H--Lawnmower Field Aging and Emission Testing

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan has a requirement field aging and end-of-life emission testing on 8 small (<6hp) spark-ignited lawnmower engines, 4 of which are equipped with prototype catalysts. The engines shall be aged up to 100 hours, followed by emission testing on 12 engine configurations, with the catalyst-equipped engines being tested with and without the catalysts. The basic emission testing shall consist of 3 emission tests per engine. An optional fourth test may be conducted depending on the results of a statistical test based on the initial 3 tests. EPA will provide the 8 engines as well as the garden tractor and hydraulic test rig to be used for the field aging. The grass cutting shall be conducted at a Contractor-selected site on grass which is 5 to 7 inches in height, with daytime ambient mowing temperatures of at least 60F. The subsequent emission testing shall be conducted at the Contractor's test facility based on the existing Phase 2 EPA regulated emission test cycle (40 CFR Part 90). The engines are to be tested for HC, NMHC, NOx, CO, and CO2, with results reported in g/kWh. The Contractor shall also collect and measure particulate matter (PM) samples for the 3 base tests per engine. A firm-fixed price contract is contemplated. In addition to price, the Government's evaluation of proposals will address each offeror's technical approach and past performance record. All non-price evaluation factors, when combined, are approximately equal in importance to price. The anticipated contract performance period is approximately 10 weeks after contract award. The solicitation will be released through the internet on EPA's home page at www.epa.gov/oam/cinn_cmd/. Prospective offerors can download the Request for Proposals and related documents from this website on or about December 9, 2004. This is an unrestricted acquisition, conducted under the procedures set forth in FAR Part 12. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the Agency.