Game Changing Opportunities In Technology Development

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters, anticipates a release of a solicitation, titled “Advanced Energy Storage Systems,” as an Appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement (NRA), titled “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014),” on or about April 09, 2014. Once the Appendix is posted, complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps:

1. Open the NSPIRES homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ 2. Select "Solicitations" 3. Select "Open Solicitations” 4. Select "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion 2014 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2014) NNH14ZOA001N” 5. Select the “List of Open Program Elements” 6. Select “NNH14ZOA001N-14GCD-C1”

The Government plans to conduct a phased acquisition involving a progressive competitive down-selection process (see 1817.7301-5). Competition for subsequent phases will build on the results of the previous phases. Phase I will constitute the Component Test and Analysis Phase with an expected duration of up to 8 months. Phase II is envisioned as the Engineering Development Unit (EDU) Hardware Phase with an expected duration of up to 12 months, and Phase III would follow as the Prototype Hardware Phase with an expected duration of up to 15 months.

The award criteria for subsequent phases will include demonstrated completion of specified previous phase requirements. The Government expects that only the initial phase contractors will be capable of successfully competing for the subsequent phase(s). Proposals for the subsequent phase(s) will be requested from these contractors. The Government does not intend to issue a new, formal solicitation for subsequent phases(s). Request letters will be issued for each subsequent phase to provide guidance on proposal content and evaluation criteria. Each subsequent phase will be synopsized. Notwithstanding the expectation that only the initial phase contractors will be capable of successfully competing for the subsequent phase(s), proposals from all responsible sources submitted by the specified due date will be considered. In order to contend for subsequent phase awards, however, such prospective offerors must demonstrate a design maturity equivalent to that of the prior phase contractors. Failure to fully and completely demonstrate the appropriate level of design maturity may render the proposal unacceptable with no further consideration for contract award.

STMD’s Game Changing Development (GCD) Program focuses on maturing advanced space technologies that may lead to entirely new approaches for the Agency’s future space missions across the mid-technology readiness levels (TRL), namely TRL 3-5. Appendix NNH14ZOA001N-14GCD-C1 seeks proposals for the development of transformational energy storage technologies that will enable space exploration. To achieve these long-term objectives, this Appendix aims to maximize specific energy while maintaining design approaches that also maximize safety, reliability, and cycle life. It is anticipated that the core technologies developed under this Appendix will advance energy storage for a broad user base.

This Appendix has been divided into two categories of interest. Category One, “High Specific Energy System Level Concepts” will focus on high energy (200Whr/kg) cell chemistries with a system level battery focus. Category Two, “Very High Specific Energy Devices” will focus on energy storage technologies that have the potential to go beyond present capabilities characterized by Li+ chemistry(>400Whr/kg), while maintaining the required cycle life and safety of any system operating in space.

Participation will be open to all categories of U.S. organizations. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative. Detailed submission instructions are provided in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2014 NRA. Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline.

Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2014 Appendices.

Technical, programmatic, and procurement comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to HQ-STMD-GCDC1@mail.nasa.gov. Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the Appendix; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.