DRAFT SOW (693JJ921RQ000044).pdf

Draft SOW Requisition: 693JJ921RQ000044 TITLE: Facility Use and Support Services for the Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC)

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION / SPECIFICATIONS / STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 BACKGROUND

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). NHTSA’s mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes. The agency develops, promotes, and implements effective educational, engineering, and enforcement programs with the goal of ending vehicle crash tragedies associated with vehicle use and highway travel.

The Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) is a research and development, test & evaluation, and investigation facility of NHTSA. VRTC is located on property leased by GSA but managed and operated by the Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC) at East Liberty, OH. TRC is affiliated with The Ohio State University (OSU).

NHTSA has utilized the VRTC facility for more than forty (40) years in the conduct of scientific and technical activities, which support NHTSA’s requirements for testing safety-related defects as well as performing applied research to develop objective test procedures and performance criteria, and to evaluate potential safety countermeasures.

As the principal research and testing facility for NHTSA, government researchers at VRTC coordinate projects related to crash avoidance, crashworthiness and biomechanics technologies. NHTSA conducts both static and dynamic testing at the test facility which require, but are not limited to, the following major facilities and equipment:

• 50-acre Vehicle Dynamics Area,

• 7.5-mile High Speed Test Track,

• Crash Test Facility,

• Crash Simulator,

• Vehicle SmartCenter, and

• Skid Pad.

VRTC has responsibility to plan, coordinate and conduct interactive, long-term research projects and/or short-term/quick reaction research projects, with the purpose of advancing the state-of-the-art understanding of motor vehicle and traffic safety.

As part of these efforts, VRTC must identify and evaluate alternative approaches for the research and resolve day-to-day technical issues within short timeframes. VRTC also takes on research, where the issues are not fully developed and a mixture of analytical and experimental efforts are required to find the most sensible solutions. VRTC conducts engineering research, investigations, and tests to identify or confirm the existence of safety-related defects that may adversely affect vehicle control, occupant protection, and traffic safety.

C.1.1 Acronyms

The following is a list of acronyms used throughout the Contract. This list may not be exhaustive.

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative ACOR (TO) Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative (Task Order) ATD Anthropomorphic Test Device BioRID Biofidelic Rear Impact Dummy CFR Code of Federal Regulations CO Contracting Officer COR Contracting Officer’s Representative COR (TO) Contracting Officer’s Representative (Task Order) CR Cost Reimbursement CRABI Child Restraint/Air Bag Interaction CS Contract Specialist DOT U.S. Department of Transportation FFP Firm Fixed Price GFE Government Furnished Equipment GFP Government Furnished Property H Hybrid PMHS Post Mortem Human Subjects SAE Society of Automotive Engineers SID Side Impact Dummy SOW Statement of Work T&M Time and Materials THOR Test device for Human Occupant Restraint TO Task Order VRTC Vehicle Research and Test Center WorldSID Worldwide Harmonized Side Impact Dummy

C.2 OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

The objective of this IDIQ contract is to provide NHTSA/VRTC with the capability to award Task Orders to obtain required professional, technical, and administrative services and support, including personnel, facilities, equipment, and materials, to assist with research and testing activities.

Inherent in providing these services, the Contractor shall provide the supervision and management effort necessary to ensure efficient and effective administration and control of work performed under this effort.

In some instances, the objective or deliverable could change through the course of performing the task order as the research evolves. In these cases, the Contractor shall provide flexibility as program and project parameters are developed in the course of research and/or testing, etc. In these instances, the Contractor shall assume responsibility for the management of personnel and resources to ensure the timely delivery of required deliverables, and shall promptly inform the relevant VRTC personnel in the event that resources are considered insufficient to provide the required outcomes in accordance with the specified schedules and deadlines.

C.3 KICK OFF MEETING

Immediately, upon contract award, the Contractor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and begin preparatory activities for the kick-off meeting (i.e., develop materials, contact the COR to determine the appropriate date and time, etc.).

Within two (2) weeks of the effective date of contract award, the Contractor shall schedule and participate in a kick-off meeting with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), Contract Specialist, and other interested NHTSA personnel at VRTC in East Liberty, Ohio. The Contracting Officer will participate in the meeting via teleconference. During this meeting, the Contractor shall present an oral briefing which shall include an overview of the contract’s requirements, a discussion of how the Contractor will fulfill those requirements, and any other information relevant to the Contractor’s performance. The kick-off meeting will also be used by NHTSA personnel to discuss contract administration matters (e.g., invoice submission process, contract funding, contract modifications, etc.).

One (1) week prior to the kick-off meeting, the Contractor shall provide the COR with a copy of any briefing materials. It is anticipated that this kick-off meeting will last no more than one (1) business day.

C.4 TASK ORDER REQUIREMENTS

VRTC requires both short-term and long-term research and testing capabilities to perform identified task order requirements. Task orders may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

• Calibrate test equipment. Equipment may include component test devices, instrumentation systems, and mechanical hardware.

• Calibration of Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATD)/ Dummy, per the calibration procedures and specifications in 49 Part 572 CFR, SAE Engineering Aides, or other procedures specified by the government in a task order. ATDs commonly used in the testing of vehicle and vehicle related safety systems are to be used for task order work; however, at award of this contract, VRTC cannot identify all ATD models for which services may be required and the Contractor is to remain capable of providing flexible and adaptive services for the duration of contract performance. The following list is illustrative of the ATDs which may require calibration / qualification. These include, but are not limited to the following:

o P ¾, 9-month-old child dummy o CRABI-12-month-old – CRABI Dummy 12-month-old infant crash test dummy o H II 3-year-old, three-year-old child dummy o H II six-year-old, six-year-old child dummy o H III 3-year-old, hybrid III three-year-old child crash test dummy, alpha version o H III six-year-old, hybrid III six-year-old child test dummy, beta version o H III six-year-old weighted, hybrid III six-year-old weighted child test dummy o H III 10-year-old, hybrid III ten-year-old child crash test dummy o H III 5th female, Hybrid III 5th percentile female test dummy, alpha version o H III 50th male, Hybrid III test dummy o HIII 95th, large male Hybrid III test dummy o SID H III, side impact hybrid dummy 50th percentile male o SID, side impact dummy 50th percentile male o SIDIIsRevD, SID-IIsD small female side impact crash test dummy o ES-2re, Eurosid II with Rib extensions side impact adult male crash test dummy o Thor-Lx – Instrumented lower dummy leg for Thor-NT dummy o Thor-Flx – Instrumented lower dummy leg for Thor Female dummy o THOR 50th male frontal dummy o THOR 5th female frontal dummy o WorldSID 50th male side impact dummy o WorldSID 5th female side impact dummy o BioRID rear impact dummy o Q3s three-year-old child side impact dummy

• Facilitate manufacturing of prototype Dummy components. Includes design of new components, part stress analysis using virtual solid models, correspondence/coordination with material suppliers, in-house manufacturing of machined, molded, or assembled parts, testing support, and revisions to existing Dummy parts as needed. In-house rapid prototyping, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining, extrusion/injection molding, and three-dimensional printing capabilities may be required, so that Dummy development activities can proceed at an accelerated pace.

• Instrument test articles. Test articles may include anthropomorphic dummies, component test devices, sled (crash simulation) bucks, vehicles and vehicle components. Instrumentation shall enable measurements to be made related to injury severity, driver control inputs, driver behavior (e.g., eye glance location and dwell duration), vehicle location (i.e., precision GPS), structural response, vehicle response, and/or component response to the testing conducted. This may also include on-board and off-board video cameras and lighting.

• Assemble & install test components.

• Maintain and operate Government Furnished Equipment. Government Furnished Equipment may include transducers, data acquisition equipment, photographic and video equipment, dynamometers, vehicle lifts, anthropomorphic test dummies and dummy parts.

• Assist in the design, fabrication, debugging, and operation of new instrumentation and data acquisition systems, components, and test fixtures.

• Assist in the design, fabrication, and debugging of vehicle modifications.

• Perform data entry, process, analyze, and evaluate experimental data results from research and testing efforts conducted by VRTC. Statistical and photographic analysis of test results and test simulations may also be required.

• Design experiments and perform inferential statistical analysis of acquired data using design and analysis methods relevant for application to human behavioral data.

• Analyze crash data (from computer files and examination of hard-copy case files) to identify major aspects of the crash problem.

• Perform surveys and ergonomics testing with human subjects in accordance with government policy.

• Prepare and/or present data presentations or other reports that may require graphs, charts, tables, photographs, video or motion picture filming and other illustrations.

• Use technical writing skills to prepare progress, event, and final reports of projects or phases of projects.

• Develop and construct special test fixtures and equipment.

• Participate in program development of new research and defects investigation activities. Apply knowledge of research/investigative approaches and testing methodologies from previous, similar activities in developing these programs.

• Conduct human factors testing and evaluation, including experimentation using human test participants, using instrumented vehicles on test courses, public roads, and driving simulators.

• Participate in program briefings with NHTSA personnel in Washington DC, the automotive industry, and related automotive research organizations and component manufacturers.

• Conduct testing at TRC facilities. Testing may include driving passenger cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, buses, and heavy combination vehicles. Testing may also include testing highly automated vehicles in a safe, limited-access, driving environment. Driving maneuvers may include limit or near-limit of vehicle capability, requiring expertise and experience in performing such maneuvers. Testing may be required on public roads and highways as well as TRC test surfaces.

• Conduct automotive cybersecurity research including reverse engineering, penetration testing, analyses of vehicle architectures, methods for performing remote attacks, and third-party device issues. Study global positioning system spoofing and denial of service.

• Conduct radio frequency interference and electromagnetic frequency testing. This shall include radiated power measurements of digital short-range communications radios, radar antennas, and other electromagnetic equipment.

• Conduct simulation tests on the HYGE sled and full-scale crash tests in various configurations.

These tests may involve collection of electronic data from instrumentation, video data from high-speed cameras and still photography.

• Provide general administrative support in the areas of building maintenance, parts pick-up, switchboard operation and receptionist duties, typing, filing, report preparation and reproduction, and other administrative functions as described in individual task orders.

• Identify, locate, obtain pricing, and purchase test vehicles, vehicle components, equipment, software, and/or other materials.

• Conduct testing using unique and/or prototype test devices.

• Review and research submissions from Vehicle Owners’ Questionnaires, manufacturers, and other sources for possible trends and indicators of safety defects.

• Perform testing, analysis, and inspections that will assist in confirming the existence or non-existence of defects in motor vehicles or motor vehicle components/equipment.

• Prepare samples for metallurgical and other material sciences-related analysis. Conduct testing on these samples using Government Furnished Equipment.

• Perform static and dynamic tests of vehicles and vehicular components.

• Develop and conduct tests to evaluate performance and potential safety benefits of advanced crash avoidance technologies.

• Transport test vehicles to and from VRTC to other test facilities or organizations.

• Perform static or dynamic tests involving post-mortem human or animal subjects.

• Perform static and dynamic tests of crash test dummies and/or dummy components.

• Provide space for meetings with up to 250 attendees with ready access to appropriate test facilities.

• Perform fuel economy and emissions testing.

• Provide technical drawing work, using various formats and techniques.

• Generate parts, fixtures, and assembly drawings as required. Conduct component and assembly dimensional evaluation/assessments of materials and parts.

• Develop, modify, and/or use finite element models, kinematics, and whole-body simulation models, Computer Aided Drafting software and databases.

• Conduct literature reviews to research the state-of-the-art and previous work in areas of technical interest.

• Transport post mortem subjects to and from test facilities as required.

• Use advanced word processing skills to integrate graphs, charts, tables, photographs, video clips, and illustrations into technical reports, presentations, and other documents.

C.5 ADDITIONAL PROGRAM TRAINING

• In general, the Contractor is required to hire and maintain employees that are skilled in the systems and equipment required to carry out work under this contract. The Government will take reasonable steps to identify the required systems and equipment prior to a task order award.

However, for systems and equipment obtained during the course of a task order that were not foreseeable at the time of award, the Contractor may request that the Government provide training for its existing employees.

• In response, the Government may include in a Task Order a training requirement and cover associated costs. Negotiated payment terms for the cost of the training and including the labor hours associated with the training, as well as other terms and conditions will be determined within the task order cost schedule and agreed upon between the parties prior to the start of any training. Any training purchased by the Government is subject to Contracting Officer approval.

• Government funds will be approved for training only where the additional program requirements cover NHTSA-specific programs or newly acquired systems and equipment that are considered state-of-the-art. Funds will not be used to cover basic training (including training in off-the-shelf programs and equipment) that contractor employees within the designated labor categories are required to possess at Contract and/or Task Order award.

• For any training purchased by the Government under this section, the Contractor is required to maintain the level of skill associated with the training throughout the duration of contract performance.

C.6 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL (QA/QC) PROGRAM

The Contractor shall provide a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) plan at the kick-off meeting, and have a QA/QC program in place throughout the life of the contract.

To ensure quality while completing work under the Task Orders, the Contractor shall, at a minimum:

• Establish a committee or internal team that manages performance issues, consisting of the Contractor’s internal management and other representatives with relevant technical expertise.

The committee shall work to develop solutions for identified problems in a timely manner.

• In its task order proposals, identify the person who will be responsible for Quality

Assurance/Quality Control under the task order.

• Include with any required final reports any QA/QC findings and recommendations made during performance and how those recommendations were implemented.

(End of Section C)

SECTION F - INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

F.1 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

All work and services required hereunder shall not exceed 60 months from the effective date of the contract.

July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2028

Any Task Order issued prior to the expiration date of the contract, and not completed within that time, shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified under the task order provided it does not exceed the performance period under Section I.3.4 FAR 52.216-22, Indefinite Quantity (OCT 1995).

The Contractor is required to abide by the terms and conditions of the contract until the conclusion of the task order performance period.

The performance period for each Task Order will be specified within the Task Order award document.

(End of Section F)