The Army yesterday said Jan. 20 is the likely date it plans to release the solicitation for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase.

Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command has a requirement for the JLTV EMD phase to modernize the light tactical vehicle fleet from the present to 2020 and beyond. The vehicle is part of the Army’s Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Strategy to provide the evolving mobility and protection soldiers require.

Three teams have built JLTV prototypes: General Dynamics [GD]-AM General; BAE Systems-Navistar Defense LLC, an affiliate of Navistar International Corp. [NAV]; and Lockheed Martin [LMT]-BAE Systems.

A notice in FedBizOps.gov said as many as three firm-fixed-price contract awards are planned for June.

The full and open competitive source selection process will evaluate submitted proposals utilizing a “tradeoff” process to obtain the best value to the government.

The program had its opponents in Congress, but it was finally funded over earlier objections, particularly in the Senate (Defense Daily, Dec. 12, 16, Jan. 4).

The EMD phase will focus on fabrication, assembly, integration, testing and test support, and related requirements in accordance with the contract and the JLTV Purchase Description.

Each JLTV contractor shall deliver prototype vehicles, ballistic structures, armor coupons, additional test assets, and contractor furnished kits, trailers and data requirements.

All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency.

Additional JLTV program information as well as updates may be located at: http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/majorsys/jltv_emd/jltv_emd.htm. The solicitation number is W56HZV-11-R-0329.