JA_SPRDL124R0142_Redacted.pdf

SPRDL1-24-R-0142 (JA-00811)

Previous J&A: JA SPRDL1-19-R-0267

Because of the uncertain definition for the requirements, an increased safety risk is possible in which failure of one or more of these items could result in adverse stability and durability of the vehicle. Such a compromised vehicle condition could cause objectionable braking/handling characteristics and thus potentially cause an accident resulting in serious injury or death to operators, passengers and/or others in the vicinity.

The quantity involved on the contract of the sole source components does not justify the development and production tooling costs for a company to qualify as a second source.

Qualification testing, that includes material test; form, fit, function test; performance test;

and durability test, would require at least eighteen (18) months and up to $2.8M. The Government would not be able to recover, through subsequent competition, the duplication of costs involved in reverse engineering the item to create a competitive build-to-print TDP within a reasonable timeframe.

The importance of conducting qualification testing cannot be overstated and must even be performed on Wheel/Tire assemblies with the required specifications available in the commercial marketplace. Failure to conduct qualification testing would be considered a high-risk decision as premature failures of this product in the field could result in mission failure and could jeopardize the mission in a potentially adverse operational environment.

The delay associated with these aforesaid efforts is completely unacceptable in fulfilling the requirements and would have a significant impact on Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command’s ability to support field customers. Funds are not available currently for either procuring the proprietary data or reverse engineering the item to create a competitive TDP or qualification testing for a new source.

The Government does not have rights to the TDP or specifications. The TDP is owned by Hutchinson, as the MMPV RG-31A2 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the Wheel/Tire Assembly. Hutchinson owns the rights for the proprietary data.

Reverse Engineering efforts involve a significant amount of money and time. The Government does not have the funding for reverse engineering or to qualify additional sources for this product. The cost to reverse-engineer this unique component is estimated at $2.80M. Reverse Engineering the TDP includes, but is not limited to the following:

Development Summary Cost

• Obtain Existing Parts: $

• Tear Down and Understand the Design: $

• Prototype Development: $

• Design Fabrication: $

• Component Level Safety Testing: $

• Conduct System Level Testing: $

• Write TDP, Technical Bulletins and Provision Part:

Total $2,800,000

SPRDL1-24-R-0142 (JA-00811)

Previous J&A: JA SPRDL1-19-R-0267

Pirelli https://www.pirelli.com/tires/en-us/car/tech-and-knowledge/run-flat

Goodyear https://www.goodyear.com/en_US/tires/by-type/run-on-flat

Findings: Given that no technical data is available for the subject, Pneumatic Wheel/Tire Assembly, market research results are limited. The information found via the internet search was too generic due to the lack of critical technical information such as material and load requirements, dimensions, assembly component interfaces, etc.

Therefore, the results of this search did not produce any new companies that would provide a direct replacement for the MMPV RG-33 Pneumatic Wheel/Tire Assembly without considerable time and effort to adapt the new component or re-engineer a new component. The MMPV RG-33 is a sustainment program; therefore, extensive vehicle system changes to accommodate competition are not funded.

Summary: As a result of the Market Research, it was concluded that the Government does not have enough detailed technical data information to investigate similar parts for this specific application on the MMPV RG-33. The Pneumatic Wheel/Tire Assembly cannot be identified as a Commercial Off-The-Shelf product as detailed in Section 5 above.

The Contracting Officer made the determination that the Pneumatic Wheel/Tire Assembly is a commercial item based on procurement history. The prior award was made using FAR Part 12 procedures and the award is precedent setting in accordance with DFARS 212.102(a)(ii)(A).

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

10. Other Facts: Procurement History:

(1) Contract: SPRDL1-20-D-0042 Award Date: 3 December 2019 Contractor: Hutchinson Industries, Inc. (CAGE 62161) Value: $1,253,252.70 Competitive Status: Sole Source Authority: FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source

(2) Contract: SPRDL1-10-C-0029 Award Date: 23 December 2009 Contractor: Hutchinson Industries, Inc. (CAGE 62161) Value: $11,575,579.92 Competitive Status: Sole Source