Integrated Vehicle Energy Technology (INVENT) Development Program for the 6th Generation Energy Optimized Aircraft (EOA). | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the INVENT Development Program for the 6th Generation Energy Optimized Aircraft (EOA)?

The Integrated Vehicle Energy Technology (INVENT) Development Program for the 6th Generation Energy Optimized Aircraft (EOA) is an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) funding opportunity focused on advancing science and technology and other research and development efforts that support an energy-optimized aircraft concept. The program is centered on designing and integrating key aircraft subsystems and demonstrating that those subsystems can work together coherently in an integrated, ground-based environment.

2) What is the main objective of this funding opportunity?

The central objective is to form a coordinated team that can (1) design and integrate key aircraft subsystems, (2) prove the integration approach through rigorous modeling and simulation, and (3) validate integrated results through an Integrated Ground Demonstration focused on the EOA concept.

3) Is this opportunity focused on developing individual components or on integrating systems?

Based on the program description, the emphasis is less on isolated component development and more on demonstrating integration across multiple interdependent systems. Energy optimization is a guiding theme, and the government is looking for coherent subsystem integration that can be assessed analytically and then demonstrated in a ground environment.

4) What kind of team structure does AFRL anticipate?

AFRL anticipates proposals led by a single prime organization, with additional support provided through subrecipients or subcontractors. The prime is expected to serve as the integrator and technical manager coordinating across disciplines and subsystem interfaces.

5) What capabilities is AFRL specifically looking for in the proposing team?

AFRL is explicitly looking for a team that is strong in platform integration, utility subsystems, overall vehicle systems, and engine systems. This signals an expectation that the team can manage requirements, interfaces, and trade studies across areas that commonly span airframe, propulsion, and onboard utilities.

6) What work activities are included in the scope described?

The scope is framed around designing, modeling, simulating, and integrating relevant subsystems, along with performing risk mitigation activities to reduce technical and integration uncertainties before the Integrated Ground Demonstration.

7) How are verification and validation expected to be handled in this program?

The opportunity describes a two-part approach: verification is to be accomplished through modeling and simulation, while validation is expected through an Integrated Ground Demonstration. In other words, teams should use credible analytical models and simulations to demonstrate expected integrated performance and then confirm those integrated behaviors when the systems are brought together in a ground demonstration environment.

8) What does "verification through modeling and simulation" mean in this context?

It means that teams are expected to develop and use analytical models and simulations to demonstrate that the integrated design meets defined objectives and behaves as expected. The solicitation emphasizes rigorous modeling and simulation as the mechanism to verify the integration approach prior to the ground demonstration.

9) What is the Integrated Ground Demonstration?

The Integrated Ground Demonstration is described as the culminating validation activity where the integrated subsystem set is demonstrated in a ground environment to confirm that modeled and simulated behaviors hold up when the systems are physically brought together.

10) Is a flight demonstration required under this opportunity?

The description emphasizes validation through an Integrated Ground Demonstration and indicates that full flight demonstration is not part of this specific effort.

11) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?

The Funding Opportunity Number is BAA 10 03 PKP.

12) What type of funding is this considered?

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding.

13) What award instruments might AFRL use?

The announcement lists multiple possible award instruments: cooperative agreement, grant, and procurement contract. This suggests AFRL may select an instrument based on the nature of the proposed work and the anticipated level of government involvement.

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

The associated CFDA number is 12.800, Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program.

15) When was this opportunity posted and when does it close?

The posting dates indicate it was originally posted on June 9, 2010, with a creation date of August 13, 2010. The original proposal closing date was August 5, 2010, and it was later extended. The current closing date is September 1, 2010 at 1600 EDT.

16) What is the archive date for this opportunity?

The archive date is September 24, 2010.

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The information provided states that cost sharing or matching is not required.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. This indicates the solicitation is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarifications that may appear in the full announcement under eligibility details.

19) Can universities, nonprofits, small businesses, or industry apply?

The eligibility field is stated as unrestricted, which typically allows a wide range of applicants such as industry primes, small businesses, universities, nonprofit research organizations, and other qualified entities, either as the prime recipient or as part of a team under the prime.

20) Does AFRL prefer a single prime applicant even if a team is involved?

Yes. The opportunity anticipates proposals led by a single prime organization, with other participants supporting as subrecipients or subcontractors.

21) What kinds of questions should be directed to the technical point of contact?

Technical questions about program goals, integration expectations, and the demonstration focus should be directed to the technical point of contact listed in the announcement.

22) Who is the technical point of contact and what is the phone number?

The technical point of contact is Steven Iden at 937-255-5116.

23) Who should be contacted for access issues or contracting-related questions?

The announcement identifies Douglas E. Harris, Contracting Officer, as the contact for questions if there are difficulties obtaining the full electronic announcement (and for contracting-related issues).

24) What is the Contracting Officer's phone number?

Douglas E. Harris can be reached at 937-656-9065.

25) What is the overall theme or guiding priority of the program?

Energy optimization is the guiding theme, with the program structured to demonstrate that a set of interdependent aircraft subsystems can be designed, integrated, verified via modeling/simulation, and validated through a coordinated ground-based integrated demonstration.