Battery Design and Analysis Guidance

NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NSSC) has issued a Special Notice for Battery Design and Analysis Guidance, which is intended to be a sole source contract with R E WHITE & ASSOCIATES LLC. The contract will focus on battery design and thermal runaway testing, specifically developing three passively propagation resistant (PPR) battery designs using different cell formats. The opportunity is categorized under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511) and General Science and Technology R&D Services. The procurement will be managed by NASA/NSSC and performed at NASA Johnson Space Center, utilizing FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) authority for the contract award.

Interested organizations have until March 24, 2025, at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time to submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to Cara Craft at Cara.s.craft@nasa.gov. The government will evaluate these submissions to determine whether to proceed with a competitive procurement, with the final decision remaining at their discretion. The project objectives include scaling up an existing Al Spine Heat Sink Battery Design, developing a high specific energy battery design achieving 300 Wh/kg, and creating a medium-sized thermal runaway calorimeter. Contractors will be expected to perform detailed design trades, thermal analysis, model anchoring using NASA's test results, and performance optimization. The contract will have a 12-month performance period, with specific milestones including reviewing test results, making model adjustments, and presenting findings at the Power Sources Conference in 2025. The solicitation will use FAR Part 12 and Part 13 procedures for acquiring commercial items and services, with NASA Clause 1852.215-84 (Ombudsman) applicable to this acquisition.