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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NASA NextGen Concepts and Technology Development (CTD2)

What is the NextGen Concepts and Technology Development (CTD2) opportunity?

CTD2 is a NASA Headquarters Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) funding opportunity released under the broader Fiscal Year 2014 NASA Research Announcement (NRA) called Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA). CTD2 appears as one of the initial solicitations in Appendix C.2 and focuses on foundational research supporting NASA's NextGen Concepts and Technology Development Project.

How does CTD2 relate to the ROA (Research Opportunities in Aeronautics) announcement?

ROA is an umbrella announcement hosted in NASA's NSPIRES system. Specific technical thrust areas and the exact instructions are issued through appendices and later amendments as requirements and priorities are finalized during the year. CTD2 is one of the solicitations issued within that ROA structure (Appendix C.2).

What is the overall research purpose or goal of CTD2?

CTD2 is designed to fund aeronautics research and development connected to modernizing the National Airspace System and enabling NextGen-style operations. The emphasis is on improving future air traffic management concepts and operational efficiency.

Which NASA organization is offering and administering this opportunity?

The administering agency is NASA Headquarters, under NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD).

What are the topic areas highlighted in this CTD2 solicitation?

NASA highlighted two topic areas in this release: (1) methods to identify and classify conflict detection resolutions using historical aircraft track data, and (2) improving efficiency of oceanic flights and airspace through trajectory-based operations.

What does the conflict detection/resolution topic involve?

This topic seeks methods (data-driven or analytical approaches) that use historical aircraft track data to identify and classify how conflicts (potential loss of separation events) were detected and resolved, and to categorize the types of resolutions used. The intent is to learn from real-world operational behavior to strengthen conflict detection and resolution concepts.

Why is NASA interested in using historical aircraft track data for conflict resolution research?

Based on the solicitation description, the intent is to learn from real-world operational behavior and use that knowledge to feed improved decision-support tools, automation concepts, and validation datasets for future airspace concepts.

What does the oceanic trajectory-based operations topic involve?

This topic targets oceanic flights and airspace with an emphasis on improving efficiency through trajectory-based operations. It suggests research into procedures, models, or enabling technologies that support more precise, performance-based routing and scheduling over oceanic regions where surveillance and communications constraints have historically limited flexibility.

What kinds of benefits is the oceanic topic aiming for?

The solicitation description points to reducing fuel burn, delays, and inefficiencies while maintaining safety, by enabling more precise trajectory-based operations in oceanic airspace.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered under CFDA 43.002 (Aeronautics).

What types of funding instruments may NASA use for awards under CTD2?

The funding instruments listed include grants and cooperative agreements.

What is the difference between a grant and a cooperative agreement in this listing?

Based on the opportunity description, a grant indicates a more traditional assistance relationship, while a cooperative agreement indicates NASA may have more substantial involvement during execution, depending on the nature of the proposed work.

Who is eligible to apply for CTD2?

Eligibility is listed as open (unrestricted), meaning any type of entity may apply as long as they meet any conditions described in the full ROA text and the relevant appendix instructions.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated. Proposers are not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of award.

What is the funding opportunity number for this CTD2 listing?

The funding opportunity number associated with this listing is NNH14ZEA001N CTD2.

Where can applicants access the complete announcement and instructions?

Applicants were directed to access the complete announcement through NASA's NSPIRES system, where the umbrella ROA announcement and the relevant appendix materials are available.

What are the key dates mentioned for the CTD2 portion of ROA 2014?

The key dates listed are: Notice of Intent (NOI) due January 24, 2014; full proposals due February 28, 2014. The opportunity was posted January 27, 2014, with the closing date shown as February 28, 2014, and an archive date of March 1, 2014.

Was the closing date changed from the original date?

No. The original closing date and the current closing date are both shown as February 28, 2014.

Who are the points of contact for questions about the announcement or NSPIRES access?

Points of contact listed include Susan Minor (roa@nasa.gov) and NAIS Support (nais.support@nasa.gov) for help accessing the announcement or handling system-related issues.

What is the role of appendices and amendments in this ROA framework?

The ROA framework is structured so the main umbrella announcement lives in NSPIRES, while specific technical thrust areas and exact instructions are provided through appendices and later amendments as priorities and requirements are finalized during the year.

Which appendix contains CTD2 in the ROA 2014 structure?

CTD2 appears as one of the initial solicitations in Appendix C.2.