U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Acquisition Center (AMSTA-AQ-DS), Warren, MI 48397-5000

39 -- ROUGH TERRAIN CONTAINER HANDLER SOL DAAE07-98-R-S011 DUE 061698 POC Laura Artz (810) 574-8041 WEB: Click here to view the RTCH home page to obtain a copy of the draft RFP, draft purchase description and attachments, www.tacom.army.mil/Acq_Cen/comveh/98rs011/98rs011.htm. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the buyer via e-mail, artzl@cc.tacom.army.mil. Description OF REQUIREMENT: TACOM is issuing a DRAFT Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Rough Terrain Container Handler (RTCH). The RTCH is described in Purchase Description (PD) 2215, draft edition, dated 24 MAR 98. The RTCH is a container-handling vehicle required to operate on unimproved surfaces with the rated load of a maximum 53,000 pounds. The RTCH will handle 20 and 40 foot ISO containers with heights ranging from 4'3" to 9'6". The RTCH must withstand the usage encountered in military operations including the loading and unloading of containers from flatbed trailers and rail cars, and operation in confined areas. It will be required to operate over rough terrain, including unprepared, unstablized surfaces such as beaches, snow, mud and cross-country. We desire that the RTCH have unrestricted rail and highway transportability, marine transportability and air transportability. Our intention is to use commercial practices, systems and technology to the maximum extent possible and to use commercially based logistics support. The RTCH will be acquired in two phases. Phase I will be the prototype development demonstration effort and Phase II will be the production effort. PHASE I: A best value determination will be made and may include factors such as technical approach, the offeror's commercial logistics support capabilities, cost, production capability, and past performance. We intend to award two prototype demonstration contracts in Phase I. The two successful contractors will be required to deliver up to two prototype RTCHs to Aberdeen Test Center seven months after award of the contract. TACOM will test and demonstrate the prototypes for approximately five months. The testing will review the critical capabilities of the prototypes. Special emphasis will be made on the reliability and roductivity of the prototypes for their intended use. The contractors will be required to provide support for this testing phase. The support effort will include developing technical manuals, training of government personnel, and providing on-site technical personnel to support a Prototype Demonstration Test and an Early User Test. PHASE II: We intend to limit competition for the production contract to only the two contractors that were awarded prototype contracts in Phase I. A best value determination will be made between the two contractors using evaluation criteria and the results of the testing and demonstration at the Aberdeen Test Center. We intend on issuing a five year requirements contract for the production of approximately 437 RTCHs under this program. The Draft RFP will be released for industry comment immediately. You are encouraged to monitor the RTCH home page: http://www.tacom.army.mil/Acq_Cen/comveh/98rs011/98rs011.htm and obtain a copy of the draft RFP, draft purchase description and attachments. A Bidder's Mailing List Registration and significant other information is posted on the RTCH home page. All responsible sources are invited to submit a Bidder's Mailing List Registration to Ms. Laura Artz immediately and to review and submit a response to the DRAFT RFP. Point of contact is the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command, Acquisition Center, AMSTA-AQ-SBB/Ms. Laura Artz, Warren, MI 48397-5000. TEL (810) 574-8041 FAX (810) 574-7596, E-MAIL: artzl@cc.tacom.army.mil. Issue date: 29 May 1998. Closing Date: 16 June 1998. (0134)

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