The US Marine Corps is actioning their order for rifle caliber suppressors from Knight’s Armament Company. We first reported on the USMC’s suppressor Sole Source Notice which was published on the 9th of July. The execution of the contract award confirms the Corps’ plans to procure 25,853, 5.56mm Small Arms Suppressors for issue to its close combat forces. The contract is worth $25.6 million, with just over $6.6 million to be executed initially in the current fiscal year.

Neither the Sole Source Notice nor the contract award notice note the exact model of suppressor which has been selected. The USMC, however, has extensively tested Knight’s Armament Co.’s 5.56MM QDSS NT4 over the past three years. Back in May 2017 Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines deployed to Norway equipped with suppressors as part of USMC field testing.

US Marine Lance Cpl. Raymond Jastrzebski Jr., armed with an M4 Carbine fitted with a KAC NT4 suppressor, during exercises in Værnes, Norway. (U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Sarah N. Petrock)

Here’s the USMC contract award announcement in full:

Knight’s Armament Co., (small business) Titusville, Florida, is awarded a $25,652,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 5.56mm small arms suppressor.  This contract provides for 5.56mm small arms suppressors that will be used on the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, M4 Carbine and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle weapon.  Work will be performed in Titusville, Florida, with an expected completion date of Sept. 20, 2027.

The maximum dollar value, including a base ordering period of five years with two 12-month options, is $25,652,000.  Fiscal 2018 procurement (Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $6,676,971 are being obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was a sole-source, with one offer solicited and one offer received.

The statutory authority permitting use of other than full and open competition for this action is 10 U.S. Code § 2304 (c)(1) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.”  The Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-20-D-1719).