The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters, anticipates a release of a solicitation, titled Extreme Environment Solar Power, as an Appendix to the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) NASA Research Announcement (NRA), titled Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2015 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2015), within the next 30 days. Once the Appendix is posted, complete details (to include due dates) can be accessed via the following steps: 1. Open the NSPIRES homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ 2. Select "Solicitations" 3. Select "Open Solicitations 4. Select "Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion - 2015 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2015) NNH15ZOA001N 5. Select List of Open Program Elements 6. Select Game Changing Development (GCD) NNH15ZOA001N-15GCD-C3 7. Select Game Changing Development (GCD) NNH15ZOA001N-15GCD-C3 (ULW Core) under Announcement Documents NASA requires solar arrays for multiple mission applications associated with both robotic and human space exploration. Traditionally, solar cells and array systems have been developed on the basis of Beginning of Life (BOL) conversion efficiency for intensity and temperature specifications associated with near Earth operation. As NASA considers missions that require exposure to more intense radiation environments and missions ever farther from the sun, the development of solar cells/solar array design concepts better suited for such missions is warranted. The purpose of this Appendix is to solicit proposals for the development of promising technologies with the potential to increase solar cell conversion efficiencies under Low Intensity Low Temperature (LILT) and high radiation environments. Appendix NNH15ZOA001N-15GCD-C3 seeks to fund the development of solar cell/solar array design concept technologies for space power applications in high radiation and low solar flux environments. This requirement will contain a base period with two options. The Base requirement will consist of System Design, Component Test and Analysis with an expected duration of up to 9 months. Option I is for prototype hardware development with an expected duration of up to 12 months. Option II will focus on the delivery of scalable system hardware with an expected duration of up to 15 months. Participation will be open to all categories of U.S. organizations including NASA centers and other government agencies, federally funded research and development centers, educational institutions, industry and nonprofit organizations. All proposals must be submitted electronically through NSPIRES by an authorized organizational representative (AOR). Detailed submission instructions are provided in the SpaceTech-REDDI-2015 NRA, as well as the Guidebook for Proposers Responding to a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) or Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) (Edition January 2015). Potential proposers and their proposing organizations are urged to familiarize themselves with the submission system, ensure they are registered in NSPIRES, and submit the required proposal materials well in advance of the deadline. Interested proposers should monitor the NSPIRES website or subscribe to the electronic notification system there for release of the SpaceTech-REDDI-2015 Appendices. Technical, programmatic, and procurement comments and questions may be addressed by e-mail to
[email protected] . Responses to inquiries will be answered by e-mail and may also be included in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document located on the NSPIRES page associated with the Appendix; anonymity of persons/institutions who submit questions will be preserved.