Marine Corps seeks single target acquisition system to replace three devices

The Marine Corps is seeking information about a compact system that could fulfill the roles of the service's three target acquisition devices, according to a Dec. 15 Federal Business Opportunities notice.

The service currently uses three separate devices to perform rapid target acquisition, laser designation and laser spot imaging: the portable lightweight designator rangefinder, the joint terminal attack controller laser target designator and the thermal laser spot imager.

"There remains a need for a single, lightweight, compact system capable of performing the functionality of these three separate devices while maintaining a form factor that allows the dismounted warfighter to better carry and operate the system during joint fire support operations," the notice states.

A request for proposals for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the device is set for release in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018. The next-generation targeting system is scheduled to reach initial operational capability in the fourth quarter of FY-22.

Marine Corps Systems Command "is considering a two phased approach toward full operational capacity -- an EMD phase and a production phase," the notice reads. "The EMD phase will potentially result in multiple cost plus fixed fee contracts, and a down select of the EMD contracts will result in [a] production/fielding phase firm fixed price contract."

The fielding phase will include producing approximately 680 units, the notice said.

Marine Corps Systems Command intends to hold an industry day March 13 and 14 to discuss the contracting schedule and draft RFP.

Responses to the RFI are due Jan. 26.