NASA/GRC plans to issue a NASA Research Announcement for research and development on methods of improving germanium (Ge) substrates used in the fabrication of photovoltaic devices for space applications. The primary purpose of this work is to (1) raise the quality of the germanium substrate such that solar cell fabrication yields are increased, solar cell conversion efficiencies are improved, and progress can be made in the development and fabrication of advanced photovoltaic devices and (2) reduce the cost of the germanium substrate and/or solar cell. The improvements to germanium substrate quality should relate to U.S. space-qualified state-of-the-art gallium arsenide-based (GaAs) multijunction solar cells as well as, but not limited to, advanced 30% and 33% efficient gallium arsenide-based cell designs, thinned solar cells using a reduced substrate thickness, and other advanced designs such as the inverted metamorphic (IMM) concept,
Given the close connection between substrate quality, improvements in solar cell performance, and proprietary solar cell fabrication processes, proposers should demonstrate a clear path to working closely and in a timely manner with space-qualified solar cell manufacturers infusing the developed improvements into the mainstream fabrication process without compromising company proprietary information or U.S. technology transfer regulation.
The anticipated release date of the NRA is on or about 9/30/2008 with anticipated offer due date on or about 10/31/2008.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
The NAICS Code and Size Standard are 334413 and 500 employees, respectively.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An ombudsman has been appointed -- See NASA Specific Note "B".
The solicitation and any documents related to this procurement will be available over the Internet. These documents will reside on a World Wide Web (WWW) server, which may be accessed using a WWW browser application. The Internet site, or URL, for the NASA/GRC Business Opportunities home page is http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eps/bizops.cgi?gr=D&pin=22
Prospective offerors shall notify this office of their intent to submit an offer. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor the Internet site for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
All contractual technical questions must be submitted in writing (e-mail or fax). Telephone questions will not be accepted.
