SAM #NAPAS315WEVLC

DOE Sole Source Notice: Wolverine Escort Vehicle Light Chassis (W-EVLC) to NextGen Armor

This notice announces the Department of Energy's intent to award a sole source contract for the Wolverine Escort Vehicle Light Chassis (W-EVLC) to NextGen Armor. - Agency: Department of Energy, Office of Secure Transportation (OST/NA-15) - Sole source contract to Wulco Inc. dba NextGen Armor (NextGen) - Scope includes: - Design and build of the first article (prototype) W-EVLC - Development and delivery of next generation W-EVLCs - Integration of OST Advanced Radio Enterprise System (ARES) communication suite - Reconstitution of 'Aft-Body' from existing EVLCs - Compliance with ISO 9000/9001 and IPC 610/620 certifications - Adherence to OST Site Security Plan requirements - NextGen Armor is the only vendor with proprietary rights to the EVLC design and technical data package (TDP) - No other vendors are considered capable due to proprietary design, technical data, and specialized manufacturing requirements - Opportunity covers prototype and potential mass production, leveraging government-furnished equipment - Only OEM/vendor mentioned: NextGen Armor

Technical and business highlights: - Proprietary CAD drawings and testing data required - Specialized integration with government communication systems - Strict certification and security requirements - No competitive alternatives due to exclusive rights and technical expertise

Description

This is a Notice of Intent to sole source to Wulco Inc. doing business as: NextGen Armor (NextGen), for the design and build of the First Article of Wolverine Escort Vehicle Light Chassis (W-EVLC) and development and delivery of Office of Secure Transportation’s (OST/NA-15) next generation W-EVLCs.

NextGen owns the original EVLC proprietary design and complete technical data package (TDP) utilizing highly specialized Government-Furnished equipment (GFE). NextGen’s proprietary EVLC design is critical to the success of the new and modern W-EVLC. The current design includes a DoT compliant sleeper berth, safety-compliant equipment storage areas, and an OST Advanced Radio Enterprise System (ARES) communication suite incorporated into a specialized custom enclosure. The TDP encompasses all OST directed EVLC design changes, modifications, and engineered enhancements captured in tens of thousands of proprietary Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings dating back to 2010.

NextGen is the only vendor with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the complexities of the electrical, mechanical, internal cabling, power systems requirements, and integration of the ARES communications suite that has been fully tested to be forward and backwards compatible with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) vehicle chassis and electrical harnesses of the EVLC platform. The ARES communication suite will be an important component of the new W-EVLC design.

NextGen owns all proprietary EVLC testing data, including how this data has changed due to OEM changes in order to meet stringent OST off-road and highway requirements. Leveraging this foundational dataset within the W-EVLC design-build phase minimizes engineering risk and eliminates redundant cycles by directly applying proven historical baselines to the new system configuration.      

NextGen is the only manufacturer capable of dismantling an EVLC and then reconstituting and re-engineering the re-usable “Aft-Body” into a new W-EVLC. NexGen’s manufacturing facility (on-site tooling, fabrication/testing stations, and disassemble line) has been optimally and efficiently configured to take an aging EVLC where it will be dismantled as follows: (1) removing the Aft-Body and then reconstituting it into the new W-EVLC build; (2) removing all exterior panels; (3) tearing down the engine and transmission; (4) removing all interior components; (5) creating a bill of materials for salvage or re-use; and (5) dismantling the chassis and suspension components. Though other vendors may be able to dismantle an EVLC, they will not be as efficient or effective since they may not know what part(s) should be marked for salvage, disposition or reconstitution into the new W-EVLC.

NextGen is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000/9001 and Association Connecting Electronics Industries (formerly known as Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits) (IPC) 610/620 certified and has an approved OST Site Security Plan designed to protect sensitive but unclassified information that requires safeguarding and dissemination controls (Controlled Unclassified Information). A new vendor would have to demonstrate that it meets the ISO 9000/9001 and IPC 610/620 certifications, including meeting OST’s Site Security Plan requirements. If a vendor does not meet either requirement, OST will experience delays that will significantly impact and disrupt its mission.

NextGen on-site tooling, fabrication facilities/testing stations, and assembly line are pre-configured to mass produce the W-EVLC once the prototype is built, tested, and accepted by OST. It would be extremely challenging and difficult for another vendor to build or attempt to reverse-engineer the steps needed to build the next W-EVLC prototype using the re-usable Aft Body when the vendor’s production facility is not setup to mass produce the W-EVLC without years of pre-planning, trial and error, and a substantial investment of time and resources from OST personnel. This substantial duplication of cost, testing, and Government involvement is not only cost prohibitive, but it also has high likelihood to significantly delay and disrupt OST’s mission-critical schedule as more EVLCs approach and/or exceed their life cycle. Additionally, this could also result in an alternate system design, thereby creating unnecessary challenges and costs related to vehicle maintenance and fleet sustainment.

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