JA_SPRDL123R0174_Redacted.pdf

JA-00714 - SPRDL1-23-R-0174

Previous J&A: JA SPRDL1-18-R-0256 procurement. The Government does not own the necessary intellectual property data rights to the pertinent technical data to enable competitive re-procurement. The Government does not have rights to the Technical Data Package (TDP) or specifications.

The original equipment manufacturer of the PLS A1 is Oshkosh. The dressed transfer case with container is defined by the Government-owned Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) drawing number 57K6822, which is a parts list consisting of several items: the dressed transfer case (Oshkosh P/N 3839222) and the shipping container (Champion P/N 0-20190; NSN 8145-01-569-9916), and various yokes, fittings and fastening equipment. The transfer case and container called out on the top-level drawing represents more than 50% of the total cost of the kit. The Government-owned TDP (top level kit drawing 57K6822) does not include any technical data for the transfer case, which is why this item cannot be procured competitively.

Oshkosh supplies this proprietarily dressed transfer transmission assembly. The PLS A1 platform has completed production validation testing with this dressed transfer transmission assembly sourced from Oshkosh. Trying to procure this transfer transmission assembly from other sources would not guarantee the quality, fit, form, or function of a similarly purchased part, causing premature failure of the part, Since the Government does not own any of the technical data, the Government would have to Reverse Engineer the Transmission Transfer Assembly to determine all aspects of the Transmission Transfer Assembly. A reverse engineering effort would include work to clarify and define a Transfer Assembly with the same fit, form, and function as the original Transfer Assembly. Design requirements should be broken down and clarified without any ambiguity. Technical information such as understanding the parameters to include input/output yoke dimensions, drive type, maximum system load, revolutions per minute range to gear ratio, lubrication fluid used, output shaft spline count and size, as well as mounting dimensions would need to be defined. Developmental testing is needed to prove the prototype is functional. Component, Safety, and System Level Testing will evaluate the Transmission Transfer Assembly’s compliance with the specified requirements. Once all testing and design is complete, a TDP will need to be produced. Reliability and Operational Testing includes accelerated life testing, cold and hot environments, submergence, salt spray, and maximum load operation. To neglect testing would be a high risk as premature failures of this item in the field could result in a mobility failure which could jeopardize the Army’s mission in a potentially adverse operational environment. After the qualification, the TDP would have to be built so the part could be competitively sourced, and a source would have to be found. The Ground Vehicle Systems Center Tactical Vehicle Engineering Sustainment Team has determined, based on a previous reverse engineering analysis of a transmission transfer assembly, that reverse engineering the PLS A1 transmission transfer assembly would cost an estimated $3,000,000 with a lead time of 18-24 months for design, development, production, and technical data development.

JA-00714 - SPRDL1-23-R-0174

Previous J&A: JA SPRDL1-18-R-0256 was conducted by the Project Engineer during September 2023. It was found that the transfer transmission assembly is not an adapted assembly from a larger manufacturer, but a proprietarily developed and manufactured part from Oshkosh Defense LLC. Using what little information could be gathered from Government databases and the internet, it was found that there are no other transmission transfer assemblies that are similar in configuration to this one. All search results yielded other Oshkosh parts, remanufactured parts, or parts that might not work to the configuration of the PLS A1 without further information or technical data for comparison.

Keywords:

PLS Transfer Case Heavy Truck Transfer Case Commercial Truck Transfer Case Websites:

https://www.oshkoshdefense.com/ https://www.meritor.com/ https://gearcentre.com/

Findings:

The results of this search did not produce any new companies that would provide a direct replacement transmission transfer assembly that is 100% new and could be installed in the PLS A1 without considerable time and effort to adapt the new components. Additionally, internet searches did not yield any products that meet the exact performance specs of the existing transmission transfer assembly due to the lack of detailed technical data.

9. Interested Sources: To date no additional sources have expressed interest in this item.

10. Other Facts: Procurement History:

Contract Number: SPRDL1-19-D-0122 Award Date: 05 June 2019 Contractor: Oshkosh Defense, LLC Contract Value: $4,267,515.11 Competitive Status: FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source

Contract: SPRDL1-17-C-0307 Award Date: 15 September 2017 Contractor: Oshkosh Defense, LLC Contract Value: $ 653,247.62 Competitive Status: FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source

Contract: SPRDL1-12-C-0117 Award Date: 28 June 2012 Contractor: Oshkosh Corporation Contract Value: $315,591.80