SPCE_FAQ_10.19.2022.pdf

Space Power Conversion Electronics (SPCE)

HR001122S0059

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Updated as of 10/19/2022

Question 1: How is radiation tolerance defined?

Answer 1: The definition for radiation tolerance as defined in the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is > 75 MeVcm2/mg linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ion/proton radiation, as can be found on page 6 of the BAA.

Question 2: What operating temperature should be assumed for device operation and measurement?

Answer 2: Room temperature or 300 K.

Question 3: When calculating power density, should the proposer assume all decoupling components are in the point of load (POL) volume?

Answer 3: The proposer should provide all assumptions relevant to achieving the goals and metrics table stated on page 10 of the BAA.

Question 4: What is the expected functionality of the POL demonstrations?

Answer 4: The expected functionality of the POL demonstrations is defined for each phase in Table 1 (TA1 and TA2 Metrics by Phase) on page 10 of the BAA.

Question 5: Are there additional assumptions necessary to demonstrate the power density metric of 500 W/in3?

Answer 5: The BAA requires a demonstration of 500 W/in3 power density at 48 V input voltage and an output of 50 A at 1 V (Phase 3) as stated in the Table 1 notes on page 10 of the BAA.

Question 6: Should radiation testing costs be included in proposals for the purposes of budgeting?

Answer 6: Not for the end of phase tests to demonstrate meeting the program metrics.

DARPA will supply independent validation and verification (IV&V) including radiation testing at the end of each phase as government furnished test and no additional budgeting is required beyond what is necessary to successfully complete the proposed statements of work.

Question 7: Are subcontractors required to submit their budgets directly to the prime or can they be submitted to the government directly to protect sensitive information such as fee information?

Answer 7: Subcontractors can submit their budgets directly to the prime or directly to the government via the mechanisms outlined in the BAA. All BAA due dates must be met regardless of how rates are submitted.

Question 8: Can interested participants provide information on their capabilities or state to the government to seek teaming?

Answer 8: Teaming arrangements cannot be facilitated by the government and seeking teaming is a function that can only be engaged in by individual proposers.

Question 9: How much funding is available in the effort for each individual TA?

Answer 9: The BAA states on page 3 that $60M funding is anticipated for TA1 and $3M funding anticipated for TA2.

Question 10: Is there a government preference for a specific type of contract?

Answer 10: No. See page 5 of the BAA for types of instruments that may be awarded for each TA. With respect to procurement contracts, please note that typically firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are not appropriate for R&D efforts, as the costs cannot be estimated with sufficient accuracy.

Question 11: What are the program Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) requirements?

Answer 11: The proposer is expected to review and propose consistent with the program CUI Guide, which outlines the specific requirements for how CUI must be handled within the program. Refer to Attachment 3: SPCE Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Guide posted with the SPCE solicitation on https://sam.gov.

Question 12: Will universities be allowed to propose to and participate in TA1?

Answer 12: Page 5 of the BAA states that it is anticipated that TA1 will be restricted research for all performers/team members. See page 32 of the BAA for additional information on program security requirements and the SPCE CUI guide for specific requirements on how CUI must be handled within the program.

Question 13: Is there an opportunity for a virtual or face to face one on one for this BAA?

Answer 13: No. All one on one meetings were conducted during the Proposer’s day on 29 September 2022 and no further meetings are planned at this time.

Question 14: Can you provide insight on how the 48V bus voltage was chosen?

Answer 14: 48V bus voltage was chosen as the nominal input voltage to demonstrate a greater than 85% efficiency radiation tolerant point of load converter with 1 V output voltage.

Question 15: Does the 1V output need isolation from 48V input?

Answer 15: Answered previously as part of FAQ Question 3 – The proposer should provide all assumptions relevant to achieving the goals and metrics stated on page 10 of the BAA.

Question 16: Can you confirm if the industry is or is not incentivized to submit our proposal early to have a better chance on the available funding?

Answer 16: Industry is not incentivized to submit a proposal early. It is the policy of DARPA to ensure impartial, equitable, comprehensive proposal evaluations based on the evaluation criteria listed above and to select the source (or sources) whose offer meets the Government's technical, policy, and programmatic goals. Please see section V.B, Review and Selection Process, for further information on the review and selection process.

https://sam.gov/