This document is an RFI for use by the U.S. Army Project Director Main Battle Tank Systems, Product Director Combat Recovery Systems. The following paragraph(s) provide additional information regarding this RFI. Thank you in advance, for your time and participation.
I. General Information
The Army will use the information acquired from this RFI solely for investigative purposes and will not be sharing responses with marketplace competitors. The Government does NOT seek to obtain proprietary otherwise protected documents resulting from this RFI. The sole intent of this market research is to obtain marketplace information about the capabilities of providing an improved M88A2 HERCULES engine meeting the Army requirements.
RFI participation provides an important guide to influence the Army's approach in the procurement of an improved M88A2 HERCULES engine. The Army will not compensate RFI contributors and participation is at the discretion of the respondent(s). The information contained in this RFI is not a means to seek payment, reimbursement or other consideration from the Government. Moreover, the intention of this RFI is not to solicit proposals.
II. Objectives
This RFI is being issued to address the Army's need to improve the Air Cooled Vee Configuration Diesel Superturbocharged (AVDS) 1790 8CR engine used in the M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicle. The Army is gathering information to develop courses of action to improve the Reliability, Durability, and Maintainability of the Engine. The current engine is rated at 1,050 HP. There is no current need to improve power output.
The engine is an Air Cooled, Vee configuration (12 cylinder), Diesel, with Turbo Charging. It has a displacement of 1,790 Cubic Inches. The engine uses a mechanical fuel injection system. The engine uses a spark ignited flame cold start system. The engine primarily uses JP-5, JP-8, or F-24 Fuels. Circumstances could exist where the engine may need to use Jet-A, DF-2, and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD).
The Army is interested in using a systems approach to do a comprehensive improvement to the engine. Improving combustion efficiency, adding more self-diagnostics, reducing engine fire hazard, simplifying cold start procedures, as well as reducing oil leaks and consumption are of interest. Technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, electronic fuel injection, improved cylinders, cold start subsystems, pistons and rings, air intake and turbochargers, as well as exhaust systems.
The improved engine needs to physically fit into the current M88A2 engine compartment and be able to mate up with the XT-1410 transmission. (Please see the attached sketch for engine compartment space claim.) The improved engine needs to perform the same functions it currently does. The improved engine needs to be maintainable under the Army's 2 level maintenance doctrine. The engine will need to be maintainable in the field under current force structure (No new Military Occupational Specialties or skill identifiers), and be overhauled at a U.S. Army depot. The improved engine would need to come with adequate documentation to facilitate field maintenance and overhaul. The Army currently envisions that the improved engine would be built from existing AVDS 1790 8CR engines blocks. The improvements would be applied as a kit during overhaul at the depot.
The improved engine would need to undergo a 400 hour North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) test, along with vehicle level testing.
III. Instructions

a. Please read and complete the following sections:
IV. Company Identification and Point of Contact
V. Information Needed

b. Please respond to all of the questions contained in this RFI. If the requested information does not pertain to your organization, request that you respond "not applicable" (N/A).
c. Please send responses to this RFI via e-mail to Dave Patti, [email protected] no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on 29 July 2019.
IV. Company Identification and Point of Contact
Company Identification:
Company Name: _____________________________________________________
Mailing Address: ____________________________________________________
Company website: ___________________________________________________
Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE): __________________________
Data Universal Numbering System Number (DUNS): ________________________
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): _____________________
Location of Facilities: ________________________________________________
Business Size and eligibility under U.S. Government socio-economic programs and preference (i.e. type of business - large, small, small-disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, or 8(a)): _______________________________________

Point of Contact (POC) Identification:
Name: _________________________________________________________
Title: ___________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: _______________________________________________
E-Mail Address: ____________________________________________________
Alternate POC: ___________________________________________________
Alternate POC Title: ______________________________________________
Alternate POC Telephone Number: _____________________________________
Alternate POC E-Mail Address: ________________________________________
V. Information Needed

1. Vendor Systems Engineering approach to improving the engine.
2. Improvements that the vendor would consider applying to the engine. Please provide performance detail on those technologies.
3. Describe how these improvements enhance reliability, durability, and maintainability.
4. Impacts on heat rejection or thermal loading associated with these improvements.
5. Details on the ability to manufacture components and subsystems for these improvements.
6. Experience in applying these technologies to military engines.
7. Vehicle Integration considerations for the vendor's Engine improvement concept.
8. Estimated Rough Order of Magnitude cost to build up to 6 prototype improved engines. Engine blocks would be provided by the Army.
9. Estimated Rough Order of Magnitude cost to produce up to 500 kits to build improved engines over 5 years.
10. Considerations for applying the vendors proposed engine improvement kit to engines during depot level overhaul.