NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE – Heavy Fuel Wankel Rotary Engine Design and Development

Background
The DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires a novel lightweight compact heavy-fuel rotary engine for future tactical unmanned aircraft (FTUAS). The engine must meet specific requirements including overall system weight, power, efficiency, fuel types, and spark plug lifetime. AIE's patented Self-Pressurizing-Air Rotor Cooling System (SPARCS), their unique dual spring apex seal system, and their unique dual spark system are identified as potential solutions to advance the base engine to meet the Government requirements.

Work Details
The objective of this procurement is for the Contractor to design, develop and deliver a novel lightweight compact heavy-fuel rotary engine, and engine design and technical data. The Contractor shall perform various tasks including:
- Developing baseline combustion model
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) fuel model
- Turbocharger matching and performance analysis
- Direct fuel injection system market research
- Dimensional model for direct injection and timing analysis
- Sensitivity analysis of models correlation
- Combustion chamber geometries design and analysis
- Weight reduction strategy investigation
- Packaging strategy investigation
- Developing a design of experiment plan for validation testing
- Performing various reviews with deliverables specified in the contract.

Period of Performance
The period of performance of this contract is two (2) years or 24 months from the date of the contract award.

Place of Performance
The place of performance is at DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, 6375 Johnson Road (B321), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland 21005.