Draft SOW_Tires_(693JJ921RQ000353).pdf

Draft SOW: 693JJ921RQ000353 Title: Testing Rolling Resistance on New Light-Duty OEM Tires

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/WORK STATEMENT

Testing Rolling Resistance on New Light-Duty OEM Tires

C.1.0 INTRODUCTION

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been issuing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) since 1978. EPCA requires Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish average fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks at “the maximum feasible average fuel economy level that the Secretary [of DOT] decides the manufacturers can achieve in that model year.” When setting “maximum feasible” fuel economy standards, DOT is required to “consider technological feasibility, economic practicability, the effect of other motor vehicle standards of the Government on fuel economy, and the need of the United States to conserve energy.” The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) was enacted on December 19, 2007 and amended EPCA. In addition to passenger car and light truck standards being set at the maximum feasible level in each model year.

In fulfillment of its EPCA and EISA requirements, NHTSA published a final rule with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with harmonized standards through 2021. This final rule set CAFE standards under EPCA/EISA and greenhouse gas (GHG) standards under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for passenger cars and light trucks manufactured in model years 2017-2021 for CAFE and 2017-2025 for GHG.

In early 2020, the agencies finalized the “Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks” (SAFE Vehicles Rule).

The SAFE Vehicles Rule sets Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards, respectively, for passenger cars and light trucks manufactured for sale in the United States in model years (MYs) 2021 through 2026.1

In general, the agency anticipates that the industry has and will continue to improve tire rollover resistance coefficients based on the established increasing stringency requirements of under the current regulations. Additionally, NHTSA’s past discussions with manufacturers about technologies and compliance pathways to achieve existing standards confirm new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will specify tires that both ensure fuel efficiency while maintaining safety without tire degradation.

Tire Rolling Resistance Testing

Low rolling resistance tires is an enabling technology to reduce fuel consumption because of reduced rolling friction between the tires and the road surface. Low rolling resistance tires are designed to reduce the energy loss as the tire rolls, thereby improving the fuel economy. Tire rolling resistance can be measure either by following the ISO 28580 (which point test and is widely used for rating purposes) or SAE J2452 (developed by vehicle manufacturers). The SAE J2452 standard provides the methodology for collection and analysis of rolling resistance data either through the coast down method or the Force

1 NHTSA sets CAFE standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). EPA sets CO2 standards under the Clean Air Act

(CAA).

method. For the purposes of this test, the agency will collect the data from ISO 28580 method and from the SAE J2452 standard using the Force method.

C.2.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this RFP is to secure services for determine the tire rolling resistance coefficients (RRC) from OEM specified tires equipped on vehicles used for NHTSA's new car assessment program (NCAP). The testing must be conducted according to the ISO 28580 test procedure. This is procurement is intended to secure testing services for a base year with the option for securing the same services for an additional year.

C.2.1 Specific Objectives

1. The tests should be conducted on the tires provided by NHTSA.

2. The tires will be from NCAP crash test vehicles.

3. NHTSA will provide the contractor the list of the NCAP vehicles from which to choose the tires.

4. The NCAP crash test vehicles will be from model year 2017 / 2018 / 2019 / 2020.

5. The contractor will select tires (from the rear wheels) from the NCAP frontal impact crash test vehicles

6. The contractor will select undamaged tires (from the non-struck side) from side pole impact crash tests

7. Since NCAP vehicles are new, the mileage accumulation on those vehicles will be very limited. The contractor will run the necessary pre-condition tests according the IO 28580 test procedure before running a test determining the RRC.

8. The contractor will discard any damaged tires and select only the undamaged tires for evaluating tire RRC.

9. The contractor will document the condition of all the tires used in RRC tests as part of the final report

C.3.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Under this Task Order (TO), the Contractor shall meet the following requirements:

C.3.1 Kick Off Meeting

(Time duration – within 2 weeks after award)

The duration of this sub task C.3.1 is two (2) weeks after contract award. The Contractor shall schedule and conduct a kickoff meeting using any form of online and video conferencing methods (e.g. Webex) within two (2) weeks of the contract award. The purpose of this meeting will be:

1. To discuss the administration of the TO.

2. To discuss the overall TO objectives, planned course of action, milestones and deliverables, and any other issues the Contractor or Government identifies.

3. The Contractor shall provide the NHTSA Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR (TO)), with a Technical Plan for completing the TO.

4. Meeting participants shall include Contractor personnel that can discuss the technical details of the Contractor’s plans to meet all TO requirements.

5. The representatives attending from NHTSA will be the Contracting Officer (CO), COR (TO), and other interested NHTSA personnel.

C.3.2 Review of Technical Plan and submitting revised plan to COR (TO)

(Time duration – within 1 week of kick off)

1. The duration of this sub task C.3.2 is one (1) week after completing sub task C.3.1.

The Contractor shall prepare a Technical Plan and submit it to COR (TO) for review. The COR (TO) will either approve the revised Technical Plan as final or provide comments requesting further modifications. The final Technical Plan shall address all changes proposed by the COR (TO).

2. The Contractor shall not begin the TO until the Technical Plan is approved by COR

(TO).

C.3.3 Obtain Tires from NHTSA NCAP Program

(Time duration - 2 weeks)

The duration of this sub task is two (2) weeks after the sub task C.3.2 is completed. After obtaining confirmation from the COR (TO), the Contractor shall obtain the tires from the NCAP program. The Contractor shall ensure the tires are without any visible or structural defects. The Contractor shall check and record the tire specifications of each tire. The Contractor shall maintain a spread sheet for all tires obtained. The Contractor shall populate the spread sheet with Tire brand name, specifications (e.g. P225/50R16 91S), load range, manufacturer recommended tire pressure, and condition of tires before testing for RRC values.

C.3.4 Shipment of Tires to Testing Facility

(Time duration - 2 weeks)

The duration of this sub task is two (2) weeks after the sub task C.3.3 is completed. The Contractor shall ship the tires to an approved. The Contractor shall ensure that the testing facility keeps a log of all tires received.

C.3.5 Conduct Tire Rolling Resistance Coefficient Tests and Report Results

(Time duration - 4 weeks)

The duration of this sub task is four (4) weeks after the completion of the sub task C.3.4.

Since the NCAP tires are new (with only a few miles), the Contractor shall ensure that the test facility mounts the tires on the roller and runs the proper break in procedures for the tires for 4,000 miles. Once the tires are broken in, Rolling Resistance Coefficient (RRC) tests shall be conducted according the ISO 28580 test procedure. The results shall be documented and submitted to the Contractor.

C.3.6 Analysis of RRC values Data

(Time duration - 2 weeks)

The Contractor shall compile the RRC values from different tires and perform any basic analysis of the data including trends or current data set and trends across previous data sets from similar testing conducted by the agency, average values based on tire type and usage, outliers, conclusions, and other analysis techniques or approaches recommended by the bidder. The agency is interested in learning of the bidders, analysis capabilities, approach, and recommendations as part of their response.

C.3.6 Disposal of Tested Tires

NHTSA seeks proposals from bidder on ways to dispose of the tires that will be used during testing, employing minimal environmental impacts as well potentially providing benefits to the public, if possible

C.4.0 PROGRAM DELIVERABLES AND REPORTING

C.4.1 Bi-weekly progress report and conference call

The Contractor will have a bi-weekly meeting and shall submit a bi-weekly report to the COR (TO) following the bi-weekly meeting. Bi-weekly report shall be furnished electronically COR (TO). Each Report shall (a) thoroughly describe accomplishments and descriptions during the prior two (2) weeks, and (b) include a brief description of the activities that are planned for the following two (2) weeks. Any problems or delays the Contractor has experienced or encountered shall be brought to the COR (TO)’s attention within three (3) days of the report due date. These problems or delays shall be included in the bi-weekly report, including the Contractor’s recommendations to solve the problems or delay, and any action required by NHTSA. The Contractor shall e-mail the COR (TO) stating these problems and /or delays. The e-mail shall also include the Contractor’s recommendations to solve the problems or delays, and any action required by NHTSA. The subject/title of the e-mail shall be named Delays or Problems with [insert TO number] [insert title of TO]. The contractor shall also include the funding status such as funds remaining in the bi-weekly report. It is not necessary for the actual monthly invoice to accompany the Bi-weekly report.

C.4.2 Draft Report and Presentation

(Time duration - 4 weeks)

The Contractor shall provide the COR (TO) with the draft report that summarizes the work activities undertaken to complete each task of the TO and provide the overall findings within three (3) weeks after sub task C.3.6 is completed. The draft report shall include a complete description of the RRC testing procedure. The Contractor may be required to a final presentation COR(TO) via WebEx within one (1) after the submission of the draft report

C.4.3 Comments to draft report

(Time duration - 2 weeks)

The COR(TO) will provide the Contractor with comments to the draft report within two (2) after submission of the draft report.

C.4.3 Final Report

(Time duration - 2 weeks)

The Contractor shall provide a final report within nineteen (19) weeks after TO award.

This report shall include all requested edits, suggestions and response to all comments from the COR (TO).

C.5.0 References

1. Final Rule: 2017 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards. [77 FR 62624]

2. Notice of Availability of Midterm Evaluation Draft Technical Assessment Report for Model Year 2022–2025 Light Duty Vehicle GHG Emissions and CAFE Standards. [81 FR 49217]

Sub Task

Description of sub tasks Period of performance Weeks Cumulative in Weeks

C.3.1 Kick off meeting within 2 weeks after award of contract

2 2

C.3.2 Review Technical Plan and submit any revised plan to COR (TO) within 1 week of task C.3.1 is completed

1 3

C.3.3 Obtain tires from NCAP test vehicles within 2 weeks after task C.3.2 is completed

2 5

C.3.4 Shipment of Tires to testing facility within 2 weeks after task C.3.3 is completed

2 7

C.3.5 Conduct Tire Rolling Resistance Coefficient Tests and Report Results within 4 weeks after completing task C.3.4 is completed

4 11

C.3.6 Analysis of the RRC values data within 1 week of task C.3.5 is completed

2 13

C.4.2 Draft report and Presentation within 4 weeks after completing task C.3.6 is completed

4 16

C.4.3 Comments to draft report within 1 week after completing task C.4.2

2 18

C.4.4 Final report within 1 week after completing task C.4.3

2 20

C.5.0 References