Squad Common Optic

This Request for Information (RFI) is the initiation of market research under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). The information provided herein is for information only and is intended to initiate communication with industry in order to assess market potential. No solicitation document exists at this time. Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation. In addition, the Government is under no obligation to pay for information submitted in response to this RFI and responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. Any information that the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such. Responses to this RFI that indicate that all information therein is proprietary or represents confidential business information will be received and held in confidence for U.S. Government use only. In accordance with Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Instruction 5400.15C, Department of the Navy (DoN) Research and Development, Acquisition, Associated Life-Cycle Management, and Logistics Responsibilities and Accountability, dated 02 December 2011, MARCORSYSCOM has the responsibility to centrally manage the procurement of Squad Common Optic for various weapon systems within the Marine Corps. MARCORSYSCOM is interested in a commercially available Squad Common Optic (SCO) that may be used on all of the following weapon systems: M4, M4A1, and M27. MARCORSYSCOM would like interested vendors to provide capabilities documents, monthly production capacity, as well as Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing. Future procurement quantities of SCOs could span between 18,000 and 194,000. Vendors are encouraged to submit responses that may include attributes other than the below if they feel it would benefit the Government. Responses to this RFI will allow MARCORSYSCOM to determine if an Industry Day is warranted, and if it is advantageous for vendors to showcase their Squad Common Optic product(s) in person. Any future contract structure is anticipated to be Firm Fixed Price. The purpose of this RFI is to query industry on their approach for the production of SCOs for the above mentioned weapon systems. At a minimum, SCOs should meet the following requirements: - Interoperability. The Squad Common Optic device should be interoperable with and cause no degradation in function to currently fielded host weapons and current visual augmentation systems weapons accessories, lasers, and clip-on night vision devices using a MIL-STD-1913 rail interface as listed below: o NSN/NOMENCLATURE/MODEL # o 1240-01-619-2962/ GRENADE LAUNCHER SIGHT/SU-277-PSQ o 5855-01-559-7064/ INDIVIDUAL WEAPON NIGHT SIGHT-THERMAL/AN/PAS-27 o 5855-01-558-3616/INDIVIDUAL WEAPON NIGHT SIGHT-IMAGE ITENSIFIED/AN/PVS-24A o 5855-01-550-2780/MINI-INTEGRATED POINTER ILLUMINATOR/AN/PEQ-16A o 5855-01-582-1584/MINI-INTEGRATED POINTER ILLUMINATOR/AN/PEQ-16B o 5855-01-577-7174/ADVANCED TARGET POINTER ILLUMINATOR AIMING LIGHT/AN/PEQ-15 o PENDING NSN/OPTICS 1 I-CUGR LASER RANGE FINDER/14590-3200-910 - Major Components. Each Squad Common Optic should include the following major components: o Day Scope o Lens Covers o Reticle o Elevation Turrets/Caps o Windage Turrets/Caps o Operator's Manual (hard and digital copy) o Quick Reference Guide o Required Tools o Scope Mount o Reticle Battery o Magnification Change Device (if applicable) o Soft Protective Carrying Case o Lens Cleaning Kit - Weight. Squad Common Optic should be less than or equal to 2.1 pounds (T), less than 1.4 pounds (O) including mount, turret caps, and battery. - Size. Squad Common Optic should be less than or equal to 10.5 inches (T), 10 inches (O) in length excluding lens covers. - The Squad Common Optic should be able to identify and acquire the target at 600m (T). The Squad Common Optic should be able to identify and acquire the target at 900m (O). - Magnification Range. The Squad Common Optic should have no point of aim shift when adjusting through the entire magnification ranges. Squad Common Optic should have a magnification range of 1X +0.05X to ?6X magnification range. The diopter should be adjustable from +2 to -2 diopters. - Diopter Locking Mechanism. A locking mechanism should be provided on the diopter setting to prevent inadvertent movement (O). - Adjustment Range. For all configurations, at least 15 milliradian (mrad) (T), and 30 mrad (O) in Elevation and at least 12 mrad in Windage adjustment should be required (T). There should be hard stops at both ends of Windage and Elevation adjustment and no dead clicks (T). A dead click is defined as a tactile adjustment click that does not move the reticle. - Adjustment Increments. Each Squad Common Optic configuration should have adjustment increments less than or equal to 0.2 mrad Elevation and Windage (E/W). Adjustment increments on both E/W should be consistent in movement, tactile, and have no dead clicks and require no settling rounds. Settling rounds are defined as host weapon live fire that causes the reticle to move initially but stabilize after the live fire event. - Adjustment Accuracy. For Squad Common Optic, a less than or equal to 2% adjustment accuracy should be required across the full travel in Windage and Elevation (T) and a less than or equal to 1% adjustment accuracy should be required across the full travel in Windage and Elevation (O). - Windage/Elevation Caps. For Squad Common Optic, the Windage and Elevation turret adjustments should be covered with a threaded cap. - Field of View. At minimum magnification, Squad Common Optic should possess a minimum field of view of 18 degrees (T), 20 degrees (O). At maximum magnification, minimum field of view of 2.5 degrees (T), 3 degrees (O). - Eye Relief. All Squad Common Optic configurations at any magnification should have an eye relief of at least 3.1 inches (T), 3.7 inches (O). - Exit Pupil. All Squad Common Optic configurations at any magnification should have an exit pupil range of no less than 2.5mm to no more than 13mm. - Resolution (at least). The resolution for the Squad Common Optic should be 10 arc-seconds or less. The 30% contrast resolution for the Squad Common Optic should be 15 arc-seconds or less. - Focus/Parallax Adjustment. Squad Common Optic should have a fixed focus set at 150 meters - 50 meters and be parallax free at the focus range. - Focal Plane. Configurations should be first focal plane and/or second focal plane. - Reticles. All Squad Common Optic reticle configurations should offer an illuminated central aiming point no greater than 1.5 minute of angle (MOA) (T) or 0.5 MOA (O) that is visible during daylight conditions. All Squad Common Optic configurations should offer a variety of reticles. All reticles should be level with a cant of - 1 degree (T) or no discernable cant (O). The ballistics should be for M4, M4A1, and M27 rifles, M855A1 ammunition at a density altitude of 3000 feet, a velocity of 2900 feet/second, with a ballistic coefficient of 0.360. Reticle should be usable in the event of degraded capability or no power situation. Two distinct and separate Squad Common Optic variants will be acceptable for M4/M4A1 and M27 if reticles are ballistically calibrated. - Future Reticles o Reticle. The vendor should allow for future reticle designs and operational needs to be included in the Squad Common Optic: Mil Dot, Milliradian Line, Ballistic, Velocity, and Grid hybrids. Ballistic reticles should be designed to match the ballistics of various ammunitions. Graduated grid should provide a method that supports the ability to use Windage hold offs and Elevation holds and holdovers accurately. There should also be coarse and fine methods to quickly range targets. A method to allow for rapid engagement of moving targets should be provided on the main horizontal. o Configuration. There should be no changes to the Squad Common Optic design when changing to a new reticle, other than the reticle itself. - Reticle Illumination. The reticle illumination should be accomplished using side mounted rotary knobs. Squad Common Optic should have multiple intensity settings, 2 night vision goggle compatible settings, and tactile illumination off positions after each on position. Reticle settings should be able to be locked in place to provide for inadvertent power cycling in the field. Reticle should be powered by a single commercially available battery for at least 96 hours at highest illumination setting. The Squad Common Optic should allow for battery changes without removal from the weapon and without specialized tools. - Scope Mount. All scope mounts should be MIL-STD-1913 compatible. Various scope mount heights should be available. Any dissimilar metals should not interact and cause corrosion or damage when subjected to salt water and other adverse environmental conditions. - Magnification Change Capability. The Squad Common Optic should incorporate a field-adjustable magnification change capability attachable (T) or integrated (O) that will allow quick magnification changes from minimum to maximum magnification without passing between the eyepiece and rail interface, hitting the host weapon, or interfering with the function of the host weapon. - Backup Iron Sights. The Squad Common Optic shall not require the removal of the host weapon's front and rear iron sights. The front and rear iron sights shall be immediately useable upon removal of the Squad Common Optic. - Lens Accessories and Protection. All Squad Common Optic configurations should be delivered with detachable protective front and rear lens covers or caps. The Squad Common Optic should feature lenses made of durable scratch resistant hydrophobic material and non-reflective lens coatings (T). All Squad Common Optic configurations should provide lenses with sufficient abrasion resistance that they do not require lens covers (O). - Surfaces. External surfaces (except for light-transmitting elements) should be finished in a flat neutral non-black color that is non-reflective and corrosion resistant. All the exposed optics should have corrosion and scratch resistant coatings, which permit operation in salt sprays and blowing sand. All markings, coatings, finishes, and exposed o-rings should be resistant to paints solvents, nuclear biological and chemical (NBC) contaminants, and DS-2HC (bleach). - Signature Reduction and Counter Detection. The Squad Common Optic should be a dull, non-reflective, neutral, non-black color. The Squad Common Optic should not have an audible or visible signature. - Workmanship. All optics should be free of foreign matter such as dirt, fingerprints, dust, loose material, and moisture. All moving parts should move freely and not bind, creep, or stick. Markings. All Squad Common Optic should be etched or engraved with visually distinct markings to include the serial and model number to be easily read. The serial and model number should be sequential, unique, and easily visible when mounted to the weapon (T). All Squad Common Optics should have point of impact adjustment markings and witness marks on the scope body and scope mount for scope alignment. Point of impact (POI) adjustment markings should be on the scope body near the Windage and Elevation adjustments. The witness marks should allow the operator to quickly and easily align and level the scope and scope mount to within - 1 degree. The Sight should include a serial number and manufacture date in accordance with MIL-STD-130_. Labels should incorporate a Unique Identification (UID) code. The UID should contain both the 2D barcode and human readable serial number together. UID construct # 2 will be required. Squad Common Optic should not have any original equipment manufacturer (OEM) proprietary markings. MARCORSYSCOM requests the following additional information: (1) Provide a white paper not to exceed 10 pages which gives a summary of your product and manufacturing capability. Identify if your facility is certified to store Government firearms and ammo, and can accommodate test activities, including but not limited to, test firings. You are highly encouraged to provide test data substantiating any performance claims made in your response, which will not count against the 10-page limit. (2) Provide ROM pricing on the total cost of the Squad Common Optic, including but not limited to, the estimated unit cost and separate pricing for any ancillary gear. If applicable, please also include any step ladder pricing that may be relevant. Additionally, request you provide all ROM pricing data associated with copyright release for associated technical manual(s), including instructions, maintenance and procedures, vendor level drawings, and Instructor and Key Personnel training. Also request you provide information regarding any availability of your product through any other government procurement avenues. Data provided will not count against the 10-page limit. (3) Provide any relevant information documenting your experience with this type of manufacturing effort. Data provided will not count against the 10-page limit. (4) Provide any relevant information regarding maintainability of your product and required levels of repair. Additionally, provide relevant information documenting potential Contractors Logistic Support and warranties available. Data provided will not count against the 10-page limit. Responses, questions and comments are to be submitted via e-mail, regular mail, or AMRDEC and all attachments must be in Microsoft Office products or Adobe Acrobat formats. Emailed submissions should be submitted to William Montgomery at william.a.montgomery@usmc.mil, with the subject line M67854-17-I-1246 SQUAD COMMON OPTIC RFI. When using regular mail to submit responses, question and comments, send as first class mail to the following address: Commander MCSC Portfolio Manager Ground Combat Element Systems Program Manager Infantry Weapons Attn: Mr. William Montgomery 2200 Lester St., Quantico, VA 22134. If sensitive or proprietary information is to be submitted, let William Montgomery know, via e-mail that the sensitive and/or proprietary information will be sent by first class mail. To aid the government in its review of your response, please segregate proprietary information from the rest of your response, and comply with the 10-page limit for the white paper. There is a 7 megabyte size limit on all e-mail traffic to MARCORSYSCOM. Any e-mail larger than the 7 megabyte size limit will not be delivered, and therefore should be sent via regular mail or submitted via the AMRDEC Safe Access File Exchange (SAFE) at https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/. A "Getting Started Guide" is located on the home page, if needed. Responses may be submitted as a "guest" for any respondent that does not have a DoD Common Access Card (CAC). The recipient of all documents submitted via SAFE is William Montgomery. RFI responses via e-mail, regular mail or AMRDEC should be received no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, 29 September 2017.