Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Investigate Clearance Criterion between Tether Anchor and Heat Restraint

Action Code: S Classification Code: A Title: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Investigate Clearance Criterion between Tether Anchor and Heat Restraint Response Date: August 12, 2015 Point of Contract: D'Angela Moore, Contract Specialist, (202) 366-2249. Solicitation Number: DTNH2215R00107 Description: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intends to negotiate with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) for the continuation of essential services to evaluate the available space in the package shelf behind the rear seats of passenger cars with respect to the proposed changes to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." NHTSA is currently contemplating ways to improve the ease of use of child restraint anchorage systems. Specifically, the NPRM proposed changes to specify a minimum 165 mm (6.5 in) distance from a reference point on the vehicle seat (near the back of the head restraint) to the tether anchorage so that adequate clearance will be provided for tightening of the tether strap. Background: On January 25, 2015 the agency published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend FMVSS No. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems" to improve their ease of use. The agency proposed adopting requirements that would make it easier for consumers to attach child restraints to the lower anchorages and tether anchorages of child restraint anchorage systems among other usability requirements. The agency believes that the proposed usability requirements would improve correct (tight) installation, and increase tether use. It is estimated that a 5 percent increase in correct installation using lower anchors and a 5 percent increase in tether use, would result in saving approximately 3 lives and prevent 6 moderate to higher severity injuries. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) was tasked by NHTSA to conduct research under a Cooperative Agreement to collect and analyze data to improve the ease of use of child restraint anchorage systems. Resulting from this effort, one of the requirements proposed to improve the ease of use of the tether anchorages was to require a 165 mm (6.5 in) minimum distance from a tether anchorages to a reference point on the corresponding vehicle designated seating position (DSP) to allow tightening of the tether straps in most vehicles without experiencing interference from other structures, such as the head restraint. For compatibility the agency also proposed to require child restraint systems tether anchor hardware assembly to be no longer than 165 mm long. In response to the NPRM, several manufacturers responded highlighting issues, such as, existing impeding equipment ( e.g. speakers) within the 165 mm requirement; rear glazing (sometimes slanted) too close to access the tether anchor; and, that the rearmost point on the head restraint is not closely defined or controlled. The Contractor shall use the existing data already available consisting of documented scans of rear occupant compartments for rear seat H-point, tether anchor locations and head restraint landmarks for approximately 21 model year 2010, or later vehicles to complete evaluations in response to comments on the NPRM. Purpose: The purpose is to assess the available space in the package shelf behind the rear seats of passengers' cars with respect to the proposed limits on the location of the tether anchor. The specific project objectives are to 1) estimate how many vehicles would already meet the 165 mm clearance criterion; 2) for vehicles that do not meet this criterion, identify what physical structures might prevent its implementation; and 3) develop an alternate reference point to the rearmost point on the head restraint that would achieve the same result. The UMTRI has existing datasets that can be used to help address these issues. All datasets include photos that allow identification of structures on the rear filler panel that would hinder moving the tether anchor to the recommended location. The Contractor shall manage and provide detail description of all work associated with the available space behind the package shelf sedan/coupe-type vehicles with the respect to standardized points in the rear sear (H-Point, shoulder point, etc.) and feasibilities of the proposed limit on tether anchor position in each of the selected vehicle models. The Contractor shall evaluate the practicability of meeting the Australian Design Rule 34/02 "Child Restraint Anchorages and Child Restraint Anchor Fittings" with the proposed clearance limit on the tether anchor position. The contractor must also provide alternate measurement for the tether anchor position with respect to standardized points on the rear seats that would resolve the issues raised by commenters in an effort to maintain an aggressive deadline for publishing of the final rule in early 2016. The anticipated period of performance is for a base period of four (4) months. A Firm Fixed-Price commercial-items contract is anticipated. Interested firms should identify their capability to provide the services described above. The written response must include detailed information relating to the specific equipment being requested. Expressions of interest without sufficient detail to permit evaluation of one's ability to provide the requested items will not be considered. This is a notice of intent issued in accordance with FAR 5.203(a)(1) and not a request for competitive proposals nor is a Request-for-Proposal solicitation document currently available. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive acquisition. In the absence of responses from interested firms demonstrating their capability, NHTSA intends to request a proposal from University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) on a noncompetitive basis in accordance with FAR 13.106(b)(1) for the work described. Responses must be received by the listed procuring office with 5 days from the date of publication of this notice.