RECOVERY--A--Smaller, Lighter Co-Generation and Absorption Environmental Control Technologies

The US Army CECOM Contracting Center - Washington announces the issuance of a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) sponsored by the U. S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Army Power Division. This announcement provides only a synopsis of the BAA. The complete BAA including proposal preparation instructions and evaluation criteria is available at the C-E LCMC Interactive Business Opportunities Page (IBOP), https://abop.monmouth.army.mil/. In order to be able to access the BAA and submit a proposal a contractor must first be registered on the IBOP. A CAGE Code and DUNS number are required to complete registration for proposal submissions. A contractor employee who is authorized to bind the contractor must complete the registration. The process could take several days to finalize the registration and contractors are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

This BAA is issued under provisions of paragraph 6.102(d)(2) and paragraph 35.016 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) which provides for competitive selection of research and development proposals submitted in response to this announcement. Accordingly, proposals selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and fully compliant with PL 98-369, The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984. Prospective Offerors should note that this BAA is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to make an award or pay proposal preparation costs generated in response to this announcement. The cost of proposal preparation for response to a BAA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other contract. However, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost specified in FAR 31.205-18. No contract award will be made unless appropriated funds are available for payment for the effort being acquired. Potential Offerors are reminded that only a duly warranted contracting officer may obligate the government to an agreement involving the expenditure of Government funds. Any resultant contract award would include all clauses required by Federal Acquisition Regulations and appropriate supplements.

Environmental Control technology is one of the Army Science and Technology Power and Energy Efforts as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). As part of the Recovery Act, the U.S. Army is interested in supporting research in the area of renewable energy, specifically for the co-generation of cooling, heating, and power from waste heat sources. Waste heat sources may include but are not limited to diesel engine exhaust gases, engine cooling fluids, and ambient airstreams. Goals of the development include advanced technology demonstration for commercial and military applications, miniaturization of components, and thermodynamic cycle enhancement for improved energy efficiency, with associated development of innovative thermal system components. The U.S. Army is interested in receiving white papers followed by proposals for 12 to 18 month programs in basic and applied research, development, and demonstration of small, lightweight, efficient environmental control technology for use in various applications in capacities ranging from 6 kBTUh to 120 kBTUh. The technology shall operate within an ambient air temperature from 0 to +125 degrees Fahrenheit. Proposals that show the greatest potential to fully-address one or both topics while simultaneously creating or retaining the greatest number of jobs are preferred.

Topic A: Absorption Co-generation - One developmental approach is absorption cycle waste heat co-generation. Advanced technology demonstration of state-of-the-art commercial absorption technology is desired with emphasis on overall system efficiency. Advanced technology demonstration of military unique configurations is highly desired with emphasis on equipment mobility, compact and lightweight design, refrigerant safety (non-flammable, lower toxicity refrigerant pairs), and compatibility with military standard diesel generator systems (http://www.pm-mep.army.mil/technicaldata/index.htm) as a source of waste heat for initial demonstration. Laboratory investigations and focused research of absorption cycle enhancements are encouraged with continuing emphasis on seeking technology breakthroughs leading to more compact lighter weight absorption designs.

Topic B: Other Co-generation - Other developmental approaches to co-generation of cooling, heating, and power from waste heat sources are also highly desired, with emphasis on laboratory investigation and studies of thermodynamic cycles and development of innovative thermal system components for application to future advanced technology demonstrators. Advanced technology demonstration of military unique configurations is desired, with emphasis on equipment mobility, compact and lightweight design, refrigerant safety (non-flammable, lower toxicity), and compatibility with military standard diesel generator systems as a source of waste heat for initial demonstration. Research and development of improved environmental control system components such as heat exchangers, fans, motors, thermal expansion and fluid mixing devices, electronic controls, pumps, and compressors are acceptable. To the extent that component development is based on vapor compression refrigeration cycle technology, research thrusts must clearly demonstrate linkage to waste heat recovery mechanisms, and any such vapor compression refrigerant to be investigated must be environmentally friendly, to include zero Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP) and zero or very low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and may include natural refrigerants.

It is anticipated that the overall budget available for award under this BAA is approximately $6M. The Government expects to make multiple awards spread over multiple technologies as a result of this BAA. It is anticipated that awards for a proposal covering a single topic (Topic A or Topic B, as specified in Part II of this BAA) will not exceed $1.5M. Awards for proposals covering both topics (Topic A and Topic B) will not exceed $3M. The proposed period of performance for the proposed effort, whether addressing one or both topics, shall NOT exceed 18 months. All potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations, funding in any or all areas can change with little or no notice.

White paper submissions must be submitted no later than 12noon EDST on 15 May 2009. It is anticipated that Offerors will be notified of selection/non-selection for full proposal submission by 28 May 2009 and full proposal submission (if selected) will be required by 18 June 2009.

This BAA is intended for the development of research efforts in support of the RDEC Army Power Division. Specific information on program goals is provided in the following section, Program Description. In order for any proposals to be considered, the proposed effort MUST meet the definition of basic or applied research and development found at FAR 35.001. Submission of White Papers is mandatory prior to submission of a full proposal. The selection of one or more proposals for award will be based on a peer and scientific evaluation of each Offerors response (to include both technical and cost aspects) to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to this announcement.

White Papers/Proposals shall be submitted in the format set forth in the BAA (see complete BAA at Army Single Face to Industry Interactive Business Opportunities Page (IBOP), URL https://abop.monmouth.army.mil) in electronic format via the IBOP. The IBOP submittal shall include an electronic signature by an individual having authority to enter into a contract. In order to be able to access the RFP and submit a proposal a contractor must first be registered on the IBOP. A CAGE Code and DUNS number are required to complete registration for proposal submissions. A contractor employee who is authorized to bind the contractor must complete the registration. The process could take several days to finalize the registration and contractors are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

Proposals shall be submitted in the format set forth in the BAA (see complete BAA at IBOP) in electronic format via the IBOP via electronic media using Microsoft Office 2000 products (i.e., Microsoft Word and Excel, and Adobe Acrobat version 4.0), in separate files for each proposal volume as set forth below. All information pertaining to a particular volume shall be confined to that file. A cover letter shall be provided to include a short summary of the whitepaper (and subsequently the full proposal), and other information as set forth in the BAA.

There will be no formal request for proposal or any further solicitation document issued in regard to this BAA. Therefore, interested parties should be alert for any amendments that maybe published. Amendments to this BAA will be issued through the Army Single Face to Industry Interactive Business Opportunities Page (IBOP) at https://abop.monmouth.army.mil.

Offerors shall not submit questions related to this BAA electronically using the Question format available in the Army IBOP BAA - Recovery and Reinvestment for Smaller, Lighter Co-Generation and Absorption Environmental Control Technologies solicitation folder. Questions of a technical nature may be addressed to Mr. Jonathan Cristiani at jonathan.cristiani@us.army.mil with a carbon copy to Mr. James Boehm, Contract Specialist, at james.boehm1@us.army.mil. Questions of a contractual nature may be addressed directly to Mr. Boehm. Please make sure that email message include the BAA RFP number within the Subject. NO TELEPHONIC REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Responses to questions relating to the BAA will be posted electronically on the IBOP and available to all vendors. Responses to questions relating to a specific vendors approach will be answered via email to that vendor. The Government requires a minimum of 1-week to staff solicitation questions. No discussion is to be held with Offerors by the technical staff after proposal submission without the permission of the Contracting Officer.