The DoD directly and indirectly acquires many types of specialty batteries but in comparatively small quantities. Specialty batteries are defined as, but are not limited to, liquid reserve, thermal, primary (non-rechargeable) and some secondary (rechargeable, noncommercial) types currently used in military systems. These batteries are made with optimized chemicals, materials and components to achieve required performance levels. These items are mostly unique and not interchangeable with more readily available substitutes. When one of these specialty materials or processes becomes unusable or unavailable, major effort is required to find or develop economical substitutes that can be acquired in the volumes needed. The statement of need (SON) intends to address supply chain risks by soliciting development, prototyping and demonstration efforts to help mitigate potential problems through application of modernized, advanced manufacturing technologies across four focus areas:
Critical battery materials. The intended goals are to develop and demonstrate domestically sourced chemicals and materials that will perform as well or better than existing materials that have unacceptable supply chain weaknesses.
Critical battery components. The intended goals are to develop and demonstrate domestically sourced components and subassemblies that will perform as well or better than existing components that have unacceptable supply chain weaknesses.
Critical processes assessment and mitigation. The two intended goals with this focus area are to first develop supply chain risk assessments and identify mitigation approaches for critical processes used in specialty battery manufacturing, and secondly, develop prototype manufacturing processes capable of accommodating the identified supply chain weaknesses and achieve a suitable degree of surge (higher volume) production.
Battery development and prototype. The goal for this focus area is to develop and demonstrate prototype batteries that incorporate one or more of the prototyped domestic materials, components, processes developed under the other three focus areas. These battery prototypes will provide confidence that the new materials and processes will be capable of acceptably performing as intended. Follow-on production is a possible outcome.
Responding to this opportunity requires membership in the Expeditionary Missions Consortium. This Consortium releases numerous solicitations throughout the year, so even if this opportunity may not end up being right for you, we strongly encourage you to join, so you are ready for the next opportunity.
