TSWG_base_vehicle_RFI_7-10-2017.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Technical Support Working Group

1.0 Description

1.1 The Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) of the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) in support of multiple U.S. Government agencies is seeking information on what commercial platforms are available currently and in the near-term to support payload and space requirements for use as base vehicles for production of armored vehicles.

1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the respondee’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website and the CTTSO/TSWG BIDS website at https://bids.cttso.gov/. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2.0 Background

Several U.S. Government agencies utilize commercial vehicles as a base platform for production of armored vehicles for various end uses. Few vehicles are known by the Government that meet the available payload and passenger/cargo space requirements to serve as a suitable base vehicle for the armoring process. The U.S. Government would like to determine what current and future commercial vehicles can meet, or be modified to meet, capacity requirements to serve as base vehicles for armoring.

2.1 Planned Production: Production needs are based on various factors and depend on fleet condition, domestic policy, and world events. Production rates are expected to vary significantly from year-to-year, with expectations ranging from very few per year up to less than five-hundred base vehicles per year.

2.2 Delivery Period: Vehicles meeting the capacity requirements are expected to have an on-going production requirement.

2.3 Limitations: Vehicles must be of domestic manufacture for use within the United States, are expected to comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), and meet stated capacity needs and other listed requirements.

2.4 Security Requirements: Security requirements for this RFI and future vehicles purchased on affiliated contracts is anticipated to be limited to For Official Use Only (FOUO).

3.0 Objectives

The Government is seeking information on commercial production vehicles, planned production vehicles, modified production vehicles, specialty production vehicles, and custom produced vehicles that best meet the following specifications. Modified commercial vehicles and custom produced vehicles should optimize the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to facilitate enhanced support.

3.1 Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and full-size sedans are the preferred vehicle format. 4x4 drive capability is favored in the SUV style vehicle. To be a suitable solution, availability and identification of appropriate wheels and tires that are rated to support the armored gross vehicle weight (GVW) (approximately the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)) is required. An SUV GVWR of approximately 11,000 pounds is expected. A GVWR significantly higher (thousands of pounds) than this amount may introduce transportation challenges, and one significantly lower would need to demonstrate a robust structure to continually support the armor weight through the vehicle’s 5 to 7 year expected life cycle. The GVWR for a suitable sedan is expected to be approximately 9,000 pounds.

3.1.1 Commercial production vehicles that meet capacity requirements as delivered are the preferred option. Production vehicles that can meet objectives with limited modifications are the second choice. While heavily modified production vehicles are preferred over specialty vehicles. Custom built vehicles that meet all other objectives are an acceptable option, but are considered a high risk solution due to a lack of operational performance data and other factors. Modifications should be developed by the original equipment (vehicle) manufacturer (OEM) or a qualified automotive integrator with the ability to conduct required design and engineering analysis. Assessment and certification to FMVSS is highly desired. Vehicles with civilian styling that do not draw extra attention are preferred, while a tactical or military vehicle appearance is undesirable. The SUV configuration should include 4 side doors with a rear lift gate, “barn door”, or similar doorway to maximize storage access. The vehicle should include typical features/amenities of modern commercial SUVs, and feature separate rear passenger HVAC. Two SUV production options are desired: 1) Standard trim level configuration 2) luxury configuration providing higher trim and seating levels. To meet passenger requirements, the SUV is expected to feature 2nd and 3rd row rear seating.

3.1.2 An extended production range, technical support, and long-term spare parts availability and support network is desired.

3.1.3 Desired Specifications - SUV

Break-over Angle

Minimum Interior Headroom

Automotive Performance

Engine Performance

3.1.4 Desired Specifications - Sedan

As limited production sedans are known to be suitable for armoring, please provide information on the following:

Break-over Angle

Minimum Interior Headroom

Automotive Performance

Engine Performance

4.0 Requested Information

In addition to addressing how the vendor meets/can meet the items identified in Section 3.1 – Objectives, and 3.1.3/3.1.4 –Desired Specifications (identify if actual or estimated), provide:

Manufacturer Type of vehicle (SUV, Truck, Sedan) Model (describe models available, provide styling – descriptive, rendering, photo) Describe FMVSS Compliance Production status (Current Commercial Production, Planned Commercial Production, Modified Production Vehicle, Specialty, Custom Built /Low Volume) Expected Cost Availability, including expected years of production Production rate

GVW/GVWR

Available payload Drive Train (RWD, FWD, AWD, 4x4) Frame type (body on frame, unibody) Domestic and Worldwide support network availability

5.0 Responses

5.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper.

5.2 White papers in Microsoft Windows compatible format are due no later than 25 August 2017, 18:00 EDT. Responses shall be limited to no more than 20 pages for Section 2 and submitted via e-mail only to vehicleRFI@cttso.gov. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

5.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:

5.3.1. Name, mailing address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

5.3.2. Either 1) copies of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for execution with Government support contractors 2) a statement that the respondee will/will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to the Government support contractors. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Government will assume that the respondee does agree to the release of its submission to Government support contractors.

5.3.4. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon identified and applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at https://www.acquisition.gov.

5.3.5 The facility security clearance of the respondee.

The number of pages in Section 1, as identified in 5.3, of the white paper shall not be included in the 20-page limitation, i.e., the 20-page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper.

5.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall answer the issues addressed in Sections 3 and 4 of this RFI and shall be limited to 20 pages.

6.0 Industry Discussions

TSWG representatives may or may not choose to meet with respondees. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks. This is, in no manner, an opportunity to submit a proposal for development funding. No awards will be made from this RFI.

7.0 Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide suitable base vehicles for armoring. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

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