Call 0003 for Space Component Technology Open 5 yr BAA

The summary for the Call 0003 for Space Component Technology Open 5 yr BAA grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the Air Force Research Lab, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Call 0003 for Space Component Technology Open 5 yr BAA: BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT BAA-VS-07-03Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles DirectoratePROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) 0003BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Space Components Technology Open 5 Year Broad Agency Announcement BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-VS-07-03PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUCEMENT (CALL) TITLE: Photovoltaic Cells and Photovoltaic Modules for Near Space and Space Solar Power ApplicationsPROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 0003TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: The technical point of contact for this CALL is Technical point of contract for Subparagraph C of Topic 3:John Merrill, AFRL/VSSV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone: 505-853-3427, Fax: NONE, Email: [email protected] CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT: The contracting points of contact for this CALL are:Contract Specialist: Yolanda Gomez-Pohl, Det 8 AFRL/PKVV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone: 505-853-3257, Fax: NONE, Email: [email protected] Officer:Sally Walton, Det 8 AFRL/PKVV, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-7201, Fax NONE, Email: [email protected] REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION:The Air Force Research Laboratory is soliciting proposals in Space Components Technology under subparagraph C of the Space Components Technology Area, TOPIC 3, Advanced Space Power of the Broad Agency Announcement VS-07-03 posted on 02 November 2006. See the following for detailed information;Subparagraph C of Topic 3, Advanced Space Power, Call 0003. AFRL is soliciting proposals in subparagraph C, Topic 3, Advance Space Powers, specifically for Photovoltaic Cells and Photovoltaic Modules for Near Space and Space Solar Power Applications for the development of low-cost, lightweight, and flexible thin-film solar cells based on I-III-VI materials such as copper indium gallium diselenide, referred to as CIGS (Cu(In,Ga)Se2). The development effort should be a phased approach with options to achieve a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 (definitions of TRL should be agreed upon with AFRL) and conclude with the capacity to produce 1 MegaWatt per year of photovoltaic modules with an overall module efficiency of 15%. The cells and modules should be designed to operate in a space based Air Mass Zero (AM0) operational environment, and should address moisture permeability, emissivity, UV tolerance, efficient stowage, and a radiation resistant capability for adequate end-of-life performance.Base: Design Feasibility: Explore manufacturing alternatives that are conducive to high volume production and the scaling of the solar cells and solar cell modules for high power applications. Investigate lattice matched junction buffer layers, evaluate deposition techniques conducive to high efficiency and high volume manufacturing, develop computer models for the various fabrication techniques, and down select to a preferred candidate. Study cell architecture and interconnectivity alternatives, to include encapsulation options for environmental robustness in a space environment. Conduct performance validation testing to support down selections. Option 1: Subsystem Design and Development: Based on the results from the base effort, design and develop module level architecture, cell interconnect architecture, and encapsulation methodology. Develop the solar cell form factors and electrical configuration, substrate and lattice matching, and the coating and/or encapsulation methods for modules. Fabricate and test prototype component of the subsystem. Evaluate test performance data and utilize this information to determine final design architectures.Option 2: Subsystems Integration and Packaging: Demonstrate a successful integration scheme of the subsystems developed in option 1. Fabricate prototype solar cells and modules, and validate production process and equipment. Develop power system and sub array. Perform solar module performance testing. Conduct subsystem integration tests to validate component performance and to determine if the subsystems perform in accordance with fully deployed power system application parameters. Establish the test environment, and utilize a comprehensive test plan to evaluate production prototypes in a simulated operational environment.Option 3: Beta Testing and Pilot Production Readiness: Develop and demonstrate insitu cell and system level testing and space flight qualification standards using AIAA S-111-2005/AIAA S-112-2005 as guides for necessary qualification testing. Space qualify technology as per application of developed test methods agreed upon with AFRL. Manufacture the system on a pilot scale which is representative of the production scale process. Perform and evaluate system tests to ensure all technical and performance requirements are achieved. Conduct acceptance testing in a simulated operational environment. Certification of the system is required prior to progressing to full production. ANTICIPATED FUNDING (Topic 3, Subparagraph C): Anticipated funding for this CALL (not per contract or award) is: FY 07(Base): $1.0 million dollars; FY 08(Option 1): $3 million dollars; FY 09(Option 2): $4.5 million dollars; FY 10(Option 3): $5.5 million dollars. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (Topic 3, Subparagraph C): The anticipated period of performance for individual awards resulting from this CALL is 12 months in duration and 12 months per option. The period of performance is to be proposed in the format "includes XX months for the technical effort and 3 months for Final Report preparation." Additionally, the following review schedule is set forth:PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: The due date for proposals submitted in response to this CALL is no later than 4:30 p.m. MDT on 03 April 2007. Proposals for any other technology area identified in the baseline BAA will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for proposals in that specific area is open. Proposals received after the due date and time shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3). CALL AMENDMENTS: Offerors should monitor FedBizOps/EPS http://www.fbo.gov for any additional notices to this CALL that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date or otherwise modify this announcement. ANTICIPATED TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Air Force anticipates awarding Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts as a result of this CALL but reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed.ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates possibly awarding one or more contracts. However, the Air Force reserves the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this CALL. ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: 25 May 2007INTENT TO PROPOSE: Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting point of contact (by e-mail) if they intend to submit a proposal in response to this CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.DELIVERABLES ITEMS: Base: Summary report addressing the results of the feasibility study performed in Base effort. Report shall address all alternatives that were considered and the results of the testing that was performed to support the cell configuration down selections. A strategic development plan for option 1 shall also be delivered. No less than 10 cells of at least 1 cm2 representative of the selected cell design shall be delivered.Option 1: An interconnected and encapsulated CIGS based solar cell and module design, and a prototype of the solar cell components shall be delivered. No less than 10 cells of at least 1 cm2 representative of the current cell design shall be delivered. A test report for the component prototypes and a final design architecture based on the test data results shall also be delivered. A subsystem level test plan shall be delivered. Option 2: The prototype solar cells shall be delivered after testing. Prototype solar cells shall also be delivered for government and/or independent testing. Number and size of prototype cells shall be negotiated based on space flight qualification plan as agreed upon with AFRL. A test report for the subsystem test, in addition to a system level test plan and space flight qualification plan shall be delivered.Option 3: The pilot scale solar cell system shall be delivered after testing. A test report for the system level test and the space flight acceptance test shall be delivered.OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:1. Program security classification for this call is UNCLASSIFIED; however classified processing may be required.2. Government furnished property, equipment, or facilities needed for this requirement should be specified in the proposal.3. Aerospace Corporation is prohibited from submitting a proposal.5. Other: Specialized information or requirements which are believed to be pertinent to the requirement shall be provided by the offeror in written form and incorporated into the proposal.6. A prototype may be developed as a result of this proposal. Please review "Other Information" paragraph 9D of the baseline BAA VS-07-03 for item identification and value.APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of BAA-VS-07-03 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this CALL. For complete information regarding BAA-VS-07-03, refer to the initial opened-ended BAA as amended. It contains information applicable to all CALLS issued under the BAA and provides information on the overall program, proposal preparation and submission requirements, proposal review and evaluation criteria, award administration, agency contacts, etc. Direct questions to the points of contact identified above.