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

A -- ENERGY HARVESTING SOL BAA97-44 DUE 121197 POC Dr. Robert Nowak, DARPA/DSO, fax (703) 696-9780 ENERGY HARVESTING SOL BAA97-44, DUE DECEMBER 11, 1997, POC: Dr.Robert J. Nowak, DARPA/DSO, FAX 703-696-9780. URL: http://www.sainc.com/arpa/energy/index.htm. BACKGROUND: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals in the area of energy harvesting. The environment offers a wide variety of energy sources that can be exploited to provide electrical power on a near-continuous basis. Unfortunately, the low specific power and sometimes intermittent nature of these natural and man-made sources presents a major technical challenge for their utilization. Despite these shortcomings, an integrated approach to energy harvesting, storage, power conditioning and ultimate matching to a device duty cycle could provide the military with systems that would significantly extend mission duration by supplementing existing energy sources, such as rechargeable batteries. In another embodiment, energy harvesting could provide all of the required system energy, thus eliminating the need to replace batteries or other energy storage components. This could lead to devices that could be deployed remotely (e.g., sensors) and operated almost indefinitely (e.g., "perpetual" systems). PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION: The principal objective of the Energy Harvesting program is to exploit environmental (natural and man-made) energy sources for 1) remote or unattended devices and 2) to provide supplementary power for soldier systems. Examples of the former include: 1) very small robotic systems that require power for locomotion, navigation, processing, sensing and communication and 2) small stationary systems, (e.g., micro-unattended ground sensors) that require power for sensing and communication. Power requirements for these types of systems are anticipated to be in the sub-watt range with periodic requirements of several watts. For soldier systems, power levels in the several watt range would greatly enhance mission duration or capabilities. In order to achieve these objectives, DARPA is interested in the development of energy harvesting technology derived from ambient sources (e.g., chemical and thermal gradients, sound, vibration, mechanical motion, wind, fluid flow, solar, radiofrequency, naturally occurring fuels [plant material, sap, organic matter, waste streams]) and human movement. Where human movement is exploited it must not be constraining or significantly add to the work load, thus, it should be transparent to the individual. Harnessing the energy associated with heel strike or walking are examples of this approach. The program encourages the use novel materials to harvest ambient energy sources as well as the development of novel energy conversion concepts, (e.g., biofuel cells, to convert the energy found in natural occurring fuels or waste streams into a useable form). The concepts discussed above are not meant to be exhaustive and other energy harvesting concepts are welcome. The DARPA Energy Harvesting program seeks major technology innovation in new concepts, materials development, materials processing, and component integration that will lead to significant improvements in existing system components or to totally new operational systems. The ultimate objective of the Energy Harvesting program is to provide the military with credible demonstrations of integrated power systems that can meet the duty cycle requirements of existing or emerging devices. DARPA solicits proposals that will focus on individual energy harvesting component science and technology as well as systems approaches that integrate energy harvesting technologies with the other components that are expected to make up a complete power system, (e.g., energy storage, power conditioning, and power management). Ultimately, the power system is intended to be integrated with a military application. System oriented proposals should address how energy harvesting concepts or power systems could be integrated with devices. Duty cycle should be considered as it will have a significant impact on system efficiency. Examples of target systemsfor implementation of energy harvesting technologies are described in the following recent DARPA solicitations: Distributed Robotics BAA 97-41, and Small Unit Operations Communications & Situation Awareness Enabling Technologies BAA 97-14. These solicitations can be accessed through DARPA's Home Page at URL: http://www.darpa.mil. Power ranges, duty cycles, and system sizes can be found or inferred from these documents but are on the order of hundreds of milliwatts to several watts. These examples are for general guidance only and do not represent the entire range of possible applications of energy harvesting technologies. Specifically excluded from this BAA are concepts that package off-the-shelf components, (e.g., photovoltaic/battery packages). Proposed energy harvesting concepts for supplementing existing power sources must have a significant impact on the total system mission (for example, an energy harvesting system that would only supply 1% of the total energy content for a mission would not be responsive to this BAA). In addition, the energy value added should be commensurate with the impact on system weight, size and signature. For soldier applications the power system should be integrated (e.g., part of the apparel) so that it is inconspicuous and does not present a burden to the soldier. It is anticipated that the breadth of expertise required to successfully respond to this program may require the formation of interdisciplinary teams. Teaming among industrial, academic and government laboratories is encouraged to ensure that advances in materials and components can be rapidly integrated into useable military devices. To assist the teaming process an interactive web site has been established at URL: http://www.sainc.com/arpa/energy/index.htm. Individual researchers and organizations with specific, applicable expertise or capabilities may provide non-proprietary descriptions of their capabilities and interests. The web site will remain active from the date of issuance of this BAA until proposals aredue. Specific information content, communications, networking, and team formation are the sole responsibilities of the participants. DARPA will not participate in these activities other than to provide the web site forum to enable others to initiate communications. Individual efforts by industrial, academic and government laboratories will also be entertained where a convincing case can be made for comprehensive internal capabilities or broad applicability of the research. The program is currently scheduled for four years. Approximately $25M of DoD funding is available for multiple awards from this BAA. The proposals should be organized with an initial phase of two years with a significant and demonstrable milestone at the end, followed by a second one or two year phase, again with a significant technological accomplishment at the conclusion of the program. All phases should include measurable milestones and technology demonstrations. HOW TO PROPOSE: Proposal submission will be a two stage process: First, offerors should submit pre-proposals which are due at 1600 ET on 9 October 1997. Based on the evaluation of these pre-proposals, selected offerors will be encouraged to submit full proposals which are due at 1600 ET on 11 December 1997. The intent of the request for pre-proposals is to minimize the time, labor, and costs associated with the development of full detailed technical and cost proposals. All interested offerors are therefore strongly encouraged to submit pre-proposals. Regardless of the disposition of pre-proposals, all responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal which shall be considered by DARPA. PRE-PROPOSALS: One original and six single sided, hard copies of pre-proposals of no more than six pages including the required cover page included in the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP) must arrive no later than 1600 ET on 2 October 1997 to receive consideration. Pre-proposals should have the same page format as the full proposals as described below and in the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP). The pre-proposal should concisely: 1) identify the focus of the proposed effort; 2) describe the essence of the new idea; 3) describe the impact on military systems of a successful effort if reduced to practice; 4) identify the central science and technology issues including the identification of the major risks involved in the effort; 5) set forth in tabular form the major tasks, the corresponding milestones, the timing of the milestones, and the funding versus time; 6) identify key individuals along with their institutions, roles and experience. The pre-proposal should also have a brief cost estimate summary. These pre-proposals should be submitted to DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA #97-44/Nowak, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive Arlington VA 22203-1714. Written requests for the Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP) or general administrative information should be addressed to Ms. Leanne Wiegand, Strategic Analysis, Inc., Suite 175, 4001 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. Faxed requests: Attn: Leanne Wiegand (703) 527-5445. Email requests: wiegal@sainc.com. The PIP can also be obtained via the URL: http://www.sainc.com/arpa/energy/index.htm. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PREPARATION OF FULL PROPOSALS: Proposers should obtain the pamphlet entitled "BAA97-44 Proposer Information Pamphlet" (PIP) from the address above. This pamphlet provides detailed information on required proposal formats and forms. The offeror shall submit seven single sided hard copies, each 8.5 by 11 inches. The pages shall be single-spaced, have 1.25 inch margins and the font size will be no smaller than 12 pitch. Non-conforming proposals may be rejected without review. Facsimile or electronic media transmissions of the proposal will NOT be accepted. Separate attachments, such as institutional brochures, reprints, disks, or videotapes, will be ignored. Proposals shall consist of two volumes: Volume 1 will be the Technical Proposal and Volume 2 the Cost Proposal. The first page of each shall be a required special cover sheet included in the PIP and shall clearly indicate the title, the prime contractor and subcontractors or partners as the case may be, the principal investigator name, phone number, fax number, e-mail, the period of performance, the yearly cost of the effort and the total cost. Volume 1 -- Technical Proposal: the technical proposal shall include, a Table of Contents, Executive Summary, a Program Description, a Program Plan, a Statement of Work, a Milestone Chart, a Facilities and Equipment description, a Description of Relevant Prior Work, a Management Plan, brief Resumes of Key Individuals, and a brief Cost Summary. The page count of Volume 1 shall be limited to a maximum of 50 pages, which includes all figures, references, tables, charts and appendices. Volume 2 -- Cost Proposal: -- The cost proposal shall contain a summary cost breakdown and a detailed cost breakdown. The cost proposal shall be prepared in general accordance with FAR 15.804-6 and shall include a Standard Form 1411, Contract Pricing Proposal Cover Sheet, with all supporting data in order to allow for a complete review by the Government. The detailed breakdown of cost data shall include all costs expected to be incurred under the contract. Cost details, broken-down by cost element, should be prepared for each major task along with supporting rationale. All cost details shall be broken down to coincide with the offeror's accounting periods as related to the specific period of performance as indicated in the proposed milestone chart. The cost proposal shall include all supporting information including, but not limited to: breakdown of labor hours by category, materials (vendor quotes or method of establishing cost), travel, direct, and indirect costs. Prime contractors are responsible for assuring that all proposed subcontracts in excess of $500,000 are supported by an executed SF 1411. The summary breakdown should be shown to the level of major tasks and should indicate manpower levels of effort, equipment and supplies, travel and miscellaneous expenses for the tasks of the entire program, broken out by phases and time. The summary cost breakdown shall be one page long (see PIP), but the detailed cost breakdown is not limited in page count. PROPOSAL EVALUATION: Pre-proposals and full proposals will be evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria in descending order of importance: 1) scientific and technological merit of the proposed program; 2) offeror's capabilities and recent related experience, including personnel, facilities, equipment and data; 3) impact of the successful development on defense systems; 4) reasonableness of cost. BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT: This CBD notice, in conjunction with BAA97-44 Proposer Information Pamphlet (PIP) constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d)(2). No additional information is available nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for same will be disregarded. Non-Government Technical Experts who have signed a conflict ofinterest form for this BAA may be used to evaluate portions the of proposals. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, proposals may be handled, for administrative purposes only, by a support contractor. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. Proposals identified for funding may result in a procurement contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction depending upon the nature of the work proposed, the required degree of interaction between parties, and other factors. The offeror must submit a separate list of all technical data or computer software that will be furnished to the Government with other than unlimited rights (see DFARS Part 227). No portion of the BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving a discrete or severable area of research for exclusive competition among those entities. HBCU's and MI's are encouraged to apply and/or team with other proposers.One original and six copies of each proposal shall be sent to DARPA/DSO, ATTN: BAA 97-44/Nowak, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 by 1600 ET on 11 December 1997. DARPA will acknowledge receipt of pre-proposal and proposal submissions within approximately ten business days of receipt, and assign a control number that should be used in all further correspondence regarding the submission. (0247)

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