The Naval Air Warfare Center has awarded a $242,000 firm fixed-price purchase order to Acree Technologies Incorporated for research and development of de-icing windscreen technology. The contract, awarded on August 6, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of August 7, 2026, requires Acree Technologies to conduct specialized research on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) coatings for heater film applications. This was a sole-source procurement, as Acree Technologies was identified as the only firm with the requisite specialized expertise and equipment, including a vacuum coating chamber with magnetron sputtering capabilities capable of uniformly coating flat coupons to meet specific electrical resistance and transmission specifications. The work will be performed in Concord, California, and no set-aside designation was utilized for this contract award.
Acree Technologies Incorporated is a small business manufacturer specializing in research and development of advanced technologies for federal agencies, with established expertise in specialized coatings and sensor technologies for aerospace and defense applications. The company has a strong track record executing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs and complex research initiatives for agencies including NASA, the Office of Naval Research, and the Department of Defense. This contract aligns with the company's core competencies in coating technologies and its history of delivering sophisticated research solutions for military applications, positioning it as an incumbent contractor for the Naval Air Warfare Center's specialized de-icing windscreen development requirements.