Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington VA 22203-1714

A -- HIGH PERFORMANCE PORTABLE POWER SYSTEMS SOL BAA 96-23 POC Dr. Lawrence H. Dubois, Director/DSO, FAX (703) 696-3999. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for the development and demonstration of high performance power systems for portable power applications. BACKGROUND: Today's power sources for military platforms are severely hampered by high cost and a lack of energy and/or power density. This is particularly true for small ((150 W) power systems, which at present are limited by the performance of primary lithium batteries. The replacement of these batteries by higher performance portable power systems that can be instantly recharged or (''refueled'') and are safe and more environmentally benign will both benefit current DoD field operations and enable new military missions being formulated for the soldier of the future. Potential power sources include (but are not limited to): ''mechanically'' rechargeable batteries, hydrogen and direct oxidation fuel cells, small engine/turbine generators, thermoelectric generators and thermophotovoltaic cells. Military applications for these devices include the direct replacement of currently used primary and secondary batteries to power advanced communication equipment, battlefield computers and night vision scopes. Microclimate cooling and heating of a soldier's sealed suit is an example of a future mission that will be enabled by an improved power source. In addition, the applicability of present and projected secondary batteries will be improved with the development of a light weight, quiet and efficient liquid fueled power supply for battery charging in the 500 watt power range. Liquid fuels are particularly attractive sources for portable power due to their high energy density and ease of handling. For example, diesel fuel and methanol have theoretical energy densities of 13.2 and 5.6 Wh/g, respectively. In addition, refueled systems are not discarded after each use, thus reducing their impact on the environment and lowering lifecycle costs. TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC REQUIREMENTS: DARPA has budgeted approximately $16M in FY97 through FY00 for a comprehensive program to advance the state-of-the-art of portable power technology. It is anticipated that several parallel research and development projects of up to four years duration will be conducted. Specific goals include preliminary design and development of the technology leading to packaged system demonstrations of: Part (A) an advanced power system exceeding the weight and volume performance parameters of the military standard BA-5590 primary lithium battery, Part (B) a 150 W portable power system producing 28 V and storing at least 600 Wh with a weight goal of 2.5 kg (including fuel), and Part (C) an advanced system for powering a 500 W, 28 V multichannel battery charger with a weight goal of 7 kg (without fuel). This latter unit should be designed for a mission length of 1 week at full power with a time between overhauls exceeding 2000 hours. System demonstrations should address the following operating characteristics: automatic start-up from below 270K and operation at temperatures above 315K, orientation dependence/independence, transient response, lifetime, environmental tolerance, and signature (e.g., acoustic and infrared). Logistics fuels (e.g., DF-2, JP-8) are preferred for Part (C). Other fuels will be considered for Parts (A), (B), and (C) based on their merits with respect to energy density, performance, affordability, logistics, safety, environmental compliance, etc. Partial efforts that address individual critical issues will be considered, however, teaming of these efforts into a coherent program capable of meeting the objectives summarized above is encouraged. All programs must culminate in a significant end-point demonstration of solutions to crucial problems within the initial period of support. Excluded for the purposes of this solicitation are proposals for studies and/or evaluations. Such proposals will be judged to be non-responsive. PROPOSAL: Contractors having the technical and management capabilities, facilities, and experience necessary to conduct all or portions of this program are invited to submit a brief pre-proposal describing their technical approach (including supporting data), management concept, participants, relevant experience, and estimated cost and timing of the project. Teaming is encouraged, as appropriate, e.g. industry, U.S. university, and Government laboratories. Proposers should obtain pamphlet BAA#96-23, High Performance Portable Power Systems, which provides details of the proposal format (including all margins - 1 inch minimum, font - no smaller than 12 point, and page limits: Pre-Proposal - 6 p., Full Proposal: Technical Volume - 30 p., Cost Volume - unlimited, and a special cover sheet). Page limits include the special cover sheet, all charts, figures, and appendices. All proprietary material should be clearly marked and will be held in strict confidence. Facsimile transmissions or electronic media transmissions will not be accepted. Separate attachments, such as institutional brochures, reprints, disks, or videotapes, will be ignored. Proposals and pre-proposals not meeting this format may not be reviewed. The pamphlet may be obtained in writing via fax or e-mail from Mr. Ryan Gallagher (FAX: (703) 351-8662, e-mail: rgallagher@sysplan.com). Within five business days of submission of either the pre-proposal or the full proposal, DARPA will assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence. Each proposal or pre-proposal should address either Part (A) or Part (B) or Part (C) of this announcement. This CBD notice itself constitutes the Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2). A formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement will not be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. Evaluation and selection of proposal(s) for award will be made to those offerors whose proposal is considered most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The Government reserves the right to select for award any, all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. In addition, the Government reserves the right to award either contracts or assistance instruments. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit pre-proposals and proposals which will be evaluated as received. Because of the technical breadth implied in this solicitation, and the end-point demonstration component required, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation, however these entities are encouraged to apply. PRE-PROPOSALS: All pre-proposals are due no later than 4 pm EDT 28 June 1996. Offerors should submit one original and seven copies of the pre-proposal to: DARPA/DSO, ATTN.: BAA#96-23/Dubois, 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714. DARPA intends to respond to pre-proposals within approximately three weeks of receipt with a recommendation to propose or not propose. It is impractical for DARPA to provide a debrief of the pre-proposal. Regardless of the recommendation, the decision to propose is the responsibility of the proposer. All full proposals will be fully reviewed regardless of the disposition of the pre-proposal. However, the request for pre-proposals is intended to save bidders the time and expense of preparing detailed proposals that have little chance of award. EVALUATION CRITERIA: Evaluation of the proposals and pre-proposals will be based on the following four criteria, in decreasing order of importance: (1) the scientific and technical merits of the proposed effort including the goals and the feasibility of the approach, (2) the quality of the demonstration, the current state of the proposer's art, and the adequacy of the technical tasks proposed to reach this demonstration within the timeframe of the program, (3) the qualifications of the principal investigator and other key research personnel, their record of past performance, and the adequacy of current and planned equipment and facilities to accomplish the research objectives, and (4) cost, cost realism, and quality and quantity of cost share (if any). REPORTS AND OTHER CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS: As a minimum, all contracted efforts will be required to submit the following Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) items: R&D Status Report, Project Planning Chart, Funds and Man-Hour Expenditure Report, Contract Funds Status Report, copies of billing statements, a Final Technical Report, and copies of any presentation materials. CLOSING AND SUBMISSION: All proposals are due no later than 4 PM EDT, 30 August 1996. Offerors should submit one original and seven copies of the proposal to: DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA#96-23/Dubois, 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Early submission of pre-proposals and/or full proposals is strongly encouraged. Selections for awards may be made at any time during the evaluation process. Questions regarding this BAA may be submitted in writing via fax or e-mail to Dr. Dubois (FAX: (703) 696-3999, e-mail: ldubois@darpa.mil). (0131)

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