JA - SPRDL123R0184 Redacted.pdf

JA-00719 - SPRDL1-23-R-0184

Previous J&As: JA_SPRDL120R0073, JA_SPRDL118R0595 engineering process consists of procuring samples of the current part, tearing down the samples to understand and characterize the assembly’s components, dimensions, and materials, and designing the reverse engineered part. Several prototypes would need to be fabricated. The process to reverse engineer the part and fabricate prototypes would cost an estimated minimum of $1,000,000 with a lead time of 12 months, of which $100,000 would be used to procure samples, $700,000 would be used to characterize the part and develop the new design, and $200,000 would be used to fabricate prototypes. In addition, the prototype would have to undergo design validation and vehicle integration testing, which would cost an additional estimated minimum of $1,500,000 with an additional lead time of 24 months. The prototype testing would consist of a form, fit, and function test, a performance test, RAM testing, accelerated life testing, cold and hot environment testing, salt spray testing, and maximum load operation testing. To procure this axle competitively, a complete TDP would need to be developed, which would cost an estimated minimum of $1,000,000 with an additional lead time of 6 months. In total, reverse engineering, design validation, performance testing, and developing the TDP would require at least 42 months and an estimated minimum of $3,500,000. To neglect design validation and integration testing would be a high risk as premature failures of this item in the field could jeopardize the Army’s mission in a potentially adverse operational environment. Ultimately, there is a vital need for correct approved components to be contractually obtained under this procurement to maintain readiness and avoid vehicle dead-lining due to supply problems.

The Government would not be able to recover, through subsequent competition, the duplication of costs involved in reverse engineering the item to create a new and competitive TDP within a reasonable amount of time. At the current average usage rate of units each year, a current unit cost of $ , and assuming % cost savings achieved through competition, the $ in annual savings would take over to offset the estimated $3.5 million cost of reverse engineering the item and developing a competitive TDP.

6. Efforts to Obtain Competition:

a. Effective competition: Due to the reasons cited in section 5 above we are not pursuing competition for this item.

b. Sole source: Notices required by FAR 5.201 will be posted.

c. Subcontracting competition: Unless the contract is awarded to a small business, the solicitation and resulting contract will include FAR clauses 52.219-8, "Utilization of Small Business Concerns"; 52.244-5, "Competition in Subcontracting"; 52.219-16, "Liquidated Damages--Subcontracting Plan";" and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.219-7003, "Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts)," to maximize small business opportunities and utilization.

7. Actions to Increase Competition: There are no plans to increase competition for

JA-00719 - SPRDL1-23-R-0184

Previous J&As: JA_SPRDL120R0073, JA_SPRDL118R0595 future procurements due to the reasons cited above.

There are no contractors currently in the process of being qualified as an alternate source of supply for this item. At this time, there are no current or planned efforts to qualify additional sources due to the fact that the Government does not possess a fully defined and validated TDP for this item.

8. Market Research: A Sources Sought Notice was posted to SAM.gov on 22 September 2023, and was open for 15 days. No responses were received.

Market research was conducted by the GVSC Heavy Tactical Vehicle Sustainment Team during September of 2023 to find suitable competition for the Oshkosh Axle Assembly. Axles are identified by characteristics such as weight rating and wheel end hardware, as well as interfaces with suspension and wheel/tire assemblies. The materials, dimensions, mounting details, and performance requirements are not available for this assembly. Due to the lack of a TDP or in-depth technical specifications of the sole-source part, the validity of researched axles is difficult to evaluate. Other manufacturers offer similar axles, but the form, fit, and/or function of alternatives are not identical to the sole-source part.

Keywords:

Axle Assembly Military Axle HEMTT Axle Heavy truck axle

Websites:

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

Findings: The results of this search did not produce any new companies that would be able to provide a direct replacement for the axle assembles that are 100% new and could be installed in the HEMTTA4 without considerable time and effort to reverse engineer all of the dressed axle assembly components and required welded bracketry.

Additionally, internet searches did not yield any products that meet the exact performance specs of the existing axle assemblies 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:

NSN 2520-01-572-2754 -

Contract Number: SPRDL19D0136 Award Date: 18 July 2019