High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor

1.0 Introduction

Call number W911W6-19-R-0021, High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor, solicits 6.3 Advanced Technology Development proposals to meet requirements for Future Vertical Lift (FVL) rotorcraft which include increased speed, range, and payload. Additional instruction and information can be found under the Master Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911W6-19-R-0012 which is posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) at https://www.fbo.gov.

2.0 Scope of Research Effort

The objective of High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor is to demonstrate integrated, full scale rotor system Advanced Technology Development (6.3) that enables increased speed, range, and payload. Specifically desired are low drag, highly efficient, lightweight/low volume, durable, and reliable rotor technologies for the high speed configurations that can meet FVL objectives. Configurations that satisfy FVL objectives could include, but are not limited to, off-loaded or slowed rotors, multiple auxiliary lifters and/or propulsors, active rotor system components, coaxial rotor systems, tilting rotors, or other "non-conventional" attributes.

Among the Army's rotor system level metrics to meet the FVL system level objectives, are a rotor figure of merit, rotor L/De, and rotor system drag reduction (from a fielded baseline). Table 1 includes a representative matrix of metrics. Additional well-defined program objectives (to include quantifiable metrics) may be proposed. Configurations are not limited to those listed in Table 1, if the offeror proposes an alternative configuration, threshold and objective metrics shall be proposed.

Table 1. Configuration specific metrics

Configuration/Metric

FM

L/De

Hub Drag Reduction

Single Main Rotor Compound

0.79-0.81

8.5 (rotor)

25-35%

Coaxial

0.8-0.82

8.75 (rotor)

30-40%

Tiltrotor

0.77-0.79

7 (aircraft)

25-35%

Individual technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, active and passive flow control, low weight and compact hub configurations, high speed airfoils, advanced rotor planform design concepts and/or methodologies, control architectures to limit structural loads to prevent damaging loads, advanced and/or active rotor systems to include addressing safety critical control information, reliable and safety critical actuators/hubs/controls for swashplateless rotors, co-axial rotor plane separation reduction and control, and autorotation improvement.

Offerors shall discuss the top technical and programmatic risks as well as potential mitigation strategies. The impact of the selected technologies on the full vehicle life cycle cost should be assessed. Offerors shall develop a threshold for vibration levels to help determine the impact of the proposed technologies at the air vehicle level. Should on-blade technologies be proposed, the offeror shall clearly address the integration technical challenges (e.g. power and data transfer, stability and dynamics, structural integrity, blade and hub loads, etc.).

Proposed technologies should be able to function in the harsh operating environment (e.g. sand, rain, temperature, centrifugal force (CF) loading, flapping, vibration) of the rotor system. The operating environment should be included in technology trade studies and downselect criteria. Risk mitigation testing and/or analysis should be performed on specific technologies that are deemed susceptible to the operational environment.

A building block approach for the proposed program should include, but is not limited to, technology identification and down-select, computational analyses to include validation, component testing under representative loading, failure mode analysis, demonstration article design (with associated design reviews), full scale fabrication, and full scale, integrated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 testing in a relevant environment which could include, wind tunnel testing, whirl testing, and/or flight testing. Technology integration studies / technology transition planning (from TRL 6 to fielding) should be included among the proposed task(s).

3.0 Call Specific Instructions

This Call will use the Proposal Submission Process as described in 5.2 of the Master Broad Agency Announcement, as further supplemented below.

3.1 Proposal Instructions

Specific instructions pertaining to the content and structure of proposals are provided in Master BAA W911W6-19-R-0012, paragraphs 5.2.2 and 5.2.3. In addition to the content required, the offeror shall provide the following:
Volume 1 - Technical Proposal: The technical proposal shall provide a clear substantiation for the selection of the proposed High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor technologies. The justification/rationale supporting the proposed technologies shall be based upon the extent to which the proposed technologies contribute to the High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor objective identified in Section 2. Offerors shall substantiate their ability to achieve the desired capabilities identified in Section 2. Offerors shall clearly and thoroughly describe the proposed technology solution and the technical approach, including tasks and schedule, to mature and verify the integrated solution.
Technical proposals are limited to 50 pages total for this Call. Fold-out illustrations required for reader ease are allowed, however, illustration shall be counted in 8 ½" x 11" increments (e.g., an 11" x 17" document will count as two pages). Pages in excess of the page limitation will not be read or evaluated.

The following are not subject to the page limitation:

a. The official transmittal letter

b. Cover page

c. Table of contents and/or acronym table, if applicable

d. Resumes of key personnel (provide as a separate stand-alone file)

Volume 2 - Price/Cost Proposal: A variety of funding instruments, described in section 3.3 of the Master BAA, are available for award. The proposal must clearly state the desired funding instrument.

Offeror's proposing use of a Technology Investment Agreement (TIA) shall include the draft TIA provided by the Government with the highlighted areas completed and any proposed changes clearly marked to facilitate Government evaluation. If a TIA or other cost share instrument is proposed, the total cost of the proposed effort (to include cost share) must be provided in the detail/format required by the Master BAA.

3.2 Period and Place of Performance

Offerors should clearly depict their proposed schedule and place of performance. The period of performance for the High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor research effort is anticipated to be 48 months total (including 3 months for data/final report).

3.3 Funding

Funding is not presently available for this effort. Any award is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds for which payment for award purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are made available, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. The Government anticipates one (1) award starting in 2nd quarter of the Government FY20. However, the Government reserves the right to make multiple or no awards, based upon the technical merit and affordability of proposals received. Anticipated Government funding is approximately $8.7M total, with Government fiscal year distribution as follows: FY20 $2.175M, FY21 $2.175M, FY22 $2.175M and FY23 $2.175M.

Proposals that are significantly out of alignment with anticipated funding profile may risk not being selected. Any award made under this announcement may be incrementally funded.

3.4 Data Rights

The Government requires "Unlimited Rights" for efforts without cost share and requires at a minimum "Government Purpose Rights" for efforts with cost share as defined by DFARS Part 227, to all technical data, deliverables, and computer software developed under this program, and no limitations on the use of delivered and/or residual hardware, exempting background data assertions. The Offeror shall clearly state in the Technical and Cost Volume the offered data rights for all technical data, computer software, and deliverable required. Ambiguities will be negatively evaluated.

3.5 Required Reporting and Deliverables

All awards under this announcement will require a kickoff meeting to be held at the Offeror's facility following award. The award will require delivery of the following items delivered in Recipient/Contractor format: (1) Program Management Plan (delivered 45 days after award), (2) Bi-Monthly Cost Reports, (3) Bi-Monthly Technical Performance and Progress Reports, (4) Test Plans, and (5) Final Report.

The final report shall thoroughly document the technical accomplishments including technology trades and maturation, testing procedures and results of the High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor effort.

Meetings: (1) Kick-Off Meeting at the Contractor's facility (within 60 days after award) and (2) Final Briefing at Fort Eustis, VA upon completion of all technical effort.

3.6 Government Facilities, Property, and Data

It is the Offeror's responsibility to identify, coordinate, and furnish supporting documentation in the proposal for use of any Government Facilities, Property, and Data proposed.

3.7 Security

No special security requirements or restrictions are anticipated. Access to classified material is not anticipated, and technologies to be developed are unclassified.

4.0 Additional Proposal Instructions

Classified responses will not be accepted. Unclassified technical and cost proposals should be submitted electronically to https://safe.apps.mil. In order for an outside user (non CAC card holders) to create a drop off, they must first receive a drop-off request from a Government user. Therefore, send a drop off request to kenneth.m.hood.civ@mail.mil and laurie.a.pierce2.civ@mail.mil. When your request is received and actioned, the offeror will receive an email with a link to submit your drop off (proposal).

Responses should be provided in Microsoft Word or as a portable document format (*.pdf) file. In addition to other format, the cost proposal shall be provided in Excel format for cost verification purposes. Proposals shall be submitted to the following: kenneth.m.hood.civ@mail.mil and laurie.a.pierce2.civ@mail.mil.

Questions shall be submitted in writing via email to kenneth.m.hood.civ@mail.mil and laurie.a.pierce2.civ@mail.mil. All questions must be submitted within 5 days prior to the Call closing date to ensure a response. All questions and responses received will be posted to FedBizOpps as an amendment to the Call. Proposals received after the date and time specified for closing will be handled in accordance with FAR 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors - Competitive Acquisition. Proposals shall be received not later than September 13, 2019; 2:00PM EST

Request proposals include a validity date and request they be valid for a period of 7 months from the closing date of this Call.

5.0 Attachments

5.1 W911W6-19-R-0021Technology Investment Agreement (TIA) Template - High Speed, Highly Efficient Rotor

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