ROA 2010 D.2 Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project (ERA1) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NASA ROA 2010 D.2 (ERA1) - Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project

1) What is ROA 2010 D.2 (ERA1)?

ROA 2010 D.2, titled the Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project (ERA1), is a NASA Headquarters funding opportunity issued under the broader solicitation NNH10ZEA001N, "Research Opportunities in Aeronautics" (ROA). It was intended to support foundational and system-level aeronautics research aligned with NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) priorities.

2) Is ERA1 a standalone solicitation or part of a larger NASA solicitation?

ERA1 is presented as a specific listing, but it sits within a wider NASA Research Announcement (NRA) framework under NNH10ZEA001N. The umbrella NRA sets overall rules and structure, while program elements and specific details are described in appendices to the NRA.

3) What kinds of research were sought under this opportunity?

The solicitation sought fundamental research proposals spanning foundational and system-level aeronautics research. The content was organized around five major ARMD programs, each covering different parts of the aviation ecosystem.

4) Which ARMD programs were included in the solicitation?

The opportunity referenced five major ARMD programs: the Airspace Systems Program, the Aviation Safety Program, the Fundamental Aeronautics Program, the Integrated Systems Research Program, and the Aeronautics Test Program.

5) What is the focus of the Airspace Systems Program under this NRA?

The Airspace Systems Program focuses on air traffic management research needed for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), as defined by the Joint Planning and Development Office. The intent is to improve how aircraft are managed and routed in increasingly complex airspace.

6) What is the focus of the Aviation Safety Program?

The Aviation Safety Program emphasizes proactive safety research for both emerging and existing aircraft operating in current and future national air transportation environments.

7) What is the focus of the Fundamental Aeronautics Program?

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program supports longer-range, cutting-edge work across all flight regimes. It aims to generate data, new knowledge, and improved design tools applicable to many types of vehicles and operating speeds.

8) What is the focus of the Integrated Systems Research Program?

The Integrated Systems Research Program concentrates on maturing and demonstrating promising concepts at a system level. This includes assessments and demonstrations in environments that reflect real operational conditions.

9) What is the focus of the Aeronautics Test Program?

The Aeronautics Test Program supports test infrastructure by prioritizing the health and availability of facilities and platforms. It also advances test instrumentation and test technologies to ensure aeronautics concepts can be validated with credible experimental evidence.

10) How were applicants expected to choose where to submit their proposal?

Applicants were required to submit proposals to the most relevant program element. The appendices and the accompanying "Summary of Key Information" for each element provided the specific research topics, due dates, evaluation criteria, and points of contact needed to determine the best fit.

11) Where can applicants find topic-specific requirements and deadlines?

Topic-specific information (including research topics, due dates, evaluation criteria, and points of contact) was provided in the NRA appendices and in the "Summary of Key Information" associated with each program element.

12) Could the solicitation details change after the initial posting?

Yes. NASA indicated that additional detail would become available as topic areas were released, meaning proposers needed to track updates to ensure their submissions aligned with the most current guidance.

13) How were proposals required to be submitted?

Proposals were required to be submitted electronically through NASA's NSPIRES system or via Grants.gov.

14) Who was required to submit the proposal on behalf of an organization?

Submission had to be completed by an authorized organizational representative, not only by the principal investigator.

15) What registration steps were required before submission?

Organizations intending to apply needed to register in NSPIRES and identify their authorized representatives. Individual investigators and team members also faced registration requirements, depending on whether NSPIRES or Grants.gov was used for submission.

16) Did NASA provide any advice about timing for registration and submission?

Yes. NASA explicitly encouraged applicants to begin system registration and data entry well ahead of deadlines to reduce the risk of last-minute technical or compliance issues.

17) Who was eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligibility was broadly open across organization types, including universities, industry, and nonprofit organizations, with specific exclusions noted for government organizations and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) as stated in the announcement text.

18) Were government organizations eligible to apply?

The announcement text noted exclusions for government organizations. Applicants were expected to follow the eligibility limitations as stated in the posting.

19) Were Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) eligible to apply?

The announcement text noted exclusions for FFRDCs, as stated in the opportunity description.

20) What type of funding instrument was associated with this opportunity?

The funding instrument type associated with this opportunity was a cooperative agreement.

21) What does it mean that the award instrument is a cooperative agreement?

In this opportunity, a cooperative agreement reflects NASA's expectation of meaningful involvement during performance rather than a purely hands-off grant relationship.

22) Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement was indicated in the information provided.

23) What were the key dates for this opportunity?

The posting listed a posted date of June 10, 2010, an original closing date of July 15, 2010, and an updated closing date of July 23, 2010. The opportunity was archived on August 14, 2010.

24) Did the closing date change after the opportunity was posted?

Yes. The original closing date was July 15, 2010, and it was updated to July 23, 2010.

25) Under what procurement or solicitation category was this opportunity issued?

The announcement identified the solicitation as a broad agency announcement consistent with FAR 35.016 and the NASA FAR Supplement 1835.016.

26) Could NASA choose a different award instrument than the one listed?

Yes. The announcement referenced NASA's authority to choose the appropriate award instrument for selected proposals.

27) Who should applicants contact for policy and procedural questions?

For policy and procedural questions, the announcement pointed to Tony Strazisar at NASA Headquarters via NASA_roa@nasa.gov.

28) Who were the program-related contacts named in the posting?

The posting listed program-side contacts associated with accessing or managing the announcement, including Project Manager Fay Collier, Chief Engineer Mark Mangelsdorf, and NRA Manager Sherri Yokum.

29) What role did the appendices play in the overall NRA?

The high-level announcement established the umbrella solicitation and overall rules of engagement, while the appendices served as the practical guide describing program elements, specific research topics, evaluation criteria, due dates, and points of contact.

30) What was the overall purpose of the broader NNH10ZEA001N "Research Opportunities in Aeronautics" (ROA) solicitation?

The broader ROA solicitation was designed to fund foundational and system-level aeronautics research supporting ARMD, organized by program elements aligned to ARMD priorities.