Flight Deck Thermal Management | Apply Online

Flight Deck Thermal Management (ONRBAA09-031) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the name of this funding opportunity and who is sponsoring it?

The funding opportunity is titled Flight Deck Thermal Management with Funding Opportunity Number ONRBAA09-031. The sponsoring agency is the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

2) What problem is ONR trying to solve with this opportunity?

ONR is seeking research and development that can protect amphibious ship flight decks from the intense heat produced by exhaust plumes from newer and upcoming aircraft. The goal is to manage thermal exposure in a way that is practical for real-world naval operations.

3) What types of solutions is ONR looking for?

ONR is looking for practical, durable alternatives to heat pipes for flight deck thermal management. Solutions should work above the deck surface and below the deck structure, and be suitable for ship integration and long-term use.

4) Are heat pipe solutions allowed?

The announcement highlights a central focus on finding alternatives to heat pipes for managing thermal exposure. The opportunity is therefore oriented toward approaches other than heat pipes, based on the information provided.

5) What thermal performance levels should proposed concepts be able to handle?

Proposed deck thermal management concepts are expected to mitigate heating rates on the order of 16,000 to 24,000 BTU per minute. They should also accommodate total heat loads ranging from 48,000 BTU up to 2.2 million BTU over the relevant exposure period.

6) Is the goal only to survive the heat, or to actively manage it?

The expectation is not only survivability, but effective thermal management. Technologies should be able to spread, conduct, and/or dissipate thermal energy under demanding conditions.

7) Are there constraints on thickness and weight?

Yes. Solutions are expected to keep added thickness and weight to a minimum, because flight decks have strict height and operational constraints and systems must not interfere with flight deck operations.

8) Can a proposed solution interfere with aircraft operations or deck handling?

No. Any retrofit or new system should be designed so it does not interfere with aircraft operations or deck handling and remains compatible with the operational realities of a flight deck.

9) Does ONR specify how the system will be oriented or loaded in service?

Yes. The solution needs to work in a primarily horizontal configuration and still be able to carry structural loads, meaning it cannot sacrifice deck integrity to achieve thermal performance.

10) Are survivability requirements mentioned?

Yes. ONR emphasizes ship survivability and states proposed concepts must meet survivability level 4 expectations.

11) What integration expectations does ONR call out?

ONR wants approaches that can be integrated into real ships, installed in shipyard conditions, and supported over time without creating significant maintenance or operational burdens.

12) Are there safety and contamination concerns (FOD) that solutions must address?

Yes. Concepts should avoid introducing hazards such as debris or byproducts that could become foreign object damage (FOD) risks to aircraft and equipment.

13) Does the opportunity mention compatibility with Navy deck coatings?

Yes. Compatibility with Navy non-skid deck coatings is specifically called out, indicating ONR wants solutions that either preserve existing surface treatments or can accept standard coatings without performance loss or adhesion problems.

14) Is ONR looking for laboratory-only materials, or operationally realistic solutions?

ONR is looking for a full-life, operationally realistic thermal management solution suitable for shipboard use, rather than a laboratory-only material or a fragile add-on.

15) What award mechanisms might ONR use?

ONR anticipates making multiple awards using both grants and procurement contracts under its discretionary science and technology R&D program.

16) What is the program classification or CFDA number?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 12.300, described as Basic and Applied Scientific Research.

17) How much total funding is planned, and over what time period?

Total planned funding is about $12.5 million over four years, with the following profile: $3.0M (FY2011), $4.0M (FY2012), $3.5M (FY2013), and $2.0M (FY2014).

18) What is the typical size of an individual award?

Individual awards are expected to typically range from roughly $200,000 to $1,000,000 per year, suggesting a mix of smaller exploratory efforts and larger integrated demonstrations.

19) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open to responsible sources from academia and industry, based on the information provided.

20) Are HBCUs and Minority Institutions encouraged to participate?

Yes. ONR explicitly encourages proposals involving Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), but notes that no funding is set aside specifically for them.

21) Are FFRDCs and government laboratories eligible to receive awards directly?

No. FFRDCs and government laboratories (including Navy labs and warfare centers) are not eligible to receive awards directly. However, they may participate through teaming arrangements with eligible prime applicants, consistent with sponsoring agreements.

22) Are team proposals encouraged?

Yes. Teams are encouraged, and proposers should be prepared to cooperate in an integrated program environment.

23) What does ONR say about sharing information among participants?

Proposers should be prepared to cooperate and share relevant software, data, and other information in an integrated program environment alongside other ONR-selected contractors and system integrators.

24) Are there any export control or citizenship restrictions mentioned?

Yes. Because resulting technologies may be export-restricted, the announcement notes that only U.S. persons (as defined under ITAR, 22 CFR 120.1 et seq.) may be permitted to work on certain efforts.

25) When was the opportunity posted and what are the closing and archive dates?

The opportunity was posted June 23, 2009. The original and current closing date is October 23, 2009. The archive date is November 22, 2009.

26) Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?

For access issues, the listed point of contact is Matt Ferebee, Contract Specialist, at 703-696-1474.