Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) TCBAA-06-000R Advanced Power Distribution 1. Background With the increase use of electronic monitoring, airframe power designers are exploring new methods of power distribution and continuous monitoring. Some of the new methods are distributed power (no load center) and continual load data monitoring. These new power distributions systems have the ability to monitor current and voltage information in real time on any specific load. These systems will also be able to re route power based on load shedding abilities and to work around a perceived damage. The effects of the changes will be reduced power conductor bundles, reduced weight, and shorter power runs. Arc Fault and ground fault technologies have been successfully integrated into aircraft circuit protection in the form of advanced circuit breakers. In addition to circuit breakers, many other power control devices upstream in the power distribution also provide the safe distribution of electrical energy. Contactors, remote controlled circuit breakers, and power control relays, are a sampling of devices that perform critical power control functions. Solid-State technologies can aid on the implementation of these functions to provide a safe distribution of power to the EWIS 2. Purpose The purpose of this BAA is to study power distribution monitoring and develop guidelines of common format of data that can be retained from the power distribution system. This shall include a common format for prognostics algorithms. Study the ability to safely switch power from one conductor to another and define the criteria for switch matrix power distribution systems. Study the effects of these changes on EWIS and the advantages and disadvantages of decentralized power. Develop solid-state technology to include updated arc fault interruption and ground fault interruption, on power control devices in order to afford increased levels of wire protection. The protection shall be able mitigate damage due to arc faults, bolted faults, high contact resistance, intermittent shorts., and mitigate damage due to loose terminals. Shall have immunity to false tripping on normal and abnormal aircraft conditions. Shall communicate identified problems and provide override functions. Furthermore study and implement faster reaction times, greater diagnostics abilities, and methods to achieve trip coordination with other arc fault and ground fault protection devices installed upstream or downstream in the distribution. The technology shall be develop for retrofit applications. 3. Submission Deadlines Formal Proposals (see section 4) prepared in accordance with this synopsis will be accepted through 30 of March 2006 or until fiscal year 2006 funding for this effort is committed, whichever occurs first. 4. Submission Requirements Offerors shall submit the Formal Proposal electronically via Email as well as a hardcopy by Mail to: William J. Hughes Technical Center Code AAR-480 (Attn: M. Walz) Atlantic City Int'l Airport, NJ 08405 The electronic version of the proposal will be emailed to
contact@example.gov. The electronic version shall be provided in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format. The proposal shall address the requirements described in the 'Formal Proposal Requirements' section of this announcement. 5. Formal Proposal Requirements a. The offerors shall specify a plan into research of power distribution monitoring, the ability to safely switch power from one conductor to another for switch matrix power distribution systems, and the effects of these systems on the EWIS and circuit protection. b. The offerers proposal shall contain specific and detailed performance specifications for the proposed system. c. Offerors shall propose to develop a prototype device with the specifications identified. For the purposes of preparing the proposal and cost estimate, the prototype shall become the property of the FAA at the conclusion of the program. d. Offerors shall prepare an implementation and technology transfer plan, describing how the proposed technology will be developed into commercial products. e. The proposal shall identify all areas risk related to development, implementation, and technology transfer, of the proposed system, technology, or technique. The proposal shall include mitigating strategies for each risk area. Proposals that do not identify risk areas will be considered non-developmental in nature and therefore outside the scope of this research program. Implementation risks are associated with logistical issues, missing/inadequate support infrastructure, etc. f. Offerors shall include in their proposals a detailed cost proposal. In-house funding, cost matching, services-in-kind, will be identified in the cost proposal as necessary. All manpower related to double blind testing and validation shall also be provided. 6. Method of Evaluation Proposals will be evaluated in the seven technical areas listed in order of decreasing importance: a. Technical merit. b. Utility to the aviation community. c. Investigative team competency and experience. d. Logical and effective validation strategy. e. Technical risks and implementation risks, and the mitigation plan for each. f. Availability and quality of equipment and facilities. g. Effective project management plan. Cost and cost realism will be evaluated as acceptable or unacceptable only. Acceptable proposals will have costs commensurate with the work load proposed and will not be in excess of $400,000 in any fiscal year. 7. Period of Performance: Efforts lasting between one to three years will be considered. Multiyear efforts will be funded in yearly increments, providing measurable and adequate performance is shown prior to each new funding increment.
