ESBD_359245_1715696896144_SOLICIEXH_F.3_405-24R0018018_Testing Requirements.pdf

Exhibit F.3

Low Power Variable Optic for Rifle Testing Requirements

Each Bidder submitting a Low Power Variable Optic (LPVO) to the Texas Department of Public

Safety will provide the following items for testing and consideration:

1. Three (3) Low Power Variable Optics with mounting systems for a picatinny rail.

2. All supporting documents required in Phase I.

The items will be submitted to:

Texas Department of Public Safety

Tactical Training Center – Firearms Training Unit

810 County Road 240

Florence, Texas 76527

The Low Power Variable Optics must be delivered on or before July 31st, 2024.

Bidders must call SGT Travis Rhea, Firearms Training Unit at 512-424-0858 to make delivery arrangements.

The Low Power Variable Optic must be representative of current production optics that would be provided by the Bidder to the extent that the Low Power Variable Optic show no appreciable wear caused by polishing of parts not normally performed on production optics. The Texas

Department of Public Safety reserves, at its sole discretion, the right to reject any Low Power

Variable Optic submissions that have been prepared, modified, or otherwise altered for the testing process. Bidders must also submit a user's/owner’s manual. The due date/time for submittal of these items is the same as that of the Bidder's written proposal which is to be delivered to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Contract Monitor must verify that the items were received in a timely manner to determine whether the Bidder is compliant with the

IFB requirements.

It is the intent of these specifications to describe the minimum requirements for LPVOs for rifles and the individual line items outlined in this document. The Texas Department of Public

Safety intends to conduct tests of the Low Power Variable Optic in four phases.

Bidders must be prepared to present a shooting team, in person, to conduct the Endurance and

Accuracy Tests under the supervision of the Texas Department of Public Safety Range Master or his designee. It is the Bidder s’ responsibility to ensure that sufficient personnel are available to complete the Endurance Test during the time allotted. The Bidder’s designated representative will be contacted when the test process is to occur. Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses for the shooting team and/or the representative will be the responsibility of the Bidder’s. The shooting team will provide necessary personal safety equipment (such as eye and hearing protection), machine rest(s), spotting scope/binoculars and tools required for the optics.

The Texas Department of Public Safety does not assume responsibility for damage to the

Bidder’s submitted items, equipment, or injury to members of the Bidder’s shooting team.

Bidders will execute a Release of Liability prior to commencement of the test procedure.

The testing team will consist of members of the Texas Department of Public Safety Firearms

Training Unit (TXDPS FTU) and others selected to assist as necessary. The Firearms Training Unit reserves the authority to exclude or repeat any test.

Phase I

Phase I will be conducted by members of the Firearms Training Unit.

Sections:

1. Examination and Verification of Manufacture’s Certifications

2. Comprehensive Inspection of LPVOs

3. Optical Clarity

4. Conditional

Any submission not conforming to the required specifications during this phase will be deemed unacceptable and will no longer be eligible for testing. Any failure will result in all three submissions being disqualified from testing.

Section 1: Examination and Verification of Manufacturer's Certifications

The documentation accompanying the Bidder’s submission must, at a minimum, include the following:

a) All warranties applicable to the Low Power Variable Optic

b) Two batteries for each optic, if required for operation.

c) All maintenance procedures, lens treatments-including cleaning, recommended parts replacement, and intervals thereof.

d) Written certification that the samples meet all specifications set forth in the specifications section of the Exhibit F.4.

Section 2: Comprehensive Inspection of LPVOs

All submissions will be inspected for conformity with specifications/salient characteristics by the Texas Department of Public Safety Firearms Training Unit and armorers.

Submissions not conforming to specification will be deemed not acceptable and will not be further tested. This evaluation will include sharp edges, burrs, overall machine work, damaged lenses, missing parts, fit of optic to weapon. Unacceptable workmanship of Bidder s’ submissions will result in rejection of the submission.

The optic will be function tested in the following manner:

a) Removal and replacement of optic on rifle picatinny rail

b) Adjustments of windage/elevation controls

c) Adjustment of magnification

d) Adjustment of focus ring

e) Placement and function of throw lever

f) Cycle of on/off switch (illuminated reticle)

g) Cycle of brightness controls

h) Removal and replacement of battery

i) Cleaning and Maintenance

j) Lens cover

k) One-piece cantilever mount

Section 3: Optical Clarity

Optical resolution/clarity will be measured using the diminishing black-and-white lines of a

1951 Air Force Resolution Target to score the optical performance of each submission. This will be conducted during daylight conditions.

The low-light performance of each LPVO scope will be tested by mounting them to a fixture and focusing them as a group. A reference target will be viewed from a predetermined distance, during diminished light conditions. Both criteria will provide valuable insights into the optical performance of each scope.

Section 4: Conditional

The three LPVO optics will be subjected to the following test and evaluations by the Department of Public Safety representatives.

All tests will be conducted with LPVO mounted to a Daniel Defense DDM4V7 patrol rifle. The

LPVO will be zeroed at 50 yards. The optic shall be capable of withstanding all below test events without interfering with operation, optic and/or mount shall not come loose, or have a significant loss of zero. All groupings will be fired in a 5-shot string at 100 yards. A shift in point of aim vs. point of impact (POA/POI) of more than 2 Minute of Angle (MOA) at 100 yards is considered a significant loss of zero. In the event of shift in zero a second grouping will be fired to confirm results. If any optic has lost zero within tolerance (less than 2 MOA), this will be noted, and the optic is permitted to be zeroed again at 50 yards prior to starting the next test.

Prior to testing, use of a lens/fog treatment is permitted; however, the product must be provided with the optic. The Bidder must disclose to the Department of Public Safety Firearms

Training Unit any product that was applied. The Bidder must also provide manufacturer recommendations on how and when to apply the product.

The three optics will be subjected to the following tests and evaluations by the Department of

Public Safety representatives:

Battery Test

The three Low Power Variable Optics will be “zeroed” at 50 yards with a five-shot group. The battery will be removed from the optic, and a replacement battery will be installed. A second three shot group will be fired at 50 yards to confirm no significant loss of zero with the Low

Power Variable Optic.

At the end of this test, the optics will all be set to a similar brightness and left at that setting for the duration of testing. The reticle will be inspected and evaluated throughout the process.

Extreme Temperature Test

The submitted Low Power Variable Optic mounted on a Daniel Defense DDM4V7, will be placed in a temperature chamber, and stabilized at a temperature of approximately minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of one hour. Each optic and rifle will then be withdrawn from the chamber, 30 rounds of training ammunition (provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety), will be fired from 50 yards. A five-shot group will then be fired from 100 yards to confirm no significant loss of zero. There should be no significant loss of zero or aim shift. Upon removal from environmental chamber, rifles will be positioned horizontally as if aimed at target. Reticle shall be immediately visible to a shooter and shall not appear diminished or distorted.

Following the cold portion of the extreme temperature test described above, the optics and rifles will be permitted to dry and stabilize to room temperature. The optics with rifle will be placed in the temperature chamber, where it will stabilize at a temperature of approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of one hour. Each optic and rifle will then be withdrawn from the chamber, 30 rounds of training ammunition (provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety), will be fired from 50 yards. A five-shot group will then be fired from 100 yards to confirm no significant loss of zero. There should be no significant loss of zero or aim shift. Upon removal from environmental chamber, rifle and optic will be positioned horizontally as if aimed at target. Reticle shall be immediately visible to a shooter and shall not appear diminished or distorted.

Drop Test

A 30 round, factory magazine loaded with practice ammunition (provided by the Texas

Department of Public Safety) will be inserted into the rifle magazine well. The LPVO and rifle will be dropped onto a concrete surface from 60 inches. It will land directly on the optic, once, in each of the following positions: 1) sights/optic down (upside down), 2) muzzle up, 3) on the right side, 4) on the left side. After each drop it will be noted if the lens or body is damaged, mount is loose, if the reticle is still present, and if all controls still work. At the conclusion of all drops, a five-shot group will be fired from 100 yards to confirm no significant loss of zero. There should be no significant loss of zero or aim shift.

Saltwater Immersion and Corrosion Test

The LPVO and mount will be removed from the rifle and then immersed in a prepared saline solution for a period of 30 minutes at a depth three feet. The LPVO will then be removed from the saline solution and shaken for no longer than 15 seconds to drain as much water as possible. The LPVO will be inspected to see if the lens or body is damaged, mount is loose, the reticle is still present, and if all controls still work.

After saltwater immersion, the LPVO being subjected to this test will be maintained in an environment between 68-78 degrees Fahrenheit, with a relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent. The saline solution will be prepared in a container. The water will be dechlorinated with a commercially available chlorine neutralizer. Synthetic "Instant Ocean" salt or a commercial equivalent will then be added to achieve a salinity adjusted to a specific gravity range of 1.020 to 1.023 as measured by a hydrometer. Tap water treated in this fashion contains every major, minor, and trace element found in natural salt water and is capable of supporting marine fish and plant life.

At the conclusion of all phases of testing, the LPVO and mounts will be inspected for rust and/or corrosion.

Sand Exposure Test

The LPVO and mount will be placed on top of a layer of sand. Sand will be scooped atop of the optics and completely covered. The LPVO will be removed and shaken to clear loose sand. The reticle shall be immediately visible to a shooter and shall not appear diminished or distorted.

The sand mixture will be comprised of approximately 50% coarse road sand (as used during inclement/icy road conditions) and approximately 50% fine sand.

Phase II

Endurance/Functional Reliability Test One of each Bidder’s LPVOs which has successfully completed Phase I will then undergo the

Endurance/Functional Reliability Test. Testing procedures are as follows:

a) The Bidder will supply 5,000 rounds of ammunition for this test. The ammunition required will be .223 Rem, Winchester 55 grain full metal jacket (USA223R1). The TXDPS FTU reserves the right to inspect and evaluate the ammunition and optic at any time.

b) The Bidder will provide a shooting team which is responsible for firing the Endurance/Functional Reliability portion of the test. This portion of testing will be conducted in the presence of, and under supervision of the TXDPS FTU.

c) Each shooting team will be assigned a representative from TXDPS FTU. This representative will maintain a log of rounds fired and document any notable events.

1. The shooting team will zero, at 50 yards, the LPVO prior to beginning the Endurance/Functional Reliability Test.

2. A baseline, five-shot group will be fired at 100 yards.

3. The Endurance/Functional Reliability Test consists of 5,000 rounds in two sections.

4. The first 2,500 rounds must be fired within a continuous 8-hour period. Failure to fire all rounds may result in disqualification. At the completion of 2,500 rounds a five-shot group will be fired from 100 yards to confirm no significant loss of zero or aim shift.

5. Firing positions utilized by the shooters will be at the shooter's discretion. The chosen position shall not violate any Texas Department of Public Safety Range safety procedures or rules.

6. The second 2,500 rounds will be fired in the same method on the following day (subject to change based on TXDPS FTU scheduling).

Phase III

Sustained Quality Assurance Testing:

1.The Bidder offering the Number 1 Low Power Variable Optic in Phase 3, will be instructed to provide ten (10) optics to the Firearms Training Unit for this phase testing. The three optics used in testing will not be part of ten (10).

2. If the Number 1 ranked Bidder optics are found to be inadequate due to having malfunctions and breakages during the normal functionality of this test, the Number 2 Bidder will be notified and instructed to provide ten (10) optics and perform the same requirements outlined in item 1 above.

3. If the Number 1 & 2 ranked Bidder’s optics are found to be inadequate due to having malfunctions and breakages during the normal functionality of this test, the TXDPS reserves the option to notify the Number 3 rank Bidder optic for testing.