PM Soldier Weapons has issued a Sources Sought Notice for weapon capabilities to fulfill the Individual Carbine role. As promised, it is not limited to 5.56 mm but any submission must meet international convention standards and they are open to accepting foreign systems. Offerors will need to submit the typical information such as size and weight but there are a few key parameters they are also looking for. For example, there is specific interest in improvements to zero retention and zero repeatability. They are also seeking information on factory capacity and anticipating US based manufacture by year three of production. The response date is 18 June, so they are moving out on this one but it is still a sources sought and failure to respond will not restrict a company from submitting to a full solicitation should it be released. However, the information they receive now gives the program management team an idea of the state of industry and can shape at least to some degree, how the solicitation is written.
To read the entire Sources Sought Notice visit www.fbo.gov.
Thanks to DMR for the heads up.