Expeditionary Power- and Energy-Dense Implementations (ExPEDitions)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks innovative solutions for high-energy-density, high power-density electrically rechargeable batteries and fuel cells through its Expeditionary Power- and Energy-Dense Implementations (ExPEDitions) program, with abstracts due June 26 and full proposals by invitation only due August 19.

This is a two-phase effort with no set-aside. Battery Developers (performers) will lead prototype design and manufacturing scale-up; End Users will be selected through a separate solicitation and will integrate technology into operational devices. Phase 1 (Base Year) runs 18 months with an optional 18-month Phase 2, anticipated to begin January 2027. Awards will be made via Other Transaction Agreements for Prototype under 10 U.S.C. 4022. Cost sharing is required for traditional defense contractors not working with non-traditional contractors.

Phase 1 performance metrics require specific energy exceeding 1 kWh/kg, peak specific power exceeding 1 kW/kg, rechargeability of more than 500 cycles, projected cost of $100/kWh at GWh/year manufacturing scale, round-trip efficiency exceeding 90 percent, and maximum recharge rate exceeding 625 W/L. Phase 2 targets specific energy exceeding 2 kWh/kg, peak specific power exceeding 3 kW/kg, more than 5,000 cycles, and materials cost not exceeding $50/kWh, maintaining Phase 1 efficiency and recharge-rate floors.

Solutions may include room-temperature or higher-temperature devices and can be air-breathing or air-independent. Primary batteries without fuel regeneration, basic research without application components, and evolutionary improvements to existing technology are excluded. Proposals must demonstrate platform-agnostic architectures applicable across diverse sectors.

Performers must deliver battery prototypes to an Independent Verification and Validation team at Months 9, 15, 27, and 33, participate in quarterly reviews, secure partnerships with End Users at a Showcase event at Month 18, and comply with Controlled Unclassified Information handling under DoD Instruction 5200.48 and NIST 800-171. Associate Performer agreements mandate open information exchange and written interface agreements with other Government-identified Associate Performers. Evaluation emphasizes Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Cost and Schedule Realism, and Proposer's Capabilities or Related Experience, in that order.