Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has received approval from New Zealand’s government to move ahead with a competitive tender process to purchase a COTS rifle to replace the Steyr AUGs currently in use. A total of 8,800 rifles will be purchased once the evaluation process is complete. The NZDF objective is to select a rifle that is more configurable than the current Steyr rifles. Mission adaptability, along with compatibility with modern optics to include thermal imagining and I2 optics is important to their decision.
Defence Minister Coleman states:
“The Steyr rifle has served the NZDF well for over 20 years and it has seen considerable operational use, but it is now reaching the end of its lifespan. Weapon technology has advanced considerably since the NZDF purchased the Steyr rifle in 1987.
“Modern rifles can be adapted to individual needs, maximising the effectiveness of the weapon. They can be fitted with a range of advanced day and night sights, and other specialised equipment. They can also be adjusted to suit different body sizes, and for the wearing of personal kit.
“NZDF personnel need a rifle that can be optimised for a range of situations. Operational experience in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste highlighted the importance of effectively identifying and engaging targets in various settings.
“The Steyr replacement is part of a wider personal weapons replacement programme. New light machine guns, combat shotguns and designated marksman rifles have been introduced to service. Future projects are also planned to look at the in-service pistol, sniper rifles, and grenade launchers.”
Request For Tender Text
Individual Weapon Capability Request for Tender
Details
- RFx ID : 3295746
- Tender Name : Individual Weapon Capability Request for Tender
- Reference # : 1-415-04-1
- Open Date : Thursday, 14 August 2014 10:00 AM (Pacific/Auckland UTC+12:00)
- Close Date : Thursday, 16 October 2014 12:00 PM (Pacific/Auckland UTC+13:00)
- Department/Business Unit :
- Tender Type : Request for Tenders (RFT)
- Tender Coverage : Sole Agency [?]
- Categories : 92000000 – National Defense and Public Order and Security and Safety Services
- Regions: International
- Required Pre-qualifications : None
- Contact :
Deborah Speller
Deborah.Speller@defence.govt.nz
+64 4 496 0626 - Alternate Physical Delivery Address :
Ministry of Defence, Level 4 Freyberg House, 2-12 Aitken Street, Thorndon, Wellington - Alternate Physical Fax Number :
Overview
This Request for Tender (RFT) is for the provision of contemporary individual weapons (IW), necessary training, and associated support to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
The Crown procured its current individual weapons in the late 1980s. The current individual weapons are currently 25 years old, have passed their economic life and their capability no longer meets operational needs.
To meet the needs of future operating environments, the IW Replacement Project requires a move from a closed architecture design to open architecture, to provide an IW that delivers modularity in capability.
Contact Officer for Requests for Tender enquiries
The Contact Officer for this RFT is:
Deborah Speller
Office Administrator
Acquisition Division
Ministry of Defence
P.O. Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 496 0626
Email: Deborah.Speller@defence.govt.nz
Tenderers must direct all questions regarding this RFT to the Contact Officer in writing. The Crown may change the Contract Officer at any time by notifying prospective or actual Tenderers of any such change by issuing a notice on GETS or directly in writing.
Tenderers submit questions or requests for clarification on the basis that the enquiry and responses may be circulated to all other Tenderers without disclosing the source of the inquiry (unless such disclosure is unavoidable) or revealing Commercial-in-Confidence Information or the substance of the proposed Tender.
All questions regarding this RFT must be submitted to the Contact Officer at least 10 Business Days before the Tender Closing Time. Enquiries received after 1600 hours New Zealand local time 2 October 2014 may not receive a response.
FOG HORN 