FY19-FY23 GAU-21 COMMON DEFENSE WEAPON SYSTEM

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded a sole source Firm Fixed-Price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract to FN Herstal for the acquisition of GAU-21 .50 caliber machine guns along with the necessary ancillary support equipment. FN Herstal is uniquely positioned as the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the GAU-21, holding the exclusive technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities required to fulfill the government’s needs. This contract covers the period from fiscal years 2019 to 2023 and ensures the supply of this common defense weapon system through a non-competitive procurement process, underscoring the company's status as the only known and qualified source. The contract is tied to solicitation number N0001918R0070 and falls under the NAICS code 332994, with performance taking place in Herstal. The contract specialists and procurement officials involved in the award are based at the NAVAIR office in Patuxent River, Maryland. The contract's nature as a sole source award highlights the critical reliance on FN Herstal’s proprietary knowledge and tooling to meet specific defense requirements, reinforcing the importance of continuity and specialized production capabilities in sustaining defense readiness via this machine gun system.