Accelerated Vehicle Durability Testing (AVDT) Chassis Simulator prototype Award Announcement

On June 24, 2019, an Other Transaction Agreement was awarded to MTS Systems Corporation of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for the development of the Accelerated Vehicle Durability Testing (AVDT) Chassis Simulator prototype, with a total funding amount of $30,421,880. This contract was established under 10 U.S. Code § 2371b and followed a market research process that identified MTS as the sole responsible vendor responding to the Request for Information, leading to a targeted award. The primary goal of the project is to enhance the vehicle acquisition process by accelerating and improving the evaluation of vehicle system durability and reliability, particularly focusing on high-risk chassis components of heavy, multi-axle wheeled vehicles as well as the reliability of all on-board subsystems including electronics. The Chassis Simulator prototype is designed to replicate terrain-related stressors that chassis components endure while traversing rough terrain, allowing for more accurate testing of vehicle durability through direct inputs at the vehicle spindles and suspension. This testing capability aims to improve the overall assessment process, reducing the time and cost associated with vehicle testing in real-world environments. The contract was managed through the Department of Defense office in Orlando, Florida, with Jamie Davies serving as the contract specialist point of contact.