A -- MICRO POWER GENERATION

Notice Date

September 29, 2000

Contracting Office

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contract Management Office (CMO), 3701 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203-1714

ZIP Code

22203-1714

Solicitation Number

BAA 01-09

Response Due

January 16, 2001

Point of Contact

W. Tang, DARPA/MTO, (703) 696-2206

Description

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. A Micro Power Generation, SOL BAA 01-09 DUE 011601, POC William C. Tang, Ph.D., DARPA/MTO, FAX (703) 696-2206. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting research proposals in the area of Micro Power Generation. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science, devices or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvement to the existing state of practice. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting research proposals in the area of Micro Power Generation (MPG) devices to be used to power certain combinations of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) -fabricated micro sensors, micro actuators, and/or electronic circuits. The final goal is to enable a standalone self-sustaining MPG with significantly superior power density compared to battery technology, which can be integrated with sensor and/or actuator packages with appropriate computing and communication capabilities. The key focus is on innovative MEMS solutions that clearly demonstrate optimization in MPG devices that takes into account several major factors affecting the overall efficiency and utility of the proposed devices. Examples of optimization factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the power requirement of the associated sensor, actuator, and/or electronic circuits, which typically range from tens of microwatts for sensor operations to less than a few hundred milliwatts for wireless data transmission; (2) thermal management if conversion of thermal energy is involved; (3) intake and exhaust managements if fluid or solid transports are required; (4) material compatibility and robustness if high-temperature and high-contact mechanical loads and/or mechanical outputs are parts of the design; and (5) energy storage and power distribution methodologies if there is a mismatch between the rates of energy conversion and energy consumption. It is anticipated that the successful demonstration of collocating MPG with sensing, actuating, computing, and communication functions bears significant commercial value. However, selectable proposals are likely to be for research in MEMS solutions with clear and direct relevance to DoD systems and platforms. One such platform, as an example, is field-deployed distributed vibration micro sensor networks for detection of large-object ground movement. This platform requires sustained sensor operation and periodic wireless transmission of sensor data over a possible mission life of a few days to a few weeks. The MPG devices developed and demonstrated in this program are expected to meet these requirements. Other platforms may require direct replacement of batteries to significantly extend the operation time of small electronic devices that require milliwatts of sustaining power without increasing the size and weight of the final packages. DARPA discourages proposals that focus solely on individual component development (e.g., micro valves, micro pumps, micro gears, micro combustion chambers, thermoelectric elements, etc.) or fabrication and materials research, although any of these subjects may very well be parts of a proposal that aims at demonstrating an optimized MPG device. Although desirable, collocation of the MPG device with a specific set of sensors, actuators, and/or electronics in the final demonstration is not a required option. However, selectable proposals must clearly demonstrate potentials for such collocation. Teaming among academic, industrial and/or government partners is encouraged, and it is anticipated that the contributions of the team members are complementary as well as essential to the critical path of the research plan. A technology insertion plan is encouraged and research that holds promise of MEMS insertion into DoD relevance is of great interest. PROGRAM SCOPE. Awards totaling approximately $20 million over three years are expected to be made during the first half of calendar year 2001. Multiple awards are anticipated. Collaborative efforts/teaming and cost sharing are encouraged. The technical POC for this effort is William C. Tang, Ph.D., fax: (703) 696-2206, electronic mail: wtang@darpa.mil. GENERAL INFORMATION. Proposers must obtain a pamphlet entitled "BAA 01-09, Micro Power Generation, Proposer Information Pamphlet" which provides further information on Micro Power Generation, the submission, evaluation, and funding processes, proposal abstract formats, proposal formats, and other general information. This pamphlet may be obtained from the World Wide Web (WWW) or by fax, electronic mail, or mail request to the administrative contact address given below. Proposals not meeting the format described in the pamphlet may not be reviewed. In order to minimize unnecessary effort in proposal preparation and review, proposers are strongly encouraged to submit proposal abstracts in advance of full proposals. An original and nine (9) copies of the proposal abstract must be submitted to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 01-09) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Friday, December 1, 2000. Proposal abstracts received after this time and date may not be reviewed. Upon review, DARPA will provide written feedback on the likelihood of a full proposal being selected and the time and date for submission of a full proposal. Proposers not submitting proposal abstracts must submit an original and nine (9) copies of the full proposal to DARPA/MTO, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 (Attn.: BAA 01-09) on or before 4:00 p.m., local time, Tuesday, January 16, 2001, in order to be considered. This notice, in conjunction with the BAA 01-09 Proposer Information Pamphlet, constitutes the total BAA. No additional information is available, nor will a formal RFP or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Requests for the same will be disregarded. The Government reserves the right to select for award all, some, or none of the proposals received. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal, which shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of research in micro power generation. All administrative correspondence and questions on this solicitation, including requests for information on how to submit a proposal abstract or full proposal to this BAA, should be directed to one of the administrative addresses below; e-mail or fax is preferred. DARPA intends to use electronic mail and fax for correspondence regarding BAA 01-09. Proposals and proposal abstracts may not be submitted by fax or e-mail; any so sent will be disregarded. DARPA encourages use of the WWW for retrieving the Proposer Information Pamphlet and any other related information that may subsequently be provided. EVALUATION CRITERIA. Evaluation of proposal abstracts and full proposals will be accomplished through a technical review of each proposal using the following criteria, which are listed in descending order of relative importance: (l) overall scientific and technical merit, (2) potential contribution and relevance to DARPA mission, (3) plans and capability to accomplish technology transition, (4) offeror's capabilities and related experience, and (5) cost realism. Note: cost realism will only be significant in proposals that have significantly under or over-estimated the cost to complete their effort. The administrative addresses for this BAA are: Fax: (703) 351-8685 (Addressed to: DARPA/MTO, BAA 01-09), Electronic Mail: BAA 01-09@darpa.mil. Mail: DARPA/MTO, ATTN: BAA 01-09, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714. This announcement and the Proposer Information Pamphlet may be retrieved via the WWW at URL http://www.darpa.mil/ in the solicitations area.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001003/ASOL003.HTM (W-273 SN502390)