I was at FT Benning during parts of the trials. There was a lot of politics involved.
From the Defense Review:
DefenseReview readers may remember that we published the Presolicitation Notice for the 7.62×51mm (.308 Winchester) XM110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS), back in November (2004). Specifically, it was Solicitation #: W15QKN-05-R-0433. The 7.62mm XM110 SASS is supposed to replace the U.S. Army’s old M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS).
Well, DefenseReview was told early yesterday evening (Monday) that Knight’s Armament Co. (KAC) just won the XM110 SASS contract. They did it with a variant of the KAC MK11 MOD 0/SR-25 7.62mm sniper rifle designated as "SR-XM110". The competition had come down to two finalists: the KAC SR-XM110 and the…
Remington MPD (Military Products Division)/DPMS Panther Arms candidate. So, the KAC SR-XM110 will now be known as the "M110". Chalk another one up for Knight’s.
It was not clear why they went with KAC vs Remington/DPMS.
That is why I also went with a DPMS for allot less money.