xTechSBIR Clean Tech

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 be invited 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.

Eligibility Requirements:

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.

Part 1: Concept White Paper

Concept white papers will be evaluated and ranked using the following scoring criteria (further details on each scoring dimension can be found on the xTechSBIR Clean Tech competition registration page):

• Introduction, Program Alignment – 25%
• Potential for Impact/Revolutionary for DOD – 15%
• Technology and Concept Viability– 30%
• Commercialization and Potential – 20%
• Submission Quality – 10%

Part 2: Final Technology Pitches

Further details on each scoring dimension will be provided to the finalists selected for Part 2.

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

A separate public SBIR announcement will be issued concurrent with this prize competition with detailed instructions on how to submit the SBIR proposal materials.

The xTechSBIR Clean Tech competition is voluntary and open to all entities that meet the eligibility requirements. There may be only one submission per eligible entity.  The registration information and upload submission must be received by 5:00 PM EDT on May 9, 2022. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered.

All xTechSBIR Clean Tech competition submissions are treated as privileged information and contents are disclosed to U.S. defense civilian and military employees or designated support contractors only for the purpose of evaluation and program support.

Detailed feedback from the judges panel will be provided to the participants throughout each phase of the competition. The purpose of providing this feedback is to help accelerate transition of the technology to a U.S. military end-user by providing insight on best applications for the technology, suggestions for product improvement for military use and recommended next steps for development. However, the Government will not respond to questions or inquiries regarding this feedback.

All concept white papers must adhere to the following requirements:

• All concept white papers must be submitted using the template found on the registration page, “xTechSBIR Clean Tech Competition _WhitePaper_Template.doc”. Any proposals submitted in a format other than that provided by the template will not be reviewed. 
• Please list your company name, and proposal title EXACTLY how you would like them to appear on any contest marketing materials. Use clear and concise proposal titles to give readers and potential stakeholders an understanding of how your technology would benefit the Army.

Registered participants shall be required to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the Federal Government and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from their participation in this prize competition, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise.

The xTech Program Office

Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Research and Technology

Email:  usarmy.pentagon.hqda-asa-alt.mbx.xtechsearch@army.mil

Website:  https://www.xtechsearch.army.mil