10 - Remote Weapon System Evaluation

The US Army Armament Research, Development & Engineering Center (ARDEC), Picatinny, NJ would like to offer its expertise to companies that have designed and/or produced light weight remote weapon stations (less than 200 pounds including gun and ammunition). The objective is to provide an expert technical assessment of your lightweight remote weapon station system that includes an evaluation of the functional capabilities of the system in our laboratory and indoor firing range. The system will be hard mounted to a static platform and mounted on our 6 degree of freedom motion simulator and will consist of performance testing to stress the system capabilities. As a result, ARDEC will deliver a detailed technical report that will not only provide a technical assessment of your system (strengths and weaknesses) but also an expert analysis of your system's functional capabilities (or lack thereof), including recommendations on functionality based on our understanding of how the system will be operated by US Warfighters. ARDEC can provide this service based on our specialized facilities and our expert knowledge of weapon systems, both technical (design) and operational (soldier needs). ARDEC is the Army's Center for Remote Weapon Systems, as well as the associated weapons and ammunition. Given that the US Army's goal is to enhance competition, be advised that ARDEC is offering this opportunity to all developers/producers of lightweight remote weapon stations. Be assured that we will diligently protect any proprietary information, as required by law. We will not share any proprietary information (to include the results of the assessment) with anyone outside the US Army. Also be advised that any data resulting from this assessment will not be included in future competitive procurement actions unless the contractor submits it themselves. This offer is open to international companies, however, non-US companies are advised that these services will require compliance with U.S. export control laws. We envision using a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA, 15 USC 3710a) to effect this arrangement. We estimate that it will cost approximately $20,600 (US) to reimburse ARDEC for facility and labor costs for the basic test plan described below. Deviations from the test plan can be negotiated and will likely change the final cost. The basic terms of the assessment are as follows. ARDEC will provide you with the test plan prior to any testing for your approval. You supply us a remote weapon station mount, including control package and technical data on a loan basis (no cost to the government) for a period of approximately 2-3 months. ARDEC will supply the weapon (M240 or M249) and ammunition for the evaluation. The basic test will consist of functional testing at ambient temperature on our laboratory hard stand and 6 degree of freedom motion platform. We will also perform static live fire in our indoor firing range at ambient temperature mounted on a hardstand. You are welcome to have a representative present during any and all testing of your system. You are also welcome to perform any technical modifications to your system during the test. However, any repeat of testing as a result of your modification is done at an additional cost to you. We at ARDEC believe that this valuable service will provide you with the feedback you need to further mature your system. Responses to this announcement should be sent to the point of contact listed below. Responses shall include: Company name, location, size (# of employees), and point of contact information; technical description of the remote weapon station, including pictures and description of maturity level; any current or planned military users of the product; and month and year when the system would be available for delivery to ARDEC. Note: This is not to be construed as a solicitation and is not a commitment by the Government to ultimately issue an IFB, RFP, RFQ or contract. No reimbursement for any costs incurred by the respondents will be made. FOR BETTER VIEWING OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW UNDER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.