SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Constant Volume Combustion (CVC) Technology for Vulcan Program Phase II
- Notice Date
- 9/25/2009
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Contracts Management Office, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22203-1714
- ZIP Code
- 22203-1714
- Solicitation Number
- DARPA-SN-09-70
- Archive Date
- 11/30/2009
- Point of Contact
- Chris Glista,
- E-Mail Address
-
christopher.glista@darpa.mil
(christopher.glista@darpa.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office (TTO) seeks to further develop Constant Volume Combustion (CVC) technology under Phase II of the Vulcan program. CVC technology is recognized as having the potential to significantly impact multiple Defense and Commercial Applications. DARPA is interested in ultimately conducting a full scale demonstration of the technology. CVC technology can be integrated into a turbine engine through many different architectures – a combined-cycle propulsion system with a separate CVC engine and a turbine engine sharing a common inlet and common nozzle; CVC engine integrated into a turbine engine fan duct; CVC engine integrated into a turbine engine augmentor; and a hybrid system, where a turbine engine combustor is replaced with a CVC module. Each of these arrangements improves the performance and increases the capability of turbine engines. A business case analysis (BCA) of CVC engine applications was recently completed. This study evaluated the cost and benefits of applying CVC engine technology to marine markets and explored the possibilities associated with extending this application to future aviation, commercial, and industrial markets. Results of the analysis showed that integrating CVC technology into ship-based power gas turbines using a hybrid approach results in fuel savings with potential payback of retrofit cost within three years. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES CVC has the potential to significantly decrease the fuel consumption of U.S. Navy surface combatants and provide increased capability. Despite their small output and size relative to the propulsion turbine units, the ship power turbine units on these ships can consume as much as half the fuel. In addition, electrical power requirements for current and future U.S. Navy surface vessels continue to grow due to the need to incorporate more capable and more numerous defensive and offensive systems to address new threats and missions. Replacement of the conventional combustors and integration of CVC into the power generation gas turbines on these vessels promises additional ship electrical power and lower Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC). The goal of the Vulcan program is to design, build, and demonstrate a full-scale CVC engine. It is desired in Phases II and III to integrate a CVC module into a turbine engine to replace the original baseline combustor to create a more efficient and more capable power generation unit. The intent would be to provide a combustor replacement to a turbine engine with minimal modification. As a result, the CVC concept selected must balance performance and capability versus complexity and cost to upgrade the turbine. The resulting Vulcan engine will be ground tested in a facility to verify power output and SFC at various power settings, assess impact to other gas turbine components such as the compressor and turbine, and validate durability. It is expected that this successful demonstration will enable a follow-on acquisition program for conversion kits to existing turbine engines or to provide a new class of turbine engines for use on current and future U.S. Navy surface combatants. This component of the Vulcan demonstration program will be conducted in two phases: •Phase II: Component Demonstration and Risk Reduction, CVC Component Integration and Durability Testing at Full-Scale, Turbine and Compressor Rig Testing with a Full-Scale CVC Simulator •Phase III: Vulcan Engine Performance Testing DARPA is interested in an end-to-end demonstration system solution, capable of rapid transition to the U.S. Navy. Because this is a CVC technology development program intended to develop and demonstrate a fully capable turbine engine-based ship power generation system, DARPA expects that teams will include expertise in that area as well as CVC. Technology developers with expertise in specific component areas are encouraged to team with a company capable of delivering a full turbine engine. BACKGROUND Phase I of the Vulcan program focused on a combined-cycle propulsion system architecture, separate CVC and turbine engines, intended for high-Mach military aircraft. Based on the compelling results of the recent BCA and guidance from DARPA leadership, the scope of Phases II and III has been modified to focus on naval ship-based power generation applications using a hybrid system, where an existing turbine engine is retrofitted by replacing the combustor with a new CVC module. It is expected that the CVC technology demonstrated in Phases II and III will have traceability and provide risk reduction for many existing and future commercial and industrial applications and other engine architectures, including designs and scalability for incorporation into ship-based propulsion gas turbines, aviation turbine engines, and land-based power generation and other uses. ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Further details on the solicitation for proposals will follow in a BAA (Broad Area Announcement) release. The BAA is anticipated to be released in October 2009. Until the release of this BAA, the government reserves the right to respond to any requests from any current Vulcan performer or any other responder to this notification as deemed appropriate. TTO conducts research and development of high-risk, high-payoff advanced tactical military systems. TTO’s mission is to develop highly capable systems that enable orders of magnitude improvement in military capabilities, avoid technological surprise in the TTO areas of emphasis, and efficiently manage and transition existing programs to the DoD Services. TTO areas of emphasis include: advanced platforms (air, sea, space and ground), space operations, unmanned systems, directed energy systems and precision strike. Descriptions of current TTO programs may be found at www.darpa.mil/tto. An electronic copy of the solicitation, when released, will be available at: http://www.fedbizopps.gov. All responsible sources may submit a proposal, which will be considered. No paper copies of the solicitation will be issued. All amendments to the solicitation will likewise be posted to this website. Contractors are cautioned to check this website for amendments. The contractor will be responsible for all costs of producing their proposal. The POC is Chris Glista, Contracting Officer, email: Christopher.glista@darpa.mil, Contracts Management Office, 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203. Contracting Office Address: 3701 North Fairfax Drive Arlington, Virginia 22203-1714 Primary Point of Contact.: Chris Glista, Contracting Officer christopher.glista@darpa.mil
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- SN01971493-W 20090927/090926002721-644bdfee9e37043acdfb5d256a496318 (fbodaily.com)
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