SPEED RFI vFinal.pdf

Department of Defense United States Army

Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal Technology Development Directorate – Aviation

Request for Information (RFI) Number: W911W6-24-RFI-0002 For

Support of a Component Development Program for Supplemental Power, Efficient Engines, and Drives (SPEED) Program

The Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal Technology Development Directorate – Aviation Fort Eustis, Virginia is issuing this RFI on behalf of the U.S. Army, Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC), Technology Development Directorate (TDD).

NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR

INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is solely for informational and planning purposes only and shall NOT be considered as a Request for Proposals (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. All information submitted in response to the RFI is voluntary. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any Contractor’s input resulting from this RFI. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

Background

The U.S. Army is in the process of pursuing Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft such as the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Anticipated mission and survivability considerations introduce greater efficiency and electrical power generation needs for FVL platforms. The U.S. Army aims to address these needs through development of efficient, integrated Supplementary Power Unit (SPU), engine, and drive system technologies providing the greatest operational benefit for FVL platforms. The Supplemental Power, Efficient Engines, and Drives (SPEED) program will develop technologies providing efficiency, life/reliability, and power generation improvements over current systems. Focus is on FVL platforms, but technology upgrades applicable to enduring platforms will also be considered.

Purpose

The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 and is not a RFP. The intent of this RFI is to obtain the latest information from industry with respect to their capabilities to support a possible Science and Technology (S&T) 6.2 Program. 6.2 programs develop technologies to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, with basic component integration to establish that components work together. The intent is to better define the current state of the art in SPU, engine, and drives technologies of interest in support of future calls in these areas. In addition, this RFI seeks to gain information of potential qualified sources and their socioeconomic status relative to an appropriate North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code and corresponding size standard. Determination of which NAICS is most appropriate to satisfy the objectives herein is information being sought as well. This RFI is being used to facilitate a conversation between the U.S. Army and industry, including airframe manufacturers, propulsion and power companies, electric component companies, and small businesses concerning development challenges for future aircraft in the SPU, engines, and drives technology spaces. Information provided by industry will be used for internal planning purposes only and will not be publicly released outside the Government. The U.S. Army intends to utilize industry responses to this RFI for the development of future RFP(s).

Objective

The U.S. Army is seeking to understand industry’s assessment of current SPU, engines, and drives technology capability for FVL applications as well as growth plans to support future increment development strategies. This should include a detailed discussion of the key component technologies, system architecture, and technology maturation plans. Intent of the RFI responses is to assist the U.S. Army in identifying technologies of interest for further development in future S&T 6.2 programs. The U.S. Army intends to utilize industry’s assessment of the state of the art to establish metrics for future S&T 6.2 programs. Technology assessment and discussion should clearly identify applicability and capability enhancement to FVL and enduring platforms. Scalable technology solutions applicable to multiple Army manned platforms is highly desirable.

Respondents are asked to provide responses to each RFI interest area and subsection, as applicable. Respondents are not required to submit information on all interest areas and subsections. It is not the intent of this RFI to provide detailed design requirements. Respondents should clearly identify compelling advantages of technologies discussed. Establishing credibility through substantiating data is highly encouraged. Without substantiating data, it is very difficult for the U.S. Army to formulate future technology development goals and plans. Data is to be provided in contractor format. The U.S. Army also requests input as to which technologies provide the strongest potential for Notional Goal Level improvements, along with a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost and schedule estimate of the component development and test.

Requested Information

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency. Any interested source possessing the requisite skills, resources, and capabilities necessary to fulfill this anticipated requirement is invited to respond to the RFI. Responses may be in contractor format. Please include the following information in any responses along with any other pertinent details or considerations.

1) Company name, address, and website address

2) Company point(s) of contact name, telephone number, and e-mail address

3) CAGE Code and SAM.gov Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number

4) Business Size (under suggested NAICS)

5) Suggested NAICS

6) Capability statement specifying technical skills possessed to perform the objectives as stated herein to support a S&T 6.2 Program anticipated to start between FY 2025 and FY 2027. Anticipation is that SPU 6.2 would begin in FY 2025, followed by potential Engines and Drives efforts between FY 2026 and FY 2027 starts.

7) Relevant past performance as it relates to the objectives stated herein.

8) RFI Number: W911W6-24-RFI-0002

Please be advised that proprietary information must be marked as such on a page-by-page basis.

The Government will not assume that the information provided by a respondent is proprietary unless it is conspicuously marked on this basis, nor will the Government contact a respondent and inquire whether unmarked information submitted in response to this RFI is proprietary. All data received in response to this RFI that is marked or designated as proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.

The Government is only seeking sources/information for market research. Acknowledgement of receipt will not be made. The Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.

Technical Response Categories

Supplemental Power Unit

The U.S. Army is interested in replacing existing APUs with a common SPU capable of continuous in-flight operation to provide additional electrical power and enable increased mission capability. Current U.S. Army rotorcraft platforms utilize Auxiliary Power Units (APU) to power main engine startup and ground applications, but these APUs are not operational to provide continuous onboard power during flight. Significant improvements in efficiency, life/reliability, and power density to APU-class turbine-based systems are required to enable SPUs with sufficient power generation and acceptable fuel burn within size, weight, and power (SWAP) demands.

Intent is for the SPU to provide continuous electrical power during flight without impacting SWAP constraints. Current constraints limit APU weight to 96.3 lb, a length of 30.49 in, a height of 16.9 in, and a width of 17.45 in. The U.S. Army is interested in SPU turbine engines compatible with 270 VDC electric generators. Significant improvements are needed in fuel efficiency and life/reliability of turbine engines in this size class to make SPUs a viable option.

Current APUs are limited in specific fuel consumption (SFC) capability, rated at 1.56 lb/hp/hr.

The U.S. Army is particularly interested in improving SFC and life/reliability metrics such as mean time between failure (MTBF) and mean time between overhaul (MTBO), while also maintaining or improving power density of APU-class turbine engines to enhance the feasibility of continuous duty cycle SPUs. Information is requested on potential alternative engine configurations or modifications to legacy APUs and their performance benefits, particularly in SFC, MTBF, MTBO, and horsepower/weight ratio. Below are a set of notional goals for these metrics, that the Army is interested in industry feedback to goal achievement capability.

Notional Goal Levels:

SFC Improvement = -50% HP/W Improvement = +20% MTBO Improvement = +25% MTBF Improvement = +25%

In addition to providing onboard electrical power, the SPU will be responsible for replacing existing APU functionality, including main engine startup. Engine start is traditionally accomplished pneumatically but could alternatively be achieved using an electrical drive train starter. Information is requested on recommended engine startup mechanisms, including any operational advantages provided.

Engine

The U.S. Army is interested in advanced turbine engine technologies which provide enhanced capabilities for potential future increments of FVL platforms in the 3,000-8,000 SHP range.

Technologies which enhance engine performance, reliability, maintainability, weight, cost, horsepower growth, or other identifiable capability/affordability benefits are desired.

Technologies of interest include, but not limited to, advanced compressor, combustor, turbine, and controls component development. The U.S. Army is interested in advanced compressor technologies including but not limited to aerodynamics for improved pressure ratio performance, sealing techniques for enhanced stall capability, and improved sand separation techniques for durability. Combustor technologies of interest include but are not limited to material and cooling technologies that allow for increased cycle temperatures as well as durability technologies that improve engine system life. Turbine technologies of interest include but are not limited to advanced materials/coatings for improved durability and higher temperature operation, additively manufactured blades and passages, and advanced sealing techniques for improved performance.

The U.S. Army is also interested in exploring more electric control components for improved reliability, including adaptive engine controls to account for engine prognostics.

Information is requested on potential component developments which provide significant improvement in operational and sustainment capability for FVL platforms. The U.S. Army is particularly interested in those technologies which provide payload/range capability enhancement, maintenance cost reduction, and availability/sustainability improvement over state-of-the-art engine technologies. Information is requested on potential engine component developments and their performance benefits, particularly in SFC, MTBF, MTBO, and horsepower/weight ratio. Below are a set of notional goals for these metrics, that the Army is interested in industry feedback to goal achievement capability.

Notional Goal Levels:

SFC Improvement = -25% HP/W Improvement = +30% Sustainability Improvement = +25% Surge Margin Improvement = +25%

Drives

The U.S. Army is interested in advanced drive system technologies for FVL and the Enduring Fleet of rotorcraft. Technologies that enhance drive system performance, improve component life, improve power density, reduce life cycle cost, and increase time to failure during a loss of lubrication event are all desired.

Technologies of interest are in the areas of innovative transmission designs, lubrication, seals, gears, bearings, housings, drive shafts, and diagnostics/prognostics. The U.S. Army is interested in innovative transmission designs (e.g. pericyclic, epicyclic, continuously variable/multi-speed) that provide higher torque absorption in a more compact arrangement allowing for a smaller footprint, lighter weight, fewer components, and slowed rotor options for enhanced mission effectiveness. Lubrication technologies of interest include new oils, oil additives, coatings, and lightweight devices which enhance reliability and oil out capability. Seal technologies of interest include innovative designs and materials to reduce leakage. Gear technologies of interest include high performance gear steels, optimized heat treatment processes, surface finishing methods, and additive manufacturing methods. Bearing technologies include high performance steels and/or ceramics. Housing technologies of interest include new lightweight Aluminum alloys, repair techniques, and additive manufacturing methods. Drive shaft technologies of interest include hybrid or all composite designs. Diagnostic/ prognostic technologies of interest include light weight sensors, physics-based models, and machine learning to improve aircraft sustainment.

Below are a set of notional goals for future rotorcraft drive system efforts. Information is desired on any new technologies in the identified areas of interest that contribute to these goals.

Information is requested on status of the development of any identified technologies as well as their benefits relative to the notional goals. Focus is on FVL platforms, but technology upgrades applicable to enduring platforms will also be considered. The Army also seeks industry feedback to goal achievement capability.

Notional Goal Levels:

Component Life Increase = 2X Power Density Increase = +70% Life Cycle Cost Reduction = -20% Loss of Lubrication Time Increase = +50%

Responses and Questions

Please submit questions, inquiries, and capabilities statements electronically to the following:

Contracts:

Lindsey Pavelchak, Contract Specialist at lindsey.m.pavelchak.civ@army.mil

Andrew L. Davis, Contracting Officer at andrew.l.davis2.civ@army.mil

Submissions for this RFI are due by 12 August 2024 at 1:00 pm ET.

Please indicate RFI Number: W911W6-24-RFI-0002 in the subject line of the email.