sighting system and carrying cases. Spare parts and logistic support packages will be required as part of any contract action. The selected contractor will also be required to supply depot level maintenance support based within the Continental U.S. (CONUS). Interested vendors will be required to submit four (4) bid sample systems as part of their proposal submission. These bid samples will be used in evaluation testing by the government. Bid samples will be returned in as tested condition. The selected contractor must be able to produce a minimum of 20 systems per month, with a production surge capability to 30 systems per month. The current schedule projects release of a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) in December 1996. Delivery of bid sample hardware will be required 100 days after release of the RFP. The CFSR must be a direct line of sight system capable of engaging targets out to 1,500 meters (2,000 meters desired); be a rugged and highly reliable system; minimize both muzzle flash and blast signatures during firing. The CFSR should; weigh less than 30 pounds (25 pounds objective: with 5 rounds loaded in the magazine; have durable, corrosion finishes or be constructed from corrosion resistant materials; be constructed from materials which resist exposure to solvents and cleaners. All external/exposed surfaces should be dull, non-reflective; objective external color is tan, gray or black. The CFSR should include a maintenance/cleaning kit containing all operator level repair parts and tools. Operators and maintenance manuals will also be required. Components requirements are as follows: The rifle must; be highly accurate when firing the Mk211 Multi-purpose round or ballistic equivalent; be compatible with the current family of .50 caliber ammunition (Ball, API, APIT); be able to fire a minimum of 6 rounds/minute (10 rds/min objective); have an adjustable trigger pull; have a detachable box magazine with a minimum capacity of 5 rounds (10 rounds objective); have an easy to operate, positive safety; have no parts which can be improperly assembled to the detriment of weapon performance. The rifle should also have; a minimum barrel life of 1,000 rounds (5,000 rounds objective); be easily disassembled into components, the maximum length of any component being 40 inches (36 inches objective); come equipped with a sling, detachable sling swivels and bipod. The optical sighting system must; provide suitable resolution to allow target identification at the maximum effective range of the system; provide a threaded interface to accept LASER protection; be detachable; interface with a Picatinny type rail IAW MIL-STD-1913. The optical sighting system should; have a scaled reticle to aid in range estimation; repeat zero within 1/2 MOA when removed then reinstalled on the weapon; have adjustable windage and elevation controls; provide sufficient adjustment to compensate for the ballistic drop of the Mk211 out to the maximum effective range of the system; remain watertight when submerged in water; come equipped with dust covers; be provided with a hardened carrying case for protection during airborne operations. Ammunition; Bid sample systems will not require the contractors to submit ammunition. The government will procure/provide sufficient quantities of ammunition needed for all government testing. Accuracy testing will be completed using the Mk211 multi-purpose cartridge or ballistic equivalent. Compatibility with the existing family of military .50 caliber ammunition is also required. The component carrying case should; be capable of storing all system components; protect system components during hot, cold, rain conditions, transportation and storage. An objective requirement is to provide protection to the system during parachute airdrop and subsurface deployment (33 ft threshold, 66 ft objective). A drag bag soft case is also required for man pack infiltration of the system. If your firm has either an existing or developmental item which meets the specified requirements please provide brochures or other information relative to performance of your product. A questionnaire is also available which provides in-depth details about the characteristics in which the government is interested. A copy of this questionnaire can be obtained on the Internet at http://procnet.pica.army.mil/misc/50calsrs.htm or by contacting Jack McDonough at (201) 724-4049. All inquiries and responses should be directed to the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, ATTN: AMSTA-AR-PCW-D (Mr. McDonough), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. There is no formal solicitation available at this time. No award will be made as a result of this market survey. (0228)

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