Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Scale Up of Green Energetics Project | Apply Online

FAQs: Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Scale Up of Green Energetics Project (AFRL-RQKM-2015-0019)

1) What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

The purpose is to strengthen the U.S. domestic industrial base by scaling up production of a safer, more environmentally responsible energetic material for military applications. The project is focused on moving an identified green energetic compound from lab-scale or limited production into reliable, scaled manufacturing within the United States so it can be sourced consistently for defense needs.

2) Which government organization is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under a Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III effort.

3) What is the targeted energetic material?

The targeted green energetic compound is copper(I) 5-nitrotetrazolate, also referred to as DBX-1.

4) What does "green energetics" mean in the context of this project?

In this context, it refers to an energetic material intended to be safer and more environmentally responsible than traditional toxic energetics used in military systems.

5) What does "drop-in replacement" mean here?

It indicates the intent to produce an environmentally friendly energetic material (DBX-1) that can substitute for traditional toxic energetics used in ordnance and propulsion systems without requiring a completely different concept of use.

6) Is this opportunity focused on basic research or manufacturing scale-up?

This opportunity is best characterized as a scale-up and commercialization-oriented effort. It is not simply basic research into new chemistry; it is aimed at establishing dependable, domestic manufacturing capability for DBX-1.

7) What type of award instrument is being used?

The opportunity was issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement under the science and technology and other research and development activity category.

8) What is a cooperative agreement, and why does it matter for applicants?

A cooperative agreement generally signals that the government expects substantial involvement during project performance. This can include coordination on technical direction, milestones, or transition planning rather than a hands-off grant approach.

9) How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making a single award, meaning AFRL intended to select one primary performer for the scale-up and supplier-establishment effort.

10) How much funding was estimated to be available?

The estimated total funding available for the award was $3,520,000.

11) Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. The announcement included a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning the recipient would be expected to contribute a portion of the overall project costs from non-federal sources.

12) Why is cost sharing common for this kind of project?

This type of industrial base and scale-up effort often uses cost sharing because the government is catalyzing a capability intended to persist commercially after the award ends.

13) Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was open to any type of entity (such as businesses, universities, nonprofits, or others), subject to any additional eligibility details that may have been included in the full announcement text.

14) What kinds of applicants would typically be most competitive for a "domestic merchant supplier" objective?

Based on the stated intent to create a domestic merchant supplier, the strongest applicants would typically be those able to demonstrate credible U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities, supply chain plans, quality control, safety and environmental compliance, and a pathway to sustained production for defense customers.

15) What does "U.S.-based, commercial (merchant) supplier" mean?

It refers to a supplier located in the United States that can produce and provide DBX-1 on a commercial basis, supporting reliable sourcing for defense needs beyond the project period.

16) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA listing associated with the opportunity is 12.800, the Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program.

17) What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?

The funding opportunity number is AFRL-RQKM-2015-0019.

18) What is the official title of the opportunity?

The title is Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Scale Up of Green Energetics Project.

19) When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on April 7, 2015.

20) What was the original closing date, and was it extended?

It was originally scheduled to close on May 27, 2015, and it was later extended.

21) What was the updated (current) closing date after the extension?

The current closing date listed was September 28, 2015.

22) When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was October 28, 2015.

23) What military applications are mentioned for DBX-1?

The opportunity mentions use in ordnance and propulsion systems.

24) What is the overarching outcome AFRL is trying to achieve?

AFRL is aiming to ensure the United States has a dependable, domestic source of DBX-1 as a greener alternative to more hazardous energetic materials used across ordnance and propulsion applications.

25) Who was the point of contact for access issues or assistance?

The listed point of contact was Adrianna Menker, Agreements Negotiator.

26) How could the point of contact be reached?

Adrianna Menker was reachable by phone at 937-713-9924.