IMPORTANT INFORMATION

White Paper Submission: NAVAIR SBIR Program begins accepting White Papers 23 December 2019.

Deadline for Receipt: White Papers must be completely submitted by 17:00 p.m. EST 13 January 2020.

Classified White Papers are not accepted under this NAVAIR SBIR RFI.

Solicitation Changes: Please read the entire RFI carefully prior to submitting your White Paper.

Updates and Notices: Will be provide VIA beta.SAM.gov and noted as an update to the current released on 13 December 2019.

Help Desk: If you have questions about the NAVAIR SBIR / STTR Technology Transition Pilot Program, please submit to [email protected] (Subject line: RFI Question)

Version: 1.0
Date: 12/12/2019

RFI number: SBIR T2P - xxxxxxx
Contents

1.        DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES  4

2.        Introduction and purpose of the RFI  4

3.        Preparation Instructions to Respondents  4

4.        Scope  5

5.        Abbreviation and terminology  5

6.        Background description of what is requested  5

7.        Specific Technology Areas of Interest 5

8.        Technical Questions & POC   6

9.        Key Dates  6

10.      Context in which the information will be used  7

11.      Statement of need  7

12.      Qualifications  7

13.      Questions Regarding the White Paper Content 7

14.      White Paper Submission Instructions  7

15.      NAVAIR SBIR/STTR White Paper Format 8

a)        Cover Page shall include the following: (cover page counts as page 1) 8

16.      Phase II  8

17.      Start of White Paper 9

18.      Contact with Direct Reporting Technical Manager 9

19.      NOTES  9

1. DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES 

This is a Request For Information (RFI) issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation.  Respondents are advised that the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI.

Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.  Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.  The NAVAIR SBIR / STTR Program will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI or reimbursement for travel.  

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is the Government obligated to issue a solicitation based on the information and responses received.  Proprietary, classified concepts or information should not be included in the submittal.  Input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) and the Aircrew Systems program office (PMA-202), Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. and reviewed by non-Government consultants / experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements or requirements.

1. Introduction and purpose of the RFI

The NAVAIR SBIR / STTR Program is seeking information on specific technology areas as outlined below in the Specific Technology Areas of Interest section (7).  The information being requested is related to scientific and technology (S&T) activities, investments, and developments for Naval Air Systems Command PMA-202 and PMA-275.  The following sections of this announcement contain details of the scope of technical efforts of interest, along with instructions for the submission of responses.

With this RFI, NAVAIR SBIR/STTR Program is requesting information on current and previous SBIR / STTR Phase I, II, and III efforts, regardless of the awarding agency, regarding your technology that may address a technology need and/or gap, as indicated in “Specific Technology Areas of Interest” Section (7).  NAVAIR is looking for mature SBIR technologies (TRL 5 or higher) that require little RDT&E to mature and ready the technology for transition to the NAVAIR Program(s).   

1. Preparation Instructions to Respondents

NAVAIR SBIR / STTR Program requests that respondents submit a white paper related to the Specific Technology Areas of Interest, Listed in Section 7, for use by the Government in formulating a potential plan on addressing the technology deficiencies and/or gaps.  The NAVAIR SBIR / STTR Program requests that submittals accurately, concisely, and clearly answer the questions and follow the submission instructions as outlined in Section (14-18).

1. Scope

The purpose of this RFI is to identify existing SBIR / STTR technologies that address the specific needs outlined in the Specific Technology Areas of Interest Section (7). 

1. Abbreviation and terminology

MRL - Manufacturing Readiness Level

MRO – Maintenance Repair & Overhaul

NTE - Not-To-Exceed

PMA - Program Management Air

POC – Point of Contact

RFI - Request for Information

S&T - Science and Technology

SME - Subject Matter Expert

T2P - Technology Transition (T2P) Program

TRL - Technology Readiness Level

T/M/S - Type Model Series

1. Background description of what is requested

The (NAVAIR) SBIR / STTR Program, in coordination with the NAVAIR Program, is interested in technologies developed under previous and current SBIR / STTR Phase I, Phase II or Phase III awardees that may address the technology requirements outlined by Naval Air Systems Command’s PMA-202 and PMA-275

The White Paper will give the SBIR / STTR Firms an opportunity to explain how their technology development addresses the specific technology requirements outlined by Naval Air Systems Command’s PMA-202 and PMA-275. 

1. Specific Technology Areas of Interest

Specific SBIR Technology Areas of Interest

1. Maintainer Helmet Cooling - (PMA-202) (Aircrew System Program)

The Department of the Navy (DoN) seeks thermoregulatory devices to be worn in conjunction with an unvented helmet containing an edge roll seal.

• The proposed technology should prevent the potential overheating of maintainers and flight deck crew for up to eight hours. Cooling devices may be head, neck, or body-mounted and worn in or under the current helmet system or clothing. The technology shall not interfere with mission operations or cause a decline in human performance or hearing protection over an eight-hour period. Technologies must be portable, lightweight and not require substantial changes to current helmets or personal protective equipment. This includes disruptions to the edge roll or shell of the helmet, which are crucial aspects of hearing protection.
• In addition, added weight on the head should not exceed one pound. The desired system may include but is not limited to passive and active evaporative, conductive, or convective cooling. The technology should have minimal components and no risk of accidental detachment during mission operations.

1. Coatings – (PMA-275) – (V-22 Program)
   Windscreen Coatings - includes the material and application process for coating aviation windscreens. 

• Technologies developed for the coating of aviation windscreens that reduce Crazed, Cloud/Haze, Peel/Delamination, Crack/Scratched failure modes. Coating technologies that protect windscreens from failure modes as a result of sand / dirt erosion on the windscreen and chemicals such as oil, fuel, and bug splatter reacting with the outboard protective layer.
• Coating application technologies that are repeatable and can be conducted in conjunction with production and retrofit.

1. Technical Questions & POC  

Technical questions on the NAVAIR SBIR/STTR T2P should be addressed to the Naval Air Systems Command Point of Contacts (POC) at PMA-202 and PMA-275 - use the following eamil address:

Email Subject Line Shall Read: NAVAIR SBIR RFI - PMA-xxx – Tecnical Question

POC’s:

• PMA-202 – Jennifer Bartnick; [email protected]
• PMA-275 - Joe Ichniowski;  [email protected] 

1. Key Dates

Final due date for White Paper packages to be considered under this RFI is no later than 17:00 p.m. EST 13 January 2020.  If an Offeror does not submit a White Paper by the specified due date and time, to the proper email address with the subject line listed in Section (14), the submission will not be eligible to participate in the technical review cycle.

Event

Start Date

End Date/Start Time

RFI Released on beta.SAM.gov

13 December 2019

0001

Question Period Open for PMA-202 / 275

16 December 2019

07:00 p.m. EST

Question Period Closed for PMA-202 / 275

20 December 2019

23:59 p.m. EST

Email Open for White Paper Submission

23 December 2019

0001

Email Closes for White Paper Submission Closes

13 January 2020

17:00 p.m. EST

SME’s Start Review of White Papers / Select SBIR Topics

14 January 2020

20 January 2020

1.  Context in which the information will be used

The NAVAIR SBIR / STTR Program is seeking updated technical information from past and current SBIR / STTR Phase I, II, and III efforts on the Specific Technology Areas of Interest listed in Section (7).  The responses we obtain from this RFI, in the form of a White Paper, will give our Technologists and Subject Matter Expert’s (SME’s) a better understanding of where your development of the specific technology requested currently stands. 

1. Statement of need

The updated technology information provided will allow the SBIR Program and Naval Air Systems Command PMA-202 and PMA-275 Commanding Officers to best match your technology information and its current / projected maturation level to the specific technology requirement(s).

1. Qualifications

RFI respondents must have been awarded an SBIR / STTR Phase I, II, III or successor in interest, regardless of awarding agency, that addressed or addresses the Specific Technology Areas of Interest listed above in section (7). RFI respondents must qualify as a Small Business Concern – SBIR/STTR Company.

1. Questions Regarding the White Paper Content

1. Questions of a technical nature for a specific Naval Air Systems Command PMA-202 or PMA-275 Technology Area should be addressed via email only, to the Naval Air Systems Command PMA-202 and PMA-275 Point of Contact (POC) listed in Section (8).
2. Questions of a general (non-Technical) nature should be addressed to Email address: [email protected] - (Subject line: RFI Question).

1. White Paper Submission Instructions

SBIR Offerors shall be prepared to submit the following data elements on the cover sheet.

Submission Site:

• PMA-202: [email protected]
• PMA-275: [email protected]
  Subject Line Shall State: FY20-SBIR T2P-NAVAIR-Technology Area #. (Enter number (7A or 7B) of the technology area of interest that is applicable - see section 7).
  To respond to this RFI, please answer the questions in this paragraph in the standard format outlined below, in (PDF), and is Not-to-Exceed (NTE) five (5) pages including cover page. Submissions will only be reviewed to the last word on page 5.  The white paper shall be in accordance with the following guidelines:

• Font – Times Roman
• Font Size - 12 pitch
• Spacing – Single Space and Single Sided
• Header – List “In Bold Print” the NAVAIR SBIR T2P - & Technology Area # (Enter number (7A or 7B) of the technology area of interest that is applicable)
• Footer – Left side list SBIR Firm POC / Right Side list SBIR Topic Number
  This RFI contains all of the information required to submit a response.  No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed and will be rejected if sent as an attachment or appendix. 

Note: Any White Paper modification or revision received at the respective SBIR Technology Transition Program submission Email after the exact time specified (5:00 p.m. EST on 13 January 2020) will be considered “late” and will not be considered for review.

1. NAVAIR SBIR/STTR White Paper Format

1. Cover Page shall include the following: (cover page counts as page 1)

• Company Description / SBIR Information:

• Company Name:
• Company Address:
• Name of individual completing Whitepaper:
• Email Address:
• Contact Number:

• What SBIR Phase were you awarded?: select highest phase award

• Phase I / II or III

1. Phase II

• Phases?  _____   ____    _____
• What SBIR Agency awarded you the Phase I, II, or III? (I.e. NAVAIR, ONR, NAVSEA, Army, NASA, DARPA, OSD etc…)

• ___________________

• What is the SBIR Topic Number, TPOC and Year of Phase Award? (most recent award)

• Topic #: ______________
• Year of Phase I, II, or III Award: (MM-DD-YYYY)
• Phase Contract #:  ___________________________
• Agency Technical Point of Contact (TPOC): _______________
• TPOC Email Address: _______________________
• TPOC Phone Number: (___) ____ ______

• Current TRL of your technology ____  (*NAVAIR is looking for mature SBIR technologies (TRL 5 or higher) that require little RDT&E to mature and ready the technology for transition to the Naval Air Systems Command PMA-202 and PMA-275)  
• Current MRL ____

1. Start of White Paper

• Please select the primary applicable NAVAIR SBIR T2P Technology Area # Number in Section 7.
        The White Paper shall describe:

1. Project Description / Executive Summary: What is required to bring the technology up to a TRL 6/7, what you intend to do, and the product(s) to be delivered at the end of the proposed effort (400 words or less).
2. How the technology meets and addresses one of the specific technology needs and/or gaps specified in this RFI.
3. The current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the technology and/or product and how can it transition to the Naval Air Systems Command PMA-202 and PMA-275.
4. How and to what degree your technical approach is relevant to the Specific Technology Areas of Interest of the Naval Air Systems Command PMA-202 and PMA-275 requirements including how the approach enhances PMA-202 and PMA-275 capabilities. 

1. Contact with Direct Reporting Technical Manager

During the dates outlined in the “Key Dates” Section (9), submitting SBIR / STTR firms have an opportunity to contact the PMA POC’s to ask technical questions about specific requirements. Questions should be limited to specific information related to improving the understanding of a particular requirement.   

1. NOTES

1. Do not send hardcopies of white papers (including facsimiles); only electronic submissions will be accepted and reviewed to the email address noted in section 8.
2. Do not attach .ZIP or any other format files.