Opportunity Information: Apply for 12 SN 0016
Apply for 12 SN 0016
- The Office of Naval Research in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research Opportunity Ultra Light Weight Armor Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.300 Basic and Applied Scientific Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 6, 2012 and posted on Aug 6, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 5, 2012 Refer to application instructions for white paper due dates. White papers are due no later than 1400 hours EST, 15 AUG 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 99 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) For profit organizations other than small businesses Private institutions of higher education.
- All responsible sources from academia and industry may submit proposals under this BAA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals. However, no portion of this BAA will be set aside for HBCU and MI participation. Federally Funded Research Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal bidders are allowed so long as they are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC. Navy laboratories and warfare centers as well as other Department of Defense and civilian agency laboratories are also not eligible to receive awards under this BAA and should not directly submit either white papers or full proposals in response to this BAA. If any such organization is interested in one or more of the programs described herein, the organization should contact an appropriate ONR POC to discuss its area of interest. The various scientific divisions of ONR are identified at http://www.onr.navy.mil/. As with FFRDCs, these types of federal organizations may team with other responsible sources from academia and industry that are submitting proposals under this BAA. Teams are also encouraged and may submit proposals in any and all areas. However, Offerors must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data and other information in an integrated program with other contractors, as well as with system integrators, selected by ONR.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) issued this grant opportunity, titled "Research Opportunity Ultra Light Weight Armor Systems" (Funding Opportunity Number 12 SN 0016), to find organizations that can propose genuinely new concepts for ultra light weight armor. The core goal is to push beyond conventional approaches and identify armor system ideas that can stop high-threat small-arms projectiles while reducing overall weight, which is a persistent challenge for both personnel protection and platform survivability. ONR frames this as a science and technology research effort rather than a product buy, with an emphasis on inventive materials, architectures, and system-level concepts that could change the weight-to-protection trade space.
The technical scope is organized around two related research areas. The first area seeks lightweight novel armor solutions capable of defeating .30 caliber ball rounds at muzzle velocity. The second area targets a harder threat: lightweight novel armor solutions capable of defeating .30 caliber armor-piercing (AP) rounds at muzzle velocity. In both cases, ONR is explicitly looking for concepts that achieve the required ballistic defeat at the high end of threat velocity (muzzle velocity), which typically drives design choices around energy absorption, projectile blunting or erosion, multi-layer constructions, and other mechanisms that can manage penetration without relying on heavy areal density. While the notice does not prescribe specific materials or configurations, the wording "novel concepts" signals interest in approaches that are not just incremental refinements of existing armor stacks.
From a funding and award standpoint, this is a discretionary opportunity under the category of science, technology, and other research and development, aligned with CFDA 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research). ONR indicates it may use multiple funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts, depending on the nature of the proposed work and the level of government involvement anticipated. The notice lists an expected number of awards of 99, suggesting ONR may be casting a wide net for white papers and proposals or making numerous smaller research awards rather than a single large program. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated.
The timeline emphasizes an early white paper gate. The opportunity was posted and created on August 6, 2012. White papers were due no later than 1400 hours Eastern Time on August 15, 2012, with full proposal timing and other submission details directed to the application instructions. The original and current closing date for the opportunity is October 5, 2012, and the archive date is November 4, 2012, meaning the solicitation is no longer active, but the content remains useful as a reference for ONR interests and past program direction.
Eligibility is broad across academia and industry. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), nonprofits that do not have 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The announcement states that all responsible sources from academia and industry may submit proposals under the BAA, and it explicitly encourages Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) to apply or team, although it clarifies that no portion of the opportunity is set aside specifically for them.
At the same time, ONR draws clear boundaries around certain federal entities. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards directly under this BAA, but they may participate through teaming arrangements with an eligible prime offeror if consistent with their sponsoring agreements. Similarly, Navy laboratories and warfare centers, as well as other Department of Defense and civilian agency laboratories, are not eligible to submit white papers or full proposals directly. Those organizations are instructed to contact an ONR point of contact to discuss relevant interests, and they may also participate through teaming with eligible academic or industry performers. ONR also notes that teaming is encouraged and that offerors should be prepared to collaborate in an integrated program environment, including cooperating and exchanging software, data, and other information with other contractors and system integrators selected by ONR, which signals an expectation of coordination and shared technical interchange rather than isolated, standalone efforts.
For applicants seeking the full announcement and related Broad Agency Announcements, ONR provides an additional information link directing readers to the broader ONR BAA resources. The listed point of contact for access issues is Joe Cloft at the Office of Naval Research, reachable at 703-696-0989 or joseph.cloft@navy.mil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title and funding opportunity number for this ONR grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Research Opportunity Ultra Light Weight Armor Systems" and the Funding Opportunity Number is 12 SN 0016.
Who issued this funding opportunity?
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) issued this grant opportunity.
What is ONR trying to achieve with this opportunity?
ONR is looking for organizations that can propose genuinely new concepts for ultra light weight armor. The core goal is to push beyond conventional approaches and identify armor system ideas that can stop high-threat small-arms projectiles while reducing overall weight, improving protection for personnel and survivability for platforms.
Is this opportunity focused on research or on buying a finished product?
This is framed as a science and technology research effort rather than a product purchase. The emphasis is on inventive materials, architectures, and system-level concepts that can change the weight-to-protection trade space.
What are the main technical research areas described in the notice?
The scope is organized around two related research areas: (1) lightweight novel armor solutions capable of defeating .30 caliber ball rounds at muzzle velocity, and (2) lightweight novel armor solutions capable of defeating .30 caliber armor-piercing (AP) rounds at muzzle velocity.
What specific ballistic threats are referenced?
The notice references two threats: .30 caliber ball rounds and .30 caliber armor-piercing (AP) rounds. In both cases, the required performance is tied to defeating the projectile at muzzle velocity.
What does "at muzzle velocity" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the notice language, ONR is emphasizing the high end of threat velocity (muzzle velocity). This requirement typically drives armor design toward mechanisms that can manage penetration and energy at very high impact speeds.
Does ONR specify required materials or a particular armor stack design?
No. The notice does not prescribe specific materials or configurations. It highlights "novel concepts," indicating interest in approaches that are more than incremental refinements of existing armor solutions.
What kinds of mechanisms or approaches does ONR imply could be relevant?
The notice suggests that achieving ballistic defeat at muzzle velocity can drive design choices such as energy absorption, projectile blunting or erosion, multi-layer constructions, and other mechanisms that manage penetration without relying on heavy areal density.
What is the program category or general funding type?
This is described as a discretionary opportunity in the category of science, technology, and other research and development.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is aligned with CFDA 12.300 (Basic and Applied Scientific Research).
What award instruments might ONR use?
ONR indicates it may use multiple funding instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, and procurement contracts. The instrument used may depend on the nature of the proposed work and the level of government involvement anticipated.
How many awards does ONR expect to make?
The notice lists an expected number of awards of 99. This suggests ONR may be casting a wide net for white papers and proposals or making numerous smaller research awards rather than a single large program.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.
What are the key dates for this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted and created on August 6, 2012. White papers were due no later than 1400 hours Eastern Time on August 15, 2012. The closing date (original and current) is October 5, 2012. The archive date is November 4, 2012.
Is the solicitation still active?
No. The archive date is November 4, 2012, and the stated closing date is October 5, 2012, which indicates the solicitation is no longer active. The content may still be useful as a reference for ONR interests and past program direction.
Is a white paper required?
The timeline emphasizes an early white paper gate, with white papers due by 1400 hours Eastern Time on August 15, 2012. Full proposal timing and submission details are directed to the application instructions referenced by the notice.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad across academia and industry. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations (including small businesses and other for-profits), nonprofits that do not have 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).
Does ONR encourage any specific types of institutions to participate?
Yes. The announcement explicitly encourages Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) to apply or team. It also clarifies that no portion of the opportunity is set aside specifically for them.
Can Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) apply as the prime awardee?
No. FFRDCs, including Department of Energy national laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards directly under this BAA. They may participate through teaming arrangements with an eligible prime offeror if consistent with their sponsoring agreements.
Can Navy laboratories and warfare centers submit white papers or proposals directly?
No. Navy laboratories and warfare centers, as well as other Department of Defense and civilian agency laboratories, are not eligible to submit white papers or full proposals directly under this opportunity.
If a government laboratory cannot apply directly, can it still participate?
Yes. The notice indicates those organizations may participate through teaming with eligible academic or industry performers. It also instructs them to contact an ONR point of contact to discuss relevant interests.
Is teaming allowed or encouraged?
Yes. Teaming is encouraged. Offerors are expected to be prepared to collaborate in an integrated program environment.
What does ONR mean by an "integrated program environment"?
Based on the notice, it means ONR expects coordination and technical interchange among performers. Offerors should be prepared to cooperate and exchange software, data, and other information with other contractors and system integrators selected by ONR, rather than operating as isolated standalone efforts.
Where can applicants find additional ONR BAA information?
ONR provides an additional information link directing readers to broader ONR BAA resources (as referenced in the notice).
Who is the point of contact for access issues related to the announcement?
The listed point of contact is Joe Cloft at the Office of Naval Research. Phone: 703-696-0989. Email: joseph.cloft@navy.mil.
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