Potential Marine IAR designs down to four
It looks like the Marines have narrowed down the search for the Infantry Automatic Rifle to four designs from three manufactures:
Colt was awarded two contracts worth up to $14 million apiece: M67854-09-D-1035 and M67854-09-D-1036.
FN was awarded one contract worth up to $27.9 million: M67854-09-D-1037.
HK was awarded one contract worth up to $23.6 million: M67854-09-D-1038.
I have covered on of the Colt IARs and the FN IAR. The HK IAR is apparently a heavy barreled HK416 with bipod and standard closed bolt operation.
The contracts represent the maximum potential amount the manufacture will receive if all 6500 IAR rifles are ordered from them.
According to HK_PDX each company will now supply 10 sample rifles for the final trial.
Once again it looks like the small guys have missed out.
A big thanks to Daniel E. Watters for the research he did for this post. He knows all the ins and outs of military contracts, something I am ignorant of.
Full contact information
FN Herstal, S.A., Herstal, Belgium, is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $27,900,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. FN Herstal’s production facility is in Herstal, Belgium. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1037).
Heckler and Koch Defense, Inc., Ashburn, Va., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $23,600,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples. First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Work will be performed in Oberndorf, Germany. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (M67854-09-D-1038).
Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $14,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt’s production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940, contract number M67854-09-D-1035).
Colt Defense, Inc., West Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a five year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract with possible delivery orders up to $14,000,000 for the production, delivery, and associated support of the Marine Corps’ Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The IAR will be a light weight, magazine fed, 5.56 mm weapon which will enhance the automatic rifleman’s maneuverability and displacement speed while providing the ability to suppress or destroy not only area targets, but point targets as well. The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions. Although four contracts will be made initially, delivery orders will be awarded for samples, First Article, spare/repair parts, and various support services; and, eventually one of the four contractors may be awarded delivery orders for up to 6,500 IARs. Colt’s production facility is in West Hartford, Conn. Work will be performed in West Hartford, Conn. Delivery of contract line items will be as stated on applicable delivery orders. Contractfunds will be obligated in multiple delivery orders. This contract was competitively procured. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity (RFP M67854-08-R-1000, proposal 6940H, and contract number M67854-09-D-1036).
Colt has two contracts, totaling 28 millions for 13,000 rifles. Price point wise you can’t beat it.
I also like this:
“The IAR is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAW) currently employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalions.”
Direct and to the point.
These are just potential maximum contract values. A final winner has not been selected yet from the four candidates. Only enough money is going to be parceled out for now for 10 test samples of each candidate, plus parts and support. Nobody is guaranteed the maximum order of 6,500 rifles.
I hope Colt or HK wins not only will there designs are accurate and religable. They share parts with the standerd M-16A2 and M-16A4, makeing field maintence easy and easy to find parts. Accracy is better than a FN anyway.
Erm, okaaaaaay…
Replacing the SAW with a 30-round-magazine rifle that is basically the M-16 Mk II. Why does this remember me of the debacle that was the BAR used as a LMG against Germans with belt-fed MG34/42s?