Running Gear_Intent_to_Award_Sole_Source Synopsis_Final.pdf

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE

The United States Air Force (USAF) intends to issue a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order to a single source, Aerol LLC, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) (only one source reasonably available) on or about 30 August 2024. The period of performance (PoP) is anticipated to be from 1 September 2024-28 February 2025.

FSC: 3920

NAICS: 333924 - Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing

Size Standard: 900 employees

Project/Program Name: Running Gear System

Supplier name: Aerol LLC

Product description: The running gear interfaces with a trailer designed to use this specific system to meet interface, suspension, steering, load bearing, towing, aircraft transportation, and braking requirements. The running gear system required must be independently attached to the trailer at the aft left and aft right corners without a thru axle in order to allow an open space in the center of the trailer required for proper function.

Product characteristics an equal item must meet to be considered:

Interface:

• The running gear system shall attach independently to each corner interface of the trailer

• The system shall not have any axle or part that connects wheel axles between sides except the steering linkage parts.

• The tow bar shall attach to a separate interface on the front of the trailer frame and provide the side to side pivot necessary to operate the steering system.

• The overall running rear width when installed on the trailer shall be 65 IN to the outside of the tires.

• The wheelbase length shall be 210 IN.

• The running rear system must attach to the trailer frame, which has a width of 36 IN.

• Each wheel (one per corner) shall be bolted to a vertically oriented mounting plate.

Suspension:

• Each wheel must have a minimum suspension travel of 1.625 IN.

• Each wheel must incorporate a coil spring type suspension system.

• The running gear system shall be equipped with four 6.00-9 x 10 ply pneumatic tires.

Steering:

• The running gear shall incorporate an Ackerman type automotive steering system.

• The minimum inside cramping angle shall be 40°.

Load bearing:

• The running gear system shall have a Front/Rear weight distribution of 40%/60% with a gross weight of

6500 LB.

• The running gear system shall be designed to withstand the aircraft transportation system loading requirements in accordance with MIL-STD-1791A, Paragraph 5.3.3.1, and Table IV. The basic loading requirements are 4.5Gs down, 3Gs forward, 1.5Gs lateral and aft, and 2Gs upward while fully loaded.

Towing:

• The running rear system shall be towed at 5 MPH.

• The running gear system must have a tow bar that is a minimum of 110 IN long.

• The tow bar shall pivot 90° upward for stowage purposes.

Aircraft transportation:

• No part of the running gear systems shall contact the aircraft ramp transitions during loading and unloading on the C-17 and C-5 aircraft.

• The running gear system shall be designed to withstand the aircraft transportation system loading requirements of 4.5Gs down, 3Gs forward, 1.5Gs lateral and aft, and 2Gs upward while fully loaded with a gross weight of 6500 LB.

Braking:

• The brakes shall conform to the requirements of SAE AS8090 par. 3.6.1., 3.6.1.1., and 3.6.1.2.

o The parking brakes shall be either the automotive type with internal expanding shoe, proper backing plates, and drum, or the automotive disc type. The brakes shall be easily and quickly applied by means of a single manual control (hand lever) not exceeding 18 inches in length from the pivot point that will simultaneously operate all brakes to lock the wheels against rotation.

Brake actuation forces shall not exceed 200 pound inches.

o Parking brake performance: The parking brakes shall lock the wheels so that the wheels will skid and not roll on dry, level, brushed concrete free of loose material when the vehicle, with maximum gross load, is subjected to a towing force sufficient to move it. The vibrations and shocks encountered on the applicable operating surfaces shall not cause the brakes to engage.

Moving force shall be applied in both the forward and reverse directions. The parking brakes shall hold the vehicle, with maximum gross load, whether headed up or down a 11.5° incline.

• The brakes shall be operated by a single lever positioned in close proximity to the tow bar.

• All necessary cables, actuator handle, fittings, etc. shall be supplied by the running gear manufacturer as a bolt-on system.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the Government. The Government will consider responses received within 5 days of issuance of this notice. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a full and open competitive procurement or a small business set aside competitive procurement. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this announcement.

If the Government decides to compete this requirement, a synopsis shall be issued utilizing the combined synopsis/solicitation procedure identified in FAR 12.603. If this effort becomes a Small Business Set-Aside, FAR

52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting, will apply. Therefore, small businesses that want to be considered for a small business set-aside should demonstrate how they intend to comply.

A determination not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Contractors should be aware of the following information:

1. Contractors must include the following information:

a. Points of contact, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers.

b. Identification as a large U.S. business, a small U.S. business, or a foreign business. Please note that size indicated should be based on the NAICS code for this effort listed above.

c. Identification of any other socioeconomic status including: Women-Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Small Business, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business or HUBZone.

d. Company CAGE Code or DUNS Number.

2. If this posting specifically references brand name products, offerors are encouraged to suggest products other than those specifically referenced. Responses must address how the alternate product meets the product characteristics specified above.

3. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED.

4. Responses are limited to 10 pages in a Microsoft Word compatible format.

Responses should be emailed to Elisa Williamson at Elisa.williamson.3@us.af.mil and Meredith Budding at Meredith.budding@us.af.mil no later than 12 August 2024, 2:00 PM EST. Any questions should be directed to Elisa Williamson through email.

mailto:Elisa.williamson.3@us.af.mil mailto:Meredith.budding@us.af.mil