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Armored Vehicle Platform - Sedan


Virginia, United States
Government : Military
RFI
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SOURCES SOUGHT and
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Domestic and Foreign Armored Vehicle Platforms

1.0    Description


1.1 Multiple U.S. Government agencies are seeking information on current or potential development of armored vehicle ("base unit") platforms for the production of armored vehicles. Of specific interest is a sedan-type platform with:


•    Availability (production-ready) within four (4) to five (5) years
•    Adequate room for passenger and cargo accommodation, and
•    Available payload capacity to facilitate protective armoring.


A commercial production vehicle meeting requirements is preferred, but none have been identified. To meet future needs, the Government may be willing to partner with an Automotive Manufacturer, either Foreign or Domestic, (in accordance with Federal Regulation and mandatory sources) to modify a production vehicle or develop a vehicle that meets operational requirements. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks to begin early engagement with industry and gather market information while identifying Automotive Manufacturers interested in future development.


1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not seeking proposals, and will not accept unsolicited proposals.


Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the respondent's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued; however, industry responses, or lack of responses may impact the future strategy of Government acquisition efforts.


2.0    Background


Several U.S. Government agencies utilize commercial vehicles as a base platform for production of armored vehicles for various end uses. There are no known vehicles suitable for this purpose planned for production that are available within a four to five-year window, that will meet the available payload and passenger/cargo space requirements, and that can serve as a suitable base vehicle for the armoring process. The U.S. Government would like to determine what future commercial vehicles can meet, or be modified to meet, capacity requirements to serve as base vehicles for armoring. The Government also seeks to identify interested Automotive Manufactures that may be interested in a future vehicle development effort to manufacture a suitable SUV that will be available within five years, with expected production over eight to ten years with no or limited modification.


2.1 Planned Production: Production needs are based on various factors and depend on fleet condition, domestic policy, and world events. Production rates are expected to vary from year-to-year, with expectations ranging from very few per year up to less than five-hundred base vehicles per year across all U.S. Government agencies.


2.2 Delivery Period: Vehicles meeting the capacity requirements are expected to have an on-going production requirement.


2.3 Limitations: Provide separate information for:


•    Vehicles of domestic manufacture for use within the United States, and
•    Vehicles of domestic or foreign manufacture for use outside of the United States.


All vehicles considered are expected to comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), and meet stated capacity needs and other listed requirements. Due to the limited number of vehicles that are expected to be produced, a limited scope of FMVSS evaluation may be acceptable, with a trade-off between engineering assessment and physical validation being a consideration.


2.4 Security Requirements: Security requirements for this RFI and future vehicles purchased on affiliated contracts is anticipated to be limited to For Official Use Only (FOUO).


3.0    Objectives


The Government is seeking information on commercial production vehicles, planned production vehicles, modified production vehicles, specialty production vehicles, and custom produced vehicles that best meet the following specifications. Modified commercial vehicles and custom produced vehicles should optimize the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to provide validated reliability and facilitate enhanced support.


3.1 Sedans - For this RFI, sedans are the preferred vehicle format. To be a suitable solution, availability and identification of appropriate wheels and tires that are rated to support the armored gross vehicle weight (GVW) (approximately the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), including payload (armor, passengers, and equipment)) is required. AGVWR of approximately 7,500 to 8,500 pounds is expected. A GVWR significantly higher (thousands of pounds) than this amount may introduce transportation challenges, and one significantly lower would need to demonstrate a robust structure to continually support the armor weight through the vehicle's 5 to 7 year expected life cycle.


3.1.1    Commercial production vehicles that meet capacity requirements as delivered are the preferred option. Production vehicles that can meet objectives with limited modifications are the second choice, while heavily modified production vehicles are preferred over specialty vehicles. Custom-built vehicles that meet all other objectives are an acceptable option, but are considered a high-risk solution due to a lack of operational performance data and other factors. Modifications should be developed by the original equipment (vehicle) manufacturer (OEM) or a qualified automotive integrator with the ability to conduct required design and engineering analysis. Assessment and certification to FMVSS is highly desired. Vehicles with civilian styling that do not draw extra attention are preferred, while a tactical or military vehicle appearance is undesirable. The configuration should include four (4) side doors. The vehicle should include typical features/amenities of modern commercial sedans. The vehicle must possess at least 17 cubic feet of trunk space.


3.1.2    An extended production range, technical support, and long-term spare parts availability and support network (both CONUS and OCONUS) is highly desired.


3.1.3    Desired Specifications


Available Payload    800 pounds threshold (State Department)
900 pounds target (Others)
1000 pounds objective

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating    GVWR as needed to facilitate curb weight and required available payload.

Tires, brakes, suspension    As needed to confidently facilitate GVWR

Passengers/Storage Space    4 or 5 passengers (seating dependent) with additional trunk space for equipment and luggage.


Height        60 inches Maximum


Total Width (inc. tires)    75 inches body side to body side

Overall Length    205 inches Maximum desired

Wheelbase     Approximately112 inches is optimum

General Size    Fit in an ISO standard shipping container


Turning Diameter/Circle    22 feet, smaller diameter desired

Ground Clearance    5 inches, more desired


Maximum Step-in Height    13 inches from ground to rear door rocker/sill, lower desired


Minimum Interior Headroom     Seated    38 inches, identify seating position


Automotive Performance    Range     300 Miles minimum, extended range is of higher priority than maximum speed

Max Speed    100 MPH minimum, at tire speed and load rating

Acceleration    MPH in 8.5 seconds, minimum, at GVWR, greater desired


Factory installed turbocharger or supercharger is acceptable if needed to achieve performance requirements. Aftermarket superchargers are not acceptable.


Engine Performance (HP)    390 Threshold for gasoline engine version
450 Objective for gasoline engine version
Negotiable for diesel engine version if other performance criteria achieved

Torque        300 pound-feet Threshold
360 pound-feet Objective


Engine Type    Options for both gasoline and "dirty" diesel engines desired.


Interior        Consistent with OEM standard fit and finish
Without supplemental restraint system (air bags), or as option


4.0    Requested Information


Identification of Automotive Manufacturers interested in working with the Government to develop an SUV meeting stated automotive requirements, or preferably identification of planned future production SUV vehicles that meet stated requirements. (The Government will keep sensitive proprietary information or respondent questions identified as sensitive close-hold if identified/restricted as such.) Provide:

a)    Vendor Name
b)    Contact Information
c)    Level of Information Sharing Desired (e.g. two-way knowledge transfer, one-on-one meetings, one-way knowledge transfer, informational white papers or publicly available information only, etc.


d)    Identify:


•    Whether a current or planned production vehicle will meet Government objectives.
•    If modification of a current, or planned, vehicle meets (or will meet) stated requirements.
•    Whether a new vehicle development will be needed or is possible.
•    Whether the vehicle(s) discussed above would be considered Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), limited development, or a custom design?
•    How the vehicle may be sold - Regular production vehicle, Government only, Incomplete vehicle, or list any other restrictions.
•    Recommendations for suitable fuel types for dirty diesel.
•    Questions your firm has for the Government regarding this emerging requirement
•    Whether the vehicle(s) will be produced by the respondent only, or by a combination of the respondent and a single (or multiple) subcontractors.
o    Identify any potential subcontractors or partners that may be considered (if it is possible to release this information)
o    Identify the roles of the different entities in the process
•    In addition to addressing how the vendor meets/can meet the items identified in Section 3.1 - Sport Utility Vehicles, and 3.1.3 - Desired Specifications, identify if actual or estimated capabilities.


e)    Provide (if available or applicable):


•    Manufacturer
•    Type of initial/donor vehicle
•    Model (describe proposed model, provide styling - descriptive, rendering, photo)
•    Describe projected FMVSS Compliance
•    Production status (Current Commercial Production, Planned Commercial Production, Modified Production Vehicle, Specialty, Custom Built /Low Volume)
•    Expected Development Cost Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM)
•    Potential/estimated individual pricing (per vehicle, can be expressed as a range)
•    Development effort (include extent and length)
•    Vehicle production cost ROM (each)
•    Availability, including expected years of production (first production, anticipated production cycle times)
•    Anticipated yearly production rate
•    Minimum Sustainable /Maximum Production Capacity
•    GVW/GVWR
•    Available payload
•    Drive Train (RWD, FWD, AWD)
•    Frame type (body on frame, unibody)
•    Domestic and Worldwide support network availability (locations, type of coverage and support offered)
•    Limitations on purchase (Commercial, Fleet, Government Only, Specific Government Agency Only)


5.0 Responses


5.1 Interested respondents are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. Images, schematics, renderings, etc. are also encouraged.


5.2 White papers in searchable Microsoft Windows-compatible format (i.e. .doc, .pdf, etc.) are due no later than 4 November 2019, 10:00 a.m. EDT. Responses may include up to 40 single-sided, double-spaced pages (not including images or schematics) and submitted via e-mail only to Katherine Vultaggio at: vultaggiokl@state.gov.


5.3 Notify the CO listed above as soon as possible if more time is needed to submit a complete response. Note, the 40-page designation above is a limit, not a minimum requirement.


Proprietary information, if any, MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED FOR ALL PAGES CONSIDERED PROPRIETARY. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information from non-proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.


5.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and should include the following as a minimum:


5.3.1. Vendor name and CAGE code, name, title, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.


5.3.2. Either 1) copies of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for execution with Government support contractors; or 2) a statement that the respondent will/will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to the Government support contractors. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Government will assume that the respondent does agree to the release of its submission to Government support contractors.


5.3.4. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon identified and applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at https://www.acquisition.gov.


5.3.5 The facility security clearance (including security level) of the respondent, if any.


5.4 Section 2 of the White Paper should include all requested information listed under section 4 of the RFI, above.
6.0 Industry Discussions


Government representatives may or may not choose to meet with respondents. Such meetings may be scheduled to gain further clarification of capabilities, gather market research information to support requirements development, and ascertain development and certification risks. This is, in no manner, an opportunity to submit a proposal for development funding.


7.0 Summary


THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) to identify sources that can provide, or are willing to develop, suitable base vehicles for armoring. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.


 


Katherine L Vultaggio, Contracting Officer, Phone 7033123676, Email vultaggiokl@state.gov -

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