Action Code:  S

Classification Code:  5210

Solicitation: DTNH2217RQ00045

Agency/Office:  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Location: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration HQ

NAICS Code:  334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, 500 Employees.

Point of Contract:  Vincent Lynch, Contracting Officer, ph(202) 366-9568

Title:  Tensile Test Machine for lab testing at VRTC

Description(s):

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 to purchase a (hydraulic loading train style) material and component strength and fatigue testing machine for the Vehicle Research and Test Center.  This unit (herein referred to as "Test Machine") is needed to apply and measure controlled physical forces and displacements that incorporate a variety of specialized and unique applications in a laboratory environment.

NHTSA welcomes all qualified Small Business concerns, and any other firms 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 proposed types of projects 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; and 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 Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) has a need to purchase a Test Machine to apply and measure controlled physical forces and displacements that incorporate a variety of specialized and unique applications in a laboratory environment. 

The mission of the Vehicle Research and Test Center of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce traffic-related health care and other economic costs.  The agency develops, promotes, and implements effective educational, engineering, and enforcement programs with the goal of ending vehicle crash tragedies and reducing economic costs associated with vehicle use and highway travel.  The Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance conducts extensive research, development, testing, crash investigation, and data collection and analysis activities to provide the scientific basis needed to support the Agency's motor vehicle and traffic safety goals.  In addition to supporting internal NHTSA efforts, NHTSA-sponsored research provides high-quality publicly-accessible data that serves as the basis for countless other research endeavors.

As part of its mission to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration promulgates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) through vehicle compliance testing under IDIQ Multi-Standard Vehicle Testing Contracts.  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. 

The Test Machine is required to apply and measure controlled physical forces and displacements that incorporate a variety of specialized and unique applications in a laboratory environment.  Examples of applications of the test machine would include materials properties testing, component testing, destructive failure testing and various applications for calibrating electronic instrumentation. 

Although the specifications for the loading train of the test machine are written to conform to a hydraulic servo valve operated ram, any compatible electro-mechanical style loading train is acceptable; if it meets all performance criteria and test machine architectural requirements specified in this document.  In addition to supplying the Test Machine NHTSA requires potential Offerors to include machine installation, repair and calibration services, controller softer ware update contracts and onsite representation as part of their costs.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective is to procure Test Machine is required to apply and measure controlled physical forces and displacements that incorporate a variety of specialized and unique applications in a laboratory environment.    

Capabilities:

The corporate capability statement must address the capabilities necessary to accomplish the scope outlined above as well as the additional tasks and characteristics given below:

The VRTC requires the purchase of a Test Machine that meets the following specifications:

•1.      Mechanical Architecture Requirements - The test machine mechanical design shall include the following features and specifications:

•1.1.   A machined platen work table with a one inch T-slots specimen mounting feature or a comparable style in both strengths and functionality.   

1.2. A minimum platen width of 30 inches and a minimum length of 60 inches.

1.3. A minimum crosshead specimen clamping height of 60 inches.

1.4. A hydraulic assisted crosshead height adjustment.

1.5. Crosshead offset platen mounting feature.

1.6. Withstand a minimum of 80,000 pounds tensile/compressive loading forces.

1.7. Side loading capacity minimum of 2,000 pounds @ full crosshead height with a lateral                                                                                                                  deflection of no greater than 0.100 inches of the vertical crosshead structure.  

1.8. Capable of multiple load train platen and crosshead mounting positions as depicted in the                                      attached load train position options drawing.

•2.      Hydraulic  Servo Valve Actuator Requirements - The test machine actuator must be capable of providing the following features and performance functionality: 

2.1. Minimum loading capacity of 80,000 pounds.

2.2. Minimum 8 inch continuous stroke capacity.

2.3. A direct cylinder mounted style servo valve manifold with high volume flow porting.

2.4. High volume flow cylinder control servo valves.

2.5. Single stroke application speed of 6.5 feet per second or greater.  

2.6. Cyclical fatigue load cycling capability of 8 Hertz or greater.

2.7. Linear high resolution cylinder displacement feature.  

2.8. U.S. Customary SAE threaded piston rod end.

2.9. Electrical motorized hydraulic power unit sized to sufficiently meet operating requirements.

2.10. Maximum power unit sound emissions not to exceed 80 decibels. 

2.11. Machine working voltage range of 208-220 volts AC.

•3.      Computerized Controller Hardware/Software Requirements - The test machine

 controller must meet all capabilities, function features and specifications as follows:

3.1. The control software must run in a Microsoft Windows 7 Pro operating system environment.

3.2. The control software must have an open- architecture design that permits modifications and offers regressive compatible upgrades.   

3.3. A system reboot capability that will restore the machine functions to the factory default settings is required.

3.4. Must be capable of using either the force or displacement outputs of the machine's load train as a designated controller input.

3.5. Automated sequencing capabilities, conditional looping defined as having the ability to transition between the controlling outputs (force and displacement) from one to the other during the course of a single test cycle.

3.6. Must have the ability to accept external outputs as designated inputs from other devices and test equipment that allows the same controller functionality of the machine.

3.7. Be able to provide a displacement limit switch input.

3.8. An auto balancing zero feature for the machine force and displacement outputs.

3.9. Be able to generate data files in CSV (Comma Separated Value) or other formats that are compatible with Microsoft Excel.

3.10. Be able to provide real-time analog outputs for load and displacement channels.

3.11. A minimum of 16 bit analog to digital resolution.

3.12. The accuracy of the sample clock shall be less than .001 percent.  

3.13. Be able to auto-increment data files by name or numbers.

3.14. Record units of measure in English, Metric or customizable units.

3.15. Provide operation function capabilities that allow the machine operator to remain in a

         safe distance working environment. 

4.   Additional Test Machine Accessories - The test machine must also include the

      following items:

  4.1. (2 each) compatible side-loading specimen wedge grips

  4.2. (4 each) compatible spherical bearing rod end adapter

  4.3. (1 set) compatible backlash actuator head and base swivel mounts

  4.4. (1 each) compatible universal joint adapter, 2 axis rotation   

5.  Other Requirements and Services - The following items shall be included as part of the    

     bid price:

 5.1. Complete installation and setup of the test machine excluding electrical service    

        connections.

 5.2. The testing machine must have a comprehensive operator's manual.

 5.3. On-site orientation will be provided to no less than three operators.

 5.4. A one-time only licensing fee will be permitted. 

 5.5. A one year full parts and labor warranty with an extension option.

 5.6. A calibration service providing NIST certification of the machine load cells performed  

        at six month intervals.

6. Safety Considerations - The following shall be included with the quote

 6.1 What are the safety measures in place?

 6.2 Are these safety measures part of your product offering, or is this something that will need to be purchased separately?

Format of Corporate Capabilities Statement:

Any interested qualified Small Business (SB) 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, and must be received no later than 10 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice.