The Army Contracting Command – New Jersey, in support of Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PMSL), intends to issue a request for proposal (RFP) W15QKN-25-R-0016. This solicitation is to procure M4 Carbines (NSN: 1005-01-231-0973/Part Number 9390000) and M4A1 Carbines (NSN: 1005-01-382-0953/Part Number 12972700) built to print using the Technical Data Package (TDP). Due to Colt’s Manufacturing Company, LLC’s sole ownership of the M4/M4A1 TDP and the license agreement between Colt and the United States Government, this procurement action will be a sole source award to Colt’s Manufacturing Company, LLC.
This action should come as no surprise as pointed out on the notice that Colt owns the Technical Data Package for the M16 rifle / M4 carbine and the Army has previously awarded similar sustainment contracts in the past. Colt was purchased by CZ Group in 2021.
What many don’t understand, with almost a million M4(A1) carbines in service, the Army must continue to procure new rifles to replace weapons as they wear out. I expect this process to continue until the last M4 is pulled from service sometime in the 2040/ or beyond. This will continue to be the case as long as the weapon remains in service, somewhere in the Total Force, regardless of procurement of Next Generation Squad Weapon. This is a reality of almost every program of record.
The M4/M4A1 Carbines provide the Department of Defense with compact, lightweight weapons that fire NATO 5.56mm ammunition from a 30-round magazine, mount the latest generation of fire control accessories and enablers, and provide increased protection and firepower in close quarters. The period of performance (POP) of the contract(s) will be for five (5) one-year ordering periods to cover FY25-FY30 Army and Department of Defense (DoD) M4/M4A1 Carbine requirements. The anticipated contract minimum guarantee of 90 M4/M4A1 Carbines will be met with the first delivery. The Army expects to issue task orders with up to a maximum quantity of 30,000 units of any combination of M4 or M4A1 Carbines.
Dear SSD,
Does not FN produce M4/M4A1’s under contract for the US Military? Or am I confusing some basic point of fact here? Thank you in advance if you have/can take the time to answer my question.
Sole source just means that only a single entity (predetermined) may be the prime on a contract, no one else. This is in contrast to open source, where it is a competition of sorts.
Likely, Colt will continue to subcontract FN for M4A1 production.
Thank you very much Collin!
I thought the Army acquired the rights to the M4 some time ago.