Air Force Research Laboratory Grant for Developing a Research Plan to Reduce Thermal Conductivity in Peltier Cooling Alloys

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL 0013)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT TITLE: Space Electronics Open 5 Year Broad Agency Announcement

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BAA-VS-06-05

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUCEMENT (CALL) TITLE: Development of a Research Plan for Reducing the Thermal Connectivity of Peltier Alloys Cooling to 10°K.

PROPOSAL CALL ANNOUNCEMENT (CALL) NUMBER: 0013

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT: The technical point of contact for this CALL is
Ashwani Sharma, AFRL/RVSE, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone: 505-846-0615,
Email: ashwani.sharma@kirtland.af.mil.

CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT: Contracting points of contact for this CALL are:

Contracting Specialist:
Andrea Stone, Det 8 AFRL/RVKE, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone: 505-843-2883, Fax: NONE, Email: andrea.stone@kirtland.af.mil

Contracting Officer:
Shirley D. Lindom, Det 8 AFRL/RVKE, Kirtland AFB, NM, Phone 505-846-5935, Fax: NONE, Email: shirley.lindom@kirtland.af.mil

REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION:

Topic 2, Subparagraph 3, Advanced Electronic Materials, Devices, and Circuits for Space

The Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Electronics Branch (AFRL/RVSE), is soliciting proposals (technical and cost/business) in Advanced Electronic Materials, Devices, and Circuits for space, subparagraph 3, specifically in the area of: Development of a Research Plan for Reducing the Thermal Connectivity of Peltier Cooling Alloys Operating at 10°K

The objective of this CALL is to develop a plan of research to reduce the thermal conductivity of alloys used for Peltier cooling of long wavelength, infrared sensors at 10° Kelvin. The plan should include, but not be restricted to, techniques which employ nano-layered structures as well as particulates whose spacing is at the mean free path of phonons in thermoelectric alloys at 10° K. The plan should include theoretical studies, computer modeling, and the applicability of other materials science approaches to lower the thermal conductivity of Peltier alloys by at least one order of magnitude.

ANTICIPATED FUNDING (Topic 2, Subparagraph 3): Anticipated funding for this CALL (not per contract or award) is FY09: $55,000. This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (Topic 2, Subparagraph 3): The anticipated period of performance for individual awards resulting from this call is six (6) months for technical effort and three (3) months for final report submission.

PAGE LIMITATIONS: The technical proposal including the C-SOW shall be limited to five (5) pages single spaced, double-sided, 8.5 by 11-inch pages. Select an easy to read font no smaller than 12 pitch fixed or proportional font size 10 or larger. Smaller type may be used in figures and tables as long as it is clearly legible. The page limitation includes all information i.e., indices, photographs, foldouts (2 page), appendices, attachments, resumes, C-SOW, etc. Each printed side counts as one page. Blank pages, title pages, tables of content, lists, tabs or cover sheets are not included in the page count. The Government will not consider pages in excess of this limitation.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND TIME: The due date for proposals submitted in response to this CALL is no later than 1:00 p.m. MDT on 6 April 2009. Proposals for any other technology area identified in the baseline BAA will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for proposals in that specific area is open. Proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215-1(c)(3).

PROPOSALS FOR FAR TYPE CONTRACTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO:
Det 8 AFRL/RVKE, Attn: Andrea Stone, 2251 Maxwell St SE, Bldg 424, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5773. Proposals sent to any inappropriate address are ineligible for award. Proposals sent via facsimile or electronic means will not be accepted.

PROPOSALS FOR GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:
All Broad Agency Announcements for basic research that may result in grants or cooperative agreements issued by this office will invite electronic proposal submission through Grants.gov APPLY. Please refer to the BAA solicitation under Additional Assistance Information for further instructions on submitting proposals electronically. Any electronic submission for a grant or cooperative agreement must be through Grants.gov. Other forms of electronic submission will not be accepted.

CALL AMENDMENTS: Offerors should monitor FedBizOps/EPS and/or Grants.gov/FIND for any additional notices to this CALL that may permit extensions to the proposal submission date or otherwise modify this announcement.

ANTICIPATED TYPE OF CONTRACTS/INSTRUMENTS: The Air Force anticipates awarding a grant type instrument. However, the Air Force reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed.

ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS: The Air Force anticipates awarding one Grant or other assistance instrument as a result of this CALL. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make multiple awards or no awards pursuant to this CALL.

ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: On or about 15 May 2009.

INTENT TO PROPOSE: Potential offerors are requested to advise the contracting point of contact (by e-mail) if they intend to submit a proposal in response to this CALL. Such notification is merely a courtesy and is not a commitment by the offeror to submit a proposal.

DELIVERABLES ITEMS: This effort requires the development of a plan of research to reduce the thermal conductivity of alloys used for Peltier cooling of long wavelength, infrared sensors at 10° Kelvin. Offerors are expected to provide a written plan of research which outlines methods for the reduction of the thermal conductivity of alloys used in Peltier cooling at 10°K, by at least one order of magnitude.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION:

1. Program security classification for this CALL is UNCLASSIFIED.

2. The Final Technical Report is assumed not to be under ITAR restrictions.

3. Government furnished property, equipment, or facilities needed, other than those identified in this CALL, should be specified in the proposal.

APPLICABILITY OF BASELINE BAA: All requirements of BAA-VS-06-05 apply unless specifically amended and addressed in this CALL as addressed below. In addition to ORCA, offerors shall use the Representations and Certifications (Current as of 14 Jan 08) provided with this CALL. For complete information regarding BAA-VS-06-05, refer to BAA-VS-06-05 Solicitation 01 dated 22 September 2006 and as update 29 May 2007 and 27 Dec 2007 on FedBizOps http://www.fbo.gov/ and/or . It contains information applicable to all CALLS issued under the BAA and provides information on the overall program, proposal preparation and submission requirements, proposal review and evaluation criteria, award administration, agency contacts, etc. Direct questions to the points of contact identified above. If the requirements in BAA-VS-06-05 and requirements addressed in CALL 0013 below are not provided, the proposal will be categorized as non-responsive to this CALL.