Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Contracts and Procurement (NAD-30), 400 Seventh St, S.W., Room 5301, Washington, D.C. 20590

B -- COST, WEIGHT, AND LEAD TIME ANALYSIS: ISOFIX CHILD RESTRAINT MATING HARDWARE AND VEHICLE SEAT MODIFICATIONS SOL DTNH22-96-Q-02015 POC Contact Doris Medley, Contract Specialist, (202) 366-9560, or Janice Flemming, Contracting Officer, (202) 366-9564 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intends to negotiate with Adil & Associates of Burlington, MA for the conduct of a study to determine the cost, weight, and lead time implications of standardizing ISOFIX mating hardware on all types of child restraints and vehicle seats. All work required by this study, including the preparation and submission of the final deliverables, must be completed by June 15, 1996. The results of this study will quantify the required cost, weight and lead time impacts expected from the implementation of ISOFIX systems and are necessary inputs to meet scheduled NHTSA Rulemaking actions. Adil & Associates has, among its associate members, national experts in the fields of manufacturing process cost analysis and industrial engineering as practiced by the auto industry and related suppliers, with specific experience in the field of safety systems. This expertise is considered essential for the successful completion of the study within the time available. The study requires (1) the establishment of design requirements for selected child restraints (existing systems and prototype designs) and vehicle seating positions to incorporate ISOFIX mating hardware; (2) the development of process cost and weight estimates for selected design configurations through tear down analysis and detailed process operation analysis to determine the incremental variable manufacturing costs and required investments; and (3) the presentation of the incremental cost, weight, and lead time estimates for incorporating the ISOFIX design features into child restraints and automotive seats in final deliverables. The work requirements involve efforts for which an ''organizational conflict of interest,'' as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5, is of concern in terms of contractor objectivity. Interested firms may identify their capability to respond to the work requirements. The written response must include detailed informaton as to professional qualifications and relevant expertise, specifically addressing organizational/personnel experience in estimating the manufacturing costs and related capital investments required to introduce safety features enhancing vehicle occupant protection. In addition, interested firms must demonstrate that their objectivity has not been impaired as a result of previous experience, or because of any related past, present, or planned interest, financial or otherwise, in organizations regulated by DOT, or in organizations whose interests may be substantially affected by the results of this study. Finally, interested firms must provide an hourly rate or range of rates, which includes indirect burdens for the professional services described. Expressions of interest without sufficient detail to permit evaluation of capability or organizational conflict of interest will not be considered. Oral expressions of interest will not be considered. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations nor is a Request- for-Quotations solicitation document currently available. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed study effort 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 simplified acquisition. In the absence of responses from interested firms demonstrating their capability and lack of conflict of interest, NHTSA intends to request a quotation from Adil & Associates on a noncompetitive basis for the work described. Responses must be received by the listed procuring office within 15 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice. (0325)

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