Today, the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Secret Service Procurement Division released a solicitation for a new 5.56mm Rifle, for use in support of the USSS protective and investigative mission.
They will establish a five year Indefinite Quantity/Indefinite Delivery contract. However, they make this additional assurances:
The maximum lifetime quantity for this IDIQ shall be 3,900 rifles. The guaranteed minimum for this IDIQ is 500 rifles; the guaranteed minimum will be satisfied at the time of award with an initial delivery order. The minimum order quantity will shall be twenty-five (25) rifles. The maximum order quantity shall be 1,000 rifles.
Interested Offerors shall submit seven (7) samples of their proposed Rifle variant. Each sample shall be submitted with three (3) Magpul magazines (a total of 21 magazines) and all replacement parts and required tools in order to complete the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance up to 20,000 rounds (total of 7 maintenance kits). Each offeror may submit up to two (2) Rifle variants to be evaluated.
Characteristics:
The weapon shall be operable, without modification or alteration, by a right or left-handed user, firing with the right or left hand, depending on handedness.
All external metal parts of the weapon shall have a dark subdued, rust/corrosion resistant finish. The finish shall be unaffected by commercially available gun cleaning solvents, such as Simple Green, used in heated ultrasonic cleaning tanks. Flaking, peeling, blotching, etc. of the finish is unacceptable.
The weapon shall be chambered in accordance with current U.S. Military specifications for 5.56 x 45mm, and function with assorted ammunition ranging in weight from 55 to 77 grains (to include all common SAAMI-spec and Mil-Spec ammunition) as well as frangible ammunition.
Dimensional Requirements:
Height (no taller than, sights folded, w/o accessories or magazine) 8.5 inches
Weight (no heavier than, w/o accessories) 7.5 pounds
O/A Length (no longer than, w/stock fully extended) 34 inches
Barrel length (min – max) 10-12 inches
Rifling (5.56) 1 turn 7” inch twist RH
Operating System.
The weapon shall utilize a direct-impingement gas-operated system or a short- stroke gas piston system.
Barrel.
The barrel shall have a minimum service life of 15,000 rounds.
Barrel service life is defined as a not exceeding 5 Minutes-of-Angle (MOA) and exhibiting no more than 125 ft/sec decrease in velocity (in accordance with USSS velocity testing procedures), with observance of offeror’s submitted maintenance protocols.
The barrel shall be free of cracks, seams, and other injurious defects and the bore and chamber shall be free of pockets, rings, bulges, and other deformations. The bore and chamber shall be chromium plated, or of equivalent corrosion resistance. Any coating in the chamber and bore shall be free of nodules, flaking, pits, stripping, anode burrs and evidence of etched base steel. Burrs and sharp edges shall be removed from the chamber edges, and bolt locking lugs.
The muzzle of the barrel should bear a thread size of 1?2” x 28 tpi, with shoulder geometry of
90 deg.
The muzzle should be equipped with a flash hider device, installed with shims as necessary.
Crush washers are not acceptable.
Mode of Fire. The weapon shall be selective fire, i.e. semi-automatic and full automatic. A “burst limiter” in the full-automatic mode is not acceptable.
Fire Selector.
The fire control selector shall be ambidextrous in design, and be a single lever paddle mounted on the side of the receiver, adjacent to the rear pistol grip, thereby not requiring the shooter to significantly break their firing grip when actuating.
The fire control selector shall be a rotary type and shall have three positions; safe, semi- automatic and automatic and shall rotate manually without binding from one position to another when the hammer is cocked. The selector shall remain in place in each position by a perceptible spring detent load until manually reset.
Trigger.
With the hammer cocked, when the selector is placed in the “SAFE” position, it shall prevent the trigger from releasing the hammer so that the weapon is incapable of being fired.
When the selector is placed in the “SEMI AUTOMATIC” position, it shall have a disconnect, so that the weapon is capable of semi-automatic fire only (one shot with each pull of the trigger).
When the selector is placed in the “AUTO” position, the weapon shall be capable of automatic fire (continuous firing until the trigger is released or all cartridges are expended) at a rate of no less than 600, and no greater than 900, rounds-per- minute, while utilizing M193 ammunition.
The trigger shall hold the hammer in the cocked position until the trigger is pulled. After partial or complete trigger pull, the trigger shall return to its normal forward positions (cocked and uncocked) under spring action.
The trigger pull shall not measure less than 4.0 pounds, nor more than 6.5 pounds, regardless if the fire selector is set on semi or full-automatic fire.
The trigger configuration shall be two-stage with no adjustment screws or set screws.
The trigger shall have a smooth face, cannot be wider than the trigger guard, and shall be the only control inside the area enclosed by the trigger guard. Any other controls (bolt catch/release, magazine/catch release, etc.) inside the area enclosed by the trigger guard are not acceptable.
While utilizing gloves, the trigger shall not pinch the trigger finger between the trigger and the side of the receiver or between the trigger and the inside bottom of the trigger guard. Any manipulation/modification to the trigger guard to meet this requirement is not acceptable.
Charging Handle.
The charging handle shall be situated in the upper receiver. The charging handle shall not reciprocate with the bolt when the weapon is fired. The charging handle shall be capable of being operated with one hand while the shooters other hand is grasping the pistol grip or forend grip.
Bolt Hold-Open Device.
The rifle shall be equipped with a magazine activated bolt hold open device. The bolt hold open device shall also be capable of being activated manually by the operator. When the bolt hold open device is activated by the magazine follower and the magazine is subsequently removed, the bolt shall remain in the rear or open position. When the bolt is in the rear or open position and a full magazine is inserted, the bolt shall remain in the rear or open position until the operator manually activates the bolt release. When the bolt catch is released, the bolt shall return to the battery position. Upon release, the bolt shall strip a round from the loaded magazine and load it into the chamber.
Magazine.
The weapon magazine well shall be compatible with the standard NATO STANAG 30 round M16 series magazine (NSN 1005-01-561-7200) and the Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4, 5.56×45 Magazine (NSN 1005-01-628-5106 and NSN 1005-01-615-5169).
Only the Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4, 5.56×45 Magazine (NSN 1005-01-615-5169; Mfr Part # MAG556) will be acceptable for solicitation submission and subsequent testing.
The magazine release shall securely retain the magazine in the magazine well. The magazine (whether empty or full) shall fall free from the magazine well once the magazine release button is activated without any further operator assistance. The magazine release button shall be spring loaded and the design of the receiver shall provide some shielding against inadvertent activation when placed against standard USSS uniform and/or body armor. The activation of the magazine release button shall be accomplished with minimum effort by the operator with only one hand.
The magazine should reliably feed all types of ammunition utilized in the USSS Evaluation and Testing protocols.
Magazines shall contain an anti-tilt follower that shall be able to activate the weapon’s bolt hold open device after the last round in the magazine is fired.
The magazine shall be capable of being inserted directly into the magazine well by the operator with one hand, and without any “rocking” type motion.
Lower Receiver.
The lower receiver shall have a permanently affixed plate, label, or laser- etching, displaying a QR code or barcode, readable via commercially-available optical reader. This code shall be embedded with information specific to the host firearm, including (but not limited to) make, model/variant, and unique serial number.
Upper Receiver.
The weapon shall be equipped with a Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny attachment rail on the top of the receiver for mounting of optics, iron sights, lasers, etc.
Forend/Handguard.
The weapon shall have a modular free-floating handguard assembly measuring no less than 9.0 inches of functional/configurable railspace (measured along the 6:00 o’clock position of the rail).
The handguard assembly shall have the ability to attach Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny rail segment along the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions simultaneously. The manufacturer shall provide a sufficient quantity of rail segments to cover the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions simultaneously. Handguards with permanently attached Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny railssections the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions shall also be considered.
When assembled to the weapon, the upper most rail of the free-floating handguard assembly shall align and be at the same height as the rail on the receiver. A one piece receiver/handguard assembly is acceptable as long as the barrel is free-floating, the above rail positioning interfaces are present, and handguard portion meets the minimum length requirement detailed in Section 2.
Pistol Grip.
The rear pistol grip shall be securely attached to the lower portion of the receiver and shall not interfere with the operation of the selector lever. If applicable to the submission, vendor shall provide interchangeable rear pistol grip adapters (backstraps).
Butt-Stock.
The butt stock shall be quickly adjustable for length of pull without the use of any tools. The butt stock shall have, at minimum total of four positions, including fully extended and fully collapsed.
Backup Sights.
When utilized, the front/rear ‘backup’ sights shall be viewable through an Aimpoint Model T2 while mounted on a suitable optic-specific commercially available sight mount.
The front sight shall be a folding locking type, capable of being locked in both the up and down positions (lever lock, friction lock, spring detent, etc.). The front sight shall be located at the front of the weapon either on top of the gas block or at the end of the rail on the hand guard. The front sight shall be a post profile type, adjustable for elevation as part of operator zeroing procedures. The profile of the sighting portion of the post shall be .050 to .075 inches in thickness. At no time shall the sight unlock from its position as a result of firing the weapon.
The rear sight shall be a folding locking type, capable of being locked in both the up and down positions (lever lock, friction lock, spring detent etc.). The rear sight shall be an aperture type, adjustable for windage and elevation as part of operator zeroing procedures. At no time shall the sight unlock from its position as a result of firing the weapon.
Sling Mount.
The weapon shall be supplied with means to mount a sling to, at minimum, the rear area of the receiver and the handguard, via quick-detach sling swivel. All sling mounting/attachment points will be required to be rotation-limited (4-position) quick-detach cups, to allow interface with quick-detach push button swivels.
Selection:
Interestingly, the weapon will be evaluated while wearing wearing Mechanix Wear Vent gloves.
Here’s some good news; any award will be made based on the best overall (i.e., best value) proposal that is determined to be the most beneficial to the Government, utilizing trade-offs, with appropriate consideration given to the following evaluation factors: Technical, Testing, Past Performance, and Price. All evaluations factors, other than price, when combined, are more important than price. Offerors are cautioned that the award may not necessarily be made to the Lowest Price offered or the highest rated submission.
Evaluation Criteria:
A. Technical/Testing
1. Phase One (Pass/Fail):
a. Technical Volume: The offeror’s technical volume will be inspected for compliance with the Instructions to Offerors and Statement of Work. (Pass/Fail)
b. Armory Level Inspection: The offeror’s submitted variant samples will each be inspected for compliance with the Statement of Work. (Pass/Fail)
c. Trigger Pull Test (Pass/Fail)
*The seven (7) samples will be randomly sorted into four groupings. (Exemplar, Sample Set A (3 samples), Sample Set B (1 sample), Sample Set C (2 samples))
d. Velocity Test – Sample Set A (Pass/Fail)
e. Accuracy Test – Sample Set A (Pass/Fail)
f. Rate of Fire Test – Sample Set A (Pass/Fail)
g. Rifle Drop Test – Sample Set B (Pass/Fail)
h. Firing Safety Inspection, Component Check, & Function Fire – Sample Set B
(Pass/Fail)
i. Armorer Repair and Maintenance Evaluation (Pass/Fail)
2. Phase
a. Basic User Live Fire Assessment
b. Special Operations Division User Live Fire Assessment
c. * Top 3 Ranked Variants will continue to Phase 3
Two – User Evaluation
3. Phase
a. Barrel Life Test (min. 20,000 rounds) (Pass/Fail)
b. Trigger Pull Test (Pass/Fail)
c. Velocity Test (Pass/Fail)
d. Accuracy Test (Pass/Fail)
e. Visual/Mechanical Function Test (Pass/Fail)
f. * All weapon malfunctions will be recorded and inspected by USSS Armorers.
Only weapon-caused malfunctions will be used in the evaluation.
Three – Reliability and Endurance Testing – Sample Set A
Deadlines:
Questions: October 31, 2017 1600 EST
Responses: December 1, 2017 1600 EST
Full details at a www.fbo.gov.
Alright everyone… place your bets here on what rifle will be chosen.
Easy Choice = DD Mk18
Longshot Choice = Sig MXC
Internet Choice = HK 416
Never Happen Choice = HK 433
The 416 won’t even be submitted.
It’s a 8.15lb gun at it’s lightest with a 14.5″ barrel and Hkeymod handguard. I’ve never seen a sub 7.5lb 416 ever.
The Norwegian issued 416K with a 10″ barrel, clunky stock and old quad rail and it weights in at 6,98 lbs w/o accessories. It fits what they are asking for even at the old configuration.
Not sure how that’s possible. HK lists the weight of the new 416A7 as 8.15lbs with a 14.5″ barrel.
The French list the 416 they are issued either a 14.5″ barrel at around 8.5lbs.
Those 4″ of barrel aren’t going to cut off 1.5lbs.
Their 11″ A5 is listed at 3.12kg, which is 6.87 lbs.
https://www.heckler-koch.com/en/products/military/assault-rifles/hk416-a5/hk416-a5-11/technical-data.html
Their listed works are wrong.
They say aprox, so they’re not guaranteeing that weight, and enough militaries have speed them and posted the specs to see the 416 is not a sub 7lb gun.
That’s weird, because I took the 6,98 lbs (3,17kg) from the Norwegian 416 Technical Data handbook. The 16″ version is 7.495 lbs (3,4kg) in the same book.
And these weights seem to be in the same ballpark as any weights I am able to find on the 416 platform online. But I guess you’re right, they are all lying and completely incapable of using a scale correctly…
Final thing, the weight requirement here is 7.5 lbs.
Already posted but seems to have not worked:
The weight I initially posted, 6,98 lbs (3,17kg) is from the Norwegian military 416 Technical Data handbook. The 16″ rifle is weighted in at 7,495 lbs (3,4kg).
These weights seem to be in the same ballpark as any weights I can find on the 416 platform without any accessories. It also makes sense that the A5 is lighter, because of the smaller stock.
Where do you get your numbers from?
And are all of these sources, hardcopy books, HK or online all wrong and incapable of using a scale correctly?
Final thing, the weight requirement here is 7.5 lbs.
MCX.
That thing is gaining a surprising amount of traction considering how bad American SIG is at making guns. Or maybe just like the P22x series pistols they build .mil/LE guns to a higher standard than civilian ones. That would actually explain a lot.
They release this thing every couple of years. Looking at it it seems to be the same release (and article) from the last release. Until something changes it will be the KAC SR16
Agreed. It’s just a solicitation to buy more SR-16s.
SCAR 16 it looks cool….I know I know
Requirement says “charging handle shall not reciprocate”
HK 416 is the only rifle that’ll fit the bill that isn’t the m4, especially for a 500 rifle contract.
Lol no.
The weight requirement is 7.5lbs or less. The 416 is 8.15-8.5lbs, also they use the SR-16 now, and will likely continue to use the SR-16.
Uh oh! North Face gloves on a rifle!!
LOL! Was waiting for someone else to comment on that!
You win the internet today.
So keep in mind they have KAC SR-16E3’s currently (pictures been on net so it’s an open secret).
That is the baseline to beat.
FWIW it’s a 20k Barrel life requirement.
Reliability mean the MCX is out 😉
I’m, it’s a simple solicitation for more SR-16S.
Weight means the 416 is out.
Hodge AU-MOD2 (or FN 16 Tactical II Pro), how bow dah?
Awesome. Very excited to see how this plays out! With the covert nature of some of the Secret Service’s work, I’d bet models with a folding stock (and ability to fire while folded) have an edge.
I suspect if folding stock was a meaningful requirement they would have listed it. I don’t know what Secret Service SOPs are but I doubt they’re doing a whole lot of shooting 5.56 carbines from the hip.
There is no real “covert” work of the secret service. It’s pretty overt in everything it does.
Read the SOW as it clearly outlines what they want.
They spent a lot of time with all their user groups in coming up with the requirements.
As for someone’s use of ‘covert’, I would say discrete is a better word to describe some of the mission profiles. I mean it’s hard to carry a 11.5” carbine with a suit right?
I have no dog in this fight, as I am neither a USSS Guy nor work for a Gun company, however historically the USSS will do an exceptional job in testing and evaluating submitted systems and pick the solid performer.
Whatever Gun wins the Agents and UD personnel will be well served, and many other entities will be jealous.
Their choice of the SR16 has more to do with butthurt and less to do with actual testing or performance.
Speaking of butthurt…
You seem to have an axe to grind with the USSS and/or KAC
Care to specify what failed about the SR-16?????
It’s ok, take your time. We can wait.
Care to point out where I said it failed? But a quick search on here will show where I’ve listed it’s numerous short comings.
Is the SR16 a pile of shit? Find my list, read it, then judge for yourself.
So it took me about 15 minutes to find your initial rant.
It appears you have 4 gripes
1) Non Captive Extractor Springs:
Well technically the extractor holds them in place, and I’m not 110% sure why you’d be removing it in a non secure area? I mean I’ve only fired over 1M rounds thru M16 FOW Systems and been to several different countries with them – but yeah would be nice if the bottom of the spring was slightly wider to retain them. * I know that issue was brought up by another gov user group to KAC as a nice to have. So I’ll give this gripe a C+
2) Proprietary Bolt:
3) Proprietary Barrel Extension:
Basically the same complaint – but since Reed has a 20k Plus bolt who cares? Toss the Upper away at 20k
Would you rather have a flawed C158 TDP Bolt that exceeds the heat treat temp when fired for a prolonged period of time ? Sorry I give this complaint a F
4) Cam pin can be inserted incorrectly
I’ve heard that one before from Clint Lynch, but I just tried that with two 16E3 Chrome bolts in two different carriers and neither E3 cam pin did that. Going to give you another failing grade.
I’m not sure who you are ‘Bill’ but you seem to have some rather opinionated opinions on both KAC and the USSS, so my guess is your a jilted lover from one or both.
I’m Bill it says so right there.
SR16s don’t have a 20,000 round bolt life. The bolt lasts as long as any other AR bolt (but proprietary). I had two let go at the 10k mark, I saw one let go at the 5k mark. I’ve seen AR bolts let go with low counts and really high counts. They break, they’re designed to break. When you know this but choose a proprietary part, that’s not good planning or best use of tax dollars.
Having seen multiple failures because the cam pin was inserted incorrectly (because actual experience) that’s a pass.
You said nothin about the fact the extractor retaining pin can walk out jamming the gun (I’ve actually seen that as well).
You mention nothing about the hard to adjust trigger and the fact the trigger goes full auto when it fails (seen it).
No comment on the $2500 price tag when a standard AR does everything the SR does more reliably at a fraction of the cost?
Sounds like you have no real world experience to speak of. I’ve stated facts. You can choose to like them or you can choose to hate them. You’ve stated opinions, I haven’t disparaged KAC or the service. Show me where I have. Please. I’ll wait.
KAC has been innovative and responsive to government needs. However, the SR16 was not born out of a need. It came about letting an old man tweak his original designs (see Star Wars).
If you don’t know how contracts are awarded at times that’s understandable. It can be confusing to everyone.
If you like the SR16 rock on. There are reasons it never went anywhere. And just so we’re clear, I would happily take a KAC lower with a standard AR trigger into battle. The ambi controls are pretty nice. After what I’ve seen I’d want a regular AR upper on it.
But experience and all.
I suspect your experience is dated to old guns with the non drop in trigger? Pre 2009?
But keep grinding that axe, it just shows how out of touch you are 🙂
No the most recent backwards bolt I personally witnessed was July 2016. The most recent trigger I saw let go was around 2014.
But thanks for confirming to everyone that I am telling the truth.
These problems are well known. I’ve personally witnessed them. I honestly cannot understand the animosity.
Have a good one.
I find it puzzling, to say the least, that the Secret Service needs to go through any kind of elaborate weapon selection program of this kind. Can’t they just pick up what some other comparable agency is using and be done with it? Or would that just be entirely too easy?
Like who?
USSS has a zero fail mission criteria, and only the .mil SMU’s have that too.
Additionally Service has a great weapons shop and is much better suited than many other entities to conduct testing. FBI DS and DHS/ICE Altoona are similarly set but have constraints of supporting much larger armories and less demanding criteria.
If anything I suspect many entities will look to this to see what happens.
The FBI does more thorough testing. They have more money and better facilities. They are on Quantico. FBI also has HRT who also have a “zero fail mission criteria”.
Nothing will come from this but more SR16s. It’s what they have had for many years, they’re set up to service them and it’s what they want.
As far as looking to other agencies there is a lot of politics that go into budgets. When you’re now the small fish in a big ocean you start scrutinizing what is done through who. You also start looking at expenditures. The FBI scraped thousands of 40 cal Glocks just because and hardly anyone said anything. The Service doesn’t have that ability.
HRT should have a zero fail mission – but aren’t supported that way sorry.
Colt Commando’s aren’t a bad Gun, but that or some beat up 416’s with canted gas blocks aren’t exactly cutting edge.
FBI went to 9mm, it was a logical move. Service is going 9mm and the new pistol is coming right after this rifle program what do you expect to happen to their Sig’s.
As for FBI’s testing facilities – no greater than Altoona or Beltsville, and they are forced to work for a larger number of agents at a lower common denominator.
If KAC wins, it won’t be Service was reluctant to switch, I know the guy running it, it’s going to be fair and impartial.
These guns are to replace the long in the tooth MP-5’s and SR-16’s.
The tooling they have for the older SR-16’s won’t work with he Mod2 Guns, and the Librarian is gone now too 😉
Ha! the Librarian…Spit out my coffee. He’s not completely gone Kev, still lurking hallways on a contractor basis and bemoaning how this is all wrong and we should be getting .357 MP5’s and how awesome the POS P90 was.
LWRC IC-PDW/PSD anyone
It not only meets all criteria but exceeds them as well