ROA 2008 B.3 Integrated Intelligent Flight Deck Technologies (IIFDT) | Apply Online

FAQs: ROA 2008 B.3 Integrated Intelligent Flight Deck Technologies (IIFDT)

What is the ROA 2008 B.3 Integrated Intelligent Flight Deck Technologies (IIFDT) opportunity?

IIFDT is a specific program element under NASA Headquarters' broader NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled Research Opportunities in Aeronautics (ROA), solicitation number NNH08ZEA001N. It supports early-stage aeronautics research, specifically work connected to advanced flight deck concepts, human-system integration, and intelligent cockpit technologies intended to improve safety and operational performance in current and future air transportation.

Is IIFDT a standalone solicitation or part of a larger NASA announcement?

IIFDT is part of the broader ROA NRA (NNH08ZEA001N). NASA expects applicants to submit to the most relevant program element described in the NRA appendices, rather than treating the umbrella NRA as a single, generic submission target.

What is the main purpose of the overall ROA NRA?

The overall ROA NRA is designed to fund foundational, early-stage aeronautics research that supports NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD). It functions as a broad agency announcement for scientific and technical approaches (not a procurement for a specific end product).

Which major ARMD programs does the ROA NRA align to?

The ROA NRA invites proposals aligned to four major ARMD programs:

• Airspace Systems Program (air traffic management needs tied to the NextGen vision)
• Aviation Safety Program (proactively reducing safety risks for current and emerging vehicle concepts)
• Fundamental Aeronautics Program (longer-horizon research across flight regimes to produce broadly applicable knowledge and tools)
• Aeronautics Test Program (capabilities for facilities, platforms, and instrumentation for national aeronautics testing demands)

What kinds of topics are relevant to IIFDT?

Based on the description provided, IIFDT is intended for research related to advanced flight deck concepts, human-system integration, and intelligent cockpit technologies that can improve safety and operational performance.

How do applicants know where IIFDT fits within NASA's program structure?

NASA indicates that proposals are expected to fit within the relevant program structure and technical goals defined in the NRA appendices for the applicable program element. The appendices are also where NASA lists element-specific due dates, evaluation criteria, and points of contact.

What is the solicitation number for this opportunity?

The umbrella solicitation number is NNH08ZEA001N (Research Opportunities in Aeronautics - ROA). IIFDT is one of the program elements posted under that umbrella.

What were the key dates listed for this posting?

The opportunity was listed with a posted date of April 1, 2008, a closing date of July 2, 2008 (original and current), and an archive date of August 3, 2008.

What type of funding opportunity is this categorized as?

It is categorized as discretionary research and development (science and technology and other R and D).

What award instruments might NASA use for selected proposals?

NASA indicated it could use multiple award instruments depending on what is selected, including grants, cooperative agreements, other transaction-like mechanisms where applicable, or procurement contracts.

Can an applicant choose the award instrument (grant vs. cooperative agreement vs. contract)?

NASA explicitly reserved the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for each selected proposal, regardless of whether the opportunity also appeared on FedBizOpps or Grants.gov.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broadly open to educational institutions, industry, and nonprofit organizations. The stated exceptions are government organizations and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), which are excluded from participation as described.

Are government organizations or FFRDCs allowed to participate?

The information provided states that, with exceptions for government organizations and FFRDCs, participation is open to other types of organizations. In other words, government organizations and FFRDCs are listed as exceptions to the broad eligibility.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The listing indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement. Proposers generally do not have to commit non-federal funds as a condition of eligibility, though budgets must still be reasonable, justified, and consistent with NASA rules and the chosen instrument.

How can proposals be submitted?

Submission is electronic and can be done through NASA's NSPIRES system or through Grants.gov.

Can the principal investigator submit the proposal directly?

The proposal must be officially submitted by an authorized organizational representative, not only by the principal investigator.

What registrations are required before submission?

Organizations intending to apply must register in NSPIRES and designate their authorized representative(s). Investigators and other participants must also meet the registration requirements of the electronic submission system they use (NSPIRES or Grants.gov). NASA strongly encouraged registering and becoming familiar with the systems early.

Why does NASA recommend registering early in NSPIRES or Grants.gov?

Because proposal submission typically depends on having organizational and individual accounts in place, along with required representations and certifications. Delays in registration can prevent on-time submission.

How do applicants find the correct application package on Grants.gov?

NASA directed applicants to use Grants.gov Advanced Search and search by the broader opportunity number NNH08ZEA001N followed by a wildcard. This returns the list of posted program elements under the umbrella solicitation.

Do program elements under the umbrella solicitation have separate application packages?

Yes. Each program element has its own associated funding number and application package, and applicants need to download and apply under the specific element aligned to their proposed work (here, IIFDT).

Where are due dates, evaluation criteria, and points of contact found?

NASA stated that due dates, evaluation criteria, and points of contact are listed for each program element in the NRA appendices and in the summary information for each element.

Who should be contacted for general procedural questions about the ROA NRA?

General procedural questions were directed to Jay Dryer, Senior Technical Advisor at NASA Headquarters ARMD, via NASA_roa@nasa.gov.

Who should be contacted for technical questions about IIFDT?

Technical questions were typically handled through the program officers identified in the summary information for each program element.

What does it mean that this solicitation is a broad agency announcement (BAA)?

NASA framed the solicitation as a broad agency announcement under FAR 35.016 and NASA FAR Supplement (NFS) 1835.016. This signals NASA is seeking scientific and technical approaches rather than buying a specific end product, and that selection is driven by the merit and applicability of the proposed research.

How does the BAA context affect what NASA is looking for in IIFDT proposals?

NASA indicated it was looking for strong research ideas, credible technical plans, and clear relevance to ARMD goals, with evaluation and award decisions shaped by the merit and applicability of the proposed research to integrated, intelligent flight deck technology needs.

Does it matter whether the opportunity appears on FedBizOpps or Grants.gov?

NASA noted it reserved the right to determine the appropriate award instrument for each selected proposal regardless of whether the opportunity also appeared on FedBizOpps or Grants.gov, reflecting the flexibility typical of a broad agency announcement framework.