S&W out of the U.S. Armys Modular Handgun System
They’ve filed an 8K with the SEC to let investors know they are no longer in running for replacing the Army’s handgun:
We and our partner in the pursuit of the U.S. Armys Modular Handgun System, or MHS, solicitation to replace the M9 standard Army sidearm have been notified by the Department of the Army that our proposal was not selected to advance to the next phase of the competition. The MHS program has never been included in our financial guidance. We are assessing our options in response to the notification and remain focused on achieving our long-term strategy of organically and inorganically expanding our product offerings in the consumer market for shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiasts.
So, that leaves Glock and Sig?
September 26th, 2016 at 7:32 pm
Weren’t FN and Beretta in it as well?
September 26th, 2016 at 7:49 pm
I wonder why they weren’t selected. In the 80s, they lost out due to reliability issues with the model 59 series pistols (too many fail-to- feed/fail-to-extract as I recall).
September 26th, 2016 at 9:05 pm
They weren’t selected because they ain’t Sig.
The RFP was written too exclude everything but the Sig 320.
September 27th, 2016 at 2:56 am
I expect Glock to get it. It’s about time for another McNamara screw up. While the Glock is a fine pistol it’s hardly revolutionary and doesn’t fit into a role that best serves the soldier and the taxpayer. The Sig does. sometimes you need a .45, sometimes you need a 9mm. The best thing that could come out of this whole thing though would be is Smith and Wesson sold conversion barrels so one gun had 9, 40, and .357 all in a nice package.
September 27th, 2016 at 9:38 am
Based on what I’ve seen of the tech RFP, there will be an eventual protest to the GAO which has a decent shot of being sustained. That means a partial do-over where the Army will need to re-evaluate based on different criteria. It’ll also give the teams a chance to re-argue their case (revised proposals because revised RFP). It might even require new Army testing, though this is rare.
In short, this is not getting awarded anytime soon. To give you an idea, the protest evaluation by GAO could take 120-180 days and if they order a re-evaluation then add at least another 90 to write a revised RFP, get it approved and then wait for revised proposals from the teams. Add 45-60 days for evaluation (maybe more if GAO stays in the picture), then 30 for approvals. And yes, I know what I’m talking about because I’ve been down this path before.
Add that the results of the election will likely sway outcomes. You can bet Trump will be approached about a “foreign” manufacturer making the Army’s guns. And Hillary will need to wait for the teams to respond to her own “RFP” from the Clinton Foundation on what she can personally score from the deal.
This whole handgun thing has been a shit show for a long time. Sit back – because it’s going nowhere fast.
September 27th, 2016 at 2:56 pm
Forget about that, focus on what “organically and inorganically expanding our product offerings” means for an arms manufacturer. Biologic weapons and robots, is what I’m thinking.
September 27th, 2016 at 3:12 pm
What does a handgun, even a really nice one like a Sig 320, cost when your order is for several million over several years? I’m guessing not a whole lot, likely not more than $500 per firearm and of course 9mm ammo is cheaper than anything else.
The new XM25 CDTE individual weapon with laser ranging explosive rounds, and performance in Afghanistan that got it the nickname “The Punisher,” costs $35,000 for the weapon and fire control system, and $55 per round, as an experimental, low production item. And it works. The military wants more of these, asap, despite one blowing up in a demonstration after less than 6000 rounds.
What will the military spend their time and money on, a rarely used, last ditch handgun that might save the a few soldiers lives in extremis, or a flashy expensive computerized splodey-shelled long range sci-fi rifle? Heh, trick question! Of course, both will be bought.
September 27th, 2016 at 4:34 pm
@mikee: Several hundred thousands units over the first several yeas adds up. But you really make your money with the ‘long tail’ that these programs bring: operations and sustainment (maintenance), training and eventual engineering “block/mod” upgrades – all purchased as services under contract.
Then comes the ECPs (off-scope additions) to the contract. Once a “Program Executive Office” (big gov’t purchasing team) has a vehicle to buy products and services for one thing, they ALWAYS expand into non-RFP “solutions” because it’s a PIA to compete anything, and because the bigger their PEO the bigger their staff, budgets and authorities. You make Senior Executive Service running huge programs, not moderate or medium programs. The easiest way to get a huge program under your belt is to grow the medium sized one you were assigned.
So you’ll probably end up seeing the phase-out/in services of the existing handgun program brought under the MHS PEO, as well as a bunch of systems you would never think a part of the program (IT, “future soldier” cast-offs, etc.).
I’m probably boring you by now. I’ll stop.
Again…been there, sold that.
September 27th, 2016 at 5:02 pm
“organically and inorganically expanding our product offerings”
@dustydog, in case you weren’t kidding, organically means naturally and within the existing system and inorganically means with the introduction of foreign elements. In the case publicly traded companies it means in house or by buying a smaller company or patents that add what they think will be value and/or growth.
September 27th, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Patrick, I once obtained via GSA an item specifically prohibited in my organization from being obtained, just to demonstrate how to do so to my fellow workers. So yeah, I understand the fun of government procurement.
September 27th, 2016 at 10:45 pm
In the 80s, S&W had Tip O’Neil (Speaker of the House) and Ted Kennedy pleading their case to no avail.
September 28th, 2016 at 12:00 am
Considering the street price of aP320 is only about $500 anyway, Uncle Sam would probably get em for a lot less in bulk