Sources Sought Notice_MATC Trailer_Amendment 01.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT: THIS IS ONLY A MARKET SURVEY FOR WRITTEN INFORMATION. THIS IS NEITHER A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF A FORTHCOMING SOLICITATION. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) seeks information from organizations with technical capability in the areas identified in this announcement. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of identifying potential interest and capability for providing a customized, state-of-the-art mobile asphalt laboratory.

Section 1. Submittal Information

Issue Date: April 2, 2021 Response Due Date: April 12, 2021, 0900 Eastern Time Submit responses electronically to james.mikell@dot.gov.

• Less than 5MB with a page size of 8.5” x 11”, Acrobat (.pdf) or Microsoft Word

• Email Subject Line must include: 693JJ3-21-SS-0008_MATC Trailer

• Shall not exceed 10 pages in length double-spaced with font size twelve or larger.

Responses to this notice shall include all information requested in (a) through (i) from Section 4.

Determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

The Government is not obligated to, nor will it, pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this notice. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach.

Section 2. Introduction

Background The FHWA MATC Program works with states and industry to demonstrate emerging technologies related to flexible pavement’s life cycle, focusing on customer needs. The MATC focuses not only on materials, but also design, construction, use phase, and end-of-service activities such as recycling and reuse. The MATC also operates an equipment loan program for states and industry to borrow, asses, and apply testing equipment technologies. MATC Program staff also provide training as part of the equipment loan program.

The existing MATC trailer is no longer efficient for the MATC’s purpose. The existing trailer was constructed to be used for asphalt production testing operations at remote locations, but that is not the purpose of the MATC. Design aspects that are not optimal with the existing trailer from the MATC operations standpoint include:

• Filing Permits. Even though the MATC meets the legal requirements for the length, height and weight, because it is too wide, permits are required to be filed (prior to MATC arrival) in every state through which the MATC travels.

• Escort Vehicle: Because the MATC is classified as an oversized load, most states require an escort for loads over 10 ft.

• Extra Safety Equipment: To alert vehicles on the road to the oversized loads, most states require oversize loads to have extra safety equipment such as lights, flags and load banners. Typically, Procurement of Custom Semi-Trailer for Mobile Asphalt Technology Center (MATC) Program Sources Sought Notice

693JJ3-21-SS-0008

mailto:james.mikell@dot.gov these are yellow and black banners with the words “WIDE LOAD” or “OVERSIZE LOAD” printed in bold letters, on both the front and back of the oversized load.

• Extra Safety Equipment: To reduce the possibility of accidents, oversize road regulations also dictate when and where wide load trucks can be on the road. In most states, wide load trucks are only permitted to be on the road from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Most states will not allow oversize trucks to drive on weekends or during holidays, no more than two miles from interstate, and oversize loads will be required to get off the road by noon the day before a holiday begins.

• The existing stairs and platform of the MATC are not very sturdy; they are bulky, cumbersome, and require significant time to assemble and disassemble. Visitors have complained that the stair design is a tripping hazard. The steps also make it more difficult (and dangerous) to bring heavy loads (including samples and equipment) into and out of the trailer.

Existing MATC Layout is as follows:

Section 3. Requirement

This requirement is to procure a state-of-the-art mobile asphalt laboratory that will be used by FHWA to

Procurement of Custom Semi-Trailer for Mobile Asphalt Technology Center (MATC) Program Sources Sought Notice

693JJ3-21-SS-0008

Procurement of Custom Semi-Trailer for Mobile Asphalt Technology Center (MATC) Program Sources Sought Notice

693JJ3-21-SS-0008

demonstrate new technologies on active project sites around the country as part of the Mobile Asphalt Technology Center (MATC) Program.

The Government’s requirement for this new trailer include customization of the interior/exterior and other key elements needed to meet the objectives of the MATC Program. Additional detail will be provided at the time of solicitation, however the following minimum salient specifications have been identified:

• Length of 50 ft, width of 8.6 ft, and a maximum height of 13.6 ft (from the tire to the top of the roof). The legal non-oversized limit length is 53 ft. Some of the final three feet would be taken by the heating and cooling units.

• Retractable Awning w/drop side enclosures

• Hydraulic Lift (Liftgate) capable of lifting at least 1000lbs and function as wheelchair lift

• ADA Accessible

• Hydraulic Staircase

• Double door to be capable of accommodating hydraulic lift gate and stairs

• Ethernet ports for connecting trailer to landline internet service when available. Outside

Electrical outlets to include a 110 volt on front, rear and passenger side of trailer. Four 110-volt outlets under awning area along with two 220 Volt outlets.

• Automatic Built-in Levels

• Landing Gear

• The trailer must be completed and delivered within 12 months following award.

Section 4. Instructions for Submission

FHWA encourages any organization that believes it has the ability to work collaboratively with the FHWA and with other institutions on this requirement, to identify its interests and capabilities by submitting the information listed below electronically to james.mikell@dot.gov.

a) Company Name, Address, Phone

b) Company Point of Contact, Phone, Email

c) Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS number)

d) Size Standard under NAICS code 336212 – Truck Trailer Manufacturing (size standard is 1000 or fewer employees);

e) Identify all applicable socio-economic classifications for your organization, such as:

• Small Business

• Woman-owned

• 8(a)

• HUBZone

• SDVSOB

f) Description of technical capabilities and relevant experience to perform the work described in Section 3

g) Demonstrate an understanding of, or experience with, the type of mobile laboratory being considered.

h) Provide a listing (limit to no more than 3) of your experience similar to the work listed in Section 3 within the last 10 years. Include contract number, POC name/number/email, and describe similarities.

i) Company’s ability to begin performance upon contract award and to meet delivery expectations mailto:james.mikell@dot.gov