DOT - Finite Element Modeling Research and Development - MRAS

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), on behalf of the Department of Transportation (DOT), is conducting market research to explore capabilities related to finite element modeling research and development. This effort supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a DOT agency committed to saving lives, preventing injuries, and reducing economic costs associated with traffic incidents. NHTSA achieves its mission through effective educational, engineering, and enforcement programs aimed at reducing vehicle crashes and enhancing roadway safety.

The Office of Vehicle Safety Research (VSR) within NHTSA is tasked with advancing scientific knowledge to improve motor vehicle performance for enhanced safety. The primary focus of this contract involves developing and exercising crash simulation models to evaluate potential crash conditions and their effects on vehicles and human surrogates. These simulations aim to replicate real-world scenarios involving vehicle-to-vehicle impacts, vehicle-to-barrier collisions, and other relevant crash situations.

The scope of work includes full vehicle laser scanning, teardown for finite element model development, material testing under impact conditions, mesh development, part integration for comprehensive vehicle models, and conducting non-linear finite element analyses using LS-Dyna software. The contractor will perform tasks such as developing interior and restraint models of vehicles using advanced simulation techniques. Additionally, the contractor may conduct optimization studies to evaluate safety effects across various structural designs or occupant restraint systems.

Potential task orders will require the contractor to provide necessary facilities, personnel expertise, materials, and equipment for computer simulations that replicate staged crash test scenarios. This includes full vehicle teardown for digitization into simulation models suitable for safety research applications. Material component testing will also be required to characterize metals, plastics, foams, composites, welds, and other joining techniques critical for developing accurate crash simulation models.