The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, will acquire lightweight, semi-automatic rifles, a solicitation released via the US government’s Federal Business Opportunities website on 25 Jun revealed.

NASA Shared Services Center posted a notice for procurement of a lightweight, 5.56×45mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated semi-automatic rifle designed to perform multiple uses under various conditions.

This rifle, according to notice, shall be versatile as well as reliable, and shall be engineered for a wide variety of applications, to include military/law enforcement. The rifle shall be easy to accessorize and deploy the following characteristics:

1. Caliber: chambered for 5.56mm NATO
2. Barrel: 16 inches in length. Chrome lined bore and chamber, with Armornite barrel finish. Barrel material shall be 4140 steel. Barrel twist shall be 1 in 9”
3. Weight: Less than 107 oz
4. Length (overall): not to exceed 35 inches
5. Magazine capacity: 30 round
6. Front sight: Adj A2 Post
7. Rear sight: Adjustable dual aperture OR folding Troy Magpul® Back-Up Sight (MBUS)
8. Action: gas operated semi-auto
9. Stock: 6 position collapsible
10. Grip: polymer
11. Frame material: aluminum allow
12. Frame finish: Matte Black
13. Recommended purpose: law enforcement and military

The request does not indicate the number of rifles, but it is noted that the total budget should not exceed 15K.