Support of a Component Development Program for Potential Future Power and Thermal Management Technology Demonstration (PTM-TD) Program

Department of DefenseUnited States ArmyArmy Contracting Command – Redstone ArsenalTechnology Development Directorate – AviationRequest for Information (RFI) Number: W911W6-23-RFI-0001ForSupport of a Component Development Program for Potential Future Power and Thermal Management Technology Demonstration (PTM-TD) ProgramThe Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal Technology Development Directorate – Aviation Fort Eustis, Virginia is issuing this RFI on behalf of the U.S. Army, Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC), Technology Development Directorate (TDD). NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS.  THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY.  This RFI is solely for informational and planning purposes only and shall NOT be considered as a Request for Proposals (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services.  All information submitted in response to the RFI is voluntary.  The Government will

NOT be responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI.  The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any Contractor’s input resulting from this RFI.  No contract will be awarded from this announcement.  Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.BackgroundThe U.S. Army is currently in the process of pursuing Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft such as Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) and Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).  It is anticipated electrical demands and thermal loads aboard future rotorcraft will increase significantly over enduring platforms and be driven by survivability or other mission considerations.  To enable these potential capabilities desired on future platforms, development of improved power and thermal management (PTM) systems to enhance capabilities of FVL aircraft is needed.  Focus is on future increments of the FVL aircraft, but if technological need exists for maturing existing technology to facilitate initial increments for fielding, those will also be considered.  Technology development is required for these future high-power systems and the associated thermal management systems to fit within the size weight and power (SWAP) constraints of the aircraft.PurposeThe purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research in accordance with FAR Part 10 and is not an RFP.  The intent of this RFI is to obtain the latest information from industry with respect to their capabilities to support a possible Science and Technology (S&T) Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program (6.3 programs develop technologies to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, with demonstration to occur in a relevant environment).  The intent is to support planning efforts of a planned call to advance the state-of-the-art in PTM technology.  In addition, this RFI seeks to gain information of potential qualified sources and their socioeconomic status relative to an appropriate North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code and corresponding size standard.  Determination of which NAICS is most appropriate to satisfy the objectives herein is information being sought as well.  This RFI is being used to facilitate a conversation between the U.S. Army and industry, including airframe manufacturers, propulsion and power companies, and small businesses concerning development challenges for future aircraft in the PTM technology space.  Information provided by industry will be used for internal planning purposes only and will not be publicly released outside the Government.  It is the intent of the U.S. Army that industry responses to this RFI will be considered with respect to the development of future RFP(s).ObjectiveDEVCOM AvMC is seeking to understand industry’s assessment of current PTM technology capability for FVL as well as a growth plan for these capabilities to support future increment development strategies.  This should include a detailed discussion of the key component technologies, system architecture, and technology maturation plans.  Intent of discussion would be to assist DEVCOM AvMC in developing a current state-of-the-art understanding of the technologies and develop metrics for a S&T Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program, TRL 4 through TRL 6, and culminating in a technical demonstration of an integrated PTM technology system anticipated to start in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.Technology assessment and discussion should clearly identify applicability to FARA, FLRAA, and / or both FVL systems.  DEVCOM AvMC is looking to assess whether the potential PTM technology that can be demonstrated in the FY 2023 S&T Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program is most applicable to one or both FVL aircraft types.  Technology solutions that can be scaled and applied to both aircraft types is highly desirable.Technologies at TRL 4 / 5 are of interest, with the program intent to mature technologies to TRL 6 by FY 2027.  Examples of specific technologies of interest include lightweight vapor cycle cooling, heat exchangers, phase change materials, thermal reservoirs, power electronics, electrical generation, power distribution, switching, supplementary power units, as well as any other technologies applicable to providing electrical and thermal control or supply.  Input as to which technologies in this PTM technology space should be worked first due to development risk, development time, or other reasons is also requested, along with a rough order of magnitude (ROM) of cost of the associated component technology development to support an integrated system-level technology demonstration.  In addition, information is requested about design challenges, and applicable developmental opportunities with respect to power and thermal component technologies, which enable high pulse power electrical loads, such as directed energy weapons (DEWs), jammers, or other large consumers of power.DEVCOM AvMC intends to potentially incorporate Government Furnished Property (GFP) components into the FY 2023 S&T Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program.  In addition, DEVCOM AvMC is interested in discussing industry’s disposition towards potential teaming arrangements with companies who have been developing thermal management components for the Army.  This potential teaming arrangement would enable relevant thermal management technologies to be incorporated into systems integration laboratory (SIL) demonstration as part of the FY 2023 S&T Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program.It is DEVCOM AvMC’s intention to mature technologies to the greatest extent possible for FVL aircraft.  It is considered highly desirable to integrate the demonstration with existing or planned SILs that are being used to support FVL development.  A detailed description of the SIL capabilities and availability to support the FY 2023 S&T Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program is desired.  Discussion should also highlight forecasted needs for SIL upgrades to support FY 2023 S&T Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program.Component technologies and system-level design should be modular and adaptable to meet modular open systems architecture (MOSA) standards.DEVCOM AvMC is seeking information on performance, technical data, and developmental technology relating to electrical power systems for support of FVL aircraft.Electrical power needs for these aircraft are expected to increase 3 to 5 times that of current fielded Army aircraft due to increased electrical actuation on advanced aircraft, more advanced mission / survivability equipment, and increased computational power requirements.  These increased electrical power requirements will bring with them significant increases in thermal challenges that must be addressed while keeping within system size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) constraints.Technology of interest includes lightweight vapor cycle cooling, heat exchangers, phase change materials, thermal reservoirs, power electronics, electrical generation, power distribution, switching, supplementary power units, and other related power and thermal management technologies.  Facilities capable of demonstrating a complete power and thermal management system in a SIL are desired for this envisioned effort.  Consideration for the system level demonstration should also include GFP such as batteries and / or other electronic devices.As this is a broad topic area, an invitation is extended to interested parties to contact the points of contact as indicated herein and share information and / or request a teleconference and / or site visit to discuss prospective technologies for future S&T projects in the PTM technology space.Requested InformationAll responsible sources may submit a capability statement which shall be considered by the agency.  Any interested source possessing the requisite skills, resources, and capabilities necessary to fulfill this anticipated requirement is invited to respond to the RFI.  Responses may be in contractor format. All responses shall be submitted via an electronic submission.  All responses shall be on 8 ½ x 11 inch letter size paper, no more than 15 pages in length, 12-point font, using Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF).  All responses must include the following information:1) Company name, address, and website address2) Company point of contact name, telephone number, and e-mail address3) CAGE Code and SAM.gov Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number4) Business Size (under suggested NAICS)5) Suggested NAICS6) Capability statement specifying technical skills possessed to perform the objectives as stated herein to support a S&T Integrated Demonstrator 6.3 Program anticipated to start FY 2023.7) Relevant past performance as it relates to the objectives stated herein.8) RFI Number: W911W6-23-RFI-0001Please be advised that proprietary information must be marked as such on a page-by-page basis.  The Government will not assume that the information provided by a respondent is proprietary unless it is conspicuously marked on this basis, nor will the Government contact a respondent and inquire whether unmarked information submitted in response to this RFI is proprietary.  All data received in response to this RFI that is marked or designated as proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.  The Government is only seeking sources / information for market research.  Acknowledgement of receipt will not be made.  The Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals.  The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.Responses and QuestionsPlease submit questions, inquiries, and capabilities statements electronically to the following: Brandy Moneymaker, Contract Specialist at brandy.l.moneymaker.civ@army.mil,Bethany Rosser, Contracting Officer at bethany.r.rosser.civ@army.mil, andJohn Hailer, Mechanical Engineer at john.t.hailer.civ@army.mil .Submissions are due by 16 December 2022 at 4:00 pm EST.  Please indicate RFI Number: W911W6-23-RFI-0001 in the subject line of the email.