RFI M6785426I5316 Extended Boom Forklift

The United States Marine Corps, through Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM), is conducting market research to identify potential sources for an Extendable Boom Forklift (EBFL) system via Request for Information (RFI) M67854-26-I-5316. The EBFL is a rough terrain diesel-powered tele-handling forklift designed to transport and load/unload cargo up to 11,000 pounds from Department of Defense assets, including CH-53E/K aircraft and ISO containers. Key requirements include lifting standard military pallets (40x48 inches, up to 4,000 pounds) and 463L pallets (88x108 inches, up to 10,000 pounds) at a 54-inch load center, with fork tines adjustable from 3 to 60 inches in width, while operating under restrictive clearance conditions within the CH-53K aircraft where maximum clearance is limited to 63 inches. The vehicle must meet extensive performance specifications including four-wheel drive, automatic transmission, four steering modes, capability to ford saltwater, operate on slopes up to 45 percent, achieve 15 miles per hour with rated load, and accommodate personnel from the 5th to 95th percentile wearing full CBRN MOPP gear. Responses to the RFI are due by April 6, 2026 at 1300 Eastern Time, and vendors must submit PDF responses via email to janice.harvey@usmc.mil with required cover page information and detailed responses addressing production rates, test asset timelines, pricing, manufacturing capabilities, and specification compliance documentation.

This procurement is not designated for any set-aside category, and no incumbent contractor is identified in the presolicitation materials. The Marine Corps estimates purchasing approximately 374 EBFLs, representing a significant procurement quantity for the industrial truck and machinery manufacturing sector. While no specific contract award value or budget range is disclosed in the RFI, vendors are required to provide rough order of magnitude pricing with annual escalation percentages and economic price adjustment discussions to support future procurement planning. Interested vendors must demonstrate compliance with MIL-STD standards covering electromagnetic interference, transportability, lifting provisions, identification marking, and military vehicle safety standards, along with evidence of mean time between failure of 250 hours at 85 percent confidence. The RFI explicitly states that it does not constitute a commitment to procure and does not obligate the Government to take procurement action, serving primarily as a market research tool to assess vendor capabilities and available commercial solutions with potential modifications.