DRAFT RFP for MASH Testing for Safety Hardware Devices Used on Off-NHS Roadways

See attachments for DRAFT of the planned solicitation. This is NOT a request for proposals or quotations. This special notice is a DRAFT RFP issued for information and planning purposes only in accordance with FAR 15.201. The Government encourages interested offerors to submit questions, comments, and feedback on this draft solicitation. Responses to this notice will be used to identify and resolve concerns regarding the acquisition strategy, including proposed contract terms and conditions; the statements of work; the suitability of the proposal instructions and evaluation criteria; and any other industry concerns or questions. This draft RFP is subject to change. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) plans to issue a solicitation for a planned contract entitled, AASHTO MASH Testing for Safety Hardware Devices Used on Off-NHS Roadways. This project proposes to follow AASHTO 2016 Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) to crash test and document a Steel-Backed Timber roadway barrier, transition, and terminal common to the off-NHS system. This MASH testing will provide additional crashworthy alternative systems for local, federal, and tribal agencies and decrease occupant risk if they impact a device that meets current crash test standards. Under the planned contract, the contractor will be responsible for coordinating with an approved testing facility to at least fabricate the test safety hardware devices, procure test vehicle(s), conduct physical crash testing, and return the crash site to an acceptable condition to the testing facility. The crash testing will be conducted following criteria from the AASHTO 2016 Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). Upon completion of successful crash testing of the safety hardware device, the contractor will analyze results, and submit the findings to FHWA. NOTE: Due to the nature of this study, the contractor must have access to a laboratory that performs crash testing for acceptance of roadside safety hardware. The laboratory must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2005 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. Interested offerors are invited to submit responses to this notice in accordance with the instructions in the attached document. The Government estimates, but does not gurantee, to issue a final RFP by July 17th.