Opportunity Information: Apply for BAA VS 07 03 0024
Apply for BAA VS 07 03 0024
- The Air Force Research Lab in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Ultra high Efficiency and Lightweight Thin Film Photovoltaic Electricity for Portable, On Demand Power for Defense Applications" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 22, 2010 and posted on Sep 22, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 21, 2010 430 p.m. MDT. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $8,200,000.00 in funding.
- 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 opportunity is a proposal call (Call 0024) issued under the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate five-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA VS 07-03), specifically within Topic Area 3, Advanced Space Power. The Air Force is looking for research and development that can substantially improve photovoltaic power sources for defense needs, with an emphasis on portable, on-demand electricity and power solutions that also translate to space and near-space environments. The work is managed out of Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, with David Wilt listed as the technical point of contact and Sally Walton and Dustin James serving as contracting contacts.
Technically, the call is centered on two complementary thrusts. The first thrust is "next generation" ultra-high-efficiency solar cells that use nanostructured materials and third-generation photovoltaic concepts, specifically including quantum dots, quantum wells, and carbon nanotubes. A key constraint is that these concepts should not be based on conventional multijunction device processes. The Air Force is aiming for an initial demonstration of about 15 percent efficiency under AM0 illumination (the solar spectrum and intensity used for space-rated solar cells), while also requiring a credible development roadmap that shows feasibility of reaching about 30 percent in the near term and about 40 percent in the far term. The second thrust is lightweight, low-cost, flexible thin-film photovoltaics built on flexible substrates to maximize specific power (watts per kilogram). Examples of thin-film technologies of interest include CIGS, Ag-CIGS, and CZTS, and the call highlights development of multijunction thin-film devices with AM0 efficiencies around 15 percent in the near term and about 20 percent in the mid term.
The program is structured as a phased effort that moves from fundamentals to prototypes and then toward manufacturing realism and qualification-like testing. In the Basic phase (planned as 12 months), performers are expected to do fundamental improvements in device efficiency across multiple material systems and device categories, investigate processing approaches and how processing parameters affect material properties and electrical performance, and demonstrate initial device efficiency targets (15 percent AM0 for both the next-generation and thin-film tracks). For thin films, AFRL specifically wants work on lightweight, flexible substrates and expects environmental and mechanical requirements appropriate for space and near-space use, with testing guided by AIAA S-111-2005 and AIAA S-112-2005 standards. Across the thin-film manufacturing effort, the call also pushes for non-destructive, non-invasive characterization methods that can be used for real-time process monitoring, because AFRL is explicitly tying progress to improved quality and reliability during fabrication. Proposals are also expected to lay out performance validation testing that supports down-selection decisions on materials and device architectures.
Option 1 (another 12 months, if exercised) is framed as a refinement and down-selection step. The intent is to choose the most promising materials and fabrication approaches identified during the Basic phase, then demonstrate reduced-size, monolithically integrated modules and show credible manufacturing feasibility, with prototype devices evaluated under simulated space environments. For the next-generation nanostructured concepts, Option 1 emphasizes selecting the best-performing quantum dot, quantum well, and carbon nanotube-based material systems, assessing environmental tolerances such as radiation degradation and reliability, and fabricating prototypes with substantially improved efficiency (the text indicates a 25 percent target for prototypes, along with a path to still higher efficiencies). For thin films, Option 1 focuses on improving device performance based on the down-selected technology set, optimizing material properties tied to fabrication, and producing higher-performing prototype cells under AM0 conditions.
Option 2 (a further 12 months, if exercised) moves from prototype refinement into stronger confidence-building through test and manufacturing maturation. The purpose is to optimize the Option 1 devices and subject them to testing intended to build confidence that the technology could pass AIAA S-111 and S-112 style qualification testing. For the next-generation devices, AFRL wants process optimization that supports large-scale manufacturing feasibility and more detailed analysis of process-structure-property-performance relationships, followed by prototype fabrication and testing in simulated space environments against the program efficiency goals. For thin-film modules, Option 2 stresses electrical performance improvements plus monolithic integration at the module level, and it explicitly calls for developing a roll-to-roll manufacturing process with at least a 12-inch web width. The government is looking for evidence that manufacturability, environmental stability, and reliability have been addressed in a practical, scalable way rather than only in small-lab demonstrations.
From a funding and schedule standpoint, the anticipated total funding available for this call (across all awards, not per award) was estimated at $2.7M in FY10, $2.5M in FY11, and $3.0M in FY12, with an overall ceiling referenced in the opportunity data of $8.2M. The expected period of performance for individual awards was 12 to 36 months, aligning with the Basic phase plus up to two 12-month options. Proposals were due by 4:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on October 21, 2010, and the Air Force anticipated awards no later than November 30, 2010, while noting that it could make multiple awards or no award at all.
Administratively, AFRL reserved flexibility in award instruments, meaning the government could choose FAR-based procurement contracts (commonly cost-plus-fixed-fee completion-type for this BAA), grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) for research or prototype efforts, depending on what best fits the proposed work. Deliverables were expected to match the R&D nature of the effort and could include data and prototypes, but the call clearly requires monthly technical and financial status reports and a final technical report consistent with AFRL scientific and technical information guidance (AFRLI 61-204). The effort was unclassified, but it carried significant export control and ITAR sensitivity: offerors were expected to be properly certified through the Defense Logistics Information Service Joint Certification Program (DD Form 2345), and proposals needed to explain how ITAR/export control restrictions would be handled throughout development, manufacturing, and eventual marketing strategies. The announcement also notes that Aerospace Corporation, as a support contractor to the relevant AFRL office, was prohibited from proposing due to organizational conflict of interest concerns.
In practical terms, AFRL was using this call to push two outcomes at once: breakthrough efficiency potential through nanostructured, third-generation photovoltaic concepts, and fieldable lightweight power through flexible thin-film devices and manufacturable module integration. Successful proposals would need to show a credible technical path from lab concepts to prototype devices, then to monolithically integrated modules and scalable processing (including real-time process monitoring and roll-to-roll methods), all while demonstrating survivability and stability in space-like environments and keeping the focus on AM0 performance metrics that matter for defense space and near-space power use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is a proposal call (Call 0024) issued under the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate five-year Broad Agency Announcement (BAA VS 07-03). It sits within Topic Area 3, Advanced Space Power, and seeks research and development that can substantially improve photovoltaic power sources for defense needs, with relevance to space and near-space environments.
Who is issuing and managing the call?
The call is issued by AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate and managed out of Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
Who are the points of contact listed for this call?
David Wilt is listed as the technical point of contact. Sally Walton and Dustin James are listed as contracting contacts.
What problem area or mission need is driving this call?
AFRL is looking for photovoltaic advances that support defense needs, emphasizing portable, on-demand electricity and power solutions that also translate to space and near-space environments. The focus is on AM0 performance and survivability/reliability in space-like conditions.
What are the main technical thrusts in this call?
The call is centered on two complementary thrusts: (1) next-generation ultra-high-efficiency solar cells using nanostructured materials and third-generation photovoltaic concepts, and (2) lightweight, low-cost, flexible thin-film photovoltaics on flexible substrates to maximize specific power (watts per kilogram).
What concepts are included in the "next generation" nanostructured thrust?
The next-generation thrust explicitly includes quantum dots, quantum wells, and carbon nanotubes as part of nanostructured and third-generation photovoltaic concepts.
Are conventional multijunction processes allowed for the next-generation thrust?
No. A key constraint stated in the call is that the next-generation concepts should not be based on conventional multijunction device processes.
What efficiency must be demonstrated initially for the next-generation concepts?
The call targets an initial demonstration of about 15 percent efficiency under AM0 illumination for next-generation concepts.
What longer-term efficiency roadmap is expected for next-generation concepts?
Proposals are expected to provide a credible development roadmap showing feasibility of reaching about 30 percent efficiency in the near term and about 40 percent in the far term (still under the AM0 context used for space-rated solar cells).
What technologies are of interest for the thin-film thrust?
Examples called out include CIGS, Ag-CIGS, and CZTS. The call also highlights interest in multijunction thin-film devices.
What efficiency targets apply to thin-film photovoltaics?
The call highlights multijunction thin-film devices with AM0 efficiencies around 15 percent in the near term and about 20 percent in the mid term. In the Basic phase, an initial 15 percent AM0 demonstration is expected for the thin-film track as well.
Why is AM0 emphasized in this call?
AM0 is the solar spectrum and intensity commonly used for space-rated solar cells. The call repeatedly ties performance goals and reporting to AM0, reflecting the space and near-space use cases.
How is the program structured?
The effort is structured as a phased program: a 12-month Basic phase followed by up to two 12-month options (Option 1 and Option 2). The phases progress from fundamentals, to prototype devices/modules, then toward manufacturing realism and qualification-like testing.
How long is the Basic phase and what is expected during it?
The Basic phase is planned as 12 months. It calls for fundamental improvements in device efficiency across multiple material systems and device categories, investigation of processing approaches (including how processing parameters affect material properties and electrical performance), and demonstration of initial device efficiency targets of about 15 percent AM0 for both the next-generation and thin-film tracks.
What thin-film substrate and application requirements are mentioned for the Basic phase?
For thin films, AFRL specifically wants lightweight, flexible substrates and expects environmental and mechanical requirements appropriate for space and near-space use.
What standards are referenced for thin-film environmental and mechanical testing?
Testing guidance is tied to AIAA S-111-2005 and AIAA S-112-2005.
What manufacturing-related capabilities are emphasized for thin films?
The call pushes for non-destructive, non-invasive characterization methods suitable for real-time process monitoring, linking progress to improved quality and reliability during fabrication.
What is meant by down-selection, and when does it occur?
Down-selection refers to choosing the most promising materials, device architectures, and fabrication approaches based on performance validation testing. The call frames Option 1 as the refinement and down-selection step, building on results from the Basic phase.
What happens in Option 1 and how long does it last?
Option 1 is another 12 months if exercised. It focuses on refining and down-selecting to the most promising materials and fabrication approaches, demonstrating reduced-size monolithically integrated modules, showing credible manufacturing feasibility, and evaluating prototype devices under simulated space environments.
What are the Option 1 expectations for nanostructured next-generation concepts?
Option 1 emphasizes selecting the best-performing quantum dot, quantum well, and carbon nanotube-based material systems; assessing environmental tolerances such as radiation degradation and reliability; and fabricating prototypes with substantially improved efficiency. The text indicates a 25 percent prototype target along with a path to higher efficiencies.
What are the Option 1 expectations for thin films?
Option 1 focuses on improving device performance based on the down-selected technology set, optimizing material properties tied to fabrication, and producing higher-performing prototype cells under AM0 conditions.
What happens in Option 2 and how long does it last?
Option 2 is a further 12 months if exercised. It aims to optimize Option 1 devices and increase confidence through testing and manufacturing maturation, with testing intended to build confidence that the technology could pass AIAA S-111 and S-112 style qualification testing.
What are the Option 2 expectations for next-generation devices?
Option 2 calls for process optimization supporting large-scale manufacturing feasibility, deeper analysis of process-structure-property-performance relationships, and prototype fabrication and testing in simulated space environments against the program efficiency goals.
What are the Option 2 expectations for thin-film modules?
Option 2 stresses electrical performance improvements, monolithic integration at the module level, and development of a roll-to-roll manufacturing process with at least a 12-inch web width.
What is the target period of performance for awards under this call?
The expected period of performance for individual awards is 12 to 36 months, aligning with the 12-month Basic phase plus up to two 12-month options.
How much funding is anticipated for this call?
The anticipated total funding available for the call (across all awards, not per award) was estimated at $2.7M in FY10, $2.5M in FY11, and $3.0M in FY12. The opportunity data references an overall ceiling of $8.2M.
Is the funding amount listed per award?
No. The amounts provided are described as totals across all awards under the call, not a guaranteed amount for any single award.
Can AFRL make multiple awards or choose to make no award?
Yes. The call states AFRL could make multiple awards or no award at all.
What award instruments might AFRL use?
AFRL reserved flexibility in award instruments. The government could use FAR-based procurement contracts (commonly cost-plus-fixed-fee completion-type for this BAA), grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transactions (OTs) for research or prototype efforts, depending on what best fits the proposed work.
What deliverables and reporting are required?
Deliverables are expected to match the R&D nature of the effort and can include data and prototypes. The call explicitly requires monthly technical and financial status reports and a final technical report consistent with AFRL scientific and technical information guidance (AFRLI 61-204).
Is the work classified?
The effort is described as unclassified.
Are export control and ITAR considerations important for this opportunity?
Yes. The call notes significant export control and ITAR sensitivity. Offerors are expected to be properly certified through the Defense Logistics Information Service Joint Certification Program (DD Form 2345), and proposals need to explain how ITAR/export control restrictions will be handled during development, manufacturing, and eventual marketing strategies.
Are there any restrictions on who may propose?
The announcement notes that Aerospace Corporation, as a support contractor to the relevant AFRL office, is prohibited from proposing due to organizational conflict of interest concerns.
Where is the work managed from?
The work is managed out of Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
What are the proposal due date and time listed in the call?
Proposals were due by 4:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on October 21, 2010.
What award timing did AFRL anticipate?
AFRL anticipated awards no later than November 30, 2010.
What makes a proposal responsive to the intent of the call?
Based on the call description, a responsive proposal would show a credible technical path from lab concepts to prototype devices, then to monolithically integrated modules and scalable processing. It would also emphasize AM0 performance metrics, space/near-space survivability and stability, manufacturability (including real-time process monitoring), and practical approaches to reliability and environmental tolerance in simulated space environments.
What specific manufacturing scale indicator is called out for thin films?
Option 2 explicitly calls for a roll-to-roll manufacturing process with at least a 12-inch web width.
What kinds of environmental tolerances are specifically mentioned for next-generation concepts?
The call mentions assessing environmental tolerances such as radiation degradation and reliability, particularly during Option 1 prototype evaluation and simulated space-environment testing.
What role does performance validation testing play in this program?
Performance validation testing is expected to support down-selection decisions on materials and device architectures, and later phases extend testing toward simulated space environments and qualification-like confidence building aligned with AIAA S-111 and S-112 style testing.
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