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Archive for August, 2017

USMC Issues Notice of Intent To Sole Source Purchase Up To 50,814 M27 IAR From H&K

Sunday, August 13th, 2017

Back in February, MARCORSYSCOM issued an RFI to industry seeking companies capable of manufacturing the 5.56mm NATO M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, designed by German manufacturer Heckler & Koch and based on their HK416 rifle. Based on internal evaluations, the Marine Corps had determined that it wanted to expand use of the M27 within the rifle squad. Released under the guise of “market research”, “Request for Information (RFI) M67854-17-I-1218 For Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), Quantico, VA Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR)” was used to create a a sole-source “Justification and Approval” in order to purchase the rifles directly from manufacturer H&K without going for an open solicitation. Although several companies who manufacture 416 clones answered the RFI, MARCORSYSCOM evaluated those submissions, and determined that only H&K was capable of producing the weapon they had adopted as the M27.

Late last week, MARCORSYSCOM released Notice of Intent to Sole Source – M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). Based on that earlier RFI, it found only one Responsible Source (based on (FAR 6302.1 (a)(2)(ii)) and intends to solicit and negotiate with Heckler & Koch (H&K), for up to 50,814 – M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR).

Companies who still feel they can meet the Marine Corps’ needs may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, only if received by the closing date and time of this notice. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. They’ve got until 08/28/2017 to state their case.

Some of you may remember that RFI, which specified 11,000 rifles. Many attempted mental gymnastics to explain how just 11,000 rifles could possibly be enough to equip the Marine Corps. However, I maintained that the figure was just a nice round number, based on H&K’s annual production capacity from a study performed during the initial M27 purchase. Based on the scuttlebutt I was hearing, I knew the actual number would be much higher. While 50,000 guns isn’t enough to pure fleet the Marines, it does support the premise, “Every Marine might be a Rifleman, but every Marine isn’t an Infantryman.” These are going to select Marines. Perhaps they’ll buy more down the road. Remember, it did take a long time to transition from M16s to M4s.

With the US Army just releasing their own solicitation for ~50,000 examples of 7.62mm Interim Combat Service Rifle, and a 417 variant being a favorite after adoption of the G28 as the Compact Semi Auto Sniper System and the ensuing directed requirement for 6,069 rifles in the Squad Designated Marksman role, it puts H&K in an interesting position. They’ve won the French Army’s rifle program with the 416, developed and are offering the 433 for the German Bundeswehr’s G36 replacement, and now face production of over 50,000 M27s for the Marines. That’s a lot of requirement for H&K’s factory in Oberdorf, Germany. I’m not saying they can’t do it, but delivery expectations for customers will have to be very carefully managed. Some in industry have posited that this Marine solicitation will take them out of the ICSR running. Time will tell.

For those of you under the impression that H&K as-yet-uncompleted factory in Columbus, Georgia will be used to manufactured CSASS, SDMR, IAR or ICSR, it won’t. As of right now, H&K’s vision is that factory will not be used to build defense products.

The Marine Corps is modernizing its service rifle to the M27, a fulfillment of a plan many feel was set in motion when it was first selected as a squad-level replacement for the M249 in 2010.

You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

Sunday, August 13th, 2017

Bartosz sends greetings from Bosnia.

Craig Morgan, Spirit of Blue Foundation Present Safety Equipment Grant to Dickson County Sheriff’s Office.

Saturday, August 12th, 2017

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – August 10, 2017 – Yesterday, the Spirit of Blue Foundation partnered with country music star Craig Morgan to present a safety equipment grant to the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office. The grant includes 70 tourniquets along with tactical belt holders that will be issued to all patrol division and reserve deputies that serve the county. Craig formerly served as a Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office in Dickson County before embarking on his country music career and was on hand to present this grant to the Sheriff’s office in his hometown. The grant, with a combined value of $4,238, is the first of Spirit of Blue’s 2017 Tourniquet Project campaign and was funded by a generous donation from Law Enforcement United (LEU). LEU is an organization of over 1,000 active and retired police officers who honor fallen officers and raise funds to assist charitable organizations that serve the law enforcement community.

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office received a grant for 70 tourniquets and duty belt holders from Spirit of Blue. Receiving the grant (left to right) were Chief Deputy Jerone Holt and Sheriff Jeffrey Bledsoe. Presenting the grant (center) was country music star Craig Morgan and Spirit of Blue Executive Director Ryan T. Smith. Representing the grant sponsor, Law Enforcement United, (right to left) were Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Officer Joshua Black and Sergeant Anthony Brooks.

The Dickson County Sheriff’s Office received a grant for 70 tourniquets and duty belt holders from Spirit of Blue. Receiving the grant (left to right) were Chief Deputy Jerone Holt and Sheriff Jeffrey Bledsoe. Presenting the grant (center) was country music star Craig Morgan and Spirit of Blue Executive Director Ryan T. Smith. Representing the grant sponsor, Law Enforcement United, (right to left) were Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Officer Joshua Black and Sergeant Anthony Brooks.

“Having served as a Deputy with the Sheriff’s Office, I know firsthand how critical it is to have this kind of lifesaving equipment available for all of our men and women on the force,” said Craig Morgan, following the event. “I’m glad for the opportunity to take part in this donation to Dickson County and proud to help kick off Spirit of Blue’s Tourniquet Project Campaign.”

Tourniquets are vital pieces of medical equipment that officers and deputies require on the road in the event of a traumatic injury to an extremity. When only precious minutes exist to treat such an injury, tourniquets are able to be applied individually or on a co-worker to prevent excessive blood loss until that individual can be placed into medical care. As a secondary benefit, officers and deputies who carry a tourniquet are also able to use them to rescue a member of the community who may have experienced a similar type injury as happened with the Monroe County (NY) Sheriff’s Office in July of this year with tourniquets that Spirit of Blue granted to them in October of 2015.

“Being the recipients of this grant from Spirit of Blue means a tremendous amount to a sheriff’s office of our size. We operate on a limited budget and being able to supply all of our deputies with a new piece of equipment isn’t always feasible,” commented Sheriff Jeffrey Bledsoe of the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office. “The tourniquets and duty belt holders we are receiving will be an asset to each of our deputies. Dickson County has a lot of areas that are rural and remote. These tourniquets could mean the difference between life and death for any one of our deputies who are out there putting their service to Dickson County ahead of themselves on a daily basis. We are very appreciative of what Craig Morgan and the Spirit of Blue are doing for us here.”

CAT Tourniquet

The C-A-T Tourniquet, manufactured by North American Rescue, has proven to be 100% effective in occluding blood flow in both upper & lower extremities by the U.S. Army’s Institute of Surgical Research and has been the official tourniquet of the U.S. Army since 2005. The duty belt holder, manufactured by Blue Force Gear, is constructed with their proprietary, lightweight ULTRAcomp material and was specially designed for Spirit of Blue’s Tourniquet Project Campaign to hold the C-A-T Tourniquet. Spirit of Blue has granted 463 C-A-T Tourniquets since its first tourniquet grant in 2014. In 2017, Spirit of Blue has a goal of granting another 1,000 tourniquets to officers who need them across the country. To learn more, or participate in the campaign, visit: www.spiritfoblue.org/TQ

Filson Presents “Fighting Fire With Fire” Honoring The US Forest Service

Saturday, August 12th, 2017

Filson produced this video in honor of the US Forest Service’s 112 years of commitment to our nation.

They’ve also introduced a line of products which includes clothing, bags, and this watch. If you’re interested, they are at www.filson.com/usforestservice/collection.

Finally, Filson has assembled a photo essay captured by photographer Cole Barash of the USFS. Visit www.filson.com/usforestservice to check it out.

You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up

Saturday, August 12th, 2017

Thanks KK for this KCRF photo in Acadia National Park, Maine.


ASA Statement Regarding Potential ATF Determination On Modular Suppressors

Friday, August 11th, 2017

ATLANTA, GA – Over the past week, multiple claims have stated that the BATFE’s Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division (FATD) is in the process of issuing an industry wide determination on the legality of modular suppressors. After speaking at length to several of our contacts within ATF, ASA has concluded that these assertions stem from misinterpreted comments made by ATF officials at a recent industry conference. According to our contacts at ATF, these are the facts related to three separate areas of discussion:

Modular Suppressor Design – FATD is in the process of reviewing a request from an independent industry representative regarding a single, specific modular suppressor design. The representative is seeking a determination regarding their specific product, not a blanket determination that would apply to other existing modular designs. The issue in question is whether or not the suppressor being reviewed has the ability to assemble more than one functional suppressor out of the component parts that are supplied as a single suppressor to the end-user.

ATF 29P – On May 4, 2016, ATF published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) in response to an eight year old request by the National Firearms Act Trade & Collectors Association (NFATCA) made in 2008. In the ANPRM, ATF sought to specify that manufacturers must mark the outer tube of suppressors, not just any externally visible part. The ASA, along with many members of the industry, submitted comments to the ATF opposing ATF 29P. We have been told by ATF that 29P is no longer being worked on by the Bureau, as many current suppressor designs without an outer tube have made the proposed rules within 29P obsolete.

NFA Handbook – The NFA Division and Firearms & Explosives Industry Division are working on a long overdue update to the NFA Handbook. Within the updated handbook, new language will be included that addresses the repair or replacement of modular suppressor components. This language will be consistent with previously published guidance, which states that the serialized component of a suppressor cannot be replaced without the filing of a new Form 2 by the manufacturer, and a new Form 4 by the consumer, including the payment of applicable transfer taxes. Unmarked components of a modular suppressor may be replaced by a licensed manufacturer on a one-for-one basis, just as previously allowed in the silencer FAQ published by ATF on April 17, 2008.

In summation, there are currently no widespread determinations set to be issued by ATF with regards to modular suppressors.

americansuppressorassociation.com

ADS Issues Statement Regarding Civil Suit Settlement With DoJ

Friday, August 11th, 2017

ADS, Inc Settles Civil Investigation With US Department of Justice

Virginia Beach, Va. – Virginia Beach-based ADS, Inc. has agreed to settle a civil investigation brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a result of a qui tam lawsuit filed by a private party.

The settlement marks the end of the DOJ’s investigation into the company’s past eligibility to bid on federal set aside contracts, and other allegations regarding bidding on contracts. ADS believes it has always complied with standards promulgated by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Notwithstanding any incorrect comments to the contrary, the DOJ did not intervene in the case, ADS settled the matter with no admission of liability on any of the allegations underlying the investigation, and there were no such findings, including any of fraud. ADS made the decision to settle after incurring millions of dollars in legal fees and countless hours of time value over three years responding to interrogatories and burdensome document requests by the government, hindering the company’s ability to continue serving its customers and employing its people.

“After spending many months cooperating closely with the government’s investigation, we concluded that our company, our customers, and our employees would be best served by putting this matter behind us. We are pleased that we were able to settle the matter amicably and that the settlement does not impede in any way ADS’s continuing service to all of its customers under its current contracts,” said ADS Communications Director, Caitlin Stojanovich.

“ADS strives and will continue to strive to assure compliance with all legal requirements and our Office of Compliance will work to keep meeting that critical goal,” stated Nikki Williams who leads the Office of Compliance for ADS and is responsible for ensuring the company continues to operate in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

“We are focusing on the future of our business as we move ahead and continue to be committed to doing the right things for our customers and our employees,” Stojanovich added. “ADS has always taken the very best care of our men and women in uniform and that is what we will continue to do.”

Gunwerks Announces Caylen Wojcik As Director of Training, Strategy and Business Development

Friday, August 11th, 2017

Gunwerks, LLC announced today the addition of Caylen Wojcik as Director of Training, Strategy and Business Development. “With almost 20 years of experience in the world of long range shooting and professional firearms instruction, Caylen is an excellent fit with our strategic goals,” said Aaron Davidson, Gunwerks founder and CEO. “He brings significant leadership skill, in addition to valuable industry connections to our already talented team. We’re very excited to have him on board.”

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Wojcik served 8 years as a United States Marine Scout Sniper, amassing 80 weeks of formal sniper skills training courses. During his time in the scout sniper community, Caylen served in almost every billet available, as well as serving as a sniper instructor on both basic and advanced levels. He has trained snipers in all branches of the armed forces, as well as dozens of law enforcement agencies. He completed 3 overseas deployments, one of which was a combat deployment where he sustained injuries that led to the end of his military service. “Gunwerks is a pioneer and industry leader in long range hunting and shooting. I couldn’t think of a better company to align myself with,” said Wojcik. “I believe I bring a lot to the table with my background. I look forward to helping Gunwerks in its continued growth and furthering the discipline of long range shooting.”

In 2011, Caylen took a position with Magpul Industries Corp as the Director of Training for Precision Rifle Operations, and most recently held the role of Director of Operations for Magpul CORE. While living in Washington, Caylen began hunting the west, and learned the incredible rewards of backcountry backpack hunting. Caylen is recognized as a subject matter expert in the areas of long range shooting and wilderness travel. He is a published author for several industry publications, and is a long range shooting competitor. He has a passion for adventure and is attracted to all things in life that require perseverance and fortitude to succeed. Caylen spends his free time skydiving, working on his skills as a climber and alpinist, and pursuing adventure with his family in whatever way possible.

Gunwerks, LLC is a Cody, Wyoming based manufacturer and provider of premium long range hunting rifles, optics, shooting systems and training. Learn more at www.gunwerks.com.