BAACALL0011.doc

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BAA-VS-07-03

Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) 0011

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Space Components Technology Open 5 Year Broad Agency Announcement

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-VS-07-03

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUCEMENT (CALL) TITLE: Topic Area #3, entitled Advanced Space Power Technologies, CALL #0011 entitled: Ultrahigh efficiency, lightweight multijunction crystalline solar cells based on novel materials and substrates for space application

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 0011

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: The technical point of contact for this CALL is Technical point of contract for Subparagraph C of Topic 3:

Alex Howard, AFRL/RVSV, (505) 853-1889, Fax NONE, Email: alexander.howard@kirtland.af.mil CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT: The contracting points of contact for this CALL are:

Contracting Specialist/ Contracting Officer:

Sally Walton, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-7201, Fax NONE, Email: sally.walton@kirtland.af.mil or Jean Barnes, Det 8 AFRL/RVKV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-4695, Fax NONE, Email: jean.barnes@kirtland.af.mil

REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION:

The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting proposals in Space Components Technology under subparagraph C of the Space Components Technology Area, TOPIC 3, Advanced Space Power Technologies of the Broad Agency Announcement VS-07-03 posted on 02 November 2006. See the following for detailed information;

Subparagraph C of Topic 3, Advanced Space Powers Technologies.

AFRL is soliciting proposals in subparagraph C, Topic 3, Advance Space Power Technologies, specifically for Photovoltaic Cells and Photovoltaic Modules for Near Space and Space Solar Power Applications for the development of ultrahigh efficiency multijunction crystalline solar cells based on lattice-matched II/VI and III/V materials grown on novel substrates. The development effort should be a phased approach with options to achieve a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6 (definitions of TRL should be agreed upon with AFRL) and conclude with practical cell efficiencies of 40% and capability to produce modules with an efficiency of 35% or greater. The cells and modules should be designed to operate in a space based Air Mass Zero (AM0) operational environment and should address ultraviolet, electron and proton tolerance, efficient stowage, light weight, and radiation resistant capability for adequate end-of-life performance.

Base: Design Feasibility: Demonstrate II/VI and III/V materials grown on innovative substrates that can be fabricated to produce a solar cell, optimized to the AM0 spectrum, at efficiencies of 25% or greater with reproducibility. A clear path to a manufacturable, 40% or greater solar cell must be demonstrated. Incorporation of technologies that enable removal and reuse of expensive substrates for fabrication of light weight flexible solar cells should also be considered.

Option 1: Demonstrate a large area, >20cm2, solar cell with efficiencies produced in the base effort. Based on the results from the base effort, design and develop module level architecture, cell interconnect architecture, and encapsulation methodology. Develop the solar cell form factors and electrical configuration, and the coating and/or encapsulation methods for modules. Establish engineering confidence tests. Evaluate test performance data and utilize this information to determine final design architectures.

Option 2: Demonstrate a large area, >20cm2, solar cell with efficiency of 40% or greater on flexible substrate. Develop the solar cell form factors and electrical configuration, and the coating and/or encapsulation methods for modules.

ANTICIPATED FUNDING (Topic 3, Subparagraph C): Governments Cost-Share of anticipated funding for this CALL (not per contract or award) is: FY 08: $375 Thousand dollars, FY09-FY11: $375 Thousand dollars per FY. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (Topic 3, Subparagraph C): The anticipated period of performance for individual awards resulting from this CALL is between 12 to 36 months in duration. The period of performance is to be proposed in the format “includes XX months for the technical effort and 3 months for Final Report preparation.”

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: The due date for proposals submitted in response to this CALL is no later than 12:00 p.m. MDT on 02 January 2008. Proposals for any other technology area identified in the baseline BAA will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for proposals in that specific area is open. Proposals received after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

CALL AMENDMENTS: Offerors should monitor FedBizOps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov and/or Grants.gov/FIND http://www.grants.gov for any additional notices to this CALL that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date or otherwise modify this announcement.

ANTICIPATED TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Accordingly, the Government may award any appropriate contract type under the Federal Acquisition Regulation or Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype, grant, cooperative agreement, or OT for Research. The Air Force may also consider award of an appropriate technology transfer mechanism if applicable. Specific instructions for assistance awards are in paragraph 7 of the BAA. It is anticipated that awards under this BAA will generally be cost plus fixed fee, completion form contracts, which require successful offerors to have an accounting system considered adequate for tracking costs applicable to the contract.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates possibly awarding one or more contracts and or DoDGARS type instruments. However, the Air Force reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this CALL.

ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: NLT 15 January 2008 INTENT TO PROPOSE: Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting point of contact (by e-mail) if they intend to submit a proposal in response to this CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

DELIVERABLES ITEMS:

The intent of this project is described in the Requirement Description above. Offerors should propose data, hardware, and/or software deliverables consistent with tracking progress, verifying performance, and otherwise establishing the objectives of the project. Monthly technical and financial Status Reports and a Final Technical Report in accordance with PRS Pamphlet 61-201, Preparation of Final Report, are required data items.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

1. Program security classification for this call is UNCLASSIFIED; however classified processing may be required.

2. ITAR/Export Control: Research areas may involve technology that is subject to U.S. Export Control Laws. Therefore, only offerors who are certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) may submit proposals. For questions, contact DLIS on-line at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp or at DLIS, US/Canada Joint Certification Center, Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek MI 49017-4312, (800) 352-3572. It is envisioned that the developed item may trigger ITAR and Export Control restrictions. Offerors should explain how ITAR and Export Control restrictions will be met in the context of their development, manufacturing, and marketing strategy. Status Reports and the Final Technical Report are assumed to be under ITAR restrictions (DD Form 2345 required).

3. Government furnished property, equipment, or facilities needed for this requirement should be specified in the proposal.

4. Aerospace Corporation is prohibited from submitting a proposal.

5. Foreign owned firms are advised to contact the Contracting Officer or the Program Manager to determine if there are no restrictions to receiving awards.

6. Other: Specialized information or requirements which are believed to be pertinent to the requirement shall be provided by the offeror in written form and incorporated into the proposal.

7. Item Identification and Valuation: Any contract award resulting from this Call may include the clause at DFARS 252.211-7003, Item Identification and Valuation, (Apr 2005). See baseline BAA for additional details.

APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of BAA-VS-07-03 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this CALL. For complete information regarding BAA-VS-07-03, refer to the initial opened-ended BAA as amended. It contains information applicable to all CALLS issued under the BAA and provides information on the overall program, proposal preparation and submission requirements, proposal review and evaluation criteria, award administration, agency contacts, etc. Direct questions to the points of contact identified above.

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