DRAFT Prototype Opportunity Notice (PON) for Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW)

The U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey (ACC-NJ), on behalf of Project Manager Soldier Weapons, is seeking Industry questions and comments in regards to a DRAFT Prototype Opportunity Notice (PON) for Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW). The DRAFT NGSW PON details how the Government intends 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 and a common cartridge for both weapons, utilizing Government provided 6.8 millimeter projectiles. The weapons include the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (NGSW-R) and the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR). The NGSW-R is the planned replacement for the M4/M4A1 Carbine and the NGSW-AR is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) in the Automatic Rifleman Role in Brigade Combat Teams (BCT). The period of performance for each prototype OTA is estimated to be up to 27 months. Following successful completion of this OTA, the Government intends to award a follow-on production contract. The follow-on production contract is anticipated to be a Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based contract without further competition but the Government reserves the right to award a follow-on production OTA without further competition. The Government is seeking Industry questions and comments to assist in shaping the NGSW program strategy to rapidly develop and deliver prototype weapons and ammunition. The intent is to engage Industry early in order to provide the best materiel solution for the NGSW program. Additionally, the Government intends to hold an Industry Day to provide program overview, clarification, and address questions. This DRAFT NGSW PON is subject to change based on feedback received. The Government requests that all questions and comments are provided to ACC-NJ by December 7, 2018. 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. All questions and comments are to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the Government. 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. Questions and comments will be addressed anonymously as updates to this notice. Industry is encouraged to sign up in the interested vendors tab for potential partnering opportunities. The DRAFT NGSW PON attachments are embedded within the document. Interested vendors must complete and submit a DD Form 2345, AMSTA-AR Form 1350, and Non-Disclosure/Non-Use Agreement to gain access to attachments marked "See Distribution F Data Request." UPDATE: (December 17, 2018) Based on the November 14, 2018 Industry Day and subsequent one-on-one sessions the Government is considering the following DRAFT NGSW PON changes. 1. Section 3 - Proposal Submission and Instruction, paragraph 3.1 Introduction, the addition of the following paragraphs: "In the case of multiple proposal submissions, Offerors may utilize their Bid Sample weapons (rifle or automatic rifle) for multiple proposals. For example, if an Offeror submits two proposals with the same rifle or the same automatic rifle; a second submission of the same weapon is not required for the second proposal. The same weapon evaluation will be used for both proposal evaluations. In this example, the Offeror is still required to submit two separate proposals with two written sections and two oral presentations. However, Offerors may not submit one proposal with multiple rifles or automatic rifles for their Bid Sample. Additionally with multiple proposal submissions, the Government intends to award up to three prototype OTAs with each Offeror developing two weapon variants under the NGSW program. If an Offeror submits multiple proposals that share a common weapon configuration that are among the highest rated, the Government expects to only award one of the Offeror's proposal. This maximizes the number of weapon variants in prototyping and subsequent evaluation." 2. Section 3 - Proposal Submission and Instruction, paragraph 3.4.7 Proposal Section 8, Bid Samples. The Government plans to remove the live fire portion of the Bid Sample evaluation and replace it with a recoil/impulse test (details to be determined). The Bid Samples requirements for the Health Hazard Assessment and Information Paper have been removed. The Safety Assessment Report (SAR) is now due with the proposal submission. 3. Factor 3 - Special License Agreements, the addition of the following: "Offerors may submit multiple ammunition and/or multiple weapon SLAs for evaluation." And "If multiple SLAs are submitted for ammunition and/or weapons, the Government will only use the most favorable ammunition SLA and most favorable weapon SLA for the final evaluation." 4. Sub-Factor 1 - User Acceptance Risk, the addition of the following: "Offerors should highlight any additional attributes provided by the proposed weapon and ammunition design not specifically requested by the Government. Examples could include but are not limited to innovative weapon features that improve lethality, survivability, mobility, controllability, ergonomics, and human factors." And "The Government may provide additional consideration for design attributes not specifically requested that provide military utility, enhance the usability of the weapon system and reduce the User Acceptance Risk. Examples could include but are not limited to innovative weapon features that improve lethality, survivability, mobility, controllability, ergonomics, and human factors. " 5. The PON release date is currently estimated to be January 2019. The proposal due date is currently estimated to be April 2019. UPDATE: (February 20, 2019) The question and comment period has expired. No more responses will be posted under this notice. The Government plans on reviewing all the questions, comments, and responses under this DRAFT PON for NGSW - W15QKN19Z042P and reposting them under Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON) for NGSW - W15QKN19R04OE. If you feel a question or comment was missed or not answered, please submit them to the points of contact identified in NGSW PPON NGSW PPON W15QKN19R04OE.