RFI Electric Vehicle 04.17.2024.pdf

RFI DEAV2024-002

SOURCES SOUGHT and

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Armored Electric Vehicles

A. PURPOSE

The U.S. Department of State Division of Defensive Equipment and Armored Vehicles (DEAV) is seeking information related to requirements for the armoring of existing commercially available electric vehicles (EVs), the procurement of armored electric vehicles produced by the original equipment manufacturer, and U.S. companies capable of supplying armored electric vehicles.

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought (SS) is to accomplish market research pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, and to identify businesses capable of performing the functions described herein. The Government is requesting information regarding the capabilities of companies and information that could support development of the requirements of the Department of State (DOS) as described in this RFI/SS.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI/SS is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not seeking proposals.

Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI/SS; all costs associated with responding to this RFI/SS will be solely at the respondent’s expense. Not responding to this RFI/SS does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued; however, industry responses, or lack of responses may impact the future strategy of Government acquisition efforts.

B. REQUIREMENTS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Assistant Secretary (A/S) for The Department of State (State), Bureau of Diplomatic

Security (DS) has identified the Armored Vehicle (AV) program managed by the

Defensive Equipment and Armored Vehicle Division (DEAV) as one of its top security programs. Successful DEAV mission accomplishment is integral to State’s ability to meet its strategic priorities as outlined in the 2015 Quadrennial Diplomacy and

Development Review and is responsible to provide a secure environment for Government personnel, public officials, and dignitaries. Without a secure environment, State cannot safely conduct diplomacy. A key component of this secure environment is the ability to transport those who support the mission in vehicles that are designed and built to resist the most common threats for the region in which they travel.

Currently, DEAV has a deployed AV fleet of over 3,000 armored vehicles and an additional several hundred AVs in production. Executive Order (EO) 14057, Catalyzing

Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, establishes sustainability goals for the Federal government, including acquiring Zero-Emission

Vehicles (ZEV) for all medium and heavy-duty vehicle acquisitions by 2035. While the order applies to an agency’s activities located within the United States, the head of an agency may apply the order, to the extent practicable, to the activities located outside the

United States.

The DOS Division for Defensive Equipment and Armored Vehicles (DEAV) is the sole office responsible for the design, acquisition, building oversight, and deployment of armored vehicles (AV) pursuant to the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) 262.1-1(C).

Procurement of all DOS and International Cooperative Administrative Support Services

(ICASS) armored vehicles must be coordinated through DEAV (12 FAM 385). DEAV has an ongoing need to procure and deploy armored vehicles at overseas posts for DOS and other agencies.

OBJECTIVE

The Government is seeking information on Contractors’ capability to produce high-quality and armored electric vehicles that meet the specifications listed below.

Contractors shall currently produce, or have the capability to produce, an armored electric vehicle that has automotive attributes that is well-suited to be upgraded from a Gross

Vehicle Weight (GVW) standpoint.

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

The scope encompasses the design and development, prototype fabrication, and test and evaluation of an electric armored vehicle (sedan, mid-size SUV, or large SUV). This includes validation testing to Department of State performance specifications and any rework needed to achieve successful test results.

This requirement only covers design and modifications to existing Commercial platform(s) and components required for the sole purpose of meeting Government’s unique armored vehicle (AV) program needs. Existing platforms and components must have been developed through Commercial means by the Original Equipment

Manufacturer (OEM) and any development or modification must be performed with

OEM permission using owned or pre-developed components or systems.

Detailed specifications may be shared with Sources Sought Respondents upon issuance of a subsequent solicitation for procurement of an armored EV. General specifications for armored EVs are:

• Armored EVs shall provide ballistic protection against common centerfire rifle threats; and

• Have fully integrated armor components as part of the design to ensure armoring integrity; and

• Meet the classified testing specifications of State titled “Armored Vehicle Protection

Levels.” This includes ballistics, blast, and mobility standards unique to the

Department of State. This document will be shared upon contract award.

• Armored EVs shall secure the vehicle battery/batteries to avoid combustion and conflagration without impacting the vehicle’s standard operation.

• Armored EVs shall be based on series production vehicles and not be easily distinguished from their unarmored counterparts; and

• Be adequately equipped to blend into overseas surroundings for everyday traffic based on mission requirements.

• Armored EVs are required in both Right-Hand Drive (RHD) and Left-Hand Drive

(LHD).

• Armored EVs shall be modified to support the additional weight and geometry of the armoring design, occupants, and cargo in a manner that preserves the unarmored ride quality, braking performance, and steering and handling characteristics. This may include, but is not limited to, adjustment or replacement of tires, brakes, suspension, and powertrain.

• Armored EVs may require a high output chassis electrical system supplying an additional 1500 Watts of electrical power in 12 or 24-volts direct current (DC).

• Armored EVs require convenient worldwide servicing, technical support, and long-term spare parts availability and support network (both CONUS and OCONUS).

• Armored EVs must have an extended production period through at least 2028 in the proposed configuration.

• Further requirements are listed in Appendix A.

C. REQUESTED INFORMATION – RESPONSES

If your firm is capable and interested in partnering with the Government to conduct market research, a capabilities document and narrative response is requested.

NOTE: All submissions, at a minimum shall include the information requested below.

Vendors that only submit literature, pamphlets, or any other marketing materials may not reviewed.

Please Include:

a. Vendor Name

b. Identification of existing U.S. Government Armored Vehicle Contracts (if any)

c. DUNS / Tax ID #

c. Business Size and Socio-Economic Status

d. Contact Information (Points of contact, phone, email)

e. Identify all of the following:

1. Indicate whether your firm is capable of supplying the described items, or whether your firm will need to subcontract or team in order to do so;

a. Provide a description of the firm’s technical capabilities: highlight capabilities with specific listed platforms (if any) or similar. Identify all armored vehicles your firm:

• Currently produces

• Is capable of producing

b. Provide your firm’s production rate capability for each vehicle type: describe in terms of #vehicles produced (or capable to produce) per week and month.

c. Identify any potential subcontractors or partners that may be considered (if it is possible to release this information)

d. The facility security clearance (including security level) of the respondent, if any.

2. Responses to this announcement should indicate whether the respondent is a small business for NAICS 336992 “Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank

Component Manufacturing” and/or NAICS 541420 “Industrial Design Services”.

If so, please be sure to list the socioeconomic category in which your company belongs, if any.

3. Interested vendors should be registered in the System for Awards Management

(SAM).

4. Submit Questions your firm has for the Government regarding this requirement which will help enable complete responses or enhance the requirements document.

5. Provide Feedback:

Identify all new and emerging technologies that may offer improved performance or new/enhanced capabilities to meet requirements. (Items marked proprietary by the submitting firm will not be shared publicly).

a. Describe the proven lifespan of your firm’s armored vehicles (if any).

b. Warranty offerings your firm is able to provide for armored vehicles deployed both inside and outside the continental United States.

c. Indicate whether your firm, if hired to produce an armored EV design, is willing and able to sell its design for exclusive DOS use.

d. Any applicable testing or product performance information (if available).

e. Rough order of magnitude pricing if available.

6. Format

a. Responses are requested in searchable Microsoft Windows-compatible format

(i.e. .doc, .pdf, etc.) by 2:00 PM local time May 20, 2024. No page limit.

b. Responses are requested via e-mail to Richard Crum at crumrb@state.gov, and Wanda Cruz at cruzwi@state.gov

c. Proprietary information, if any, MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR ALL

PAGES CONSIDERED PROPRIETARY. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information from non-proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

D. INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS

Government representatives may or may not choose to meet with respondents. Such meetings may be scheduled to gain further clarification of capabilities, gather market research information to support requirements development, and ascertain development and certification risks. This is, in no manner, an opportunity to submit a proposal.

E. SUMMARY

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) to identify sources and information. The information provided in the RFI/SS is subject to change and is not binding. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI/SS 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.

APPENDIX A: PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

In addition to the requirements above, the Government requests that all respondents submit white papers that address the following questions:

• Whether a current or planned production vehicle will meet Government objectives.

• If modification of a current, or planned vehicle meets (or will meet) stated requirements.

• Whether a new vehicle development will be needed or is possible.

• Whether the vehicle(s) discussed above would be considered Commercial-off-the-shelf

(COTS), limited development, or a custom design.

• How the vehicle may be sold – Regular production vehicle, Government only, incomplete vehicle, or list any other restrictions.

mailto:crumrb@state.gov mailto:cruzwi@state.gov

• Whether the vehicle(s) will be produced by the respondent only, or by a combination of the respondent and a single (or multiple) subcontractor(s).

o Identify any potential subcontractors or partners that may be considered (if it is possible to release this information) o Identify the roles of the different entities in the process.

• Provide (if available or applicable):

o Manufacturer of series production vehicle o Model (describe proposed model, provide styling – descriptive, rendering, photo) o Describe projected FMVSS Compliance o Production status (Current Commercial Production, Planned Commercial

Production, Modified Production Vehicle, Specialty, Custom Built /Low Volume) o Expected Cost Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) o Development effort (include extent and length) o Availability, including expected years of production (first production, anticipated production cycle times) o Anticipated yearly production rate.

o Minimum Sustainable /Maximum Production rate.

o GVWR o Available payload o Drive Train (RWD, FWD, AWD, Selectable 4x4) o Frame type (body on frame, unibody) o Domestic and Worldwide support network availability (locations, type of coverage and support offered) o Limitations on purchase (Commercial, Fleet, Government Only, Specific

Government Agency Only)

In addition to addressing how the vendor meets/can meet the desired specifications, identify if actual or estimated capabilities:

Available Payload 180 pounds per seating position plus an additional 180 pounds in the trunk or cargo area.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR as needed to facilitate armoring and required available payload

Tire/Brakes/Suspension As needed to confidently facilitate GVWR. Tires must have production labeling to support the most loaded wheel position at GVWR.

Passengers/Storage Space 4-7+ passengers (seating and vehicle body type dependent) with additional storage space for equipment and luggage

General Size Fit in an ISO standard shipping container

Turning Circle/Diameter 40 feet, smaller is desired

Maximum Step-in Height 20 inches from ground to rear door rocker/sill, lower desired.

Automotive Performance

Range

Max Speed

Acceleration

250 miles minimum, extended range is of higher priority than maximum speed.

90MPH minimum, at tire speed and load rating

0-60MPH in 9.0 seconds, minimum, at GVWR, greater desired.

Interior Without supplemental restraint system (air bags), or as option