DTNH2213D00311

IGF::OT::IGF ACTION: WE REQUEST THAT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) BE ISSUED FOR SEEKING ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR CONDUCTING SPECIAL STUDIES FOR THE OFFICE OF RULEMAKING AND NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (NCAP). THE CURRENT CONTRACT PROVIDING ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES WILL EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 2013. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: TWO YEAR BASE WITH ONE 3 YEAR OPTION. JUSTIFICATION: ONE OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE SAFE, ACCOUNTABLE, FLEXIBLE, EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ACT: A LEGACY FOR USERS (SAFETEA-LU) REQUIRES NEW PASSENGER VEHICLES, TO BE LABELED WITH SAFETY RATING INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. THE AUTOMOBILE INFORMATION DISCLOSURE ACT MANDATES NCAP TO REQUIRE SAFETY RATING INFORMATION ON THE LABEL KNOWN AS THE MONRONEY LABEL OR PRICE STICKER. TIMELY TESTING OF THE VEHICLES UPON THEIR PRODUCTION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM AS INTENDED BY CONGRESS. LOCATING AND PROCURING NEW VEHICLES SELECTED FOR TESTING, TESTING THEM PROMPTLY ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURES, AND ASSESSING THE SAFETY INFORMATION ACCURATELY, ARE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFULLY MANAGING NCAP SO THAT CONSUMERS COULD USE THE READILY AVAILABLE AND RELEVANT SAFETY RATING INFORMATION TO AID THEM IN THEIR NEW CAR PURCHASING DECISIONS. HENCE, NCAPNEEDS CONTRACTUAL SERVICES TO PROCURE NEW VEHICLES AND PROVIDE ENGINEERING SUPPORT. IN ADDITION, IN SUPPORTING NCAP'S OTHER IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION PROGRAMS, NCAP NEEDS ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TO: 1) PROVIDE INDEPENDENT EASE OF USE (EOU) CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM PROGRAM. IN NOVEMBER 2001, CONGRESS REQUIRED NHTSA, UNDER THE TRANSPORTATION RECALL ENHANCEMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND DOCUMENTATION (TREAD) ACT, TO ESTABLISH A CHILD RESTRAINT SAFETY RATING PROGRAM TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL, READILY UNDERSTANDABLE, AND TIMELY INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS TO USE IN MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS IN PURCHASING CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS (CRSS); 2) DEVELOP A NEW VEHICLE-CRS FIT PROGRAM TO HELP CAREGIVERS SELECT A CHILD SAFETY SEAT THAT FITS IN THEIR VEHICLE(S). 3) CONDUCT SIDE AIR BAG OUT-OF-POSITION (TWG) TESTS ON SELECTED VEHICLES TESTEDUNDER NCAP. THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT AROSE OVER THE AGGRESSIVENESS OF AIR BAG TECHNOLOGY SEEN ON THE MARKET. IN 1999, NHTSA'S ADMINISTRATOR CALLED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS THAT WOULD MINIMIZE THEIR RISK TO OCCUPANTS; 4) EVALUATE THE SAFETY OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES POWERED BY LITHIUM-ION (LI-ION) BATTERIES FOR ELECTROLYTE SPILLAGE AND ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARDS IN CRASHES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO GATHER INFORMATION TO AID IN BETTER UNDERSTANDING HOW VEHICLES THAT UTILIZE LI-ION BATTERIES FOR PROPULSION POWER COULD POSE SAFETY CONCERNS AND TO DEVELOP TEST PROCEDURES TO EVALUATE THEM APPROPRIATELY. DESIRED DATE: THIS CONTRACT MUST BE AWARDED BY AUGUST 2013. STATMENT OF WORK: SEE ATTACHED.