Earlier today, Project Manager Soldier Weapons, issued a DRAFT Prototype Opportunity Notice (PON) for Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) in order to seek Industry questions and comments to assist in shaping the NGSW program strategy to rapidly develop and deliver prototype weapons and ammunition. Their intent is to engage Industry early in order to provide the best materiel solution for the NGSW program. Additionally, the Government intends to hold an Industry Day to provide program overview, clarification, and address questions.

While related to the ongoing Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle Prototype Opportunity, the new NSGW program consists of two weapons, the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (NGSW-R) and the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR). The NGSW-R is the planned replacement for the M4/M4A1 Carbine and the NGSW-AR is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) in the Automatic Rifleman Role in Brigade Combat Teams (BCT).

The current NSGAR PON is funded and includes AAI Textron System, FN America (with two entries), General Dynamics-OTS Inc, PCP Tactical, LLC, and SIG SAUER Inc. I expect it will continue through the end of the contract as the government has learned much from that effort and it shows in this latest notice.

Additionally, offerors must develop two different ammunition cartridges utilizing government specified 6.8mm projectiles.

* General Purpose (GP) per Drawing titled “6.8MM GENERAL PURPOSE (GP)”. The GP cartridge provides all-purpose solutions for combat, limited training, and basic qualification.
* Surrogate per Drawing 13072652. The surrogate cartridge is designed to mimic the behavior of combat projectiles from a weapon design standpoint. Surrogate projectiles may not be completely representative of the final combat ammunition configuration which are expected to vary during development. Surrogates are intended to be a close replacement shape of the final combat rounds.

This is not the 6.8 SPC cartridge evaluated by SOCOM in the mid-00s and available commercially. The only thing this has in common, is caliber. The Army desires increased range and lethality with lighter weight. However, specifics remain classified and only available to companies actually participating in the program.

The Army plans to award three companies OTAs and for each prototype OTA include 50 NGSW-R weapons, 50 NGSW-AR weapons, 850,000 rounds of ammunition, spare parts, test barrels, tools/gauges/accessories, and engineering support as defined in the Statement of Work.

The Army has also issued some basic parameters they are seeking.
The NGSW-R and the NGSW-AR prototypes shall:
a. allow for ambidextrous operation and controls;
b. include a removable flash hider, suppressor, and a tool for removal after firing or for maintenance;
?c. include a tactical carrying sling with quick release attachments;
d. include selection positions for Safe, Semi-Automatic Firing, and Automatic Firing modes;
e. be resistant to corrosion, abrasion, impact and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense (CBRNE) contaminants, decontaminants, battlefield-chemicals, electromagnetic pulse and cyber-attacks;
f. reduce visual detection via a neutral non-reflective, non-black color not lighter than Light Coyote 481 and not darker than Coyote 499;
g. function in all environments and weather conditions, including marine, high ?humidity, rain, and desert conditions; ?h. be compatible with combat clothing (including body armor and Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment), CBRNE, wet weather, and cold weather gear;
i. provide interchangeable magazines between both weapons if NGSW-AR utilizes a ?magazine; and
j. include MIL-STD-1913 equivalent rails capable of mounting Rifle Combat Optic, ?Close Combat Optic, Aiming Laser, Family of Weapon Sights–Individual, Squad-Fire Control and other legacy enablers.

Interestingly, unlike the current NSGAR PON, there is no fire control component associated with this latest effort. I feel this is a much better strategy which will allow industry to develop a best of class fire control system once the ammunition and weapon are worked out.

According to the Draft Notice, the period of performance for each prototype Other Transactional Authority is estimated to be up to 27 months, but I expect they will be conducted concurrently. Following successful completion of this OTA, the Government intends to award a follow-on production contract. The follow-on production contract is anticipated to be a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contract without further competition but the Government reserves the right to award a follow-on production OTA without further competition.

Also, there won’t be any vaporware when the Army opens this PON up. Offerors will be required to submit prototypes of both weapons along with their proposal.

I find this overall strategy sound as it allows for the concurrent development of ammunition, carbine and automatic weapon with all three ready at about the same time. The Army hasn’t seen such a potential sweeping change to weapons systems since the fielding of the M1 Abrams Tank and M2/3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle in the 1980s. Then too, the Army simultaneously replaced major weapon system, ammunition and fire control. While there were certainly unforeseen challenges all across DOTMLPF solution space, that sweeping change made the Army both more lethal, and more efficient. Hopefully, the Army’s leadership fully comprehends the changes they are working to unleash.

Data rights are going to be a big deal for this program. The government wants to not only select a weapon but then also have full rights to the Technical Data Package, even owning it outright. Unfortunately, that isn’t how companies make money. It costs a great deal for industry to develop technologies. They make it up by actually manufacturing the technology over time. Hopefully, the government and developer of the best system will be able to work out an agreement favorable for both parties.

The DRAFT NGSW PON is subject to change based on feedback received. The Government requests that all questions and comments are provided to ACC-NJ by December 7, 2018.

For full details, visit www.fbo.gov.