Tab 04 SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK – ENERGY STORAGE PACK SYSTEMS

1. Background/ Test Objective:

The vast majority of the electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft currently in design or prototype stages utilize electric or hybrid electric propulsion systems. These systems consist of the Energy Storage Systems (ESS), which are typically large Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery modules and associated battery management systems (BMS) connected to a variety of electric motors and propellers. This type of system is a new alternative to conventional liquid propulsion systems, and has been created to operate quietly and economically, which are factors for operating in the urban environment, all while producing zero or close to zero emissions, which are environmental factors. One barrier hindering potential growth of these new aircraft is the certification aspect for the ESS systems. The certification for the ESS systems will have to be based on a variety of requirements, one of which may involve the survivability of the ESS in a dynamic mishap event or crash. The performance of the ESS systems undergoing loading within the dynamic impact environment is unknown and a gap in the current knowledgebase. This barrier will need to be overcome before widespread adaptation can occur.

To address this gap, NASA is engaging in a test program to dynamically drop test ESS test articles in order to:

Determine the applicability of a 50 ft drop test utilized from existing FAA regulations.

Determine the performance and survivability of the ESS to a 50 ft drop test.

Generate data to support regulations development

NASA has previously conducted tests at the ESS module level to gain a fundamental understanding of the types of failure mechanisms present and the damage produced when subjecting ESS modules to various orientations and load levels that result from a 50 foot drop.

The results from the previous tests have provided insight into the performance of the modules themselves. The proposed statement of work builds from the module level tests by using this knowledge gained to conduct a test of an energized ESS at the pack level which will simulate to the best extent possible an actual installed condition. Should the test articles survive the test without any off nominal event such as Thermal Runaway occurring, post-test inspections may be conducted.

The results of the testing will consist of NASA generated publicly available technical publications including conference papers presentations, journal articles and/or NASA Technical Memorandum.

In these publications, product make/model details will be identified to allow for complete and accurate reporting. Test data in the form of graphs, tables or other tabular format will be used to document test environment and equipment performance, and pictures depicting pre- and post-test states of the test articles may be included, along with photographs and text describing the internal structures as a result of the post-test tear down forensics.

2. Requirements:

In order to fulfill the test objective mentioned above, the ESS supplier/vendor shall perform the following duties related to the dynamic drop testing: Please separate A,B,C and D into separate line items A - Equipment:

Manufacture and delivery of 1 system level ESS pack test article.

o ESS Pack test article shall include:

4 to 6 pouch cell modules identical or as similar as possible to the EPiC Energy v1 modules (list each module as a line item) Battery Management system/unit Midpoint disconnect All of the required cable connections to connect the modules to the BMS necessary for normal operation All of the required cooling plates/tubes/connections necessary for normal operation Mounting structure and hardware to mount/rigidly attach to a mounting plate based on an orientation of NASA’s preference Containers which are capable to ship/transport test articles from vendor’s facility to NASA location and/or test site and back. Containers can also be used to store the test articles while not undergoing test build up or testing. Offeror will be responsible for shipping units upon completion of build.

B - Engineering Support:

Conduct pre-test meetings/discussions to develop test plan, and test details including items such as, mounting mechanisms, structure development, instrumentation usage and placement, etc.

Availability during testing to assist with technical issues Advisement for storage, safe handling, troubleshooting, inspections including disassembly and transportation

C - Post-Test Inspections (optional item should the test articles survive the test) Containers to transport damaged modules back to inspection site. The containers can be the same containers that the units were shipped but and must follow all DOT and other federal regulations regarding transport of damaged LI-ION batteries

If desired from NASA, capability and a facility to conduct post-test inspections, which includes disassembly, forensics analysis and documentation (pictures/videos and text notes by NASA) of internal structural damage/deformation of modules, cabling, cooling systems, BMS and any other hardware undergoing testing

Support to conduct posttest inspections.

D - Disposal of test articles after either the test itself or post-test inspections

3. Place of Performance Testing will occur at either a NASA facility or a facility external to NASA (utilizing external facilities and personnel).

Post-test inspections, should they be needed, will be conducted at the offerors location.

4. Period of Performance 18 months from contract award. Delivery of equipment shall be no earlier than Oct 1, 2025