JPL, Attn: K. Maskew, Mail Stop 190-220, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109-8099

A -- VARIABLE DYNAMIC TESTBED VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT SOL 95/6. DUE 120495. POC K. Maskew. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (JPL/Caltech), operating under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will manage a program for the development of an automobile test platform called the Variable Dynamic Testbed Vehicle (VDTV) for use in collision avoidance research and testing, human factors research, and Automated Highway System (AHS) program support. The sponsor for this R&D effort is the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA) through an interagency agreement with NASA. The VDTV will have advanced subsystems controlled by an on-board computer, and will be instrument for both vehicle and driver measurements. Capabilities that will be considered include drive-by-wire (comprising steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, and throttle-by-wire), active or semi-active suspension, and four-wheel steering. Other features may be included. JPL is currently seeking potential sources that have the capability to fulfill the requirements of designing and building this vehicle to a specification that will be made available in the Request for Proposal (RFP) expected to be released in January 1996. Companies or teams interested in this work should have strong and proven automobile engineering and fabrication experience in the building of instrument research vehicles. Additionally, technical disciplines of systems engineering, dynamic's analysis, and testing is necessary. Written expressions of interest should be submitted to: JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Attn: Mr. A. Marriott, M/S 126-236, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 no later than four (4) weeks from the publication date of this synopsis. Such expressions of interest should include a description of qualifications of the interested party. No additional information is available at this time; therefore, telephone inquiries will not be honored. This is not a solicitation or RFP. (305)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0009 19951103\A-0009.SOL)