10 April 2020

Covid-19: US Army extends up-gunned Stryker competition again

by Ashley Roque

Vendors vying for the contract to up-gun the US Army Stryker fleet with a 30mm cannon now have an additional two months to submit their proposals, although the service said the decision should not delay plans to begin fielding the weapon to soldiers in 2022.

The army announced on 3 April that vendors competing for its Medium Caliber Weapons System (MCWS) programme now had until 10 August to submit their written proposals, bid samples, and armour coupons. The service told Jane’s that this decision was taken in order to maintain competition at a time when the nation is grappling with the effects of coronavirus.

“The extension is resultant of Covid-19-related closures at various vendor sites and travel restrictions that are impeding progress on proposals,” Ashley John, the director for public and congressional affairs for the Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems, wrote in 9 April email. “The extension protects the competitive approach to the effort.”

Initially, companies had until 8 June to deliver their MWCS bid samples, also dubbed “production-ready system samples”, armour coupons, and written proposals to the service. But in mid-March the programme manager opted to grant competitors an additional 30 days to deliver their bid samples and armour coupons.

Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles make up the tactical action centre for the 2nd Cavalry Regiment during Dragoon Ready in Hohenfels, Germany, in 2018. The US Army is moving out with a new requirement to up-gun its Stryker ICVs with a 30 mm cannon, but has now given companies an additional two months to submit proposals because of Covid-19. (US Army)

After receiving additional information from the vendors, however, the army opted to further extend the delivery deadline for everything, including the written proposals, until 10 August.

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