SIG Sauer were recently awarded a 5-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract valued at $5 million to provide the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) with a new Reduced Signature Assault Rifle. The RSAR will be MCX Rattlers chambered in 5.56x45mm and .300 BLK and will be equipped with SIG’s SL suppressors. The search for a weapon to fit the RASR requirement has been ongoing since 2017, it is currently unknown exactly what the RASR’s configuration will look like with barrel lengths undisclosed. SOCOM describes the RASR as a ‘PDW system [which] will allow Operators to have maximum firepower in a concealable weapon.’

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Back in May, USSOCOM issued an intent to award notice for the RSAM, to fulfill the US Special Operations Command’s requirement for a commercial, off-the-shelf, personal defense weapon, at the time the system was described as the ‘Commercial Personal Defense Weapon’. Previous to this SIG were also awarded a $48 million contract to provide US SOCOM’s Suppressed Upper Receiver Group or SURG.

Representative image of a SIG Sauer MCX Rattler SBR – it is currently unknown exactly what the RASR’s configuration will look like with barrel lengths undisclosed. (SIG Sauer)

The 15 September award notice for the contract:

The Government hereby submits this award notice for the Commercial PDW Contract or Government Program Name – Reduced Signature Assault Rifle (RSAR). The awardee for this 5 year IDIQ is Sig Sauer. This IDIQ will provide complete PDW weapons (Sig Rattlers – 5.56mm and .300 Blackout caliber) that includes suppressors (SL series), cleaning kits, magazines, quick barrel change kits, force on force training kits and other accessories. Furthermore, parts, sustainment, and New Equipment Training is also part of this IDIQ. The PDW system will allow Operators to have maximum firepower in a concealable weapon.

This IDIQ is a five-year Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. After years of continuous market research, USSOCOM HQ concluded that Sig Sauer is the only vendor that can fulfill USSOCOM’s need for the Commercial PDW requirement. USSOCOM HQ has been researching and reviewing different systems since 2017. We have meticulously reviewed each system for technical acceptance and whether it fits the commercial definition. Except for Sig Sauer, the vendors did not meet the technical requirements and/or the weapons do not meet the commercial definition. Due to the nature of this particular effort, USSOCOM cannot procure PDWs that are prototypes, under development, not in production, are in limited production or will be in general production in 1-2 years from now.