The US Army is in the market for more 7.62x51mm M134 ‘Miniguns’. A Request for Information (or RFI) was posted on the US Government’s new SAM procurement website on 30th January, 2020. The sources sought notice covers not just the M134 weapon system but also the necessary tools, parts and accessories to keep the guns in action. The ‘market survey’ is seeking “to identify sources/vendors capable of supplying M134” and its accessories.
As is usual with RFIs and sources sought notices, the US Army has made clear that the purpose of the notice is to “obtain information from industry to assist in the market research” and shouldn’t be considered “as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment by the U.S. Government.” The Army has given small companies (of 1,000 or less employees) until the 13th February, 2020 to respond to the questionaire about their capabilities to manufacture the M134 and its parts and accessories. The notice clarifies that ‘parts and accessories’ include: “power supplies, mounts, spare part kits, spare barrels, Support equipment should include maintenance kits and special tools packages.”