Officially, this is our 3,000th post. Not too bad for just over three years. Thanks to all of our readers and all of our contributors over the years. Here’s to many more.
Archive for July, 2011
3000th Post
Friday, July 1st, 2011The Individual Carbine RFP Is Out, But It’s Not Alone
Friday, July 1st, 2011We wrote about the Individual Carbine RFP within 30 minutes of its release on Wednesday but nobody has said a thing on the web. Maybe it was too late in the day for folks to absorb or maybe its lack of performance details are hanging folks up but it’s on the street regardless.
From FedBizOpps.gov
“Amendment Notice 0011 [Combined Synopsis]
FedBizOpps notice Date: 2011-06-29
Description:
The U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) Picatinny Contracting Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000, on behalf of the Program Manager for Soldier Weapons (PM-SW) Picatinny Arsenal, NJ is issuing the FINAL RFP.
All inquiries please contact: The U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) Picatinny Contracting Center, CCJM-MA, Bldg 45b, Mail Stop 10b, Attn: (KO), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000”
PEO Soldier’s Dual Path Strategy makes matters even more interesting for potential bidders, there’s also a Solicitation for the M4 Product Improvement Program (PIP) – Forward Rail Assembly out there right now as well as the M4 Product Improvement Program (PIP) – Bolt Carrier Assembly. Since the search for a Bolt Carrier Group comes before the planned investigation of potential operating systems in the M4 Product Improvement Program (PIP), I’d have to say that there is no real interest in going to a piston design as the Army would have to yet again change Bolt Carriers to accommodate that operating system. The cart was definitely put before the horse on this one.
Finally, let’s not forget the purchase of up to 100,000 M4/M4A1 Carbine, 5.56mm going to open bid rather than straight to Colt.
If you’re in the small arms manufacturing business right now, you’re busier than a one legged man in an ass-kicking contest.
Now Approved for Wear in AFCENT – Tactical Flight Duty Uniform
Friday, July 1st, 2011
Some of you may remember the on-again, off-again love affair the Air Force was having with DriFire’s PHENIX II Flight Suit. But it looks like that has all been cleared up. According to the latest version of USAFCENTI 36-2903 dated 6 June, 2011, only three different two-piece flight suits are authorized for wear in the AFCENT AOR. Two of them are DriFire suits.
3.7.2. Procurement: Through rigorous AFE testing and flight testing, three sets of TFDUs have been approved for wear. The TFDU will be purchased with unit funds. Manufacturers who have met ACC requirements and styles authorized are:
Company: DriFire
Style(s):
1) Phoenix (sic) II (S)
2) Phoenix (sic) II (W)
Company: Eagle Industries
Style(s):
3) Tactical Aircrew Flight Suit Jacket
3) Tactical Aircrew Flight Suit Pants
The Instruction is very specific about wear and goes on to state:
TFDU will only be worn when performing flying operations, flight line duties, flight related duties (to include Alert Commitments/Responsibilities) and meals in association with flying duties. It will not be worn during travel to and from the Area of Responsibility. Mixing of jackets and pants from different manufacturers is not authorized.
Additionally, the London Bridge Trading Rigger’s Belt, part # LBT0612A, is authorized to be worn. This belt is part of the Army’s FREE program, an FR clothing system for Aviators and Mounted Crewmen.
Wear is restricted to H-60 and C-130 crews. We do know that the DriFire ensembles are currently available and can be had in Tan as well as OCP (MultiCam). As soon as we get a status on the Eagle uniform we will update this article.
Strike Industries Cobra Series Trigger Guards
Friday, July 1st, 2011
These seem to be making quite a splash around the internet. The new Cobra Series Trigger Guards from Strike Industries are non-folding replacement for the standard AR trigger guards. They are available in are four models: classic, ambidextrous, left only, and right only. Sold in packages of two, package 01 includes both ambidextrous and left only trigger guards. Package 02 includes both straight and right only trigger guards. The ambidextrous, right only, and left only trigger guards feature unique finger rests while the classic model is just that and retains the standard AR-style trigger guard width.
Available in Black, Flat Dark Earth, and Olive Drab.
Carter Awarded Contract for IOTV
Friday, July 1st, 2011DLA announced earlier this week that Brooklyn, NY-based Carter Enterprises, LLC, was awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum $79,973,119 for improved outer tactical vests (IOTV) and IOTV cable assemblies. Using services are Army and Air Force. The date of performance completion is June 27, 2012. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity (SPM1C1-11-D-1059).
Carter Enterprises gained notoriety in 2009 when they were awarded contracts for the Marine Corps’ IMTV and Plate Carrier.
