Propper International is one of the companies chosen to build FILBE for the USMC. Here is the Assault Pack. It features an asymmetric zipper for the main compartment.
Look for photos of the full pack soon.
Archive for the ‘Contracts’ Category
MDM – Propper International
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011SOCOM Suppressor Awards – Updated
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011The program is officially called the Family of Muzzle Brake Suppressors (FMBS). Two companies received awards.
From the Department of Defense
“Surefire, L.L.C.*, Fountain Valley, Calif., is being awarded a $23,329,230 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the family of muzzle brakes. Work will be performed in Fountain Valley, Calif., and is expected to be completed by September 2016.Contract funds in the amount of $1,800,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce website, with seven proposals received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-11-D-JN19).”
The SureFire products selected for the FBMS contract are:
For the SOCOM M4/CQBR fi rearm: FH556-215A adapter & FA556-212-DE suppressor
For the SOCOM M4/CQBR fi rearm training and blank fi ring: BFA-FA556-212 & TA-FA556-212
For the SOCOM MK13 fi rearm: FH762K05 adapter & FA762K-DE suppressor
For the SOCOM MK13 fi rearm training and blank fi ring: BFA-FA762K & TA-FA762K
“Advanced Armament Corp., Lawrenceville, Ga., is being awarded a $14,201,731 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the family of muzzle brakes. Work will be performed in Lawrenceville, Ga., and is expected to be completed by September 2016. Contract funds in the amount of $200,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce website, with seven proposals received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-11-D-JN18).”
AAC 249SD for the MK46
7.62 MG can was dropped from requirements, so no can adopted for the MK48
M27 IAR Details
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011This brochure from IAR producer H&K will be released at Modern Day Marine later today. As you can see, the IAR, as issued, will include accessories from several companies including the Blue Force Gear VCAS sling.
That Was Quick
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011The Triple Aught Design packs in MultiCam haven’t even been released yet and already there is a solicitation for them.
The 306th RQS is looking for:
0001 – 45 EA: FAST Pack EDC (T00170) Multicam or equal
0002 – 45 EA: BC8 (T00041) pouch or equal
0003 – 45 EA: BC4 (T00040) pouch or equal
0004 – 45 EA: PRP (500061) pouch or equal
0005 – 45 EA: OP1 (T00059) pouch or equal
0006 – 45 EA: RDDP2 (T00062) pouch or equal
0007 – 45 EA: MOLLE Panel (T00055) Coyote Khaki or equal
US Replacing MC-4 Free Fall Parachute
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011Airborne Systems, a subsidiary of HDT Global (“HDTâ€), has been awarded a $27 million firm fixed-price IDIQ contract by the US Army’s Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM) for the production and delivery of an estimated 3,600 Military Free Fall Advanced Ram Air Parachute Systems (MFF ARAPS) utilizing Airborne System’s Intruder parachute system. The contract includes an 18-month base ordering period and a 42-month optional ordering period.
ARAPS consists of the Intruder 360 main parachute, the Intruder 360 reserve parachute, and the Raider 2 harness/container. The system is also available from Airborne Systems with a smaller Intruder main and reserve canopy of 300 ft². This move will affect all US forces currently using the MC-4. In addition to replacing the MC-4, SOCOM funding will also replace all unit funded free fall parachutes currently in service.
On an interesting note, for the US military at least, all major military personnel parachute systems currently in use have been designed by Airborne Systems, including the T-11, MC-6, Hi-Glide, MC-4, MC-5 and now the Intruder. Airborne Systems is also responsible for the FireFly and DragonFly precision guided aerial delivery systems which are part of the Joint Precision Air Drop System (JPADS) program.
In a press release earlier today, Brad Pedersen, President, Airborne Systems had this to say, “We are honored the U.S. Army has selected Airborne Systems to support our warfighters with the best parachute technology available.†He went on, “Our solution is the best value for soldiers, offering increased safety and cutting edge technology. The Intruder system has been exclusively designed for the military jumper and is not an adaptation. Its versatility allows day or night and high or low altitude capabilities in a range of challenging environments to fully meet mission requirements.â€
“Airborne Systems has made major historical contributions to military ram-air parachute systems development,†added JC Berland, Chief Technology Officer, Airborne Systems, in the same press release. “These include the invention of the ram-air reserve parachute and the first military ram air parachute system, the MT-1. Airborne Systems also designed and produced the MC-4 and MC-5 parachute systems, the most popular military parachute systems in the world. The T-11 is also an excellent example of our technology lead in the parachute world.â€
ADS Poised to Support Your End of Year Needs 
Friday, September 9th, 2011
The end of the fiscal year is literally weeks away and federal government organizations are scrambling to obligate funds before the 30th of September. ADS has announced their end of year schedule.
Sept 19th-23rd / 0800-1830
Sept 24th-25th / 0900-1200
Sept 26th / 0800-1900
Sept 27th / 0800-2000
Sept 28th / 0800-2100
Sept 29th / 0800-2200
Sept 30th / 0800-0200*
* Eastern Standard Time
Purchasing the gear you need couldn’t be easier. In addition to the SPECOPS Tailored Logistic Support (TLS) program, ADS is also part of the Fire & Emergency Services TLS program in addition to holding numerous GSA schedules. What’s more, you may be ordering gear from ADS and not even know it if you are using the the Standard Stock System. ADS supplies a multitude of items with NSNs. You can also order from ADS through DOD Emall or work through their strategic partners.
For the latest info about end of year activities, visit www.adsinc.com/eoy.
Tags: ADS Inc
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Ops-Core Wins Norwegian Helmet Contract
Thursday, September 8th, 2011
Boston-based Ops-Core, Inc was awarded a contract last week to supply the Norwegian Army with their Future Assault Shell Technology (FAST) helmet. The FAST helmet will replace the current PASGT style aramid helmet manufactured by Cato Ringstad AS.
While specific numbers have not yet been released, the Norwegian Army will purchase enough helmets to not only outfit their active forces, but some of the National Guard as well. The current strength of the Norwegian Army sits at around 22,000. However, a post on a Norwegian military forum in July by someone close to the program forecasted the delivery of 1000 helmets for operational use before the end of the year.
In order to supply these helmets, Ops-Core won a year-long competitive program named “Project 4004” with several down select mile-stones which included troop trials, ballistic and other safety testing. Norwegian Special Forces have already been using the Ops-Core helmet for over a year in training as well as operational roles so Ops-Core’s selection, while arduous, was not surprising.
In a press release from Ops-Core, member of Norwegian Defense Logistic Organization (NDLO) program manager Per Morten Brunborg is quoted as saying, “The FAST helmet gave our program flexibility to adapt to a variety of service positions and mission profiles that were difficult to accomplish with only one helmet in the past.†He went on to add, “This helmet saves the overall program money by allowing us to field it service wide in several configurations, instead of having to field several different kinds of helmets like we used to. It’s also very beneficial that we can provide our soldiers better ballistic performance at a much lighter weight than our previous helmet. The Ops-Core FAST High Cut version provides the Norwegian Army the right balance between comfort and integration of attachments, which stress the soldiers neck less than the previous solutions and enhances the durability of the soldier.†As you can see, not only did the Norwegian Army find the FAST helmet’s modularity made possible by the Visual Augmentation System (VAS) shroud and Accessory Rail Connector (ARC) rails particularly desirable, but also its lightweight protection as well.
The FAST helmet boasts a ballistic shell developed during a multi-year collaboration effort between Ops-Core, Ceradyne and DSM Dyneema. Ceradyne, the sub-contractor who molds the shell, has a special seamless processing technique using Dyneema’s ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material that yields outstanding ballistic protection at lower weights. Much of the systems technology used in this helmet has also been in the works over the last ten years with significant inputs from the US Army’s PEO Soldier, the Army Research Lab, and Natick Soldier Systems Center. The FAST helmet actually has more in common with the new Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH) for the US Army and Marine Corps than the baseline MICH.
Deliveries of the FAST helmet to Norway are scheduled to commence in 4th Quarter of 2011 and continue through 3rd Quarter of 2012. In what is most likely a Norwegian version of an IDIQ contract, it is valid for 10 years and is good for future Norwegian procurement and purchasing activities. On a final note, Ops-Core is well represented throughout Europe by Norwegian company NFM but the helmets will reportedly be manufactured in the US.
For more information, please visit the Ops-Core website at www.ops-core.com.
Brandon Webb Laments a “Broken DoD Acquisition System”
Friday, September 2nd, 2011Brandon Webb is a colleague of mine who writes for Military.com’s Kit Up!. He also does some consulting, independent writing and is an all around entrepreneurial kind of a guy. He’s just published a critique of the Federal acquisition system on his blog. Check it out.
