Enforcement Standards for FMVSS No. 223, "Rear Impact Guards"

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (USDOT) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) Synopsis for Solicitation DTNH2217R00001 Enforcement Standards for FMVSS No. 223, "Rear Impact Guards" Introduction The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an integral part of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and its mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce health care and other economic costs associated with motor vehicle crashes. As part of its mission to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes, the NHTSA promulgates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Manufacturers of motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment are required to certify that each product they sell in the United States meets the requirements of all applicable safety standards. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) is charged with determining whether manufacturers meet all applicable safety standards. This proposed effort will enable the Agency to meet its mission by assuring that motor vehicles meet the requirements of the safety standards. Background The purpose of this Contract is to procure testing services, inspection services, and reports so that the Government can determine whether rear impact guards comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 223 and to collect data on a new rear impact guard test procedure being considered by the Agency. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 223, "Rear Impact Guards," applies to rear impact guards for trailers and semitrailers subject to FMVSS No. 224, "Rear Impact Protection." The standard was created to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries that occur when light duty vehicles collide with the rear end of trailers and semitrailers. On December 16, 2015, NHTSA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to adopt requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) No. 223, "Rear impact guards." NHTSA needs to evaluate the proposed quasi-static tests and performance requirements outlined in the NPRM. Synopsis This synopsis, in accordance with FAR 5.203(a), issues a 15 day public notification prior to the issuance of a solicitation DTNH2217R00001. NHTSA intends to issue a solicitation for a Full and Open Competition in support of the Enforcement Standards for FMVSS No. 223, "Rear Impact Guards". Contract Type NTHSA intends to award a multiple Indefinite-Delivery Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract whereby Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) Delivery Orders may be issued, in accordance with FAR16.505. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and size standard for this acquisition are: 541380 and not greater than $15.0M Period of Performance The anticipated period of performance is for 60 months. The solicitation will be issued on or about November 30, 2016. Scope of Work The services under this contract are necessary to determine conformance of sample rear impact guards with the applicable requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 223, "Rear Impact Guards," and to evaluate requirements and test protocol to support NHTSA's evaluation of new test procedures for rear impact guards. The Contractor shall furnish the necessary qualified technical personnel, facilities, and equipment to perform the procurement, receipt, inventory, inspection, testing, reporting, storage and disposal of rear impact guards provided to the Contractor as Government Furnished Test Items (GFTI) or purchased by the Contractor as Contractor Purchased Test Items (CPTI). The Contractor may be asked to provide additional information specific to the tests conducted for NHTSA, including, but not limited to: test data, photos, video, details about the test set up, test observations, or details about the test item configuration, etc. The services called for under the contract are to be performed at the Contractor's facilities and those facilities must be located in the U.S.A. The nature of the compliance work requires close coordination between federal and laboratory personnel. Federal personnel may be required to visit the laboratories to observe processes, ship parts or equipment, or meet with manufacturer and laboratory personnel in support of on-going investigations etc. Subcontracting of any test or any portion of a test is prohibited under this contract. The solicitation will be released electronically via this Government Point of Entry (GPE) otherwise known as Federal Business Opportunities or www.fbo.gov. As such, no written, telephonic or other type of request for an advance copy of the solicitation will be entertained at this time. Potential offerors/vendors are encouraged to register on www.fbo.gov to receive any further information in reference to the subject action inclusive of any announcements, and/or amendments to the solicitation after its release.