The U.S. Army has released its final Request for Proposals (RFP) for its Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) program. The RFP covers the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) effort with low rate initial production (LRIP) options.

The AMPV family of vehicles (FoV) is the materiel solution replacement for the once-ubiquitous M113 FoV. The new FoV is intended to mitigate current and future capability gaps in force protection, mobility, reliability, and interoperability by mission role variant to support the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) across the spectrum of conflict.

The EMD contract award will include the delivery of 29 prototype vehicles, including all non-vehicle hardware, such as basic Issue items, a system support package, special tools and test equipment, cold start kits, armor coupon sets, ballistic hull structures, and data deliverables.

In accomplishing that role, the AMPV FoV will replace the five mission roles still being performed by the M113 FoV platforms by transferring the current M113 mission equipment packages (MEP) to a new vehicle platform. The five mission roles include:

• The Mission Command (MCmd) Vehicle platform will enable effective mission command planning and execution for both the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) and Tactical Command Vehicle (TAC) versions, with the ability to host current Battle Command Systems, future replacements, and upgrades of hardware and software.

•  The Medical Treatment (MT) Vehicle platform will provide a protected surgical environment with adequate lighting and accessible medical equipment and the capability for immediate medical care for one patient by a medical crew of four.

•  The Medical Evacuation (ME) Vehicle platform will conduct ambulance type activities and provide casualty evacuation for up to four litter or six ambulatory patients with a crew of three medical attendants.

•  The General Purpose (GP) Vehicle platform will operate throughout the battle space by conducting re-supply, maintenance, casualty evacuation, and other tasks within the formation.

•  The Mortar Carrier (MC) Vehicle platform will provide immediate responsive fire support to conduct fast-paced offensive operations.

The EMD contract award will include the delivery of 29 prototype vehicles, including all non-vehicle hardware, such as basic Issue items, a system support package, special tools and test equipment, cold start kits, armor coupon sets, ballistic hull structures, and data deliverables.

Included in the award of the EMD contract are three option years of LRIP, with the government noting that the full rate production phase strategy “will be determined prior to the end of LRIP.”

The availability of funding for the AMPV EMD Phase is: $70 Million in FY 15; $174 Million in FY 16; $114 Million in FY 17; $64 Million in FY 18; and $14 Million in FY 19.

One interesting aspect of the AMPV EMD RFP involves the so-called Optional Exchange Vehicle (OEV) program. Dubbed “seed vehicles” by some, the RFP states, “The government may offer to enter into an exchange agreement with the contractor…” to exchange Bradley and M113 Family of Vehicles (FoV) for AMPVs. These vehicles are referred to as Optional Exchange Vehicles (OEVs)…”

Later, the RFP elaborates, “offerors may propose entering into an exchange agreement with the government for Bradley and M113 vehicles. These vehicles are referred to as Optional Exchange Vehicles (OEV)…Subject to any noted restrictions, offerors’ proposed exchange may be based on any mix of OEV configurations and quantities, but may not exceed the total number of OEVs being offered or the OEV configurations available…”

The maximum number of OEVs available for exchange for the EMD portion of the contract is 78 vehicles.

A total quantity of 39 Bradley OEVs may be exchanged in the following models:

• M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle;

• M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle;

• M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle;

• M3A2 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle;

• M2A2 ODS (Operation Desert Storm) Infantry Fighting Vehicle;

• M3A2 ODS Cavalry Fighting Vehicle, and;

• M7 Bradley Fire Support Team (BFIST).

“If an offeror’s AMPV material solution incorporates any of the available Bradley OEV variants…acquired through the exchange program to fulfill the full AMPV requirement, the offeror shall select at least one M3 or M2 and at least one M2A2, M2A2 ODS, M3A2, M3A2 ODS, or M7 Bradley OEV variant,” the RFP notes.

Alternately, a total quantity of 39 M113 FoV OEVs may also be exchanged, with offerors able to propose any mix of:

• M113A3 Full Tracked Armored Personnel Carrier;

• M1064A3 Self-Propelled Mortar Carrier 120mm M121;

• M1068A3 Standardized Integrated Command Post System Carrier, and;

• M577A3 Light Tracked Command Post.

“In exchange for OEVs, offerors shall propose an exchange credit, which will be applied at the onset of the contractal [sic] action that triggers the exchange,” it states.

The EMD contract award is anticipated for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 15.