One need only look at the other RFIs that have been recently issued by MCSC for small arms. While the USMC has only alluded to the actual cost, the USMC has publicly stated that the new cost of each M27 IAR is “less than was paid for each Colt M4/M4A1.” I am not authorized to release that cost, but one can do the math and see there appears to be some “extra money” mysteriously floating about in this equation. The GAO adjudicated in favor of the USMC and an RFP was prepared to purchase M27s for every Rifleman in every USMC Rifle Squad (and potential issuance to members of Combat Engineer Squads, Reconnaissance Teams, etc.). The USMC created a “Sole Source” purchase request and that was protested with the GAO by FN Herstal who is the contractor for the US Army M4A1 (note: the USMC has not purchased an M4/M4A1 since Colt Defense was the contractor). Marine Corps Systems Command published a Request For Information (RFI) to inquire to industry to produce enough M27s to meet the requirement, and one corporation was able to meet all of the requirements: Heckler & Koch. While the USMC is working on Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) to mitigate these effects, the M27 proved again to be an increase in combat capability over the currently issued M4 and M4A1. The M27 IAR, when fully outfitted, is about a pound heavier than an M4/M4A1 (note: the M4A1 is slightly heavier than the M4). The results were largely positive with some “added costs,” both financially and physically. One of the test concepts was to observe the effects of issuing M27 IARs to every Marine in a given unit (usually a Rifle Company) and to equip every Marine with a sound suppressor. The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) conducted a large-scale test of future concepts which focused on the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines during a deployment cycle.
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