NGSW_Industry_Questions_&_Comments_4-14.pdf

Next Generation Squad Weapons: Industry’s Questions & Comments

(Start as of October 9, 2018)

4. Question: The Army 6.8 [millimeter], what is it a 125 grain at 3100-3500fps?

Response: For information on the ammunition, reference DRAFT NGSW PON, Attachment 3 – Ammunition Data.

5. Question: Why reference either [(flying supersonic and managing recoil)] in relation to the baseline 5.56mm at that much extra power?

Response: The “Ammunition” includes an assembled cartridge case with propellant, primer, and a Government provided 6.8 millimeter projectiles. Reference DRAFT NGSW PON, Attachment 3 – Ammunition Data for more information on the ammunition. For the Government’s desired capabilities, reference DRAFT NGSW PON Attachment 13 – Capability Matrix.

6. Question: How did the Government arrive at the 6.8 millimeter caliber projectile? Was it based upon an Offeror’s proposal? If so, are they a preferred vendor and have they been pre-selected for an award?

Response: The Government’s 6.8 millimeter projectile is the same caliber as the Government projectile offered in NGSAR PON W15QKN-18-R-01UR, ENCLOSURE B – LETHALITY REQUIREMENTS. This is a DRAFT NGSW PON only and should not be construed as a Request for Proposal or a commitment by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government will not make any NGSW awards based on any questions or comments received. If a formal NGSW PON is generated at a later date, a new NGSW PON will be published and more details will be provided. A formal NGSW PON release will be subject to availability of funds and new start authority. If a formal NGSW PON is released it will be a full and open competition without favoritism towards any vendor nor any vendors being pre-selected.

7. Question: I see hyperlinks are clearly excluded, good call, expensive in person presentations not mandatory, a long 2 month timeline for feedback, much better. So I’m confused if we were indeed listened to?

Response: The Government tries diligently to make the proposal process easier and less of a burden to the contractor. Yes, we listen to industry’s suggestions on improvement.

8. Question: When was this plan evolved [to use a 6.8 millimeter caliber,] what it looked like pre ngsar, who at lethality had access to our proposal (we didn’t write it for them), previous ngsar metrics, what the 6.8mm government round looked like pre ngsar and now, what the new lethality metrics are[?]

Response: In NGSAR PON W15QKN-18-R-01UR the Government provided Offerors the opportunity to use the Government provided 6.8 millimeter projectile or offer their own caliber projectile that met the same range and effect on targets. The DRAFT NGSW PON specifies a

6.8 millimeter projectile. The Government provided 6.8 millimeter projectile was developed before any proposals were received in the NGSAR PON W15QKN-18-R-01UR solicitation.

Only the NGSAR PON Selection Team had access to Offeror’s proposals. Previous NGSAR PON metrics can be reference in NGSAR PON, SECTION 2 – PON SCOPE OF WORK and ENCLOSURE B – LETHALITY REQUIREMENTS. For any differences in the projectile pre or post NGSAR PON, reference NGSAR PON, ENCLOSURE B – LETHALITY REQUIREMENTS and DRAFT NGSW PON, Attachment 3 – Ammunition Data. The DRAFT NGSW PON lethality metrics can be found in DRAFT NGSW PON, Attachment 3 – Ammunition Data, and Attachment 13 - Capability Matrix.

9. Comment: From PON, "allow for ambidextrous operation and controls." This needs to mean perfect left/right mirroring of controls...not just that the weapon can be setup to be either left or right handed. Important for efficient training of ambidextrous weapon handling skills.

Response: Thank you. This comment will inform the team if the ambidextrous operation and controls needs to be further explained.

10. Comment: From PON, “Soldier Touch Point A: Mobility & User Acceptance." Weapon should be balanced at pistol grip to allow diving without muzzle digging in. Probably means bullpup...but one with ambidextrous friendly ejection system.

Response: Thank you. This comment will inform the team if weapon balance should be further explained.

11. Question: Have the companies already been chosen that will be producing the prototypes? I just read an article in Popular Mechanics that states AAI/Textron Systems, FN America, General Dynamics, PCP Tactical and Sig Sauer were awarded contracts in July to produce the prototypes.

Response: Reference DRAFT NGSW PON, Section 1.2 Background:

“…ACC-NJ on behalf of Project Manager Soldier Weapons (PM SW), issued a competitive PON under Section 815 OTA authority, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2371b, and awarded on 25 June 2018 six fixed amount, prototype OTAs to the following:

W15QKN-18-9-1017 – AAI Corporation Textron Systems W15QKN-18-9-1018 – FN America LLC. (Design 1) W15QKN-18-9-1019 – FN America LLC. (Design 2) W15QKN-18-9-1020 – General Dynamics-OTS Inc.

W15QKN-18-9-1021 – PCP Tactical, LLC W15QKN-18-9-1022 – Sig Sauer Inc.

These Prototype OTA's are for the manufacture and development of a Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle system demonstrator.”

The DRAFT NGSW PON is for a new effort to award up to three prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under Section 815 OTA authority, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2371b, with each Offeror developing two weapon variants under the NGSW program and 6.8 millimeter ammunition common to both weapons. The weapons include the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (NGSW-R) and the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Automatic Rifle (NGSW-

AR).

12. Question: If the above is true what questions/comments are you looking for from industry in the special notice?

Response: We are looking for industry’s questions and comments in regards to this new effort which is the DRAFT NGSW PON.

13. Question: If the above is not true am I to understand that after the question/comment period is over in this special notice that there will potentially be a solicitation for companies to submit proposals for this opportunity?

Response: Yes, if a formal NGSW PON is generated at a later date, a new NGSW PON will be published and more details will be provided. A formal NGSW PON release will be subject to availability of funds and new start authority.

14. Question: What would we need to supply to provide our submission of interest?

Response: Nothing is need to provide your submission of interest. At this time the Government is seeking industry’s questions and comments to the DRAFT NGSW PON. However, interested vendors are encouraged to sign up in the interested vendors tab for potential partnering opportunities.

(End as of October 11, 2018)