DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Army would like to invite interested entities to participate in the xTech Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Clean Tech competition, a clean tech open-topic competition to engage with the Army, earn prize money and provide potential funding opportunities to tackle Army challenges within the clean tech space. Winners of xTechSBIR Clean Tech competition will have the opportunity to submit a Phase I or a Direct to Phase II SBIR proposal to prototype their proposed technology innovations.

The xTechSBIR Clean Tech competition is sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology). As the Army aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, by 2030, ASA(ALT) is committed to that mission through supporting technological innovation and utilizing the Army xTech and Army SBIR programs to help in achieving the Army’s overarching goals. The ASA(ALT) recognizes that the U.S. Army must enhance engagements with small businesses by (1) understanding the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially within the clean tech realm, that may benefit the Army, (2) integrating the sector of commercial innovators into the Army’s Science and Technology ecosystems, and (3) providing mentorship and expertise to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies of interest to the Army.

Technology Focus Areas

The xTechSBIR Clean Tech competition is seeking novel, disruptive concepts and technology solutions that have both civilian and military applications (dual use capabilities) that can assist in tackling the Army’s current needs and be applied to current Army concepts. The intent is to provide the Army with transformative technology solutions while enabling cost savings throughout the Army systems life-cycle. Participants can submit applications on any solution related to clean tech that might apply to the Army’s current needs. Below is a list of key focus areas for this competition, but eligible entities can submit on solutions outside of these areas that are related to clean tech.

• Clean Energy Generation: The U.S. Army is looking for reliable and affordable ways to generate energy from renewable, zero-emission, non-polluting sources. This includes solar, wind, water, nuclear, thermal, and waste-to-energy based energy solutions or a combination of these alone or with legacy DOD power generation systems.
• Clean Energy Storage: Clean Energy Storage focuses around energy storage systems (batteries, capacitors, hybrid devices, and DC/DC converters) and the technology solutions to optimize single cell, modules, and vehicle-packaged cost, performance, safety, life, abuse tolerance, recycling, and sustainability within production, use, and disposal processes.
• Clean Micro Grid: Clean micro grids focuses on devices and controlling digital information systems that optimize the efficiency, reliability, and security of grid-delivered power. This includes management, energy storage, metering & monitoring, AI grid optimization, sensors, diagnostics/prognostics, and analytics.
• Electric Transportation: Electric transportation focuses on software and hardware solutions for electric and hybrid-electric systems for vehicles and aviation. This includes the supporting infrastructure for operational energy availability and sustainment. Components may include platform rechargers with our without power generation sources, range extenders, and battery technologies.
• Clean Industry Tech: Clean Industry Tech puts focus on overall sustainability of industrial processes and associated supply chains. This area emphasizes emissions minimization and efficiency maximization. Solutions sought includes altering manufacturing processes to decrease resource consumption, generate sustainable power and fuels, and develop alternatives for environmentally harmful or scarce materials.

Partner Agency: The Office of the United States Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and U.S. Army Applied Small Business Innovation Research Program

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

PHASE 1: Phase 1: Concept White Paper

Apr 11, 2022 - May 9, 2022

Up to 50 Finalists

$2,000/Each

PHASE 2: Phase 2: Final Technology Pitches

Jun 8, 2022 - Jul 1, 2022

Up to 35 Finalists

$10,000/Each

PHASE 3: Phase 3: Request for SBIR Phase I or Direct to Phase II

Jun 8, 2022 - Jun 15, 2022

Up to 35 Winners

SBIR Phase I: Up to $250K; SBIR D2PhII: Up to $1.8M

PHASE 4:

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ELIGIBILITY

The entities allowed to participate in this competition must be sole proprietors or small business concerns in accordance with Small Business Administration guidance under 13 Code of Federal Regulations § 121.201, or any entity willing and able to be registered as a small business in the United States (U.S.) if selected to participate in this competition.

Each eligible entity:

• Shall be incorporated in, and maintain, a primary place of business in the U.S.
• May not be a Federal entity or employ a Federal employee acting within the scope of their employment

Sole proprietors may participate in xTechSBIR if the individual is a citizen or national of the U.S. or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. and the business is registered in the U.S. Foreign companies may participate in xTechSBIR by establishing a U.S. domestic business relationship (e.g., wholly owned U.S. subsidiary) or partner with a U.S. based company.

Partner Agency: The Office of the United States Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and U.S. Army Applied