SOURCES SOUGHT
23 -- PM TWV is seeking technologies that will improve the capabilities of the current fleet and/or future fleet.
- Notice Date
- 8/19/2005
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- TACOM - Warren Acquisition Center, ATTN: AMSTA-AQ-AMB, E Eleven Mile Road, Warren, MI 48397-5000
- ZIP Code
- 48397-5000
- Solicitation Number
- EMIPTECH
- Response Due
- 10/31/2005
- Archive Date
- 12/30/2005
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Expedited Modernization Initiative Procedure (EMIP) Process Description and Objective The EMIP, a key part of the Armys Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Transformational Strategy, is a multi-phased, continuous process designed to improve the current and future Tactical Wheeled Vehicles TWV fleet by identifying and leveraging industrys investments in advanced technologies. Under the lead of the Project Manager for Tactical Wheeled Vehicles PM TWV, the goal of EMIP is to educate Government representatives about these technologies. The advantage of the EMIP process is that it provides both the Gove rnment and the contractor a single point of contact. The current TWV fleet is composed of the M915 Series of Trucks, Palletized Load System PLS, Heavy Equipment Transporter HET, Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck HEMTT, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles FMTV, and High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehi cle HMMWV families of vehicles, as well as all associated trailers. This process applies to those vehicles that PM TWV manages. The Tank-automotive & Armaments Command TACOM Integrated Logistics Support Center ILSC manages vehicles no longer in productio n as well as all spares. Suggestions concerning vehicles no longer in production and managed by ILSC will be directed to the appropriate item manager. Desired Capabilities PM TWV is seeking technologies that will improve the capabilities of the current or future fleet. The Expedited Modernization Initiative Procedure EMIP places emphasis on technologies that address solutions in the following warfighting capabilities: Safety; Survivability; Reliability, Maintainability, and Sustainability; Distribution and Mission Enhancements. Although the Government is interested in learning about any ideas/concepts to improve the fleet, the EMIP process will mainly address those technologies that can be available for production within six-months of completion of verification testing and are te chnologies that are new to the Army have not already been demonstrated in its current configuration. Process Contractors are requested to make their submissions to the Government via Mailbox TruckTech@tacom.army.mil mailto:TruckTech@tacom.army.mil. The concept submitted should be at Technology Readiness Level TRL, see Appendix A 8 or better. In almost all cases , TRL 8 represents the end of true system development. The concept should also not be one that has already been demonstrated to Government representatives in its current configuration. The format for this submission shall be in accordance with IAW Append ix B. Once the Government confirms receipt, the EMIP process will continue as follows: Review written documentation and view the technology capability within 90 days of receipt. The Government will review for applicability as well as technical readiness level. If the Government determines that the technology is appropriate for demonstration, that vendor will be provided a recommendation for demonstration and/or request for additional data. If the Government determines that the proposal is not a candidate for the EMIP process, then a recommendation will be provided to the contractor. In the event that the Government determines that a demonstration is appropriate, two alternatives are available. The value of the demonstrations is that contractors can provide a much more persuasive case for the technology than can be provided by written documentation alone. The following is the basic flow of the demonstration process: Continuous - Location to be determined by contractor with Government concurrence e.g.: Government proving ground, private proving ground, contractors facility. This alternative offers more flexibility for schedule. However, the Government participatio n will be more limited than with the scheduled technology modernization demonstration because only one demonstration will be ongoing. The conduct of this demonstration may be recorde d in order to facilitate further review. The advantage of this process is that results of this observation will be reviewed and considered on a continuous basis rather than incurring a potential delay due to waiting to demonstrate in the Annual demonstrat ion. . Government Technology Modernization Demonstration 2nd Annual - The 2nd Component Technology Demonstration will be conducted at Yuma Proving Ground YPG, Arizona, January 23-27, 2006. Although the EMIP process is a continuous process and contractors may submit concepts at any time during the calendar year, in order to be considered for the annual demonstration submissions must have been received no later than NLT 1 November 2005. This cutoff date is necessary to allow for time to review the technology for applicability as well as to coordinate resources at YPG. The potential advantage of this demonstration is that it has in the past been attended by general officer leadership involved with the TWV modernization process who, in addition to the IPT, was pres ent to witness the demonstrations. Additional information about electronic registration, Visitor Security Information, Yuma Test Capabilities, a Frequently Asked Questions document and a Yuma Map will be posted later on the below TACOM web site. It must be stressed that all such demonstrations are both optional and at the expense of the contractor. The demonstration of items will in no way express or imply an obligation by the Government to purchase or otherwise acquire the items demonstrated or displayed. Moreover, the Government is not bound or obligated in any way to give special consideration to any demonstrating vendor on future contracts as a result of the EMIP process or demonstration. It must be emphasized that this process is not a sour ce selection, but instead a means to identify and leverage Industrys investments through the Market Research process. Upon completion of the demonstration, the Government will make an internal acquisition approach decision. TWV System Rodeo The EMIP process and technology modernization demonstrations are focused primarily on component technologies. However, the system rodeo is distinct from component demonstrations and will occur in July 2006 to specifically focus on complete, integrated veh icle solutions. At this time, vendors may choose to demonstrate their individual EMIP components on a full-up system. Please continue to monitor the below website for more information on EMIP and the TWV System Rodeo. http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/ssn/sources.htm Conclusion The key advantage of the EMIP process is that it provides a focused, standardized approach to introducing new capabilities to PM Tactical Wheeled Vehicles. PM TWV welcomes all technological ideas or concepts and would like to thank all industry participant s for their commitment to the improvement of the TWV fleet. Appendix A: Technology Readiness Levels TRLs and their Definitions The following matrix lists the various technology readiness levels and descriptions from a systems approach for both Hardware and Software. DoD Components may provide additional clarifications for Software. Supplemental definitions follow the table. Technology Readiness Level TRL Description 1. Basic principles observed and reported. Lowest level of technology readiness. Scientific research begins to be translated into applied research and development. Examples might include paper studies of a technologys basic properties. 2. Technology concept and or application formulated. Invention begins. Once basic principles are observed, practical applications can be invented. Applications are speculative and there may be no proof or detailed analysis to support the assumptions. E xamples are limited to analytic studies. 3. Analytical and experimental critical function and or characteristic proof of concept. Active research and development is initiated. This includes analytical studies and labora tory studies to physically validate analytical predictions of separate elements of the technology. Examples include components that are not yet integrated or representative. 4. Component and or breadboard validation in laboratory environment. Basic technological components are integrated to establish that they will work together. This is relatively low fidelity compared to the eventual system. Examples include integration of ad hoc hardware in the laboratory. 5. Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment. Fidelity of breadboard technology increases significantly. The basic technological components are integrated with reasonably realistic supporting elements so it can be tested in a simulat ed environment. Examples include high fidelity laboratory integration of components. 6. System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment. Representative model or prototype system, which is well beyond that of TRL 5, is tested in a relevant environment. Represents a major step up in a technologys demonstrated r eadiness. Examples include testing a prototype in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or in simulated operational environment. 7. System prototype demonstration in an operational environment. Prototype near, or at, planned operational system. Represents a major step up from TRL 6, requiring demonstration of an actual system prototype in an operational environment such as an airc raft, vehicle, or space. Examples include testing the prototype in a test bed aircraft. 8. Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration. Technology has been proven to work in its final form and under expected conditions. In almost all cases, this TRL represents the end of true system development. Examples include de velopmental test and evaluation of the system in its intended weapon system to determine if it meets design specifications. 9. Actual system proven through successful mission operations. Actual application of the technology in its final form and under mission conditions, such as those encountered in operational test and evaluation. Examples include using the system under oper ational mission conditions. DEFINITIONS: BREADBOARD: Integrated components that provide a representation of a system subsystem and which can be used to determine concept feasibility and to develop technical data. Typically configured for laboratory use to demonstrate the technical principles of immediate interest. May resemble final system/subsystem in function only. HIGH FIDELITY : Addresses form, fit and function. High-fidelity laboratory environment would involve testing with equipment that can simulate and validate all system specifications within a laboratory setting. LOW FIDELITY : A representative of the component or system that has limited ability to provide anything but first order information about the end product. Low-fidelity assessments are used to provide trend analysis. MODEL: A functional form of a system, generally reduced in scale, near or at operational specification. Models will be sufficiently hardened to allow demonstration of the technical and operational capabilities required of the final system. OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT: Environment that addresses all of the operational requirements and specifications required of the final system to include platform/packaging. PROTOTYPE: A physical or virtual model used to evaluate the technical or manufacturing feasibility or military utility of a particular technology or process, concept, end item or system. RELEVANT ENVIRONMENT: Testing environment that simulates the key aspects of the operational environment. SIMULATED OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL: Either 1) a real environment that can simulate all of the operational requirements and specifications required of the final system, or 2) a simulated environment that allows for testing of a virtual prototype; used in eith er case to determine whether a developmental system meets the operational requirements and specifications of the final system. Appendix B: Technology Application Idea (TAI) EMIP Submission Contractors will initially submit the following information that briefly describes the idea/technology and the estimated benefits and costs. Using Microsoft Word, list the complete Contact Information for this Technology Application Idea (TAI): Name of Company: Address of Company: Name of Technology Application Idea: Primary Contact Person for this TAI: Primary Contact Persons email: Primary Contact Persons Phone number: Main Capability Addressed by this Technology: Safety Survivability Reliability, Maintainability, and Sustainability Distribution and Mission Enhancements Provide a brief description of the technology: What are the primary benefits of this technology? How do you propose your technology application idea will save the military money? What is the current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of your technology application idea? Is your technology being used on any current military systems? If so, on what platform(s) is your technology on? Is your technology currently being applied in the private sector? If so, how is it being applied What developmental issues with your technology do you see integrating it into a tactical wheeled vehicle military environment (extreme temperatures, sand, fording requirements)? Have you ever shown/discussed/been in contact with the government regarding your technology application idea? If so, what are the names and the emails of the government personnel you have been in contact with? Are you willing to share information with the platform Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)? Please email the TAI and any other company literature to the following email address: TruckTech@tacom.army.mil Any literature that cannot be emailed may be mailed to the following address: PM Tactical Vehicles ATTN: SFAE-CSS-TV MS 414 (EMIP) 6501 E. 11-Mile Road Warren, MI 48397-5000
- Place of Performance
- Address: TACOM - Warren Acquisition Center ATTN: AMSTA-AQ-AMB, E Eleven Mile Road Warren MI
- Zip Code: 48397-5000
- Country: US
- Zip Code: 48397-5000
- Record
- SN00875001-W 20050821/050819212532 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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