Lightweight Vehicle Bridge (less than 15,000 lbs.) Market Survey

Active

Contract Opportunity

I. DESCRIPTION OF INTENT

THIS IS A MARKET SURVEY REQUESTING INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation. Also, it is not a request seeking contractors interested in being placed on a solicitation mailing list. Response to this questionnaire is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to the market survey and any follow-on information requests. Data submitted in response to this market survey will not be returned. Although no solicitation document exists at this time, information derived from this market survey will help the Government determine the suitability of the marketplace to satisfy this performance requirement.

II. GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Requirement Information:

The U.S. Army is conducting a market investigation to gather information on gap-crossing capability(s) to enable the rapid transport of troops, equipment, and/or lightweight vehicles such as Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISV) or Ground Mobility Vehicles (GMV) across various gap types in contested environments. Gap type impediments include ravines, difficult/dangerous terrain, and water obstacles. Gap capabilities allow forces to maneuver more effectively, reach key objectives, and maintain momentum. Lightweight and ultra-lightweight vehicles are poised to proliferate across the future battlefield in support of infantry maneuvers in contested environments. The ability to traverse across impeded terrain and dry and wet gaps is a required capability to ensure freedom of maneuver.

1. Proprietary Information:

The Government appreciates the time and effort taken to respond to this market survey. The Government acknowledges its obligations under 18 U.S.C. §1905 to protect information qualifying as “confidential” under this statute. [To avoid possible confusion with the meaning of the term “confidential” in the context of Classified Information,” we will use the term “PROPRIETARY.”] Pursuant to this statute, the Government is willing to accept any trade secret or PROPRIETARY restrictions placed on qualifying data forwarded in response to the survey questions and to protect it from unauthorized disclosure subject to the following:

1. Clearly and conspicuously mark qualifying data with the restrictive legend (all caps) “PROPRIETARY” with any explanatory text, so that the Government is clearly notified of what data needs to be appropriately protected.

2. In marking such data, please take care to mark only those portions of the data or materials that are truly confidential (over breadth in marking inappropriate data as “PROPRIETARY” may diminish or eliminate the usefulness of your response - see item 6 below). Use circling, underscoring, highlighting or any other appropriate means to indicate those portions of a single page which are to be protected.

3. The Government is not obligated to protect unmarked data. Additionally, marked data that is already in the public domain or in the possession of the Government or third parties, or afterward placed into the public domain by the owner or another party through no fault of the Government will not be protected once in the public domain. Data already in the possession of the Government will be protected in accordance with the Government's rights in the data.

4. Confidential data transmitted electronically, whether by physical media or not, whether by the respondent or by the Government, shall contain the “PROPRIETARY” legend, with any explanatory text, on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail and at the beginning of the file itself. Where appropriate for only portions of an electronic file, use the restrictive legends ‘PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS:” and “PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS.”

5. In any reproductions of technical data or any portions thereof subject to asserted restrictions, the Government shall also reproduce the asserted restriction legend and any explanatory text.

6. The Government sometimes uses support contractors in evaluating responses. Consequently, responses that contain confidential information may receive only limited or no consideration since the Respondent’s marking of data as “PROPRIETARY” will preclude disclosure of same outside the Government and therefore will preclude disclosure to these support contractors assisting the evaluation effort. The Government will use its best efforts to evaluate those responses that contain confidential information without using support contractors consistent with the resources available.

III. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

All responding to this market survey shall provide specific information to include a summary of its company’s capabilities in a Capability Statement which demonstrates the skills, experience, knowledge, and capabilities necessary to fulfil the Government’s requirement.

The Capability Statement should include the following information:

1. BASIC COMPANY INFORMATION:

1. Company Name: _________________________


2. Company Website: _________________________


3. What is your role within the company? _________________________


4. Mailing Address? _________________________


5. Email Address? _________________________


6. Telephone Number? _________________________


7. Primary Industry Focus: (Select One)

☐ Bridge Manufacturing

☐ Component Supply (e.g., materials, actuators)

☐ Vehicle Manufacturing

☐ Engineering/Consulting Services

☐ Other (Please Specify): _________________________

1. Per the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), what business type are you?

☐ Large

☐ Small

If you are a small business, are you:

☐ Small Disadvantaged or 8(a)?

☐ In a HUBZone?

☐ Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned?

☐ Women Owned?

1. Approximately how many years has your company been involved in the development or supply of bridging or other gap crossing solutions?

☐ Less than 2 years

☐ 2-5 years

☐ 5-10 years

☐ 10+ years

1. Geographic Markets Served: (Check all that apply)

☐ North America

☐ Europe

☐ Asia-Pacific

☐ South America

☐ Other (Please Specify): _________________________

1. Does your gap crossing (gap defeat) solution involve the use of a bridge?

☐ No

☐ Yes

1. Is your gap crossing/gap defeat solution specifically designed for vehicles less than 15,000 lbs.?

☐ No. Skip to Section d.

☐ Yes. Proceed to Section b.

1. SOLUTION DETAILS – TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. What is the maximum Weight Crossing capacity of your gap crossing / gap defeat solution?
   
   
   
   
   • ☐ 5000 pounds or less
   
   
   • ☐ 10,000 pounds or less
   
   
   • ☐ 15,000 pounds or less
   
   
   • ☐ Other: List capacity here: _________________________
   
   
   
   


2. Has the capacity of your gap crossing solution been verified via testing?
   
   
   
   • ☐ No
   
   
   • ☐ Yes
     
     
     
     1. If Yes, was Trilateral Design and Test Code for Military Bridging and Gap Crossing Equipment used to design the bridge?
        
        
        
        1. ☐ Yes
        
        
        2. ☐ No. Please describe the standard used and the testing performed: _________________________
        
        
        
        
     
     
     
     
   
   
   
   


3. Operational Environment:
   
   
   
   • Has your bridge been tested to assess the performance in various operating conditions?
     
     
     
     1. ☐ No
     
     
     2. ☐ Yes. Please describe the testing that was performed: _________________________
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • What is the operating temperature range for your bridge? _________________________
   
   
   
   


4. What types of vehicles is your gap crossing (gap defeat) solution designed for? (Check all that apply)
   
   
   
   • ☐ ATVs/UTVs
   
   
   • ☐ Small Construction Equipment (e.g., skid steers)
   
   
   • ☐ Agricultural Vehicles
   
   
   • ☐ Military/Defense Vehicles
   
   
   • ☐ Emergency Response Vehicles
   
   
   • ☐ Recreational Vehicles
   
   
   • ☐ Other (Please Specify): _________________________
   
   
   
   


5. Is your bridge currently being used today? Commercial, Military, Foreign countries, etc.?


6. What is the gap-crossing span of your solution (in feet/meters)? _________________________


7. What is the maximum grade (slope) your solution can handle (in degrees or percentage)? _________________________


8. What is the approximate weight of your solution (lb/kg)? _________________________


9. What materials are primarily used in the construction of your solution? (Check all that apply)
   
   
   
   • ☐ Aluminum
   
   
   • ☐ High-Strength Steel
   
   
   • ☐ Composites (e.g., Carbon Fiber)
   
   
   • ☐ Other (Please Specify): _________________________
   
   
   
   


10. How is your solution transported to the point of need?
    
    
    
    • ☐ Integrated into a vehicle
      
      
      
      1. Describe the Vehicle: _________________________
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • ☐ Integrated into a trailer
    
    
    • ☐ As a payload on a flatbed/trailer
    
    
    • ☐ Other (Please Specify): _________________________
    
    
    
    


11. How would you rate the portability of your solution?
    
    
    
    • ☐ Suitable for movement over unimproved terrain
    
    
    • ☐ Suitable for movement over trails
    
    
    • ☐ Suitable for movement on dirt roads
    
    
    • ☐ Suitable for movement on primary roads
    
    
    
    


12. What type of Army vehicle would you recommend your bridge be integrated with?


13. Does your system have any transportation limitations (e.g. restricted width/height transport)?
    
    
    
    • ☐ No
    
    
    • ☐ Yes. Describe any limitations: _________________________
    
    
    
    


14. What deployment method does your solution utilize? (Select All that Apply)
    
    
    
    • ☐ Manual (Human-powered)
    
    
    • ☐ Hydraulic
    
    
    • ☐ Pneumatic
    
    
    • ☐ Electromechanical
    
    
    • ☐ Containerized
    
    
    • ☐ Other (Please Specify): _________________________
    
    
    
    


15. Does your solution require specialized tools or an external source of power to deploy?
    
    
    
    • ☐ No
    
    
    • ☐ Yes - If so, check which: ☐ special tools ☐ External Power
    
    
    
    


16. Reusability - Is your solution a single-use solution (deploy and leave) or is it designed for multiple deployments/retrievals?
    
    
    
    • ☐ Single use
    
    
    • ☐ Retrievable and reuseable
    
    
    
    


17. How would you rate the durability of your solution?
    
    
    
    • ☐ Emergency use only - less than a week
    
    
    • ☐ Short-term use – a couple months
    
    
    • ☐ Medium term use - 3-6 Months
    
    
    • ☐ Long term Use – up to 2 years
    
    
    • ☐ Indefinite Use
    
    
    
    


18. Is automation, or autonomy, employed for the emplacement or retrieval of the solution? (Yes/No) If Yes, please describe: _________________________


19. What is the approximate deployment time (from stowed to fully operational)? _________________________


20. How many operators are required to:
    
    
    
    • Deploy and emplace your system? _________________________
    
    
    • Retrieve your system (if applicable)? _________________________
    
    
    
    


21. Does your solution require any specialized training for operation and maintenance? (Yes/No) If Yes, please describe: _________________________


22. What safety features are incorporated into your solution?


23. What Technology Readiness Level is your bridge? Please provide supporting language to support your level.

1. SOLUTION – COST & AVAILABILITY

1. What is the approximate price range for your solution? _________________________


2. What is the typical lead time for delivery? _________________________


3. What is your monthly production capacity?


4. Are customized solutions available? (Yes/No) If Yes, please describe the level of customization offered: _________________________


5. What are the maintenance requirements, to include disposable components? _________________________

1. HEAVIER SOLUTIONS (skip if you’ve completed sections 2 and 3)

1. What is the maximum vehicle weight your bridging solution is designed to support? _________________________


2. What is the gap-crossing span capability of your bridging solution (in feet/meters)? _________________________


3. How is your solution transported to the point of need? _________________________


4. While designed for heavier vehicles, do you believe your bridging solution could be safely and effectively used for vehicles weighing under 15,000 lbs.?

☐ Yes, please explain why: _________________________

☐ No, please explain why: _________________________

☐ Unsure

1. Is automation, or autonomy, employed for the emplacement or retrieval of your bridge?

☐ No

☐ Yes, please explain how: _________________________

1. What is the approximate deployment and retrieval time of your bridge?
   
   
   
   
   • Deployment? _________________________
   
   
   • Retrieval? _________________________
   
   
   
   


2. If used with a lighter vehicle (under 15,000 lbs.), would any modifications or adjustments to the solution be recommended or required?

☐ No

☐ Yes, please describe: _________________________

1. Do you foresee any challenges or limitations in marketing your bridging solution for use with lighter vehicles? _________________________


2. Would your company be interested in exploring modifications or developing a variant of your existing bridge specifically tailored for the under 15,000 lb. vehicle market?

☐ Yes

☐ No

☐ Maybe, what would be the key factors influencing this decision? _________________________

1. MARKET PERCEPTIONS & FUTURE TRENDS

1. What do you believe are the biggest challenges in providing gap crossing (gap defeat) solutions for lightweight vehicles? _________________________


2. What emerging technologies or trends do you see impacting the future of gap crossing (gap defeat) in this weight class? _________________________


3. What level of demand do you anticipate for your gap crossing (gap defeat) solution in the commercial lightweight vehicle market over the next 3-5 years?

☐ Significant Increase

☐ Moderate Increase

☐ Stable

☐ Moderate Decrease

☐ Significant Decrease

1. Are there any specific features or capabilities you believe are currently lacking in available lightweight bridging solutions? _________________________

Responses to this market survey shall be submitted to the Contract Specialist. For submissions including files exceeding email limits, submit your response via DoD SAFE at URL: https://safe.apps.mil/ to the Contract Specialist followed by an email to the Contract Specialist of your DoD SAFE submission. You are requested to put Lightweight Bridge Market Survey” in the email subject line and description in DoD SAFE. Any requests for clarification of this survey shall be addressed to Contract Specialist, Kelly Harp via email at kelly.j.harp.civ@army.mil.

Disclaimer: This RFI is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to procure any products or services. The U.S. Army reserves the right to modify or cancel this RFI at any time. This is a request for information regarding a new system development, not a modernization effort.

Thank you for your participation.

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