Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contract Management Directorate (CMD), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

A -- SMALL SCALE AND NOVEL PROPULSION SYSTEMS; STUDIES AND DEVELOPMENT FOR SMALL AEROSPACE VEHICLES SOL BAA 99-22 DUE 070199 POC Initially, for all matters (programmatic, technical, legal, contractual, security), David J. Fields, Ph.D, Program Manager, Tactical Technology Office, DARPA; Phone: (703) 696-2355; Fax: (703) 696-8401; E-mail: dfield@darpa.mil. Communication via E-mail, unless otherwise prohibited, is preferred. (Dr. Fields will coordinate with DARPA counsel, contracts, and security personnel, as necessary.) WEB: http://www.darpa.mil/baa/, http://www.darpa.mil/baa/. E-MAIL: dfield@darpa.mil, dfield@darpa.mil. This BAA includes two topics whose scope and objectives follow. Topic A, Small Scale Propulsion Systems, seeks innovative approaches for developing and demonstrating small scale propulsion systems for aerospace vehicles requiring thrust in a 1-10 kg thrust class. Both air-breathing and rocket propulsion systems are of interest. Emphasis is on high power density, high energy density propulsion systems, and, propulsion system vehicle integration issues. Potential applications include, but are not limited to, long range cruise vehicles, high endurance vehicles, high speed munitions, hovering reconnaissance vehicles, space launch vehicles, and new classes of small scale (unmanned) aerospace vehicles. Topic B, Novel Spacecraft Propulsion Concepts, seeks novel propulsion systems for space based assets. Examples include regenerative fuel cycles, long term electrical storage systems, and novel fuels for propulsion and power generation. Emphasis is on low cost and high efficiency systems which push the current technological envelope. Topic A proposals and white papers will be used in support of the DARPA Small Scale Propulsion Systems (SSPS) Program. Topic B white papers may be used, either in support of DARPA's SSPS Program, or in support of other DARPA programs, at a later date. TECHNICAL SCOPE: Topic A: Small Scale Propulsion Systems. DARPA is soliciting proposals and white papers for innovative research and development of small scale propulsion systems for any one or more of the following advanced small aerospace vehicle system applications: long endurance or long range sensor platforms, 'mother' vehicles to transport and release Micro Air Vehicles, airborne communication nodes, miniature munitions, miniature cruise missiles, and launch vehicles for miniature satellite (one-half kilogram payload or less). For this BAA, the definition of a small scale propulsion system includes: the fuel tank, starter mechanisms, fuel controls, pumps, valves, engine, mufflers, inlets, nozzles, fan blades, propellers, etc., that is, all components required to make the system start and propel a demonstration flight vehicle with controlled thrust. Key characteristics for any proposed propulsion system include: use of aviation heavy fuels for airbreathing systems, (JP-5 and JP-8), high power and performance over its altitude and airspeed envelope, high efficiency, long endurance, inexpensive in large production quantities, disposable, integrates well into specific demonstration application vehicle, enhances or enables new military capabilities and missions. The SSPS Program seeks to push the envelope beyond current propulsion systems. Estimates of the current state of the art capabilities include: Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (TSFC), approximately 0.15 (kg/N-hr) with Thrust/Weight ratios on the order of 8 or greater. For propeller craft, examples of high performance capabilities include Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC), approximately 0.45 kg/kW-hr, power density, approximately 0.70 kg/kW. Examples of high performance for rocket propulsion systems include: Net impulse control, Thrust/Weight ratio greater than 100 and Specific impulse (Isp) approximately 250 sec in a vacuum. Proposed SSPS approaches must include a description of a potential miniature aerospace vehicle application that utilizes, and is enabled by, the proposed propulsion system. The description must address the concept of operations, mission advantages and military payoffs of the proposed system. The end product of this effort shall be a flight demonstration of the proposed propulsion system. The small scale propulsion system must propel a small (demonstration only) flight vehicle; however, it does not have to be a mission capable flight vehicle. Topic B: Novel Space Propulsion Systems. DARPA is soliciting white papers, only, for novel propulsion systems for space based assets. Applications could include long endurance satellites/space craft, long term maneuverability of space platforms, power for electrical propulsion systems, and high power applications in space. Key characteristics for any system proposed include cost, power density, reliability, integration advantages, novelty of the approach and space worthy technologies. DARPA seeks to expand the envelope of propulsion/power technology. The submitted white paper should clearly discuss the advantages offered by the proposed propulsion/power concept and delineate new applications or capabilities enabled by the proposed concept. PROGRAM FUNDING: The total value of awards under this BAA shall not exceed $20,500,000. DARPA has budgeted approximately $0.7 million for FY 1999, $3.8 million for FY 2000, $8.0 million for FY 2001, and $8.0 million for FY 2002. All awards made in response to this BAA will be subject to availability of Government funds. GENERAL INFORMATION: This BAA will remain open for twelve (12) months after its publication in the Commerce Business Daily (CBD). Interested offerors may submit white papers and proposals in response to Topic A, and white papers in response to Topic B. However only proposals submitted in response to Topic A will be considered for initial funding under DARPA's SSPS Program. For a Topic A proposal to be considered for funding, an original and five (5) copies of an offeror's proposal must be submitted to DARPA/TTO, 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (ATTN: BAA 99-22) no later than 4:00 PM EDT on Thursday, 1 July 1999. Proposals submitted by fax or E-mail will not be considered. Proposals shall be in the format specified below. Proposals not meeting the format may not be reviewed. In addition to this BAA, and before submitting, either proposals or white papers for Topic A, or white papers for Topic B, prospective offerors MUST also refer to the associated Proposers Information Pamphlet (PIP) for BAA 99-22. This Pamphlet provides further information on the technical scope, program structure, and proposal format. This BAA and its PIP may be obtained by accessing the World Wide Web at URL http://www.darpa.mil/baa/. The SSPS Program may be found under the Tactical Technology Office (TTO) solicitations page. This BAA and the SSPS PIP constitute the entire solicitation for this effort, as contemplated by FAR 6.102(d). While additional information may be made available to potential offerors via changes to these documents, or through answers that will be posted in the "SSPS Frequently Asked Questions" file, no other formal RFP or solicitation for this effort will be issued. Offerors who do not retain automated information capabilities, and who require hardcopies of solicitation documents, should contact the Point-of-Contact identified in this BAA. While multiple awards are anticipated, the Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. Not all proposals deemed selectable will be funded. WHITE PAPER AND PROPOSAL FORMAT: White papers submitted in response to this BAA, either for Topic A or for Topic B, must be no more than 10 pages. They should be informal, unclassified, and as far as possible, without the inclusion of proprietary information or data. White papers should include a complete discussion of the concept(s) and the outline of a system integration plan. A representative air vehicle should be discussed. White papers will be used for an initial screening of ideas. Individual requests for proposals may be issued based on these white papers. While white papers will be reviewed, the Government reserves the right to reject white papers without comment, and without debriefing offerors. The Government reserves the right not to be constrained by any schedule for the review of white papers for either Topic. Proposals in response to Topic A must be in the following format. All offerors are required to segment their technical and cost proposals as follows: an initial 6-month study effort (Phase I), followed by Phase II options for additional periods not to exceed 12 months each, and not to exceed a total of 36 additional months beyond the base 6 month period. DARPA anticipates selection of 3 to 6 Phase I awards under the SSPS program. Initiation of Phase II will be contingent upon the results of engineering design reviews to be held on or about the end of the fourth month of Phase I's execution. All proprietary material should be clearly marked. Classified material will be submitted in accordance with an applicable DD Form 254 to be provided by DARPA, as necessary. (It is incumbent upon the offeror to request a DD Form 254.). All pages shall be single-spaced on paper not greater than 8.5 by 11 inches in size and typed single-sided with 1.0 inch minimum top, bottom, and side margins. The font size must not be smaller than 12 point. The cover sheet should include the following information: BAA number; lead organization submitting proposal, team members (as applicable), proposal title, proposal point of contact (salutation, first and last name, mailing address, city, state, zip code, telephone, fax, and e-mail), total cost to the Government, and total duration in months. The official transmittal letter for the proposal should be printed on corporate stationary and signed by the responsible corporate official. TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL: The following shall be included within the Technical and Management Volume (Volume 1) of an offeror's proposal. Volume I shall include: A -- Table of Contents; B -- Executive Summary (This section will provide an overview of the proposed technical approach, benefits, and cost.); C -- Scientific Merit and Technical Approach. (The technical approach should be described, including the plan for design, fabrication and evaluation of the proposed SSPS technology and all supporting subcomponents included in the system. The proposed approach should be discussed in the context of its advantages over alternative or available technology solutions. Additionally, an estimation, based on analysis and/or experimental data of the expected thrust, power performance, and endurance of the proposed approach, should be made over the flight envelope of altitude and speed for the proposed propulsion system application and/or mission. Proposals should describe critical technical issues and associated tasks to be performed, and delineate the major technical risks expected along with steps for mitigation of these risks. The proposal should also describe in the technical development plan, any proposed system or component demonstrations and the proposed final flight demonstration vehicle.); D -- Relevance and Potential Utility (This section should delineate the specific potential applications of the proposed propulsion concepts. Potential mission capabilities and concepts of operation should be described. Mission cost can be a mission enabler if the small vehicle can perform a mission at a fraction of conventional current system cost.); E -- Expertise and Experience (Proposals should give a complete elaboration on the capabilities of the proposer(s), including a description of the roles of all subcontractors and/or team members, and evidence that the proposers have the appropriate expertise and facilities for the critical technology issues being addressed.); F -- Management (Within the context of the procurement instrument that the offeror recommends (contract, grant, etc.), this section should describe (i) the structure and methods by which the offeror intends to accomplish the requirements of the SSPS Program and ensure quality control, and (ii) innovations and creativity relative to the treatment of such matters as termination provisions, the use of Independent Research & Development (IR&D) monies, rights in patents, rights in data and computer software, property disposition,) and (iii) concepts and plans for transitioning the propulsion technology. Volume 1 is limited to a maximum of 30 pages, including all charts, figures, resumes. and appendices. Fold-out pages count as two pages. COST PROPOSAL: Volume 2 of an offeror's Topic A proposal shall contain a complete 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 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 task of the WBS along with supporting rationale in sufficient detail to substantiate the cost estimates. A budget summary, by technical/development task must be provided. Proposed efforts shall be costed for a base 6-month initial funding period with additional priced options (not to exceed three options of up to 12 months each) for additional research, development and demonstration. The cost proposal shall include all supporting documentation 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. There is no page limit on the Cost Proposal. EVALUATION CRITERIA: All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals in response to Topic A. (Again, under this BAA, the Government is only soliciting white papers in response to Topic B.) Evaluation of the proposals will be accomplished using the following criteria, which are in descending order of importance: 1) overall scientific merit in relationship to the soundness and innovativeness of the technical approach; 2) potential utility and effectiveness of the proposed technology for efficient small scale propulsion systems; 3) offeror's ability to implement the proposed program as demonstrated by availability of qualified personnel, equipment and facilities, and expertise relevant to the proposed propulsion technologies; 4) the offeror's innovations and creativity in managing various resources (e.g., subcontractors, team member) and various functional areas (e.g., intellectual property), not only in executing Phases I and II of this Program, but also to the benefit of the transition of the SSPS Program's technology to a using Service; and, 5) cost and cost realism. (Note: cost realism will be applicable only to proposals which have significantly under- or overestimated costs to complete.) PROCUREMENT INSTRUMENTS: Awards under this BAA will take the form of contracts, cooperative agreements, grants, and/or Technology Investment Agreements (TIA) (10 USC 2371 pertains). Since it is anticipated that the breadth of expertise required to successfully respond to this solicitation will benefit from the formation of interdisciplinary teams (e.g., one or more SSPS consortia), offerors are encouraged, but not required, to consider proposing to use a TIA. For additional information relative to the use of a TIA and the 10 USC 2371 authority, interested offerors should consult the SSPS PIP. OTHER NOTICES TO OFFERORS: (1) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU or MI participation because of the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of research in the Small Scale Propulsion Systems Program. (2) It is the policy of DARPA to treat all proposals as competitive information, and to disclose their contents only for the purpose of evaluation. The Government intends to use employees from a non-Government source, SRS Technologies, Inc., of Arlington, Virginia) to assist as technical experts, and in administering the evaluation of the proposals. These personnel will have signed, and will be subject to, the terms and conditions of a non-disclosure agreement. By submission of its proposal, an offeror agrees that its proposal information may be disclosed to those employees of SRS for the limited purpose stated above. Selections under this BAA, however, made only by Government evaluators. (3) Awards made under this BAA are subject to the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 9.5, Organizational Conflict of Interest. All offerors and proposed subcontractors must affirmatively state whether they are supporting any DARPA technical office(s) through an active contract or subcontract. All affirmations must state which office(s) the offeror supports and identify the prime contract number. Affirmations shall be furnished at the time of proposal submission, and the existence or potential existence of organizational conflicts of interest, as that term is defined in FAR 9.501, must be disclosed. This disclosure shall include a description of the action the offeror has taken, or proposes to take, to avoid, neutralize or mitigate such conflict. If the offeror believes that no such conflict exists, then it shall so state in this section. Posted 05/12/99 (W-SN330724). (0132)

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