Code 3324, Carderock Division, White Oak Site, Naval Surface Warfare Center, 10901 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20903-5640.

A -- THE EXPLORATORY DEVELOPMENT OF RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FOR UNDERWATER VEHICLE PROPULSION SOL N00L67-95-BAA-4019 POC Kim Tatum, 3324, Contract Specialist, (30l) 394-3780/ Contracting Officer, Renee Cairo-Iocco. BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT THE EXPLORATORY DEVELOPMENT OF RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FOR UNDERWATER VEHICLE PROPULSION The Office of Naval Research (ONR), in collaboration with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), is interested in developing and testing prototype, electrochemical, rechargeable power supplies, for propulsion of tactically sized underwater vehicles. The goal of this task is to develop electric power plants that are affordable to own and operate without compromising performance. This requires development and demonstration of very low cost, quiet, high performance, safe, environmentally compatible, rechargeable batteries for torpedoes and tactical-sized Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) which meet Fleet requirements. Electric power plants consisting of a rechargeable battery and a high reliability motor will enable turn around without teardown for today's torpedoes and UUVs. This low cost rechargeable power plant must be fully compatible with today's Fleet assets. Under this BAA, ONR intends to commit approximately 1 million to 1.5 million dollars to support this twelve to eighteen month prototype effort. The Government encourages innovative proposals with no restriction on the electrochemistry of the chosen rechargeable batteries. Offerors may address one or both of two specific applications: 1) a very high power, short run time power supply for torpedoes, or 2) a lower power, very long run time power supply for UUV applications. Potential offerors may request a supplement in writing describing the detailed vehicle power requirements, size and weight constraints, and service environment conditions. Attractive proposals which evaluate advanced electrochemistries and demonstrate the potential for satisfying vehicle and cost requirements may be funded in increments through FY 96 and FY 97. Proposals shall include a critical path detailing a multiphase program for technology scale up and a preliminary cost analysis assuming development and production of 10, 100 and 500 torpedo batteries per year or 5, 10 and 20 UUV batteries per year. Each phase must include sufficient basis for the government to fund the subsequent phases of effort. The first phase shall evaluate the chosen electrochemistry and demonstrate its potential for satisfying vehicle requirements. Government evaluation of the technology through the development cycle will be based upon a cost / performance tradeoff evaluation including a realistic judgement of acquisition and life cycle costs. Adaptive manufacturing capability to allow technology application to multiple systems and users will be deemed responsive to affordability. Offerors are expected to deliver prototype cells, embodying their most promising technology, on or before the completion of this program. The research and engineering development to build and test vehicle sized batteries embodying the selected electrochemistry would be performed in a follow on effort. A cost reimbursement completion type contract is contemplated for each topic. The POC is Ms. Kim Tatum at (301)-394-3782. Any requests for additional information may be faxed to Ms. Tatum at (301)-394-3236. All topics are open to all commercial firms (including small businesses/minority business enterprises) organizations interested in conducting scientific research, colleges and universities and nonprofit research institutions. Proposals shall be submitted in original and seven copies. This announcement does not commit the government to pay for any response preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this BAA in not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract. However, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18. The proposal package will consist of three volumes: technical, management, and cost. A given proposal package shall address only one application, i.e. Torpedo or UUV. Classified proposals shall be stamped at the appropriate level of classification. Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision at FAR 52.215-12, Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data, to trade secrets or privileged commercial and financial information contained in their proposals. Each topic is considered as a stand alone effort and shall be addressed by a separate proposal. Technical and cost proposals must be valid for 180 days. The cost proposal shall be provided on an SF 1141, together with supporting schedules, and shall contain a person hour breakdown per task. The first page of all volumes should clearly indicate the title, category of response to BAA, i.e. Torpedo Battery or UUV Battery, principal investigator names(s), phone number, fax number, and e-mail address. A summary sheet with the period of performance, total cost of the effort, prime and sub-contractors proposed, including cost sharing breakdown shall be included on the first page. All proposals must be in the following ''page'' format: double spaced not greater than 8.5 x 11 inches, typed, with 1 inch minimum margins with a font size not smaller than 12 point. (Double sided printing is encouraged.) The proposals shall include a Table of Contents, Abstract, Executive Summary, Technical Approach, Program Plan including preliminary cost projection analysis, Statement of Work, Schedule and Milestone Chart, Follow on Development and Demonstration Plan, Facilities and Equipment Description, Relevant Prior Work, Organizational Structure and Management Plan, and Resumes of key individuals. The technical proposal shall include a discussion of the nature and scope of the research and the technical approach. The announcement will be open and proposals accepted through 31 October 1995. Contract awards are anticipated in early FY96, however, awards may be made anytime through 30 Sept. 1996. Award decisions will be based on competitive selection of proposals resulting from review of the proposal using the following criteria: (1) technical understanding of the underwater vehicle requirements, (2) degree to which the development plan represents sound engineering and scale-up cost effectiveness judgment, (3) ability of the proposed plan to accomplish the effort in the desired time, (4) the qualifications, capabilities and experience of the Principal Investigator, Team Leader, or key personnel who are critical in achieving the proposal objectives, (5) the offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, equipment and instrumentation, and (6) realism of the proposed cost and the availability of funds. The technical and cost information will be evaluated at the same time. ONR, NUWC and NSWC reserve the right to select for award of a contract, any, all, part, or none of the proposals received. This announcement solicits the participation of all offerors capable of satisfying the Government's need. Offerors should submit proposals to Office of Naval Research, UWV Energy Program: Care of Code 3324, Ms. Kim Tatum, Carderock Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center 10901 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring MD 20903 - 5640. Questions concerning this announcement should be addressed to Ms. Kim Tatum at (301) 394-3782. (0202)

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