Corporate Average Fuel Economy Management Suite (CAFE) Database

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, SDVOSB, or WOSB concerns that may be interested in and capable of performing the work described herein which is to provide a modernized, cloud-native (AWS) application and a secure web-based interface that streamlines the lifecycle of fuel economy data management.

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.

Background:

The Department of Transportation (DOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) fuel efficiency programs are governed by 49 USC 329. The fuel efficiency programs require manufacturers of Light, Medium, and Heavy-Duty vehicles (LDV and MDV/HDV), produced for sale in the US, to meet fuel efficiency standards, expressed in miles per gallon (mpg) for LDV vehicles and fuel consumption standards (gal/ton-mi) for MDV/HDV Class 2b through Class 8 vehicles.

The purpose of these programs is to reduce the nation’s energy consumption through increasing the fuel efficiency of motor vehicles. Fuel efficiency standards improve our nation’s energy security and save consumers’ money at the pump. NHTSA establishes LDV standards (domestic and import passenger cars, and light trucks) and MDV/HDV standards at “the maximum feasible fuel efficiency levels.” Manufacturers must ensure their annual fleet averages meet established standards using various technologies, and the CAFE DB tracks these credits and compliance balances.

Objective(s):
The purpose of this contract is to provide a modernized, cloud-native (AWS) application and a secure web-based interface that streamlines the lifecycle of fuel economy data management. This effort eliminates manual, error-prone processes by providing high-integrity data analytical tools for NHTSA and public reporting via the Public Information Center (PIC).

The primary objectives are to obtain design, development, and implementation of the CAFE DB platform with the following anticipated outcomes:

1. Modernize Data Ingestion: Transition from manual Excel and email-based processes to a secure, web-based external ingestion portal for OEM data submission.
2. Automate Regulatory Workflows: Eliminate manual interventions for 90-day EOY Reporting, Credit Plans, and Credit Value Reporting.
3. Ensure Data Integrity: Strictly segregate and protect Confidential Business Information (CBI) through a secure treatment request workflow and partitioned storage.
4. Enhance Transparency: Expand Business Intelligence (BI) reporting and automated data extractions for the Public Information Center (PIC) portal.
5. Intelligence Integration: Leverage AI/ML to identify data anomalies and improve the relevance of regulatory recommendations.
6. Maintain High Availability: Ensure 99.9% uptime through robust Operations & Maintenance (O&M), including routine patching and incident mitigation within hours.
7. Agile Engagement: Support Agile methods by providing continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) capabilities, sprints, and retrospectives.
8. Continuous Security Oversight: Perform Annual Security Assessments and coordinate with the NHTSA Security Team to obtain and maintain a full Authorization to Operate (ATO) as required.

The Contractor shall be responsible for all the necessary equipment, personnel, location as annotated in the attached Draft Statement of Objectives (SOO).

CAPABILITY STATEMENTS

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 which 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

1. Company name, address, point of contact name, telephone, and email address.
2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code.
3. 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: 541511- Custom Computer Programming Services.
4. If applicable, potential proposed teaming arrangements to include business size and classification of prime and subcontractors.
5. GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Number (FSS must include NAICS code 541511- Custom Computer Programming Services.
6. Identify contracts your company has been awarded under NAICS code: 541511- Custom Computer Programming Services.

Technical Capability:

1. 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.
2. Evidence of experience and past performance should include contracts/task orders from the past three (3) years similar in scope to this requirement.
3. Examples must include contract numbers, project titles, dollar amounts, periods of performance, and Government points of contact (telephone numbers or email addresses).
4. 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.
5. Any data on previous contracts/task orders on personnel retention and succession planning.

Additional Information:

1. 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.
2. Validation of, or recommended NAICS codes for this effort.
3. Validation of, or recommended contract type.
4. Validation of, or recommended GSA vehicle
5. In each potential areas of research, indicate any Small Business Subcontracting opportunities, as applicable.
6. Other Recommendations
   1. Any information missing from this requirement that would provide a better understanding of the effort desired.
   2. 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.