25SC001_SPECNOTE_0001_att1.docx

Area of Interest

N0016425SCA001

Miniature Aiming System (MAS) Machine Gun Optic (MGO) 3 June 2025

PROBLEM STATEMENT

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Special Operations Forces (SOF) seeks a miniature aiming system designed to enable end users to take full advantage of the capabilities provided to them by the newly developed .338 Norma Magnum Light Machine Gun Medium (LMG M). The LMG M is designed to bridge the capability gap between the M2 HMG and the M240 MMG. Achieving the desired long-range precision and operational effectiveness requires a new miniature aiming system that overcomes key challenges in engaging targets out to 2000 meters during the day:

· Maintaining Sight Picture During Recoil: The aiming system must provide a generous eye box to facilitate rapid target acquisition and maintain sight picture despite the substantial recoil generated by sustained fire with the .338 Norma Magnum cartridge.

· Withstanding High Round Counts: The system must withstand the intense vibrations and shock associated with prolonged firing, ensuring reliability throughout extended deployments.

· Adapting to Dynamic Engagements: Rapid magnification adjustment is essential for quickly transitioning between targets at varying distances, enabling operators to effectively engage threats in dynamic combat scenarios.

· Enabling Accurate Long-Range Targeting: The system must offer sufficient magnification power to accurately acquire and engage targets out to 2000m.

· Minimizing Operator Burden: The aiming system's size and weight must be minimized to enhance operator mobility and maneuverability during dismounted operations, ensuring the weapon system remains agile and effective in challenging terrain.

· Simplifying Long-Range Aiming: The system must have a reticle design that is familiar and easy to use, simplifying range estimation and aiming corrections.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

A solution brief’s Technical Merit and Relevance will be based on the ability to meet the primary attributes and the cumulative evaluation of the secondary attributes/capabilities:

Primary MGO Attributes:

· Exit Pupil: ≥ 5mm at maximum magnification.

· Eye Relief: ≥ 2.75 in.

· FOV: ≥2 degrees at maximum magnification.

· Size: < 79 cubic inches with length ≤ 10 inch.

· Weight: < 40 oz.

· Reticle: Illuminated BDC designed for .338 Norma Magnum with a daylight bright central aim point.

· Mounting: Secure attachment to MIL-STD-1913 rail.

· Magnification: The MGO should have selectable internal magnification with a low power magnification between 1x and 4x and high-power magnification greater than or equal to 8x.

· Durability: Should survive all SOCOM SOF environments and be tested per MIL STD 810H

· Interoperable: Cause no degradation in function to the SOF host weapon.

Secondary Attributes:

· Zeroing Ability: system/kit should provide the operator the ability to zero for extended ranges.

· Optical Centerline Height: 1.535" ± 0.05" above the MIL-STD-1913 rail top surface.

· Windage/Elevation Adjustment: Increments in multiples of 1 mrad (0.1, 0.2, or 0.25 mrad increments allowed).

· Sight Attachments: Allows for a Miniature Reflex Sight (MRS) attachment.

· Parallax: should be designed to minimize perceived parallax.

· Elevation Bias: The design should include a rapid elevation adjustment feature to enable accurate long-range targeting with the intent of maximizing field of view.

SUBMISSION GUIDANCE

An individual vendor or team of vendors can submit multiple solution briefs to the Area of Interest (AOI), but each individual solution must be distinctly unique. If submitting as a team, the first page of the solution brief should list each company on the team and a primary point of contact for each company on the team as well as the lead vendor and point of contact for the overall team.

NOTE: In accordance with NSWC, Crane CSO N0016425SC001: The government reserves the right and ability to facilitate introductions of vendors with complementary capabilities. If teaming introductions by the government are provided, a vendor is not obligated to act on the recommendation. If a vendor elects to move forward in accordance with a government-recommended teaming arrangement, a Phase II pitch deck will be requested by NSWC, Crane in order to facilitate a complete evaluation of the jointly proposed solution.

FOLLOW-ON PRODUCTION

Companies are advised that any prototype Other Transactions (OT) agreement awarded in response to this Area of Interest may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of further competitive procedures. The follow-on production contract or transaction will be available for use by one or more organizations in the Department of Defense and, as a result, the magnitude of the follow-on production contract or transaction could be significantly larger than that of the prototype OT. As such, any prototype OT will include the following statement relative to the potential for follow-on production: “In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), and upon a determination that the prototype project for this transaction has been successfully completed, this competitively awarded prototype OT may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of competitive procedures.”

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

This solicitation will be awarded in accordance with the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process detailed within N0016425SC001 Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane’s Commercial Solutions Opening posted to SAM.gov. In accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022(d), at least one of the following conditions must be satisfied to enter into a prototype OT agreement: (A) at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent, (B) all significant participants are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors, or (C) at least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format to NSWC, Crane CSO email: crane_02_cso_submission@us.navy.mil by July 3, 2025, 5:00 PM EST.

Questions or clarifications may be directed to NSWC, Crane POC for Q&C via email by Q&A Deadline, June 17, 2025 5:00 P.M., EST.

Late submissions will not be considered.

NON-GOVERNMENT ADVISORS

Anticipated Government support contractors assisting in this effort are identified below:

Frontier Technology Incorporated

*this list is not exhaustive and subject to change

CONFIDENTIALITY

All information provided in this Request for Solution and subsequent proposals will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of this evaluation. Vendors are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding proprietary information shared during the process.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries or submissions, please contact:

Mark Dravet Agreements Specialist Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division Email: Mark.v.dravet.civ@us.navy.mil Phone: (812)381-7085