Marine Corps ready to ask industry for combination thermal weapon sight and thermal camera
Posted by John Keller
QUANTICO MARINE BASE, Va., 13 Nov. 2009. U.S. Marine Corps weapons designers plan to ask industry to develop the Squad Thermal System (STS) -- a combination clip-on thermal weapon sight for the Marine Corps M-16 infantry rifle, and lightweight handheld thermal imager.
The Marine Corps Systems Command is issuing a sources-sought request for information (solicitation M6785410I1009) for the STS thermal imaging camera and rifle sight, which officials expect to be a off-the-shelf non-developmental item (NDI).
The STS combination thermal sight and thermal camera must be able to be used in the field together with the Marine Corps AN/PVQ-31A/B Rifle Combat Optic (RCO), which is the Marine Corps variant of the Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) series of telescopic reflex rifle sights from Trijicon Inc. in Wixom, Mich.
Officials of the Marine Corps Systems Command are asking for written capabilities white papers -- with price estimates -- from companies able to provide an NDI STS, to be submitted no later than 4 p.m. eastern time 25 Nov.
Marine Corps procurement officials point out that this request for information does not guarantee a future solicitation.
E-mail white papers to the Marine Corps's Benjamin Kaler at [email protected], with a copy to James Lothridge at [email protected]
Although the Marines say they prefer e-mailed white papers, interested companies may send white papers by post or hand delivery to Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command, Infantry Weapons Systems (PG-13), Program Manager - Optics and Non-Lethal Systems (PMM-135), Attn: Ben Kaler, 2200 Lester St., Quantico, Va. 22134-6050.
Do not try to phone the Marine Corps; officials will not take calls on this topic. E-mail questions within the next three days -- by 16 Nov. -- to Benjamin Kaler and James Lothridge.
More information is available online at https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=a2caf206452f9d20876e6f47c7f05302&tab=core&_cview=0.
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