A -- REVOLUTIONARY AEROPROPULSION AND POWER CONCEPTS AND TECHNOLOGY

Notice Date

June 20, 2001

Contracting Office

NASA/Glenn Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, OH 44135

ZIP Code

44135

E-Mail Address

Wayne R. Girard (Wayne.R.Girard@grc.nasa.gov)

Description

A continuing demand exists for improved aeropropulsion and power systems to power a wide range of advanced aerospace vehicles in all speed ranges -- subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic. The types of applications range from small "personal air vehicles" to hypersonic global access vehicles. The intent of this Special Announcement is to publicize an upcoming NASA Research Announcement (NRA) to identify potential sources for the eventual submission of proposals for Research and Development in the area of Revolutionary Aerpopropulsion and Power Concepts and Technology. Proposals should contribute to the advancement of science and engineering in the areas within atmosphere air vehicle propulsion and power systems. Proposals will be solicited under the auspices of NASA's Revolutionary Aeropropulsion Concepts (RAC) Project and Quiet Aircraft Techhnology (QAT) Project, and will be solicited for research and development in the area of revolutionary and innovative aeropropulsion and power concepts with these goals: 1. Revolutionary Aeropropulsion Concepts Aggressively pursue Revolutionary Aeropropulsion/Power concepts capable of 2X payload-range increase above the current state-of-the-art for commercial and military aircraft, enabling point-to-point air travel with near zero emission capability that will lead to new, high performance aircraft and air-breathing space transportation systems. The approach to achieve this goal includes: * Push technology barriers, enable breakthroughs and investigate unconventional systems; * Encourage long-term relationship utilizing innovative partnerships with industry to foster and stimulate technology innovations and exploit advanced technology breakthroughs; * Apply integrated propulsion system analysis, supported by risk/safety/performance analysis to assess high payoff concepts, and to identify technology barriers, research needs and steps necessary toward achieving technology maturation; * Seek and identify further technology maturation opportunities, such as flight research R&T and future focused research efforts. 2. Quiet Aircraft Technology The objective of the Engine Research Noise Reduction Project is to provide technologies for lowering engine noise while maintaining high performance for future aircraft propulsion systems. The Project addresses technologies to reduce fan, jet and core noise sources, as well as the development of analytical tools to predict engine noise. The goals of the Engine Noise System Reduction Project are based on NASA's 10 year and 25 year Aero-Space Enterprise Technology goals. The goals of the Engine Noise Reduction Project are to: * Develop technologies to reduce fan noise by 4dB and to reduce jet noise by 4dB beyond current state-of-the-art engine noise reduction technologies. These advanced technologies will be demonstrated in laboratory scale-rig tests by 2005. * Define the framework for revolutionary advances in engine noise technology by identifying engine noise reduction concepts that will enable a 20 dB reduction in aircraft noise within 25 years. The noise reduction technologies addressed by this solicitation are focused primarily on identification of revolutionary technologies that address the latter of the two goals above. Proposals that cover research topics in innovative aeropropulsion/power concepts or technologies that will enable radical advancements in capability, reliability, safety, affordability, and environmental compatibility are envisioned. It is expected that these advances in aeropropulsion and power may result in unique propulsion/airframe configurations and will enable here-to-fore unachievable aero mobility options. Discipline areas that contribute to the goal include but are not limited to acoustics, fluid dynamics, materials, structures, instrumentation and controls, and design and analysis. Ultimately, proposals will be sought that provide multidisciplinary approaches to providing progress toward the goal. Proposals ultimately will be accepted in two (2) categories: 1) Concepts -- Aeropropulsion or power systems, configurations or major subsystems (e.g. engines, power generation units, integration of propulsion and airframe or noise reduction). 2) Technologies -- Science, art, physical phenomena, (e.g. materials, combustion, electrochemical processes, emissions and noise). The structure of the NRA is planned as a two-phased approach. Phase I will consist of a nine month effort. NASA funding for each Phase I contract will not exceed $100,000. The Phase I contracts will concentrate on establishing the scientific or technical merits, feasibility, benefits and challenges of the proposed innovation, and on providing a basis for continued research in Phase II. The output of the Phase I effort will be a final report. A progressive competition as contemplated by Part 17 of the NASA FAR supplement is anticipated. The research initiated in Phase I will be continued in phase II. The Objective of Phase II is to continue the R&D effort from Phase I. Phase II will consist of up to a twenty-four (24) month effort with each contract being funded up to a limit of $250,000 per year. The Government expects that only organizations that were awarded a Phase I contract will be eligible for award of a Phase II effort. Selection of a Phase I contract does not insure selection and award of a Phase II contract. Phase II awards will be selected and awarded based on the results of a competitive evaluation based on the selection criteria that will be provided in the Announcement. Presently, the NASA -- Glenn Research Center anticipates award of up to twenty Phase I contracts resulting from this NRA. The number of awards depends on the amount and availability of appropriated funds for this project. It is anticipated that funds will be available and allocated for this NRA effort from FY 02 funds, with awards planned in December, 2001. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in the CBD and on the NASA Acquisition Internet Service. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these cites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis. It is anticipated that the NRA will be posted on or about 15 days after the date of this Special Announcement. Any interested Parties should include the following: name and address of firm, or university, size of business; average annual revenue for past 3 years and number of employees; ownership; whether they are large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, and/or woman-owned; number of years in business; affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, potential teaming partners, prime contractor (if potential sub) or subcontractors (if potential prime); list of customers covering the past five years (highlight relevant work performed, contract numbers, contract type, dollar value of each procurement; and point of contact -- address and phone number). Technical questions should be directed to: Robert Corrigan, Subsonic Systems Office, Phone: (216) 433-7090, FAX: (216) 433-5100, e-mail <Robert.D.Corrigan@grc.nasa.gov>. Procurement related questions should be directed to: NASA -- John H. Glenn Research Center 21000 Brookpark Road, Mail Stop 500/305 Aeropropulsion & Information Technology Branch Attn: Wayne Girard Cleveland, OH 44135 Phone: (216) 433-2799, FAX (216) 433-5489, e-mail <Wayne.R.Girard@grc.nasa.gov> The requirement is NOT considered to be a commercial or commercial-type product. A commercial item is defined in Internet "Note A". This synopsis is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. The Revolutionary Aerpropulsion and Power Concepts and Technology NRA will be posted on or about 15 days after the date of this Special Announcement The Government reserves the right to consider a small business, HUB-zone or 8(a) set-aside based on responses hereto. All responses shall be submitted to Wayne R. Girard, MS 500/305 at the address above no later than July 6, 2001. In responding reference NRA-01-GRC-4 . Any referenced notes can be viewed at the following URL: http://genesis.gsfc.nasa.gov/nasanote.html

Web Link

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Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010622/SPMSC008.HTM (D-171 SN50P5D2)