The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announces its intention to negotiate and issue a sole source award to SEA Limited (SEA), 7001 Buffalo Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43229 to provide evaluation of rollover characteristics of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

Previously, CPSC awarded task orders 61320621F1012 and 61320623F1010 of IDIQ contract 61320618D0003 for evaluating rollover characteristics of ATVs. Under those orders, SEA conducted autonomous ATV testing on groomed dirt and paved surfaces. The current requirement is an expansion of the testing done under the previous task orders and must be able to be combined for analytical purposes with the data already provided by the contractor. Awarding to any other contractor would require extensive validation of those facilities, test rigs, and hardware/software installed on the experimental demonstration ATVs to confirm that their data would be able to integrate with the existing testing data prior to CPSC being able to accept any data delivered.

SEA has developed test methods and equipment to operate ATVs autonomously, i.e., testing ATVs with robotics instead of human drivers. Since the nature of the dynamic testing can potentially injure test personnel, autonomous (remote controlled) testing enables test personnel safety, accuracy, repeatability, and reduce the risk of human testing error/variability. SEA developed a demonstration electronic stability control (ESC)/instability mitigation system (IMS) on two sample ATVs, one with an antilock brake system (ABS) and one without ABS. The hardware and software installed on these ATVs are unique creations by the SEA engineering staff. Also, SEA’s maintenance of test surfaces and test equipment allows for consistent, repeatable test results. Selecting another contractor to produce comparable prototype IMS ATVs and comparable test results would require construction of those demonstration ATVs, facilities, and/or modification and validation/calibration of a similar existing facility. Duplication and establishing comparability of a laboratory facility and the equipment and expertise for laboratory testing and simulation of ATVs by another contractor would incur substantial cost to the government that will not be recovered through competition.

CPSC intends to negotiate this requirement under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) and 41 U.S.C. 3304(b)(2)(B). The sole source procurement will be awarded as a simplified acquisition in accordance with FAR Subpart 12 & FAR Subpart 13 procedures. Interested persons may identify their interest and submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet this requirement.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within ten (10) business days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any quotation/response must be in writing and can be sent via email to the Contract Specialist at csterba@cpsc.gov by 1pm Eastern Time July 30, 2024. No phone calls will be accepted.

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