A -- FY 2002 BASIC AND APPLIED ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY RESEARCH

Notice Date

May 8, 2001

Contracting Office

Office of Naval Research, 800 North Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22217-5660

ZIP Code

22217-5660

Solicitation Number

01-016

Response Due

June 11, 2001

Point of Contact

Point of Contact for Technical: Dr. Stephen McElvany ONR Code 331, (703) 696-1449, E-mail: mcelvas@onr.navy.mil; Point of Contact for Business: Ms. Lajuana Moody ONR Code 254, (703) 696-2103, E-mail:moodyl@onr.navy.mil

Description

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is soliciting white papers directed in the areas of basic and applied research in Environmental Quality (EQ), which address compliance and pollution prevention issues of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Specific areas being considered (and further described in detail below) for FY02 funding include: 1. Advanced Non-Toxic Antifouling Coatings, 2. Shipboard Waste and Hazardous Material Reduction and Management. 3. Novel Means for Reducing Noise and Air Emissions from Aircraft and Ship Engines. All potential awardees within these programs are highly encouraged to team together in collaborative and concerted efforts to advance the Science and Technology (S&T) efforts. White papers and proposals that leverage and integrate Navy laboratories facilities and expertise are also highly encouraged under the following areas. 1. Advanced Non-Toxic Antifouling and Fouling-Release Coatings US Navy ship hulls are currently protected by both anti-corrosion (AC) and anti-fouling (AF) coatings. The AC coating provides the primary defense against material corrosion from the saltwater environment. The AF coating prevents attachment and growth of marine organisms on the hull. Alternatively, foul-release (FR) coatings may become fouled while stationary but effectively become self-cleaning once the ship is underway and in operation. Biofouling of the hull has serious adverse impacts on the operational capability of Navy vessels which include: increased drag (resulting in increased fuel consumption, refueling frequency, as well as decreased ship speed, range and maneuverability), self-generated noise, potential transport of aquatic nuisance species, and increased hull cleaning difficulty and frequency. There are additional areas of ship application that may benefit from the development of novel AF or FR coatings including ballast tanks, fire mains, sea chests and heat exchangers. Effective AF coatings in use today typically release toxic materials (metals or organic-based biocides) to prevent hull fouling. These anti-fouling materials may also be toxic to non-target (non-attached) organisms and thus are increasingly problematic. The discharge of toxins into natural water bodies is expected to become more tightly regulated in the years to come. Presently, the AF coating system is applied to vessel hulls over the AC coating when the ship is in dry dock. The current coating methodology has a serviceable life of approximately 6 years. A high priority Navy goal is to extend dry-docking cycles to 12 years. Consequently, a need exists for an effective, but non-toxic and environmentally benign fouling prevention or foul release coating. Considerations for candidate coatings include not only the anti-fouling or foul-release behavior in service, but also the environmental impact and cost associated with the application and maintenance of the coating, and the durability required to yield a 12-year life cycle. Potential areas of research would include development of novel foul-release coatings to provide a truly non-toxic approach, development of multifunctional or smart coatings (e.g. combination of AC and AF properties; responsive or adaptive coatings that result in foul resistant, foul-release or other unique properties); and novel approaches for the application, maintenance and removal of coatings (such as underwater operations or applique technology). In addition, proposals may be considered which employ novel application of non-persistent biocides or repellant mechanisms to prevent hull fouling. It is anticipated that individual components of the overall program will include the development of novel coatings; approaches to and understanding of AF and foul-release mechanisms; and the testing and evaluation of candidate materials by lab based and field studies to provide feedback to the development and modification of coatings in development. Basic research proposals should address fundamental issues in coating development and processing while proposals submitted for applied research funds should begin to address potential methods of implementation of new coatings as well as scale-up and testing. 2. Shipboard Waste and Hazardous Material Reduction and Management Navy ships are subject to restrictions on shipboard waste management that arise from local, national and international laws and regulations. In order to comply, future Navy ships need novel waste reduction, treatment and destruction processes that have the following attributes: 1) maintain their ability to operate in any water or port unencumbered by environmental restrictions; 2) can be operated and maintained with the reduced shipboard manning levels envisioned for future ships; 3) protect and enhance the safety and health of sailors as well as shoreside personnel handling offloaded wastes; 4) occupy minimal shipboard space, be compatible with shipboard services and do not compromise the ship's acoustic, thermal or electromagnetic signatures; and 5) minimize or eliminate Fleet reliance on shoreside support. Novel and revolutionary S&T approaches are sought that will treat the liquid wastes (black, gray and bilge water) and solid wastes associated with the shipboard operation and environment. Treatment of these waste streams should provide to the largest extent possible an effluent that is environmentally benign, allowing direct discharge without further processing and minimizing that fraction of the waste stream that must be stored, offloaded or further processed. Proposed methods and technologies should provide a long-term significant enhancement over the existing/emerging technologies that are in advanced development. Specifically, reductions are sought in the eventual cost of acquisition and operation, size of the treatment facility or process, and the manning required for operation. Additionally, revolutionary in situ real-time concepts for sensors to detect and measure Navy unique environmental pollutants both pre- and post-treatment will be required for monitor and control of processing technologies. Examples can include but are not limited to: oil, diesel fuel, and metal contaminants. In addition to the treatment of waste, minimization and/or elimination of hazardous material are of interest. In particular there is a need for developing alternatives to AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) used to extinguish oil and "pool" fires in Naval environments. AFFF use is being significantly curtailed due to the suspected toxicity of PFOS (perfluorooctyl sulfonates). Alternatives are sought to the current fluorosurfactant-based AFFF which contain or may biodegrade to PFOS. These materials should be compatible for use in a saltwater environment, be environmentally benign and compatible with the existing AFFF delivery infrastructure. 3. Novel Means for Reducing Noise and Air Emissions from Aircraft and Ship Engines A key operational requirement for the Navy is unrestricted basing of aircraft and access to navigable waters worldwide for implementing U.S. foreign policy and establishing/maintaining a forward presence. Environmental laws, regulations, policies and directives, which restrict environmental emissions, may constrain our ability to operate, provide necessary training and maintain operational readiness. In the development of new aircraft engines for naval applications, improved performance typically results in a concomitant increase in the air emissions and/or noise levels during routine operation. Emissions are also a concern for shipboard engine applications. Gas turbine emissions that are of concern include carbon monoxide (CO), particulates less than 2.5 micron (PM2.5), oxides of sulfur (SOx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (UBH), pyrogenic polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and other forms of volatile organic carbon (VOC). The NOx, SOx and PM emissions from diesel engines is also a problem for the Navy due to the use of fuels with substantially higher sulfur content than domestic fuels which limits the effectiveness of existing exhaust after-treatment technologies. Novel science and technology approaches to reduce the aforementioned pollutants will be considered. Possible approaches may include but are not limited to fuel additives, the use of alternate or synthetic fuels, or the development of monitoring, control and feedback of emission levels to optimize engine operation and to certify compliance with regulatory limits. In addition, novel methods of measuring particulate matter (PM) size and mass will be considered. The far-field noise created by the new high performance engines is of high concern for operational readiness of Naval Air systems. Developing a better understanding of noise sources and identifying methods for reducing noise levels to comply with regulatory standards would constitute a significant accomplishment. S&T investment seeks to support activities that provide a better understanding of noise generation that may ultimately result in strategies to design new engines. In addition we are seeking innovative concepts that mitigate noise (passively or actively) on existing engine designs. The design and implementation of any approach cannot result in any reduction in the overall engine performance required for the intended naval application. White papers should target potential long-term solutions to reduction of air and noise emissions for next-generation Navy aircraft and marine engines. This BAA is not seeking proposals to short-term issues of developing technologies for platforms such as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The combined anticipated funding available for these projects is approximately $7 million. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION OF WHITE PAPERS AND PROPOSALS White Papers are due by 16:00 (4:00 pm)on 11 June 2001. White Papers and proposals should be submitted to the Office of Naval Research, Attention 331 Environmental BAA, Room 503, 800 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22217-5660. Ms. Jennifer Snaith, phone number, (703) 696-0687, should be contacted as the ONR POC for any express mail submissions. All white papers submitted must include a cover page labeled White Paper and state their White Paper is submitted in response to BAA 01-016. White Papers (technical only) should not exceed five pages of text and should include, a concise technical discussion of the problem/concept, the S&T approach to be undertaken, an estimate of overall costs (including indirect costs) for a three year effort. In addition, a short curriculum vitae of the principal investigator(s) (PI) should be appended together with the five-page technical proposal. Offerors submitting the most promising white paper will be invited to submit a full technical and cost proposal on all or part of their submission. However, any such invitation does not assure a subsequent award. Offerors may submit a full proposal even if their white paper was not identified as promising or if no white paper was submitted, however, any full proposal submission would be made without the benefit of feedback prior to full proposal submission. Formal proposals prepared in accordance with the Research Proposal Format Instructions available on the ONR web site (http://www.onr.navy.mil/scripts/02/howtosubmit.asp) will be required by 16:00 local time (4:00 PM), 10 August 2001 to the same address listed above for the white papers. In addition, offerors should indicate which area they are proposing to: Advanced Non-Toxic Coatings, Shipboard Waste and Hazardous Material Management or Aircraft and Ship Emissions. White papers submitted in response to this announcement must address the technology requirements and issues covered in this announcement. The government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the submissions. Offerors must state in their white papers and/or full proposals that their submission is in response to this BAA. White papers received after 16:00 (4:00 PM), 11 June 2001, or proposals received after 16:00 (4:00 PM), 10 August 2001 may still be considered for the next funding cycle if funds are available. This BAA shall remain open until 30 Jan 2002. This BAA provides no funding for white papers or subsequent proposal development purposes. All white papers will be acknowledged. The white papers or proposals will not be returned after evaluation. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING AND SELECTING WHITE PAPERS AND/OR PROPOSALS White papers or full proposal submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria. 1. Overall basis of innovation and scientific merit. 2. Programmatic relevance of the technical portion. 3. The qualifications and experience of the proposed principal investigator and or key personnel. 4). The offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques or unique combinations of these that are integral factors for achieving their proposal objectives. 5. The realism of the proposed cost and availability of funds. 6. If all of the above evaluations are equal, white papers that utilize industry-academic partnering which enhances the development of novel S&T advances will be given favorable consideration. Awards may take the form of a contract, cooperative agreement, grant, or other agreement. The government reserves the right to select or award all, some or none of the proposals received in response to the areas covered in this announcement. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which shall be considered under these guidelines by the Office of Naval Research. It is not the intent of this BAA announcement to establish new facilities. For awards made as contracts, the socio-economic merits of each proposal will be evaluated based on the extent of commitment in providing meaningful subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, woman-owned small business concerns, veteran-owned small businesses, historically black colleges and universities, and minority institutions. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this solicitation is 541710 (which corresponds with the standard industrial classification code of 3721) with the small business size standard of 1,500 employees. In accordance with FAR Part 52.219-9, contract proposals that exceed $500,000, submitted by other than small business concerns, must be accompanied by a subcontracting plan that separately addresses subcontracting with small business, veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business concerns, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and Minority Institutions (MI) are encouraged to submit abstracts and/or join others in submitting white papers and proposals. This announcement constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement as interpreted under the Federal Acquisition Regulations FAR 6.102(cd)(2). The government reserves the right to select or award all, some or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which shall be considered under these guidelines by the Office of Naval Research.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010510/ASOL007.HTM (W-128 SN50L513)