OTA Basket Topics

AMM 19-05-004

New Packaging Components and Containers

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of prototype packaging materials for novel or state of the art packaging designs and configurations that will enhance / extend the munitions lifecycle or lighten the weight of the packaging itself while still meeting all military requirements. This includes developing

1) metal, plastic, or polymer composite materials;

2) packaging designs made from metal, plastic, foam, or polymer composite materials;

3) foam, wood, metal, plastic, fiberboard, or commercial material used in inner packaging configurations;

4) preserving the integrity of munitions while packaged;

5) barrier materials to protect and preserve the contents contained inside;

6) venting, melting, or other types of out-gassing technologies to improve the insensitive munitions capabilities;

7) packaging marking and identification;

8) adhesive and bonding material;

9) and analyses that include the lifecycle of packaging use and cost estimation.

More specifically, this can be accomplished by the design, development, and demonstration of technologies that pass packaging rough handling tests that include MIL-STD-129, MIL-STD-1904, MIL-STD-1660, MIL-STD-2073-1, and MIL-STD-2105.

AMM 19-05-006

New Packaging Components and Containers

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of a prototype portable International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container, capable of stowing and transporting up to four (4) MK 41 Vertical Launch System canisters at sea onboard United States Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships, or other vessels of opportunity. The project should include evaluation of the feasibility of the container to meet the requirements of a standard approved Navy magazine.

AMM 19-05-014

GLGP Munitions Container

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of for an All Up Round (AUR) Container capable of holding one Gun Launched Guided Projectile (GLGP) each. The Government will work with the contractor to define interface requirements at the outset of the initiative. This AUR Container will be compatible with existing shore based and shipboard based ordnance handling equipment (OHE). The container must meet all of the requirements of a Container and OHE Critical Design Specification per MIL-STD-648. Government will be involved in all design verification reviews such as the Systems Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR) and Test Readiness Review (TRR). The container must be capable of passing qualification and safety testing required by the government per MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-901. The container shall meet Insensitive Munition requirements in accordance with MIL-STD-2105. Development should encompass all activities to complete a critical design review chaired by the Navy. The contractor shall also design and prototype any peculiar support equipment used to load and unload the GLGP in the container and the associated TDPs. The container shall include an interlocking feature that allows for unitization of two identical containers without banding. The container must be sealed with a breather valve, desiccant and humidity indicator and be designed to comply with the Performance Oriented Packaging (POP) requirements of both the United Nations (UN)/International modal regulations and 49 CFR Parts 100-180, governing the transport of HAZMAT. Containers shall be designed for smallest cube and lightest weight consistent with protection of contents, durability, intended use, economy, safety, transportability, and interfacing equipment. Hoisting provisions shall be capable of lifting the total gross weight of the container or unit load if it is to be so shipped by single-point suspension.

AMM 19-05-021

Corrosion Resistant Coating for Small Penetrators

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of alternate clear and/or colorized corrosion resistance coating on small caliber and intermediate caliber penetrators. The penetrators will be built into bullets and then the alternate coating must meet 48 hour ASTM B117 requirement of no red rust and additional requirement of no white corrosion/oxidation. This coating will replace the existing process currently used at Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP), so alternate coating must be scalable and cost effective to LCAAP Production. Coating must be environmentally friendly.

AMM 19-05-035

M483 Projectile Base Manufacturing Process

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of robust modern manufacturing processes capable of producing the M483 Projectile Bases and the delivery of the M483 Projectile Bases using the manufacturing processes developed. The program seeks to leverage the modern manufacturing industry to develop the production processes necessary to manufacture the M483 Projectile Bases using a technical data package from the Government. The manufacturing process and M483 Projectile Base parts produced will be qualified and validated by the Government. The prototypes produced using the qualified and validated manufacturing processes will be provided to the Government to support the qualification of the 155MM Artillery Smoke and Illumination Projectile Common Carrier Milestone C activities.

AMM 19-41

3D Printing Armaments Components

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of a system, capable of managing and 3D printing armament support equipment components, such as mortar shell casings and/or shrapnel patterns. The prototype system will consist of a web-based data management system with the ability to send digital print files to a 3D printer.

The prototype system must be able to provide a collaborative web-based environment for managing, uploading, downloading and printing 3D armament support equipment components. The prototype must be capable of:

1) Operation in an unclassified Navy computing environment

2) View collection of 3D printable support equipment components

3) Uploading new 3D support equipment component digital files to a repository

4) Downloading 3D support equipment component digital files from the repository

5) Printing 3D support equipment components

ENT 18-14

Vehicle Hull Manufacturing Cell

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of prototype combat vehicle hull manufacturing cells. The manufacturing cell shall be capable of autonomously or semi-autonomously performing a variety of tasks dependent upon the end effector chosen for the task. The task may require positioning (datum location and registration), individual and assembly functions, and tracking to begin and complete the task/function. One desired task is the inclusion of a robotic welding capability that can produce robust thick-plate welds for combat vehicle hulls. The cell should be capable of conventional arc welding of armor alloys - armor aluminum up to four (4) inches thick with minimal passes (i.e. less than ten) in addition to armor steel. The proposed welding process should be qualified for ballistic shock and/or subjected to large underbody blast without rupture. The Government also desires that all manufacturing operations be applicable to emerging lighter weight armor alloys and that any necessary manufacturing operations for the lighter weight alloys be developed. The cell should also include a full vehicle structure manipulator to provide flexibility in weld paths as well as reduce out-of-position welds. For all tasks, a sensor suite capable of monitoring the task, as well as automatically adapting parameters in real-time, is also desired. All manufacturing cells shall be capable of utilizing requirements in the form of Model Based Definition in order to most efficiently perform required operations. Proposals will include necessary prototype improvements to Model Based Enterprise operations and practices to support these operations during a combat vehicle life cycle.

ENT 19-04-016

Method of Coating for DoD Applications

The Government is seeking proposals in the area of the design, development, analysis, prototyping and testing of chemical reactions, interfaces, and material surface interaction technologies to include super-hydrophobic coatings, enhanced-enabled camouflage, optical advantage, electrical insulation, corrosion resistance, redox-oxidation states, and photocatalysis. Specifically looking at tailored surface coatings, binary products, intermediate phases and products for interoperability, and energy transfer (molecular photonics), such as fluorinated polymers, nano-material additives, and functionalized materials. Methods of interest would be light conversion to redox reactions, convert energy into mechanical capabilities, signal processing of light (pigmentation, photobleaching, electrochemistry), programmable and catalytic processes. Application would be suitable for use in weapon systems, waste water remediation, industrial base process improvement, DECON, surface sanitation, and soldier borne equipment. Proposals should also address producibility (scale-up), reliability, enhanced characterization techniques for verification, and any potential reduced lifecycle costs with their solution. Additional factors to consider are critical failures and degradation pathways. There is currently no planned follow-on production.

ENT 19-17

Weapon System Components

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of enabling technologies for next generation, high strength, nonflammable magnesium (Mg) alloys to reduce weight for Army applications. Novel applications of magnesium (Mg) enabled by traditional and non-traditional primary processing are of interest. Secondary processes are also of interest such as conventional fusion welding and corrosion mitigation as appropriate and necessary. Assembly practices to mitigate galvanic corrosion between Mg and other dissimilar metals such as mechanical inserts and fasteners are of interest. Mg prototypes of weapon system components are desired, and must meet current protection and other requirements without impacting the components throughout any targeted legacy weapon system.

ENT 19-51

Cooperative UAS Payload Development

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of cooperative unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that will enable a range of capabilities including distributed reconnaissance, distributed target engagement, and cooperative attack. Proposals should address (a) manned/unmanned vehicle cooperation, (b) communications, (c) target engagement, (d) lethal effects, and (e) component and system level testing. The intent is for a team of UAS to cooperatively and collectively locate and prosecute a target of interest with synergistic effects. As such, the proposer must adhere to the "ordnance" scope of DOTC.

ENT 19-63

Payload Lifting UAS

The Government is seeking proposals for prototype systems that will allow the government to analyze, evaluate, and demonstrate the concept of embedding autonomous cargo Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) directly within maneuver and sustainment forces to provide an alternative means to resupply ammunition and other classes of supplies directly to disbursed infantry squads and platoons within a tactical environment. These platforms should be able to transport a payload within the range of 100 – 600 lbs. and have a gross vehicle take-off weight (GVTW) under 1320 lbs. to keep the platforms as Class 3 Unmanned Aerial Systems. It is envisioned that the systems will assist in the rearm and sustainment of various weapon systems by autonomously transporting munitions from resupply points directly to the point of need. The system should be able to travel a tactically relevant distance whilst simultaneously keeping the vehicle weight as low as a possible in order to reduce the physical profile and lessen the logistical burden of transporting the platform around the battlefield. The prototype systems will also be required to integrate a government-owned autonomy and sensing capability to demonstrate fully autonomous operations. The prototype systems would be expected to demonstrate these described capabilities in several operational evaluations during the life of the effort. Other capabilities of interest to the government include design and prototype fabrication of technology demonstrators to perform required testing and experiments, as the government deems pertinent to future and ongoing weapons and protection systems development efforts. The government shall be evaluating these concepts of operations through operational demonstrations facilitated by the delivered prototype systems.

ENT 19-65

Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) Payload

The Government is seeking proposals for the development and demonstration of innovative Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) payloads and associated Autonomous Behaviors for application to one or more size classes of the UUV Family of Systems (FoS) (ie (1) Small/Man-Portable; (2) Medium/Mid-Size; (3) Large; and (4) Extra-Large). Mission/Tasking support areas of primary interest include: Undersea Warfare; Seabed Warfare; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) (above and below water); Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare; Deception; and others supporting access to contested environments. The contractor(s) shall develop and deliver a prototype UUV payload and associated autonomous behavior software to operate the payload. Ability for integration into the UUV FoS through modularity and open architecture is a required characteristic. Virtual prototypes/simulations and lab demonstrations are desirable, as incremental products on the path towards at-sea demonstration. Successful completion of this effort would result in a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5-6 assessment of the prototype payload and associated software. This topic is not tied specifically to any single UUV Program, rather it supports the US Navy’s emerging UUV FoS rapid capability insertion initiatives. This effort is to accommodate additional evolving payload capability to keep current with emerging maturing technology and mission areas.

PAS 19-23

Survivability Subsystem Prototypes

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of approximately eight (8) passive and reactive armor and blast mitigation prototype concepts for the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV), or other similar prototype vehicle. The Government and the contractor shall mutually agree on individual prototype concept component technologies which may be of Government origin, Contractor origin, or both. The contractor shall perform computational analyses, design, virtual demonstration, fabrication, and physical testing of the individual prototype component technologies. Specific testing regimes include durability (environmental and physical) and ballistic performance. The contractor shall integrate selected individual component technologies into a prototype survivability subsystem for the NGCV, or other similar prototype vehicle. The contractor shall support the Government with virtual and physical demonstration of the NGCV prototype subsystem, or other similar prototype vehicle.

WLM 19-05-001

AM Warhead

The Government is interested in developing an additively manufactured metal based warhead with internal structures that improve the warhead’s structural survivability and/or provides an increased payload volume. The Government is seeking to demonstrate a full-scale integrated solution(s). A key consideration is the ability to monitor the AM process to ensure the reproducibility of quality through the use of quality assurance/quality control processes. The process should investigate not only new printing techniques but also new materials, e.g., directionally placed chopped carbon fiber or materials/methods, which enhance the survivability of the warhead in a penetration environment. The prototypes will be subjected to extensive testing to verify their capabilities. The effort shall require fabrication, integration, and tests of the various component/subsystems, and prototype warheads. The final prototype(s) should be approximately 88 inches long with a diameter of 11 inches.

WPN 19-05-009

2-Man Portable Toxic Liquid Destruction Weapon System

The Government is interested in developing a man portable system capable of destroying toxic chemicals liquids. The prototype system should be able to feed the material in an environment which is safe to operate, completely enclosed, have a feedback control system and any potentially hazardous effluent materials be captured or mitigated. The prototype is encouraged but not limited to using the combination of COTS materials and developed technologies to create a simple and effective system. The system should be self-sufficient without the need of any additional materials to eliminate the toxic materials once the system engages. The system effectiveness will be measured based on flow rate and destruction efficiency for pre-determined chemicals. Threshold flow rates are 500ml/min with a destruction efficiency of 99.99% for 1000 kg of material. The man portable system should not require more than a two man lift on a single container no more than 5 containers.

WPN 19-05-010

Field Portable System to Destroy Hazardous Material

The Government is interested in standalone field portable system concepts that use a combustion cycle to destroy toxic materials. The prototype system should be able to feed the material in an environment which can be tuned to the combustion properties of the materials and is safe to operate, completely enclosed, have a feedback control system and any potentially hazardous effluent materials be captured or mitigated. The prototype can create a new combustion device and is encouraged to not use traditional combustion cycle technologies. The system should be self-sufficient once the technology has been initiated for destruction. The system effectiveness will be measured based on flow rate and destruction efficiency for pre-determined chemicals. Threshold flow rates are 500ml/min with a destruction efficiency of 99.99% for 1000 kg of material.

WPN 19-05-024

Small Arms Thermal Reduction and Signature

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of technologies that reduce or suppress small arms thermal signature. In particular, the Government seeks technologies that reduce or suppress the signature associated with barrels and suppressors, which are typically the hottest parts of the weapon. Technologies for both the weapon and the ammunition/propellant will be considered. Proposals shall detail the technical approach to reduce or suppress thermal signature, as well as details to measure and report thermal signature as compared to baseline systems. Consideration and details shall also be given to minimize secondary effects of signature suppression such as gas blowback, rate of fire increase, repeatability and predictability of point of impact (POI) shift, system reliability, and component life. A minimum of two (2) prototype thermal signature reduction/suppression technologies shall be delivered to the Government.

WPN 19-26

Environmental Protection Solutions

The Government is seeking proposals to develop and implement durable environmental protection solutions for prototype Railgun launcher assemblies. Solutions should address long term exposure of dynamic mixed-material (e.g. metal-to-metal and composite) assemblies in standard naval environments.

WPN 19-29

Improved Lightweight Armaments Subsystems and Components

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of lightweight armaments technologies to improve: lethality, reliability, strategic deployability, tactical mobility and survivability of small, medium, and large caliber armament systems. Of particular interest is the development of modular common multi-use components that are applicable across the armaments enterprise. This includes technologies that can increase the effectiveness of the system(s) including, but not limited to: rammers, equilibrators, mechanical actuators, elevation systems, gears, cradles, rotor shields, recoil mitigation, ammunition/propellant transfer mechanisms, breeches, pedestals, mounting adapters, slip rings, bearings, motors, drives, controllers and power supplies. This effort will include: design, development, fabrication and integration of prototype hardware and the development of affordable manufacturing processes. Technologies proposed must improve system capabilities, increase performance, reduce size/weight and be cost effective to produce. Proposals should include the development of innovative designs concurrently with the development of affordable and robust manufacturing processes that can be leveraged to reduce system and life cycle costs.

WPN 19-45

VTOL Turbine Engine Concepts

The Government is seeking proposals for the development of novel and innovative technology solutions to enable the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF) to address Anti-Access Area Denial (A2AD) capability gaps and capacity shortfalls to protect friendly forces, critical nodes and strike critical enemy assets with multi-domain fires to create windows of opportunity. The Multi-Domain Pilot Program (MDTF-PP) seeks proposals for prototype technology solutions to inform future requirements through the execution of a series of experiments during Pacific Command (PACOM) exercises, Modeling and Simulation, and DOTC Annual Technology Plan FY19 (V2) Analysis. Proposed solutions should address key capabilities to enable the MDTF to be a scalable, rapidly deployable, and agile force. Such as, but not limited to solutions to enable; Integrated Joint/Partner Fires Targeting (Lethal & non-lethal); Long Range Cross-Domain Fires; Land-based anti-ship missile capabilities; Long range strike capabilities from air, surface, and maritime platforms; Multi-Domain Artillery; Integrated Intelligence; CEMA; Space Effects at Operational and Tactical Levels; Organic Over-the-Horizon (OTH) Surveillance & Targeting (including elevated sensors and UAS); Integrated and Layered (short, medium, and long range) Air and Missile Defense capabilities; Low-cost effectors; Mobile and survivable sensors (active, passive, seismic, etc.) ; Camouflage, Concealment, and Deception across multi-spectral, cyber, active RF; Multi-Domain Common Operating Picture (COP); Survivable UAS (point launch/recovery, low observable, multi-payload: ISR, EW, SIGINT, Kinetic); Advanced Logistics and Sustainment; Assured Communication, PNT, on and offshore datalink transmission; Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T); and development of Agile Leaders (Human Dimension). Successful completion of this effort would result in a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6+ assessment of prototypes in a Military User Assessment (MUA) or US Army Pacific (USARPAC) or PACOM experimentation event.

ITS-20-01-001

Virtual Maintenance Task Training (VMTT) Application

The desired objective is for the awardee(s) to develop a Virtual Maintenance Task Trainer (VMTT) software application in keeping with parameters of the STAVE Interoperablilty Standard (SIS). The Combat System to be emulated will be the Ship’s Self Defense System (SSDS) with the Technical Insertion (TI) determined at a later date following contract award. The anticipated deliverables are the VMTT software application and requirements and design artifacts. 

The VMTT shall be capable of running in both a locally or geographically distributed environment utilizing the hardware requirements dictated in the SIS. The VMTT application will make use of best developmental practices as  it relates to software development, coding, 3D gaming environment development, utilize a high-quality  development platform such as Unity and be designed in such a manner as artifacts (graphics, code, etc.) are  easily reused and repurposed by the Government.  

The VMTT shall be developed incrementally utilizing an Agile Sprint framework with incremental deliveries and demonstrations of new capabilities showcased to program sponsors IAW the sprint development tempo. The VMTT application will be delivered to the government with a full cyber accreditation at the time of final prototype delivery.

LET-20-01-001

Prototype Production of Novel Materials and Targets

Mettle Ops will support NSWCDD lethality analysis team in its mission to increase warfighter survivability by examining commercially available materials to determine which are most suitable in harsh combat environments. After identifying the best materials, Mettle Ops will integrate them into design solutions to enhance legacy equipment and/or similar vehicles. Mettle Ops will fabricate prototypes in quantities to be used for testing. These prototypes will be validated through ballistic, environmental, and other test methods to demonstrate the efficacy of the prototype solution for final delivery to JWAC and NSWC IHD.

RPP 19-02

Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

The purpose of this RPP is to solicit Firm Fixed Price (FFP) proposals to develop and demonstrate a cargo Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) capable of carrying a payload of between 50 and 600 lbs. of supplies while maintaining a gross take off vehicle weight of less than 1320 lbs. Class V supplies (ammunition) will be the primary payload of the airframe but other classes of supplies such as Class I (water) and VIII (food) will be utilized as well. The system’s weight and overall size profile, for each respective class, should be as low and small as possible order to reduce logistical burden of transporting the platform around the battlefield. Multiple prototypes are required so that basic swarming concepts can be reliably demonstrated. The UASs may be powered by batteries or engines designed to accept fuel in accordance with AR 70-12 (Fuels and Lubricants Standardization Policy for Equipment Design, Operation, and Logistics Support). The primary focus of the overall effort is assessing the impact of these types of systems on the supply chain. As such, the system should have at least a basic level of autonomy integrated within the flight system, namely take-off, landing, and waypoint navigation. The system(s) will be utilized to evaluate the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities and Policy (DOTMLPF-P) implications within the maneuver and sustainment force structure.

RPP 21-01

Unmanned Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV)

The purpose of this RPP is to develop system and subsystem models in concept form and mature them throughout the life of the project. Two concepts (7-Ton and 13-Ton) shall be developed to the requirements / performance / capability targets. Each concept shall achieve an optimum blend of the mobility, survivability, payload flexibility, and lethality effects that result in the best overall combination for performance. Once the RCV concept model combination is mature enough, it will pass into the system level performance analysis phase. Any enabling architecture benefits shall be identified, and any key technologies used in the concepts shall be documented. The project will then continue into platform design and integration, design trades and concept refinement, and system level performance analysis. At the end of the project, the Government will receive models and lessons learned on how to best design and develop the RCV.