Marine Corps Systems Command has announced that it has awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to Trijicon Inc, for a total cost of $8,169,996. This contract specifies that the optics will be the Trijicon 4x32mm Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) with the TA31 Bullet Drop Compensator reticle graduated for the trajectory of the M855 round. The award specifies that 28,092 RCOs will be built and completed by September of 2018. This contract further cements the use of the rugged and reliable fixed magnified Trijicon RCOs within the Marines for a number of years to come.

From the contract award description–

Trijicon Inc.,* Wixom, Michigan, is being awarded $8,169,996 for delivery order M67854-17-F-1238 under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-12-D-1000) for 28,092, TA31 rifle combat optics with M855 reticles.  Work will be performed in Wixom, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 28, 2018.  Fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $8,169,996 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

Not specified is which weapon system these TA31 RCOs will have reticles for. The Marine Corps is going through a transitional period from having a force armed with M4s and M16A4s, to attempting to arm the entire force with M4 carbines. Unless this RCO contract is a scheduled overhaul of current RCOs that need to be completely replaced, then this contract is most likely purchasing RCOs for M4s to be newly issued within the Fleet Marine Force, Reserves, and recruit training depots. Equipment breaks and needs to be replaced, but we highly doubt that roughly 30,000 of the possibly 100,000-150,000 RCOs currently in service need to be completely replaced through this contract.

Learn more about Sergeant Daniel Vasselian (pictured above, KIA Dec 23 2013)