I come to this discussion with a slightly different view of it, given my background in DOD contracts and program management. One of the requirements in the RFP, besides the 234,000 rounds of ammunition (easy, if expensive), is the need to produce 2,000 - 4,200 carbines per month, something difficult for anyone but a Colt or an FN to do easily, and difficult for a small shop to even consider. It would likely require a joint venture with a big company for someone like Alexander Arms even to compete.
Speculatively, the company most at risk in the competition is Colt with their possibility of losing a real cash cow in the M4. Should Colt team with Alexander, for example, Colt alone could bid an M4/5.56 variant, while submitting a Grendel-based design with Alexander, again for example, without falling afoul of the "one carbine per company" rule.
It would all depend upon Colt's view of Tony's opinion that doing nothing is the most likely result. If so, they have no need to hedge their bets with a joint venture.
Speculatively, the company most at risk in the competition is Colt with their possibility of losing a real cash cow in the M4. Should Colt team with Alexander, for example, Colt alone could bid an M4/5.56 variant, while submitting a Grendel-based design with Alexander, again for example, without falling afoul of the "one carbine per company" rule.
It would all depend upon Colt's view of Tony's opinion that doing nothing is the most likely result. If so, they have no need to hedge their bets with a joint venture.
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