QA_693JJ918R000061__FMVSS_No._121_136_Final.pdf

Solicitation #: 693JJ918R000061 FMVSS No. 121, Air Brake Systems & FMVSS No. 136, Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles

Please note that the proposal due date has been extended FROM 11:00 am ET, on Monday July 9, 2018, TO 11:00 am ET, on Monday July 16, 2018.

Solicitation Questions & Answers

1. Please confirm that the Specification for High-Speed video in paragraph H.16 is correct and required for this contract.

NHTSA Response: Please follow the laboratory test procedure for FMVSS No. 136, Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles Enforcement (TP-136-01), attached to this Q&A. As mentioned in the latest version of TP-136-01, Section 9.1, Color Digital Video, the high-speed video is required to capture video footage (pan view) of each J-turn maneuver test run, including the outer edges of the lane to ensure the test vehicle wheels stay within the lane during the test. The video should be from a high definition color digital video camera that has a minimum display resolution, scanning system and frames per second of 720p 60 Hz.

Please follow the laboratory test procedure for FMVSS No. 121, Air Brake Systems (TP- 121V-05), Section 8, Photographic Documentation, attached to this Q&A.

2. Does paragraph F.14 apply to this solicitation?

NHTSA Response: Yes, Section F.14, Compliance with Rehabilitation Act, applies to this solicitation and any resultant awards issued.

3. Please explain what costs may be included in Vehicle Lease Service Charges.

NHTSA Response: The test lab awarded this contract will establish vehicle lease agreements/contracts with rental companies and/or dealers. To implement and manage these agreements/contracts, it is anticipated that the test lab will incur some internal administrative costs beyond the actual vehicle lease/rental cost. The “Vehicle Lease Service Charges” should include the test lab’s costs to administer the vehicle lease agreements/contracts.

The cost of obtaining the cost reimbursement items (i.e., Vehicle Lease Cost and Parts, Repairs and Towing) will be the actual cost paid by the Contractor to the vehicle leasing company for the test vehicle leases (plus any associated shipping and handling costs, as applicable) along with the firm fixed price service charge. The Contractor’s invoice for the cost reimbursement items shall include copies of the actual vendor invoices.

4. In Prospective Offeror’s experience, it is difficult to lease newer vehicles from rental companies. If vehicles must be leased from a dealer, the costs can be significantly higher. In these cases, is there a process for increasing the contract amount for vehicle lease cost?

FMVSS No. 121, Air Brake Systems & FMVSS No. 136, Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles

NHTSA Response: The Government will reimburse the Contractor at actual costs for the cost reimbursement items (i.e., Vehicle Lease Cost and Parts, Repairs and Towing).

In addition, as stated in the solicitation, the Delivery Order (i.e., the funding obligation document) will include a not-to-exceed amount for the cost reimbursement items. If the costs exceed the not-to-exceed amount obligated on the Delivery Order, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and the COR prior to incurring said costs. The Government will reimburse the Contractor at actual costs for the cost reimbursement items in accordance with FAR Part 31.

5. Prospective Offeror has performed dozens of 121s and 136 tests. Is providing a report using historical data a sufficient substitute for a demo test?

NHTSA Response: Section L.10 in the RFP states that NHTSA “may” require the Offeror to conduct a demonstration test. If a demonstration test is requested, providing historical data would not be a sufficient substitute. However, if a test lab has current and well documented tests that clearly indicates its capability and technical understanding, a demonstration test most likely will not be requested. Furthermore, NHTSA understands the financial and labor constraints associated with such a request and will only request a demonstration test, to be conducted at the Offeror’s expense, if needed to verify the facilities, techniques and personnel that the offeror will use in the performance of the Contract.

6. Prospective Offeror has access to proving grounds with capacity to run the FMVSS 121 and 136 tests. Is access to the proving grounds sufficient to satisfy L.11.2 (specifically, item #2 (Test Track) of the “Required Equipment & Facilities” list on page 69 of the RFP)?

NHTSA Response: Providing documentation (i.e., Photographs of test track and drawings detailing test track dimensions) that proves Offeror has full access to these facilities would be sufficient. Documentation shall also include an explanation of the process used to schedule track time and past experiences with difficulties encountered in obtaining track time.

7. Prospective Offeror is located ¼ mile, on public roads, from Prospective Testing Facility. How difficult is it to obtain written permission for the Offeror to drive GFP on public roads per paragraph C.5.2?

NHTSA Response: NHTSA is not inclined to have its GFP driven on public roads. The exception referenced in C.5.2, Test Vehicles, is for special circumstances only (i.e., and not a permanent business solution to satisfy the requirements of the solicitation) where a test vehicle, on occasion, may be used on public roads. However, it is NHTSA’s view that GFP will not be used on public roads in supporting work under this solicitation.

8. Communication with the COR is time sensitive. Is the COR representative available on weekends? Is email sufficient for communication with the COR?

FMVSS No. 121, Air Brake Systems & FMVSS No. 136, Electronic Stability Control Systems for Heavy Vehicles

NHTSA Response: The COR is available during regular business hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Eastern Time. The awardee(s) will be provided with the COR’s contact information, after award. In addition, methods for communication and preferences will be discussed after award.