Opportunity Information: Apply for W911NF 07 R 0001 03 ARRA
Apply for W911NF 07 R 0001 03 ARRA
- The Dept of the Army Materiel Command in the recovery act sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RECOVERY ACT, ARL PHOTOVOLTAICS" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.431 Basic Scientific Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 28, 2009 and posted on May 21, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
This Recovery Act funding opportunity, titled "RECOVERY ACT, ARL PHOTOVOLTAICS" (Funding Opportunity Number W911NF 07 R 0001 03 ARRA), was issued by the Department of the Army (Army Materiel Command) through the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD), with contracting handled by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Contracting Center, Research Triangle Park Contracting Division. It sits under the broader American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) goal of stimulating the economy, creating jobs, and accelerating U.S. renewable energy capability, with an explicit emphasis that proposed research should support the larger objective of revitalizing the renewable energy industry and helping enable a longer-term doubling of domestic renewable energy capacity.
The Army is seeking short, early-stage submissions (white papers) focused on novel semiconductor materials and new device architectures that can deliver very high efficiency solar photovoltaics, targeting conversion efficiencies of 30 percent or higher. The technical driver is not rooftop power or utility scale generation, but compact and lightweight PV that can provide practical field power for defense needs: charging batteries during daylight for small autonomous systems, extending runtimes for unattended ground sensors and surveillance cameras, and supporting Soldier-related systems and very small robotic or micro-autonomous platforms. The PV hardware is expected to be conformable (able to fit curved or irregular surfaces), lightweight, and low volume, because the Army envisions integrating PV arrays into the outer surfaces of small systems as "smart skins" that generate power while serving as part of the platform structure.
From a performance and form-factor standpoint, the Army outlines an ambitious target: very lightweight PV panels around 2000 cm2 in area with extremely high power per unit area and per unit weight. Proposed PV approaches can include multi-color tandem devices (multi-junction concepts) if they help reach the efficiency goals while remaining compatible with the compact, flexible, and low-mass constraints. A concrete end-of-effort demonstration is expected: by the end of the award, the performer should be able to deliver a small high-efficiency PV array that produces about 1 watt under one sun conditions, while also demonstrating a credible path to scalability at 100 watts or more. In other words, the prototype can be modest in output, but it must clearly show that the materials, manufacturing approach, and device architecture can scale to much higher power levels.
The topic scope is broad enough to accommodate multiple technology pathways, and the notice explicitly calls out several example directions. These include advanced high-efficiency PV devices for unattended sensors, Soldier systems, and very small autonomous systems; highly integrated materials and device structures that reduce weight and volume while enabling self-powered operation; very high power and energy density solutions appropriate for tiny platforms; higher efficiency cells integrated with flexible electronics and even displays; rigid crystalline silicon PV cells for anticipated future sensors, taggants, and micro autonomous systems; and lower-cost thin film PV approaches that still offer high efficiencies and reduced area requirements. The common thread is delivering unusually high efficiency in a package that can survive and function on small, mobile, mission-relevant Army platforms.
Applicants were instructed to submit a white paper of no more than five pages, tied to ARL/ARO Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF 07 R 0001 03 (active from October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2011), specifically under topic area 2.48 (Directed Energy, paragraph 7 Photovoltaic Power Sources) and/or 2.52 (Infrared Detectors and Power Sources). The white paper deadline was June 1, 2009, submitted by email to Parvez Uppal at Puppal@arl.army.mil with the subject line "RECOVERY - ARL PHOTOVOLTAICS." The government planned to evaluate white papers and provide written feedback and/or invitations to submit full proposals around June 15, 2009. The special notice itself was set to expire June 30, 2009 at 12:00 PM Eastern, and the listing shows the closing date as June 30, 2009, with an archive date of July 30, 2009.
Funding was expected to total about $3,000,000, with the agency anticipating either two awards of $1,500,000 each or one award of $3,000,000. The opportunity was labeled as "Other" and allowed multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts, and it notes that awards were anticipated to be either firm fixed price contracts or cost-reimbursable assistance instruments with no profit/fee. Eligibility was described as unrestricted (open), with no cost sharing or matching requirement. The CFDA number listed is 12.431 (Basic Scientific Research), aligning the effort with fundamental research despite the clear emphasis on demonstrable prototypes and scalability.
A major administrative feature of this opportunity is that it is funded under ARRA, which comes with heightened transparency and accountability requirements. The announcement stresses that Recovery Act funds cannot be co-mingled with other agency funding, and that no additional funds will be available to supplement the ARRA amount, meaning projects must be scoped to succeed within the fixed Recovery Act funding profile. The notice also points to Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-032 (issued March 31, 2009), which amended the FAR to implement ARRA-related clauses and requirements, including Buy American provisions, whistleblower protections, publicizing contract actions, mandatory reporting, and expanded access for GAO and Inspectors General. It further notes possible additional reporting requirements and clauses, and states that contractors must meet certain responsibility/qualification requirements (referencing FAR 52.209-5 and DFARS 252.209-7001 and 252.209-7002). For assistance instruments, it highlights compliance with 2 CFR Part 176, which implements ARRA sections related to reporting, Buy American-type requirements, and related accountability measures for financial assistance awards.
For points of contact, technical white papers were directed to Parvez Uppal, award process questions to Julia Wertley Rotenberry (julia.wertleyrotenberry@us.army.mil), and access issues for the full announcement to Ernest Dixon (ernie.dixon@us.army.mil, 919-549-4270). Overall, the opportunity is best read as an ARRA-funded push to advance next-generation, high-efficiency PV materials and devices specifically optimized for lightweight, conformal, small-platform Army use cases, with a clear expectation of prototype demonstration and a realistic scale-up path rather than purely theoretical work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - RECOVERY ACT, ARL PHOTOVOLTAICS (W911NF 07 R 0001 03 ARRA)
1) What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?
The opportunity is titled "RECOVERY ACT, ARL PHOTOVOLTAICS" with Funding Opportunity Number W911NF 07 R 0001 03 ARRA.
2) Which government organization issued this funding opportunity?
This Recovery Act opportunity was issued by the Department of the Army (Army Materiel Command) through the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate (SEDD).
3) Who handled contracting or award administration for this opportunity?
Contracting was handled by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Contracting Center, Research Triangle Park Contracting Division.
4) What is the overarching purpose of the Recovery Act funding for this topic?
The stated context is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), emphasizing economic stimulus, job creation, and accelerating U.S. renewable energy capability. The notice also emphasizes that proposed research should support revitalizing the renewable energy industry and help enable a longer-term doubling of domestic renewable energy capacity.
5) What is ARL asking applicants to submit first?
ARL requested short, early-stage submissions in the form of white papers.
6) What is the maximum allowed length of the white paper?
The white paper was limited to no more than five pages.
7) What technical area is the opportunity focused on?
The opportunity focuses on novel semiconductor materials and new device architectures aimed at very high-efficiency solar photovoltaics (PV), with a target conversion efficiency of 30 percent or higher.
8) Is the primary use case rooftop or utility-scale solar power generation?
No. The technical driver described is compact and lightweight PV for practical field power in defense-relevant scenarios rather than rooftop or utility-scale generation.
9) What kinds of Army applications are highlighted for the PV technology?
Examples include charging batteries during daylight for small autonomous systems, extending runtimes for unattended ground sensors and surveillance cameras, and supporting Soldier-related systems and very small robotic or micro-autonomous platforms.
10) What form-factor characteristics does the Army expect from proposed PV hardware?
The PV hardware is expected to be conformable (able to fit curved or irregular surfaces), lightweight, and low volume, with an envisioned integration into outer surfaces of small systems as "smart skins" that generate power while serving as part of the platform structure.
11) Are multi-junction or tandem PV device concepts allowed?
Yes. The notice indicates that proposed PV approaches can include multi-color tandem (multi-junction) devices if they help reach the efficiency goals while remaining compatible with compact, flexible, and low-mass constraints.
12) What size and weight-related performance targets are mentioned?
The Army describes an ambitious target for very lightweight PV panels around 2000 cm2 in area with extremely high power per unit area and per unit weight.
13) What prototype demonstration is expected by the end of the award?
By the end of the award, the performer is expected to deliver a small, high-efficiency PV array that produces about 1 watt under one sun conditions.
14) Is scalability beyond the prototype required?
Yes. While the end-of-effort prototype output can be modest, the performer must demonstrate a credible path to scalability at 100 watts or more, including a clear scale-up path for materials, manufacturing approach, and device architecture.
15) What types of technology pathways are in scope?
The scope is broad and allows multiple pathways. Example directions called out include: advanced high-efficiency PV devices for unattended sensors, Soldier systems, and very small autonomous systems; highly integrated materials and device structures that reduce weight and volume; very high power and energy density solutions appropriate for tiny platforms; higher efficiency cells integrated with flexible electronics and displays; rigid crystalline silicon PV cells for anticipated future sensors, taggants, and micro autonomous systems; and lower-cost thin film PV approaches that still offer high efficiencies and reduced area requirements.
16) Which BAA does this opportunity reference?
White papers were to be tied to ARL/ARO Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W911NF 07 R 0001 03, which was active from October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2011.
17) Which topic area(s) should applicants align to within the BAA?
The notice specifies alignment with topic area 2.48 (Directed Energy, paragraph 7 Photovoltaic Power Sources) and/or 2.52 (Infrared Detectors and Power Sources).
18) What was the white paper submission deadline?
The white paper deadline was June 1, 2009.
19) How were white papers submitted and to whom?
White papers were submitted by email to Parvez Uppal at Puppal@arl.army.mil.
20) Was there a required email subject line for submissions?
Yes. The subject line was to be "RECOVERY - ARL PHOTOVOLTAICS."
21) When did the government expect to provide feedback or next steps after white paper review?
The government planned to evaluate white papers and provide written feedback and/or invitations to submit full proposals around June 15, 2009.
22) What was the official closing date or expiration date for the notice?
The special notice was set to expire June 30, 2009 at 12:00 PM Eastern. The listing shows the closing date as June 30, 2009 and an archive date of July 30, 2009.
23) How much total funding was expected for this opportunity?
Funding was expected to total about $3,000,000.
24) How many awards did the agency anticipate making and at what sizes?
The agency anticipated either two awards of $1,500,000 each or one award of $3,000,000.
25) What funding instrument types were allowed?
The opportunity was labeled as "Other" and allowed multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts.
26) What contract or assistance pricing structure was anticipated?
Awards were anticipated to be either firm fixed price contracts or cost-reimbursable assistance instruments with no profit/fee.
27) Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted (open).
28) Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The notice states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement.
29) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 12.431 (Basic Scientific Research).
30) Does the opportunity emphasize basic research only, or does it expect deliverables?
While the CFDA aligns with basic scientific research, the notice also clearly emphasizes demonstrable prototypes and a realistic scale-up path (including the end-of-effort ~1 watt array and the credible path to 100 watts or more).
31) What special administrative requirements apply because this is ARRA (Recovery Act) funded?
The notice emphasizes heightened transparency and accountability. It states that Recovery Act funds cannot be co-mingled with other agency funding and that no additional funds will be available to supplement the ARRA amount, so projects must be scoped to succeed within the fixed Recovery Act funding profile.
32) What FAR-related Recovery Act implementation is referenced?
The notice points to Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-032 (issued March 31, 2009), which amended the FAR to implement ARRA-related clauses and requirements. Examples mentioned include Buy American provisions, whistleblower protections, publicizing contract actions, mandatory reporting, and expanded access for GAO and Inspectors General.
33) Are there responsibility or qualification requirements mentioned for contractors?
Yes. The notice states that contractors must meet certain responsibility/qualification requirements, referencing FAR 52.209-5 and DFARS 252.209-7001 and 252.209-7002.
34) What regulation is highlighted for financial assistance awards under ARRA?
For assistance instruments, the notice highlights compliance with 2 CFR Part 176, which implements ARRA requirements related to reporting, Buy American-type requirements, and related accountability measures for financial assistance awards.
35) Who is the technical point of contact for white paper content?
The technical white paper point of contact is Parvez Uppal (Puppal@arl.army.mil).
36) Who should be contacted for award process questions?
Award process questions were directed to Julia Wertley Rotenberry at julia.wertleyrotenberry@us.army.mil.
37) Who should be contacted for access issues with the full announcement?
Access issues for the full announcement were directed to Ernest Dixon (ernie.dixon@us.army.mil, 919-549-4270).
38) What is the simplest way to summarize what ARL wanted to buy or support?
The opportunity is best read as an ARRA-funded push to advance next-generation, high-efficiency PV materials and devices specifically optimized for lightweight, conformal, small-platform Army use cases, with a clear expectation of a prototype demonstration and a realistic scale-up path.
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