Rifle‑Mounted Thermal Imaging Scope with Integrated Laser Rangefinder – Market Research for Domestic Availability

This Sources Sought Notice is issued under FAR Part 10 to determine whether a government-registered vendor can meet the equipment requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This is NOT a solicitation, and no award will be made from this notice.

The Government is seeking information from vendors capable of providing thermal imaging scopes that meet the salient characteristics listed below.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is conducting market research to determine the availability of a rifle‑mounted thermal optic system that meets the Made in America Act and the minimum specifications described herein. This Sources Sought Notice may support a potential Nonavailability Determination if no domestic product meets these requirements.

NAICS and PSC Codes

• NAICS: 334511 – Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
• PSC: 1240 – Optical Sighting and Ranging Equipment

Minimum Required Technical Specifications

The Government requires a rugged, rifle‑mounted thermal imaging system with an integrated laser rangefinder suitable for wildlife management operations in low‑light and no‑light conditions. The system must meet or exceed all Essential characteristics listed below.

Essential Requirements

1. Sensor & Imaging

• Thermal sensor resolution of 640 × 480 pixels with 12 μm pixel pitch
• Thermal sensitivity (NETD) of < 18 mK
• Minimum frame rate of 50 Hz

2. Optics & Detection

• 3× base optical magnification, with total usable magnification up to approximately 24×
• Detection capability of approximately 2300 meters for a deer‑sized target

3. Integrated Laser Rangefinder

• Built‑in laser rangefinder with:
• Maximum range: 1200 meters
• Accuracy: ±1 meter

4. Display & Recording

• Internal display with 1920 × 1080 minimum resolution using AMOLED (or equivalent)
• Video recording capability of 1440 × 1080, with audio
• Recoil‑activated recording function

5. Wireless Connectivity

• Wireless communication supporting Wi‑Fi (2.4/5 GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2 (or equivalent)

6. Power System

• Operates using a rechargeable Li‑ion battery with capacity equivalent to 6400 mAh or greater
• Supports USB‑C wired charging and wireless charging

7. Housing, Durability, and Environmental Protection

• Rugged housing constructed of metal alloy (e.g., magnesium or equivalent)
• Minimum rating of IP67 for ingress protection
• Recoil resistance rated to 6,000 joules

8. Required Accessories

• The system must include, at minimum:
  • One rechargeable battery
  • Battery charger
  • USB‑C cable
  • Protective carry case
  • Eyecup
  • Cleaning cloth

9. Mounting Requirement

• Must attach using a standard Picatinny quick‑detach (QD) clamp mount
• Must be engineered so as not to interfere with the bolt‑action cycling of a Remington 700‑type rifle

Preferred Characteristics (Not Required)

1. Optics & Visual

• 50 mm F/1.0 Germanium lens
• Horizontal field of view of approx. 8.8° (~15 m @ 100 m)
• 50 mm eye relief
• Diopter adjustment range of −5D to +5D

2. Storage & Software

• 64 GB internal memory
• Integrated ballistic calculator compatible with common ballistic software

3. Power & Environmental

• Battery life of 10–12 hours
• Operating range from −25°C to +50°C

4. Form Factor

• Approximate dimensions near 10.7 × 3.4 × 2.8 in
• Weight between 1.54–1.9 lb

Information Requested from Respondents

USDA is seeking responses from U.S. manufacturers and distributors capable of providing a thermal scope meeting the requirements above.

Respondents must provide:

1. Company information: UEI, business size, address, manufacturing location
2. Capability statement addressing each salient characteristic
3. Evidence of domestic manufacturing (Made in America Act compliance)
4. Technical literature, datasheets, manuals, or product documentation
5. Lead time, availability, and warranty information
6. Disclosure of any unmet specifications with rationale
7. Small‑business and socioeconomic status (if applicable)

Submission Instructions

Submit responses with the subject line:
“Sources Sought Response – Thermal Imaging Scope”

Send to:
samuel.lopez@usda.gov

Response Deadline:
5:00 PM Mountain Time on June 30, 2026

Important Notices

• This notice is issued solely for market research and planning purposes.
• No reimbursement will be provided for any costs associated with preparing a response.
• Responses may be used to inform future acquisition strategy, including the development of a Limited‑Source or Nonavailability Justification, if warranted.