JA_SPRDL122R0107_Redacted.pdf

SPRDL1-22-R-0107 (JA-00520)

Previous J&A: SPRDL1-20-R-0009 is available the sole manufacturer of this assembly and is solely qualified to manufacture this part because of the technical data they own and the physical equipment the firm possesses to produce the part. This assembly has specialized software to allow the part to work for this vehicle platform. Allison’s software is optimized to work with the current engine transmission configuration of the HEMTT A4. This optimization was created through validation and performance testing. A replacement would not only have to meet the physical characteristics of the original part but also the software capability and compatibility. The software that differentiates a blank transmission control assembly from the desired transmission control assembly is the specialized Allison software.

There is no way to qualify reverse engineered software against the Allison software.

Without qualified replacement software, a replacement transmission control assembly cannot be used. When the transmission control assembly stops working as intended, the gear changes in the transmission may become unpredictable. The vehicle may also display other transmission problems such as difficult shifting or remaining stuck in one gear. Fuel economy may also be affected by a malfunctioning transmission control assembly. These problems are related to any problems in the software, and not with the hardware. Poor physical characteristic match may cause the unit to break off and damage the unit or other components. A physical break can destroy the unit and damage the wires that are connected to the unit.

The Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) Sustainment Engineering Team has estimated that reverse engineering the Transmission Control Module would cost an estimated minimum of $500,000, with a lead time of eight months for design, development, and production. In addition, the module would have to undergo validation testing. Validation testing on a HEMTT Truck would have an additional lead time of nine months and cost an additional estimated minimum of $550,100. To develop a TDP with the drawings made will result in an estimated cost of $500,000, bringing the total cost of reverse engineering to $1,550,100. These cost estimates were developed in conjunction with the Test & Reliability Availability, & Maintainability Branch Chief based on previous efforts.

Action Time Costs Reverse-Engineer

Transmission Control Module

8 Months $500,000

RAM Vehicle testing (3,000-mile test and performance test)

9 Months $550,100

Develop TDP 4 Months $500,000

Find Additional Source 6 Months -

Total Development Time

Approx. 27 Months $1,550,100

The Government would not be expected to recover, through subsequent competition, the duplication of costs involved in reverse engineering the item to create a new and competitive Transmission Control Module package within a reasonable amount of time.

At the current average usage rate of 600 units each year, a current unit cost of , and assuming 25% savings achieved through competition, the in annual savings would take over years to offset the estimated $1,550,100 cost of reverse engineering the item and qualifying another source. Based on calculations above, GVSC engineering does not recommend the Reverse Engineering course of action for this transmission control module.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

a. Effective competition: Due to the reasons cited in Section 5 above, the Government is not pursuing competition for this item.

b. Subcontracting competition: The solicitation and resulting contract will include

FAR clauses 52.219-8, “Utilization of Small Business Concerns,” and 52.244-5, “Competition in Subcontracting,” to maximize small business opportunities and utilization.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: There are no plans to increase competition for future procurements due to the reasons cited above.

8. Market Research: A Sources Sought Notice was posted to SAM.gov on 8 June 2022 and was open for 14 calendar days. Two responses were received, with an assessment of the responses below:

Contractor Name: Dartco Transmission Assessment: Response consisted of a quote to the Government offering one module manufactured by Allison. Based on the response received, this firm is not considered as a viable alternative manufacturing source for this item.

Contractor Name: EOS Inc.

Assessment: Response consisted of a request to be included on the source list for this solicitation as EOS is an authorized Allison distributor. Based on the response received, this firm is not considered as a viable alternative manufacturing source for this item.

GVSC performed internet searches for suitable competition, utilizing the following search terms:

Keyword: Transmission Control Module https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/lighting---electrical/modules-coils/transmission-control-module/a4bcdaccd7f3 Keyword: Transmission Control Assembly https://www.carparts.com/transmission-control-module

The transmission control assembly lines that are commercially available were reviewed for comparison. The information provided on these websites was not sufficient to determine if they would serve as a suitable direct replacement for the current transmission control assembly provided by Allison and used on the HEMTT.

With the TDP and unique performance specifications being unavailable, it becomes extremely difficult to ensure compatibility. Many manufacturers make transmission control assemblies that, at first glance, seem similar to the one used for this application.

Comparing features such as shifting times and transmission interface do not provide enough detailed information to justify their use. This particular transmission control module has undergone validation testing by Allison to ensure the performance for this application. It has been carefully integrated to work in tandem with the current engine and transmission configuration unique to the HEMTT. The result of selecting a potential alternative that was not specifically designed and tested for this application is an elevated risk of failure. Such failures would negatively impact maintenance, readiness, and, ultimately, safety if a failure were to occur during operation. If the technical information for the transmission control assembly on the HEMTT was made available, it would allow for more specific market research and potentially allow for competitive procurement to be an option.

9. Interested Sources: To date, other than the two firms listed in Section 8 above, no additional sources have expressed interest in this item.

This NSN has been determined to be a commercial item based on market research which identified this product as a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace.

10. Other Facts: Procurement History:

Contract Number: SPRDL1-22-P-0033 Award Date: 14 April 2022 Contractor: Clarke Power Services, Inc. (Supplied part number A5900EN6, manufactured by Allison) Contract Value: $616,120 Competitive Status: Only One Source

Contract Number: SPRDL1-20-D-0073 Award Date: 18 March 2020 Contractor: Clarke Power Services, Inc. (Supplied part number A5900EN6, manufactured by Allison) Estimated Contract Value: $1,205,014.20 Competitive Status: FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source

11. Technical Certification: I certify that the supporting data under my cognizance which is included in the justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.