Advanced Safety Research (ASR) IDIQ

This sources sought announcement is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as an obligation on the part of the Electronic Systems Safety Research Division (NSR-330) at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice to identify potential qualified Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a) Certified SDB, HUBZone SB, Service Disables Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or Women Owned Small Business (WOSB) concerns that may be interested in and capable of performing the work described herein and as listed in the attached draft SOW, NSR-330 is conducting market research to locate qualified, experienced, and interested parties. These parties should be able to support safety research in the following four broad domains: Advanced Safety Technologies, Automated Driving Systems (SAE driving automation levels 3 to 5), Cybersecurity and Functional Safety of vehicle electronic components and subsystems. NHTSA welcomes all qualified Small Business concerns, with the appropriate NAICS Code and past experience to submit their Corporate Capability Statements that demonstrate their ability to successfully accomplish the goals of the project as listed below. NHTSA does not intend to award a contract on the basis of responses to this notice or otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made; no formal evaluation of the information received will be conducted by NHTSA. NHTSA may; however later on issue a Request for Proposals (RFP). However, should such a requirement fail to materialize, no basis for claims against NHTSA shall arise as a result of a response to this notice. This Sources Sought Notice is not a request for proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government as to the final acquisition strategy. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. At this time no solicitation exists. Therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation. Responses in any form are not offers. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this Notice. The results of this sources sought notice will assist the Contracting Officer in determining the best strategy for this procurement. BACKGROUND The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). NHTSA's mission is to save lives, prevent injuries and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes. The agency develops, promotes, and implements effective educational, engineering and enforcement programs with the goal of ending preventable tragedies associated with vehicle use and highway travel. In 2022, motor vehicle-related crashes on U.S. highways claimed 42,514 lives. Analysis of crash causation factors indicate that many crashes involve driver-related factors, such as recognition, decision, performance, or non-performance. In addition, risky driving behaviors, such as distraction, impairment, and speeding, are often involved in fatal and serious injury crashes. Advancements in fundamental vehicle control and safety systems, including tires, brakes, steering, and lighting systems can help drivers avoid or mitigate crash situations. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) offer further opportunities to avoid or mitigate crashes by alerting, assisting and/or providing intervention for the driver in crash-imminent situations. In the future, Automated Driving Systems (ADS), which have the potential to perform the entire dynamic driving task, may further reduce crashes caused by driver error. ADS-equipped vehicles may also increase mobility accessibility to individuals, including those with disabilities and physical challenges. As electronic control systems, software, and connectivity that support ADAS and ADS technologies advance, cybersecurity related vulnerabilities may also increase. These changes will likely have a commensurate increase in software and hardware complexity as well as an increase in functional safety and cybersecurity countermeasures. OBJECTIVE/SCOPE The mission of NHTSA NSR-300 is to formulate and conduct research programs that build the scientific basis for advancing the safe deployment of advanced safety technologies, including ADAS and ADS components and systems. NSR-300 also supports vehicle cybersecurity and human factors research related to ADAS and ADS systems. In completing such research, NHTSA and its research partners collaborate with and leverage input from a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to, the following: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), ADAS and ADS technology providers and suppliers, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), SAE International, other countries, other U.S. DOT modes, and other Federal agencies. The purpose of this solicitation action (hereafter referred to as the Advanced Safety Research or ASR IDIQ) is to establish IDIQ contracts between NHTSA and qualified contractors (or contractor teams) to support safety research in the following four broad domains. These four domains are in direct relationship to the seven (7) research areas below: Advanced Safety Technologies (crash avoidance systems, driver assistance systems, other intelligent technologies, and fundamental vehicle systems such as tires, brakes, steering, and lighting) Automated Driving Systems (SAE driving automation levels 3 to 5) Cybersecurity Functional Safety of vehicle electronic components and subsystems. The tasks and experiments performed under the ASR IDIQ Contract will provide the technical support needed by NHTSA in seven Research Areas (RAs) listed below: Controlled-Environment Evaluation (Test Track Research) Virtual Testing (Simulation & Modeling) Vehicle Component Testing and Functional Safety Assessments On-Road Testing and Naturalistic Studies Safety Impact Assessment Support Cybersecurity Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) Methods, Algorithms, and Software. See the attached draft Statement of Work for additional detailed information for the above requirements. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE The work associated with this requirement will be performed at an authorized contractor location. SECURITY REQUIREMENT This acquisition does not deal with classified matters. Where applicable, Agency information security requirements will be met through TAR clause 1252.239-70, - Security requirements for unclassified information technology resources. CONFIDENTIALITY Do not include proprietary, trade secrets, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in your response to this Sources Sought Notice. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is submitted, as it is clearly stated this type of information shall NOT be submitted. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate, including using technical information provided by respondents in any resultant solicitation. Responses to this Notice will not be returned. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES Capabilities: The corporate capability statement must address the capabilities necessary to accomplish the scope outlined above as well as the additional tasks and characteristics given in the attached draft SOW. Interested parties may submit a corporate capability statements to the following contact: contact@example.gov to include Subject Line: Response to Sources Sought- 693JJ925RQ000068, Advanced Safety Research (ASR) IDIQ Format of Corporate Capabilities Statement: Any interested qualified Small Business firms, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a) Certified SDB, HUBZone SB, SDVOSB, or WOSB concerns should submit their Corporate Capability Statement, which demonstrates the firm's ability and past experience in no more than 10 pages to perform the key requirements described above to the identified NHTSA point of contact listed herein. Any proprietary information should be marked as such. All respondents are asked to certify the type and size of their business organization is in-line with the requirements of this Sources Sought Notice, and must be received no later than 10 calendar days from the date of publication or by the closing date of this notice. To facilitate a timely and comprehensive review of all submitted responses, firms should respond using the format requested in this Notice. Please provide the following information for your firm and for any teaming or joint venture partners: General Information: Company name, address, point of contact name, telephone, and email address. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. Business size and classification (e.g., large, small, small-disadvantaged, SBA Certified 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned) based on NAICS code: 541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services. If applicable, potential proposed teaming arrangements to include business size and classification of prime and subcontractors. GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Number (FSS must include NAICS code 541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services. Identify contracts your company has been awarded under NAICS code: 541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services. Technical Capability: Provide a brief synopsis to support the firm's ability to perform all of potential areas of the objective/scope. Identify each task element and provide information to support the firm's experience, staffing and overall ability to perform the technical area. Evidence of experience and past performance should include contracts/task orders from the past three (3) years similar in scope to this requirement. Examples must include contract numbers, project titles, dollar amounts, periods of performance, and Government points of contact (telephone numbers or email addresses). Documented information to support the firm's ability to provide the range of research skillsets capability to quickly plan, conduct, and document studies; AND personnel required for this effort in a timely fashion. Any data on previous contracts/task orders on personnel retention and succession planning. Additional Information: Indicate if your firm will submit a proposal if a Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued, and if your firms interest is for Prime contracting, teaming agreement or Joint Venture. Validation of, or recommended NAICS codes for this effort. Validation of, or recommended contract type. Validation of, or recommended GSA vehicle In each potential areas of research, indicate any Small Business Subcontracting opportunities, as applicable. Other Recommendations Any information missing from this requirement that would provide a better understanding of the effort desired. Please submit any other questions or comments along with your response. CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Department of Transportation (DOT) Headquarters, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.