U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Acquisition Center (AMSTA-AQ-DE), Warren, MI 48397-5000

25 -- MARKET SURVEY TO LOCATE TRACK SOURCES POC Joe Hill (231) 780-5584 General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and the United States Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) are seeking to locate lightweight track sources. They are seeking lightweight track for the Crusader Artillery System and are interested in solutions ranging from off-the-shelf to new design. The information provided in response to this request will be used to support a track system trade analysis to be conducted by GDLS. The following order of preference is provided: off-the-shelf, modified off-the-shelf, or new design. The desired technical parameters are for a 21.6 23.0 inch width dual-pinned track with replaceable pads, capable of supporting a maximum vehicle weight of 49.9 U.S. tons and capable of a minimum 2,750 mile durability at the stated weight. The vehicle will have 6 roadwheel stations per side; road wheel diameter will range between 24.0 27.6 inches, with a 168.5 inch length of track on the ground per side. The track should not exceed 20% track shoe replacement and 40% track pad replacement before going 2,750 miles at 49.9 U.S. tons vehicle weight. Track pad life should exceed 1,150 miles. The overall mileage scenario is the following: 21% paved road, 45% gravel road, 17% level cross-country and 17% hilly cross-country. A 560 564 inch strand of track weight goal is 4,175 lb. or less including pads and all attaching hardware. If the off-the-shelf track does not meet the parameters stated above, the source should provide information that describes the basic off-the-shelf track, its off-the-shelf performance, and the modification(s), design/development time and predicted reliability to improve it to the desired level. If the source does not have an off-the-shelf track which meets or can be modified to meet these parameters, the source should provide information that describes the new track and the design/development estimated cost, schedule, and predicted reliability. The key areas (no specific order) that will be evaluated are: (a) weight, (b) material selection, (c) development time, (d) development cost, (e) production cost (based on an estimated 1,440 strands of track to be produced between 2006-2008), (f) reliability Mean Time Between Mission Critical Failures (MTBMCF), Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), (g) track guidance, (h) pad area, (I) track spring rate, (j) maintenance, (k) serviceability, (l) track thickness, (m) rubber thickness, and (n) track pitch. The responses to this RFI should include information on the above referenced areas (ref. a-n). All costs should be in FY2000 U.S. dollars. This request is made with the understanding that the above parameters/areas are subject to change at any time, are in no way binding to GDLS or the U.S. Government, and are not to be considered final. These are furnished for informational purposes only with the understanding that GDLS and the U.S. Government are under no obligation of any kind to proceed with an acquisition in any way related to the data set forth in this article. GDLS and the U.S. Government and are not requesting any potential suppliers of the subject item to incur any expense of any kind in connection with their review of this item. Nor will any written response requested herein constitute services or any other basis upon which to seek payment, reimbursement, or consideration from GDLS or the Government. The cutoff date for response(s) (multiple responses are acceptable) is 30 days after this CBD announcement. The Point of Contact on this Market Survey is Mr. Joe Hill at General Dynamics Land Systems, Technical Center, Muskegon, MI 49441-4720. Telephone: (231) 780-5584. Email address for Mr. Hill is: hilljh@gdls.com. Posted 03/31/00 (W-SN440047). (0091)

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