Naval Sea Warfare Center Crane (NSWC-Crane) has issued a pre-solicitation notice that it intends to purchase new optics for small arms. It is NSWC Crane’s intent to set requirements for three optical systems on small arms, the Miniature Aiming System – Day Optics (MAS-D) Squad – Close Quarters Sight (CQS) and Clip-On Magnifier (CM). It is anticipated the contract will purchase a minimum of 30 units and maximum is set at 39,300 units. Dollars will vary from $36,000 to $47,160,000, respectively.

It is anticipated the contract will purchase a minimum of 30 units and maximum is set at 39,300 units. Dollars will vary from $36,000 to $47,160,000, respectively. The contract vehicle will be an IDIQ or Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity at a firm fixed price (FFP).

The pre-solicitation notice is typically used to give industry a heads-up on upcoming intentions and often draft specifications for government procurements. The government often uses this mechanism to push technology or a feature set that does not yet exist or could potentially be combined from already existing technologies.

For those of us who have been shooting competition for some time, the solicitations are a common-sense advancement for USSOCOM weapons that the civilian market has enjoyed – and arguably leads. Low-magnification, variable power optics are all the rage for competition and shorter-range applications out to 500 yards.

It’s about time USSOCOM catches up.