SOURCES SOUGHT
K -- SOURCES SOUGHT
- Notice Date
- 4/8/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 336999
— All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- ACC-APG-TENANT CONTRACTING DIV,, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-3013
- ZIP Code
- 21005-3013
- Solicitation Number
- W91ZLK-14-X-2014
- Response Due
- 5/12/2014
- Archive Date
- 6/11/2014
- Point of Contact
- Chanel D. Williams, 443-861-4741
- E-Mail Address
-
ACC-APG-TENANT CONTRACTING DIV
(chanel.d.williams@us.army.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Sources Sought Announcement and request for information only. This is not a Request for Proposals and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the Government will take procurement action on this matter. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. The Government will not be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing information provided under this Sources Sought Announcement. Responses will assist the Government in determining potential responsible sources and to determine the technical capability of the domestic production base. 1. Overview: The Automotive Instrumentation Division of Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) uses a heavy mobile field dynamometer to conduct automotive performance testing of tracked and wheeled combat and tactical vehicles. The M-16 mobile field dynamometer was a custom design built in 1979. It has a maximum drawbar pull of 55,000 lbs and weighs 135,800 lbs. It is 517 inches in length, 144 inches wide and 159 inches tall. The dynamometer is now 35 years old and is increasingly prone to problems. Parts are difficult to obtain and recent repairs have required ATC technicians to troubleshoot and remedy board level problems associated with the speed control subsystem. Major components are no longer commercially available and replacement parts on hand for repairs have been depleted to a critical level. The original manufacturer and technical personnel are no longer in business to provide maintenance support or product improvement. An upgrade to the speed control system is required to improve the reliability and extend the service life of the dynamometer.. 2. REQUIREMENTS: The basic requirement is to design, build and integrate a modern speed control system into the existing field dynamometer chassis and to reuse the cab, diesel engine, generator, direct current traction motors, auxiliary power unit and dynamic braking grids. This project will be divided into four phases. 2.1 Phase I On-site inspection of the M-16 by the contractor to develop a thorough understanding of the dynamometer operating principles and current condition of the dynamometer speed control system. ATC personnel will demonstrate the operation of the dynamometer in its three primary and three auxiliary testing modes. The three primary driver selectable modes are prime mover, dynamometer, and truck. In the prime mover mode the traction motors function as electric drive motors propelling the dynamometer. In this mode, a speed-setting potentiometer creates the demand for more or less propulsion. The control system will increase or decrease the vehicle speed until the actual speed match the requested speed. At any time, the service brake pedal can override this system and call for maximum dynamic braking. In dynamometer mode the traction motors function as generators with their output across the dynamic retarding grid resistors. In this mode the vehicle becomes a dynamic load to any vehicle that is trying to tow it. The level of the retarding load is a function of the brake pedal position or the speed-setting potentiometer. The speed control system will initiate more or less retarding in order to maintain the requested speed by altering the traction motor field current. At any time, the brake pedal can override this system and call for maximum dynamic braking. In the truck mode the electric speed control is taken out of the system. The vehicle speed is controlled by the accelerator foot pedal and functions similar to any diesel electric vehicle. Dynamic braking can still occur by pressing the brake foot pedal. Truck mode operation is used to move the vehicle to and from local test sites. The three auxiliary operating modes are inch, winch and static line pull. The inch mode is similar to truck mode where the vehicle speed is controlled via the accelerator pedal. It is different in that it provides a very fine control at low ground speeds. The inch mode allows the dynamometer operator more accurate control of the vehicle when coupling to test vehicles. The winch mode is identical to inch mode only with much finer speed resolution. Winch mode is used to load recovery winches where the line (ground) speeds are extremely low and the measured rope forces are needed to be very precise. The front load cell may also be retracted using its hydraulic cylinder, to apply static line pulls and read the tension loads with the dynamometer parked. Extending the load cell will remove the load. This feature is used to apply proof loads to towing and tie down fixtures. quote mark As built quote mark control system schematics will be made available for review. Original blueprints conforming to ANSI paper size J are available for review on site. Electronic (scanned) copies can be provided. The dynamometer mode absorption characteristics and prime mover tractive force data are available in graphic format as a function of road speed. The specific test procedures applicable to mobile field dynamometer test support are also available electronically. Specifically, U.S. Army Developmental Test Command Test Operating Procedure (TOP) 2-2-605, quote mark Wheeled Vehicle Towing Resistance quote mark, TOP 2-2-604, quote mark Drawbar Pull quote mark, and TOP 2-2-712, quote mark Automotive Winches quote mark will be used. 2.2 Phase II The control upgrade project will include the development and review of the technical design package. The control system design will be fully documented to include wiring diagrams, schematics, parts lists, source code, and purchase sources for all components. Any special tools will be identified. A theory of operation document shall be provided to assist ATC engineers in understanding the updated system operation and a set of troubleshooting instructions will be provided. Technical proposals submitted in response to this request shall have sufficient detail to enable a comprehensive evaluation of the proposed control system modifications and its operation to determine whether the design will meet the essential requirements of the government. Proposals should be specific, complete and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the technical requirements. Acceptability of proposals will be based on meeting all of the essential requirements of the government's specification. Failure to address each requirement will result in the proposal being rated unacceptable. Contractors submitting unacceptable technical proposals will be notified upon completion of the technical evaluation and the final determination of such unacceptability. If the proposal is not clear in its response to a requirement, that proposal will be rated susceptible of being made acceptable and at the government's sole discretion the government may or may not request further clarification. In order to facilitate the evaluation proposals shall contain sufficient detail to enable evaluation with respect to the following: 1) Basic design approach 2) Adherence to the requirements of the government specification 3) Use of state-of-the-art technologies 4) Component selections and commercial availability 5) Overall dynamometer performance 6) Adequacy of software 7) Familiarization and training plans for government personnel 8) Documentation and schematics, where appropriate 2.3 Phase III. Implementation of the speed control design into the mobile field dynamometer. The modifications to the mobile field dynamometer will be conducted at Aberdeen Test Center. The physical size of the dynamometer precludes shipping it to a contractor's facility. Dedicated shop space will be provided to facilitate the control system modifications. A trained dynamometer operator will be provided by ATC if the dynamometer needs to be started or driven as part of the upgrade. The control system will be integrated into the existing dynamometer chassis and be ready for acceptance testing one hundred eighty (180) days after government acceptance of the preliminary design proposal.. 2.4 Phase IV. The control system upgrade will include the execution of acceptance tests by ATC personnel to insure the dynamometer operation meets the government specifications. Acceptance of the mobile dynamometer control system upgrade will be based on its ability to meet the speed and load control requirements for each mode of dynamometer operation. Acceptance tests will be conducted by government personnel at Aberdeen Test Center after completion of the control system integration. The following test procedures will be used to confirm proper mobile field dynamometer operation. Evaluation of the speed and load controls will be conducted on paved test courses meeting the requirements outlined in the specific Test Operating Procedure (TOP). The test course gradient for all paved operations will not exceed 1.0 percent. Existing ATC paved test courses will be used to conduct the required tests. Prime Mover Mode: The dynamometer will tow a test vehicle using the dynamometer's rear mounted load cell. The speed control system shall be capable of maintaining the requested speed within +/- 0.5 km/hr (+/- 0.3 mph) at any steady state speed condition throughout the entire absorption capacity range in prime mover mode. U.S. army Developmental Test Command Test Operating Procedure (TOP) 2-2-605, quote mark Wheeled Vehicle Towing Resistance quote mark will be used to conduct this test. Specifically, paragraph 4.1 quote mark Towing Method quote mark will be used to quantify the towing resistance and power loss measurement capability. Dynamometer Mode: Full load, tractive effort tests will be conducted using U.S. Army Developmental Test Command Test Operating Procedure (TOP) 2-2-604, quote mark Drawbar Pull quote mark as a guide. Drawbar Pull on Hard Surface (paragraph 4.2) will be used evaluate the new dynamometer control system's ability to control and maintain the load and speed requirements as described in the government specification. Candidate test vehicles will be selected to provide the full throttle characteristics that match closest to the absorption curve of the dynamometer. Tracked vehicles to include the Abrams M1A2 and wheeled vehicles including Stryker, Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) and High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) will be used to provide the needed drawbar loading. The speed control system shall be capable of maintaining the requested speed within +/- 0.5 km/hr (+/- 0.3 mph) at any steady state speed condition throughout the entire absorption capacity range in dynamometer mode. Proper operation of ATC's heavy absorption trailers will be confirmed while coupled to the mobile field dynamometer. A heavy absorption trailer will be towed at constant speeds while trailer loading is applied from the dynamometer. Load and speed control will be measured and compared to the system specifications. Truck Mode: The dynamometer will be driven at posted road speeds over paved roads at speeds up to 45 mph and into and out of shop maintenance and garage storage areas to determine ease of handling, maneuverability and braking control. The analysis will be subjective in nature and will be based off ATC's experienced dynamometer operators. Inch Mode: Proper inch mode operation will be validated by simulating tow bar hookup to a test vehicle in an unconfined area. Smooth vehicle operation and low speed are essential for safe operation. Operations will be subjective in nature and will be based off ATC's experienced dynamometer operators. Winch Mode: The M-16 mobile field dynamometer will be used to conduct constant force line pulls typical of a self recovery or material handling winch system. The force control system shall be capable of maintaining the specified motive force within +/- 500 lbs at a steady state condition throughout the entire absorption capacity range in winch mode. U.S. army Developmental Test Command Test Operating Procedure (TOP) 2-2-712, quote mark Automotive Winches quote mark will be used to evaluate the line speed and winch capacity characteristics. Vehicles and recovery winches will be selected to cover as much of the operational load range as practical. Paragraph 4.1 quote mark Line Speed quote mark and 4.2 quote mark Winch Capacity and Brakes quote mark will be used to determine cable loading and speed. RESPONSES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 12 May 2014. The Government reserves the right to close this Sources Sought Notice once it has received an adequate number of responses. The ICD CS team anticipates an Industry Day following the review of the RFI responses. The M16 dynamometer will be made available for perspective bidders to inspect. Also, at this time copies of the current control system schematics and applicable test operating procedures will be made available. An opportunity to view the mobile dynamometer conducting a resistance to motion test and a tractive effort test will be provided. The industry day is scheduled for 10 June 2014. All requests for further information must be made via email. Telephone requests for additional information will not be honored. For questions, potential respondents shall email the Contracting Officer at chanel.d.williams.civ@mail.mil Additional Info: U.S. Army Operational Test Command plans, conducts, and reports rigorous operational tests, assessments, and experiments in order to provide essential information for the acquisition and fielding of Warfighting systems. Contracting Office Address: ACC-APG - Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Tenant Division 6001 Combat Drive, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-1846 Commercial Phone: 443-861-4741 Place of Performance: U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center 400 Colleran Road Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005 Point of Contact(s): Chanel D. Williams, 443-861-4741 chanel.d.williams.civ@mail.mil
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/e2626383af2263b574b9d96ef7ebeb82)
- Place of Performance
- Address: ACC-APG-TENANT CONTRACTING DIV, 4118 Susquehanna Avenue Aberdeen Proving Ground MD
- Zip Code: 21005-3013
- Zip Code: 21005-3013
- Record
- SN03333203-W 20140410/140409022149-e2626383af2263b574b9d96ef7ebeb82 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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