Power and Thermal Management Technology Demonstration (PTM-TD)

The Army Contracting Command - Redstone Arsenal (ACC RSA), Fort Eustis Branch (CCAM-MZA-F), Building 401, Lee Boulevard, Fort Eustis, VA 23604-5577 is issuing this Request For Information (RFI) on behalf of the U.S. Army, Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC), Aviation Development Directorate - Eustis (ADD-E). ADD-E is seeking information on performance, technical data, and developmental technology relating to electrical power and thermal management for support of Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Capability Set 3 (CS3) aircraft. The first call is expected to be published in the FY20 timeframe to develop component level technology, TRL 3 through TRL 5, with additional calls in the out years, and culminating in a technical demonstration of an integrated power and thermal management (PTM) system. Technology of interest includes lightweight vapor cycle cooling, heat exchangers, phase change materials, thermal reservoirs, power electronics, electrical generation, power distribution, switching, supplementary power units in the 90 kW plus range, and other related power and thermal management technologies. As this is a broad topic area, an invitation is extended to interested parties to contact ADD-E and share information about prospective technologies for future Science and Technology (S&T) component projects through teleconference or site visits,. Because the number of interested organizations may be beyond ADD's awareness, interested organizations in this technology space are encouraged to contact ADD-E directly. This RFI, issued in accordance with FAR 15.201(e), is for the preliminary planning of potential S&T component programs and is not a request for proposal (RFP). A response to this notice in not an offer, and no offer can or will be accepted by the U.S. Army to form a binding contract (See Disclaimer and Notice below for additional information). Introduction The U.S. Army is currently in the process of planning for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft which is the FVL CS3 aircraft to supplement/replace the UH-60 Black Hawk. It is anticipated electrical demands and thermal loads aboard future rotorcraft will increase significantly over legacy platforms. Considering potential capabilities desired on future platforms, technology development is required for PTM systems to fit within the size weight and power (SWAP) constraints of the aircraft. RFI Intent The purpose of this RFI is to expand market research in support of a planned call to advance the state of the art in power and thermal management component technology. In addition, the RFI is being used to facilitate a conversation with industry, among airframe manufacturers, engine companies, and small business with the U.S. Army concerning development challenges for future aircraft in the topic space. Information provided by industry will be used for internal planning purposes only and will not be publically released outside the Government. It is the intent of the U.S. Army that industry responses to this RFI will be considered with respect to the development of future RFP(s). Electrical power needs for these aircraft are expected to increase three to five times that of current fielded Army aircraft due to increased electrical actuation on advanced aircraft, more advanced mission/ survivability equipment, and increased computational power requirements. These increased electrical power requirements will significantly increase thermal issues that must be addressed while keeping within system size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) constraints. Baseline specification loads are in the 45 kW range with a 50% redundancy for survivability for a total of 90 kW required. The three to five times increase of electrical load refers to the baseline load while not necessary providing a full 50% back up for non-flight critical flight loads. Technologies at TRL 3 through TRL 6 are of interest, or those which will be so by FY23. Specific technologies of interest include lightweight vapor cycle cooling, heat exchangers, phase change materials, thermal reservoirs, power electronics, electrical generation, power distribution, switching, supplementary power units in the 90 kW plus range, as well as any other technologies applicable to providing electrical and thermal control or supply. Input as to which technologies in this topic space should be worked first due to development risk, development time, or other reasons is also requested, along with a rough order of magnitude (ROM) of cost of the associated component technology development. In addition, information is requested about design challenges, and applicable developmental opportunities with respect to power and thermal component technologies, which enable high pulse power electrical loads, such as directed energy weapons (DEWs), jammers, rotor blade deicing, actuation, and improvements to main gear box cooling, or other large consumers of power. Proprietary Materials Protection This notice is part of Government Market Research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information from industry with respect to the current and near-term abilities to support a possible acquisition. The information collected may be used by the Government to explore acquisition options and strategies. All information received in response to this RFI that is properly marked as - proprietary will be handled accordingly. Such information will be reviewed by a team comprised of Government personnel. All members of the team will be reminded of their obligation to protect such information to the maximum extent permitted or required by the Economic Espionage Act, 18 U.S.C. 1831 et seq., and other applicable statutes or regulations. In addition, Government members will be reminded of their obligations to afford protection under the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. The Government shall not be liable for any consequential damages resulting from any proprietary information submitted and not properly identified as proprietary. 4.0 Respondents Respondents are advised to contact the Point of Contact below via telephone or submit responses via email. Please be prepared to respond with power and thermal management technical goals, impacts on SWAP-C, development timelines, and ROMs; to be presented and discussed in the responder's desired format. The Government Point of Contact is as follows to setup a time for an exchange of information. John Hailer Mechanical Engineer Army Futures Command Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Aviation Development Directorate Office; 757-878-5003 Email: john.t.hailer.civ@mail.mil Disclaimer and Notice: This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, applications, proposal abstracts, or quotations. Per FAR clause 52.215-3, (a) the Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. (b) Responses will be treated as informational only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This RFI is issued for the purpose of obtaining knowledge and information for acquisition planning purposes only.