5.56mm M1042 Loose and M1071 Linked Marking Ammunition for Use in Close Combat Mission Capability Kit

SOL #: W15QKN-26-R-A010Pre-Solicitation

Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSE

Dept Of The Army

W6QK ACC-PICA

PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ, 07806-5000, United States

Place of Performance

Place of performance not available

NAICS

Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturing (332992)

PSC

Ammunition, Through 30 Mm (1305)

Set Aside

No set aside specified

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/0e12beee64144c88a1af42732eec612e/view

Timeline

Posted

Feb 17, 2026

Last Updated

Mar 18, 2026

Response Deadline

Mar 27, 2026, 8:00 PM

Qualification Details

Fit reasons

NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.

Risks

Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.

Next steps

Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.

Quick Summary

The U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey, on behalf of the Office of the Project Manager, Maneuver Ammunition Systems (PM MAS), anticipates issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 5.56mm M1042 Loose and M1071 Linked Marking Ammunition Cartridges. This presolicitation notice indicates a formal solicitation is expected on or about March 23, 2026. The contract will be a sole-source award to Ultimate Training Munitions, United Kingdom.

Scope of Work

The requirement is for the manufacture, testing, inspection, packaging, and delivery of 5.56mm M1042 Loose and M1071 Linked Marking Ammunition Cartridges. These cartridges are designed for use in the Close Combat Mission Capability Kit (CCMCK), which converts M4/M4A1, M16A2/A3/A4 Rifles (M1042) and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (M1071) to fire low-velocity marking ammunition. The marking ammunition is a reduced-energy, non-lethal cartridge that leaves a water-soluble color marking on impact, allowing for accurate assessment of simulated lethality without penetrating uniforms or protective equipment. Manufacturing must comply with Military Performance Specifications (P-SPECs) MIL-PRF-32313 and MIL-PRF-32315.

Contract & Timeline

Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Requirements contract
Duration: Five one-year ordering periods (FY26-31)
Set-Aside: Other Than Full and Open Competition (OTF&OC), Sole Source to Ultimate Training Munitions, United Kingdom, in accordance with FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B).
Maximum Quantity: Cumulative total of 255 million 5.56mm M1042 Loose and M1071 Linked Marking Ammunition Cartridges.
Anticipated Solicitation Release: On or about the week of March 23, 2026.
Published Date: March 18, 2026

Evaluation

This is a Sole Source acquisition, meaning the award will be made to Ultimate Training Munitions, United Kingdom, based on the determination that they are the only responsible source capable of satisfying agency requirements.

Additional Notes

This notice is a presolicitation and does not constitute an RFP or a commitment by the U.S. Government. Responses to this announcement are not proposals and will not form a binding contract. Details on how to obtain the military specifications will be provided in the anticipated solicitation. All information furnished in response to this notice is at no obligation to the U.S. Government.