ESBD_531962_1782507285754_SOL_EXH_F.7 Rifle Testing Requirements.pdf

Exhibit F.7 – Rifle Testing Requirements

The Respondent will submit three rifles (for each model submitted for testing) equipped with a KeyMicro 3 Prong FH muzzle device with twelve magazines to:

Texas Department of Public Safety Tactical Training Center - FTU 810 County Road 240 Florence, Texas 76527

The submissions will be representative of rifles that would be provided by the manufacturer.

The rifles will be in new condition. The Texas Department of Public Safety reserves, at its sole discretion, the right to reject any rifle submissions that have been prepared, modified or otherwise altered for the testing process. Respondents will also submit a user's/owner’s manual. The due date/time for submittal of these items is the same as that of the Respondent's written proposal, which is to be delivered to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Contracting Officer will verify that the items were received in a timely manner in order to determine whether or not the Respondent is compliant with solicitation requirements.

The Texas Department of Public Safety intends to conduct tests of the 5.56mm rifles in two phases. The first phase is the 10,000 round Endurance /Reliability, Accuracy, and Conditional tests. The second phase is the Ergonomics Rifle Ranking process.

In Phase I, one of the three submitted rifles will be randomly selected and subjected to a 10,000 round Endurance /Reliability Test, and Accuracy test. During Phase I of testing, the rifles will also be subjected to a variety of conditional tests, which are comprised of the following: Parts Interchange, Temperature Stress, Drop, Coastal Corrosion Resistance, and Airborne Sand & Dust Exposure.

Respondents will be prepared to present a shooting team, in person, to conduct the Endurance /Reliability, and Accuracy Tests under the supervision of the Texas Department of Public Safety Range Master or his designee. The Respondent will also bring one Dead Air Lazarus 6 5.56/6mm KeyMoGov GMS for this section of testing. The suppressor will remain in the possession of the Respondent’s shooting team throughout this section of testing and will not need to be transferred to the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure that sufficient personnel are available to complete the Endurance /Reliability Test during the time allotted. The Respondent’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 Respondent. 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 rifle maintenance.

Note: The Texas Department of Public Safety does not assume responsibility for damage to the Respondent's submitted rifles, suppressor or injury to members of the manufacturer’s shooting team. Respondents will execute a waiver 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 and others selected by the aforementioned to assist as necessary. The testing team reserves the right to modify, reorder, or omit tests as deemed necessary during the evaluation process.

PHASE 1

Section:

1. Examination and Verification of Manufacturer's Certifications

2. Physical and Technical Inspection of Rifles

3. Endurance/Reliability and Accuracy test

4. Accuracy/Dispersion/Velocity

5. Conditional

Section #1 - Examination and Verification of Manufacturer's Certifications

The documentation accompanying the manufacturer’s submission will, at a minimum, include the following:

a. All warranties (especially for frame and barrel life expectancy) applicable to the rifle.

b. All maintenance procedures, including cleaning, recommended parts replacement and intervals thereof.

c. Written certification that the sample meets all specifications set forth in the specifications section of this document.

d. Written certification that rifle models, like the submissions, have successfully test-fired a minimum of 10,000 cumulative rounds of 5.56 NATO ammunition without structural failure of major component parts, including the upper and lower receiver, barrel, bolt group, gas tube, stock, and recoil assembly.

Section #2 - Physical and Technical Inspection of Rifles

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 chamber/barrel dimensions in conformity with NATO standard 5.56, mating of parts, smoothness of function, lack of binding or unacceptable binding of actions. Unacceptable workmanship of Respondent’s submissions will result in rejection of the submission.

a. The Texas Department of Public Safety Firearms Training Unit “Firearms Checklist” will be utilized to record the results of rifle inspections. This checklist will be made available to Respondents for review upon request.

Note: The current checklist may require slight modification based upon characteristics of the individual rifles and/or training received from the Respondent.

b. Rifles will be measured and will comply with specifications set forth in this solicitation.

c. The rifles will be field stripped, cleaned, oiled, and the following parts inspected to ensure quality and compliance with contract specifications:

1. Bolt

2. Extractor/Extractor Spring

3. Ejector/Ejector Spring

4. Firing Pin/Firing Pin Spring

5. Barrel (length, coating/lined, stamped)

6. Buffer Spring

7. Buffer/Buffer Tube

8. Magazine Release

9. Bolt Catch/Stop

10. Pistol Grip

11. Trigger and Weight of Pull

12. Sights

13. Magazine

14. Safety Systems

15. Gas Key

16. Castle/Receiver Extension Nut (will be properly staked)

17. Stock

18. Forearm/Rails

19. Required Muzzle Device

20. Gas Tube

21. Charging Handle

d. The rifles will be function tested in the following manner:

1. Cycle action for function and smoothness.

2. Check safeties for function and engagement.

3. Check lock-up.

4. Dry fire rifle.

5. Cycle action.

6. Check bolt catch/stop function.

7. Check hammer/sear engagement, if present.

8. Check trigger pull, return, and reset.

9. Feeding test (inert rounds).

e. The rifles will be checked with Go / No-Go Gauges, and the chamber and throat checked with erosion gauges.

f. Five rounds of Texas Department of Public Safety ammunition will be loaded into four magazines (two magazines of Federal 62gr. LE223T3, and two magazines of Winchester 55gr. 223 Rem FMJ and fired through the rifle. During the course of firing, the following functions will be observed and evaluated:

1. Sighting, Feeding, Firing, Extraction, Ejection

2. Where rounds are ejected to. (2 o’clock, 4 o’clock etc.)

3. Bolt Lock (last round in magazine)

Section #3 - Endurance/Reliability and Accuracy Test

Endurance / Reliability Test

The Respondent will present a shooting team, in person, to conduct the Endurance /Reliability Tests under the supervision of the Texas Department of Public Safety Range Master or his designee. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure that sufficient personnel are available to complete the test during the time allotted.

The Respondent will also bring one Dead Air Lazarus 6 5.56/6mm KeyMoGov GMS for this section of testing. The suppressor will remain in the possession of the Respondent’s shooting team throughout this section of testing and will not need to be transferred to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The Respondent’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 Respondent. 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. Scheduled maintenance per manufacture specifications will be allowed and performed by the representative.

One rifle will randomly be selected from the three rifles submitted, and the rifle will then undergo the Endurance / Reliability Test. The Texas Department of Public Safety Endurance / Reliability testing procedures are as follows:

a. The Respondent will supply the ammunition for this test. The ammunition required will be Winchester 55gr. 223 Rem FMJ. The Firearms Training Unit reserves the right to inspect and evaluate the ammunition and rifles at any time.

b. The Respondent will provide a shooting team. This team will be responsible for firing the Endurance / Reliability portion of the test. This portion of the testing will be conducted in the presence and under supervision of the Texas Department of Public Safety representative.

c. Each shooting team will be assigned an observer. This observer will maintain a log of rounds fired and record any malfunctions, maintenance, or parts-breakage during testing.

d. The Respondent will provide documentation regarding factory recommended maintenance procedures for the anticipated service life of the rifles. These recommended procedures will be observed during the Endurance / Reliability Test.

e. The barrel will have the throat erosion measured before the endurance testing. Then remeasured at the conclusion of endurance testing.

f. Before the beginning of each stage the Respondent may use up to 15 rounds to confirm zero of their rifle. The Respondent will fire a recorded 10-shot group at 100 yards (any shooting position, rest, or sighting system may be used.) At the completion of each stage of 2,500 rounds, a 10-shot group will be fired (from 100 yards) to confirm no significant change in rifle performance. The Texas Department of Public Safety will provide this ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3).

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

h. The Endurance Reliability Test consists of 10,000 rounds.

1) Stage 1 of the Endurance Test (2,500 rounds-unsuppressed) will be fired during a continuous 8-hour period. All 2,500 rounds will be fired during this time period.

Failure to fire all rounds may result in disqualification. This will be followed by the Accuracy / Dispersion Testing as described.

2) Stage 2 of the Endurance Test (2500 rounds-suppressed) will be fired during a

3) Stage 3 of the Endurance Test (2500 rounds-suppressed) will be fired during a

4) Stage 4 of the Endurance Test (2500 rounds-suppressed) will be fired during a

i. Parts replacement will only be allowed based upon the factory recommended maintenance procedures during testing. A written copy of this maintenance procedure will be provided to Texas Department of Public Safety Range before testing. Rifles tested may be cleaned and inspected by the Respondent at 500 round intervals. Major component parts changes will not be permitted (i.e. receiver, barrel, etc).

j. The rifles tested will complete 10,000 cumulative rounds during this test. The number of breakages, stoppages, and structural failures that occur for each rifle will be recorded and evaluated.

k. Each rifle will be inspected to identify areas wherein premature fatigue and/or deterioration has occurred, at the conclusion of 10,000 cumulative rounds fired. (This inspection will also assess the integrity of components that could affect the safety or reliability of the rifle.)

Accuracy / Dispersion Testing

a. Testing will be conducted after 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, and 10,000 cumulative rounds are fired. Deterioration of accuracy will be evaluated for technical merit based upon a comparison with the original group average fired at the beginning of each stage. The Texas Department of Public Safety will provide this ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3).

b. After the Accuracy tests, the Firearms Training Unit will clean and lubricate the rifles according to manufacturer recommendations.

c. Malfunction / Stoppages

1) The Firearms Training Unit will be allowed to examine the ammunition prior to loading magazines and reject any questionable rounds.

2) Operator error will not be charged against the rifle if the operator can identify and articulate the error and it is reviewed by the Firearms Training Unit.

3) The malfunction rate of one malfunction per 1,000 rounds fired will serve as the desired standard for the Endurance / Reliability Testing.

4) The malfunctions that occur during any other phase of testing will not be applied to the malfunction rate of the Endurance / Reliability Test. (However, they will be recorded and considered when the overall reliability of the rifle is evaluated.)

5) A malfunction is defined as any stoppage or problem that prevents the rifle from firing, regardless of cause, or any condition that affects function and safety.

Malfunctions include stoppages, traceable or chargeable, to an unserviceable part.

6) To further the definition, malfunction descriptions may include, but are not limited to:

a. Failure to feed

b. Failure to chamber

c. Failure to lock

d. Failure to fire

e. Failure to unlock

f. Failure to extract

g. Failure to eject

h. Failure to cock

i. Failure of the magazine catch or slide stop to function

7) Malfunctions attributed to ammunition, as determined by a failure analysis conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety representative, will not be counted against the rifle/magazine being tested. However, they will be recorded and properly identified with supporting analysis. Ammunition related malfunctions are defined as, but not limited to:

a. Inverted primer

b. Inert primer

c. Deformed cartridge case

d. Inverted projectile

e. Deformed projectile

f. Ruptured cartridge case

g. Squib load

h. Misfire

8) The rate of malfunction for each rifle will be computed as follows:

a. Divide the number of malfunctions (stoppages) into the total number of rounds fired through the rifle during the Endurance / Reliability Test.

b. A malfunction rate equal to or less than one stoppage per 1,000 rounds is acceptable and will be considered to have passed. A malfunction rate greater than one stoppage per 1,000 rounds constitutes failure of the rifle as well as the entire submission.

9) Malfunctions of the magazines will be charged to the weapon system.

Malfunctions occurring during live fire (other than Endurance / Reliability Testing) will be reported in the evaluation criteria.

10) A record will be kept of every malfunction that occurs during the Endurance / Reliability and/or related Accuracy Test. Should a malfunction occur, the operator of the rifle will not engage in any clearing drill but will bench the rifle and allow the Texas Department of Public Safety representative to examine the rifle and identify the cause of the malfunction.

11) While input from the Respondent will be appropriately considered during the resolution of any questionable malfunctions, the final responsibility of malfunction diagnosis lies with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

d. Resolution of Questionable Malfunctions

1) Should a malfunction occur, that cannot be clearly identified as an ammunition malfunction, rifle malfunction, or operator error, the Texas Department of Public Safety reserves the right to require the Respondent to fire an additional 500 rounds to determine if the malfunction re-occurs.

2) If the malfunction does not re-occur, the malfunction will be disregarded and not charged against the rifle.

3) If the malfunction reoccurs, further testing will cease until the cause is identified.

The rifle will be charged with one malfunction.

e. Cleaning

1) The Respondent may field strip, clean, and lubricate the rifles at the beginning of the Endurance / Reliability Test.

2) Each rifle may be cleaned, lubricated, and inspected after 500-round intervals during the test process. (Exceeding the 500-round minimum is left to the discretion of the Respondent and will not favorably affect the evaluation of the rifle).

Note: Cleaning solvents and lubricants will not be available from the Texas Department of Public Safety. (The Respondent may provide solvents and lubricants of choice; however, all products utilized for cleaning and lubrication will be readily available on the commercial market.)

3) Function of the rifle will not be dependent upon the use of special or unique lubricants. The solvents and lubricant presently used by the Texas Department of Public Safety are manufactured by "M Pro 7 or Pro Shot.”

f. Parts Breakage

1) A breakage is defined as any part that becomes unserviceable due to breaking, deforming, or deteriorating and;

a. renders the rifle inoperable

b. affects its structural integrity

c. compromises the safety of the operator.

2) Deterioration that compromises the structural integrity of the rifle or prevents firing of the rifle is considered a malfunction. Deterioration of the structural integrity of the rifle that does not affect firing of the rifle during the Endurance / Reliability Test will be closely examined and monitored by the Texas Department of Public Safety representative.

Section #4 - Accuracy/Dispersion - Velocity Tests

Firearms Training Unit will fire the two remaining submitted rifles for the Accuracy Testing.

Accuracy Test

a. Three 10-shot groups will be fired from each rifle utilizing Texas Department of Public Safety service ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3), at a distance of 100 yards. This test will be conducted utilizing a machine rest or bench rest.

The extreme group spread will be measured center-to-center for purposes of comparing rifle accuracy potential when fired with the same lots of ammunition. The three groups will be averaged for overall degree of acceptability. Rifle accuracy will not exceed an average group spread, measured center-to center, of 5.0 inches maximum at 100 yards to continue in testing.

Velocity

a. Texas Department of Public Safety representatives will fire a 10-round string through a Department provided chronograph with each rifle. The ammunition (Federal 62gr.

LE223T3) will be provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Section #4 – Conditional Test

The two remaining rifles will be subjected to the following tests and evaluations by the Department of Public Safety representatives:

Parts Interchange The rifles will be field stripped. The major component parts of all three rifles will be randomly interchanged and reassembled. Each rifle will be loaded with a total of 30 rounds. The ammunition will be 15 rounds of Texas Department of Public Safety service ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3) and 15 rounds of Texas Department of Public Safety training ammunition (Winchester 55gr. 223 Rem FMJ. The ammunition will be fired in all three rifles and will not have any weapon related malfunctions to continue testing.

Temperature Stress -Cold Rifles will be loaded to capacity with Texas Department of Public Safety service ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3). The rifles 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 rifle will then be withdrawn from the chamber and all ammunition immediately fired. Experienced stoppages occurring during the Extreme Temperature Test will not be a bar to further evaluation provided that the shooter may utilize immediate action drills to clear the malfunction without disassembly. Any malfunctions or changes in the rifle will be noted.

Temperature Stress -Heat Rifles will be loaded to capacity with Texas Department of Public Safety service ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3). The rifles will be placed in a temperature chamber and stabilized at a temperature of approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of one hour. The rifle will then be withdrawn from the chamber and all ammunition immediately fired. Experienced stoppages occurring during the Extreme Temperature Test will not be a bar to further evaluation provided that the shooter may utilize immediate action drills to clear the malfunction without disassembly. Any malfunctions or changes in the rifle will be noted.

Drop The rifles will be loaded with a primed, empty cartridge case of Texas Department of Public Safety training ammunition Winchester 55gr. 223 Rem FMJ, with the powder and bullet removed). A magazine loaded with service ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3) will be inserted into the rifle magazine well. The rifle's safety will be placed in the on position. The rifle will be dropped on a concrete surface from a height of approximately five feet, landing once on each of the following locations:

1) sights deployed and facing down (upside down)

2) muzzle down

3) muzzle up

4) on the right side

5) on the left side

6) squarely on the bottom from a shooting position.

After each drop, any damage sustained will be noted. A firing of the primer will constitute a failure (except for muzzle down due to traditional free float firing pin design). After completing the drop safety test, the primed case will be fired. The rifle will not accidentally discharge, or sustain a degradation of function or safety, when drop tested from each release position. After completing the drop safety test, each rifle will fire all 30 rounds with no mechanical malfunctions. To pass, the rifle will safely fire the required number of rounds and not have any significant damage.

Coastal Corrosion Resistance Prior to beginning the test, the three rifles will be lubricated according to the manufacturer's specifications. The unloaded rifles will be placed into a Costal Environment Chamber. The chamber simulates a saltwater-air mix (mist/fog) saline solution using 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. The rifles will be in the chamber for two hours. The rifles will then be stored at room temperature. After 24 hours, the rifles will be loaded and capable of firing 30 rounds of service ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3) without weapon-related malfunctions. The rifles will finally be thoroughly inspected for rust/corrosion.

Airborne Sand & Dust Exposure The rifles will be cleaned and lubricated according to the manufacturer's specifications prior to this test. The rifles will have magazines loaded to capacity with Texas Department of Public Safety service ammunition (Federal 62gr. LE223T3). The bolt will be in a forward position, with dust cover open. The rifle will be placed into the sand and dust simulation chamber. The chamber disperses a mixture of coarse road sand and fine sand. The rifle is exposed to the mixture for 30 seconds. The rifles will be removed, the sand shaken from the rifle for no longer than 15 seconds. The 30 rounds will be fired, and any stoppages will be noted. The number of stoppages will be evaluated on technical merit by the Texas Department of Public Safety. The shooter will not disassemble the rifles during this firing but may remove the magazine and utilize immediate action techniques to clear malfunctions.

Phase II

Ergonomics Rifle Ranking process:

a. After Phase I is completed, the Firearms Training Unit will have a minimum of 25 shooters fire 5 magazines with a minimum 10 rounds of Winchester 55gr. 223 Rem FMJ through one of the rifles the vendor has provided. After firing each rifle, the shooter will complete a Rifle Test Rating Sheet.

b. Once all shooters have completed and turned in the Rifle Test Rating Sheet, the data will be compiled, and the top five rifles will be determined in rank order. The top score will be ranked Number 1 for Phase II. The scores from Phase I and II will be combined to determine the top performing rifle.