FAQs

What are the key objectives of the Call For NAVSEA Energy Storage Solutions?

The U.S. Navy seeks cutting edge, dual-use energy storage technologies addressing critical national challenges. The US Department of Defense (DOD) invites new and innovative approaches that address critical technology needs and alleviate current and future supply chain risks in military batteries.

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How do I go about saving a partially completed form?

It is not possible to save a partially completed form. We provide a Word document version, so you can outline your responses and organize your thoughts before entering and submitting them. You can download that here at the top of the page.

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How will the Call For NAVSEA Energy Storage Solutions work?

TechConnect will accept applications from U.S. companies that have electronics technologies or materials that are commercially viable and are of interest to the DoD. Those applications will be evaluated, with finalists selected to pitch in person at the December Defense TechConnect event. A panel of evaluators will hear the pitches and select potential awardees.

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Is US incorporation a requirement for submission or would incorporation/relocation (for a mobile early-stage startup) be an option, if successful?

While US incorporation is not required for submission, it will be required for selection as a finalist.

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Does the submitter have to have DOD clearance?

No.

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Is this open to large business enterprise or is it limited to small businesses?

Any size of business is eligible.

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Is this only for US persons?

U.S. incorporated companies can apply. A permanent resident is considered a U.S. persons. Non permanent residents with a work VISA can be considered foreign interest and would not be qualified.

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Is there a preference to have university or large industrial partners associated with a proposal?

The submissions will be judged based on the criteria provided. Partners will only add value if they help in the development of your solution.

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Is this opportunity open to universities as well?

Yes.

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Do respondents need to join the Expeditionary Missions Consortium – Crane (EMC²)?

Respondents chosen to present will need to join EMC² to be eligible to give their presentation at the Defense TechConnect Innovation Summit. Currently, there are no membership fees for joining.

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What is the timing for the Call For NAVSEA Energy Storage Solutions?

• Informational Webinar — October 15 at 2pm ET
• Close application at 8 pm ET — October 25
• Notify finalists — mid-November
• Pitch event — December 4

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Are the dues covered upon reaching the presentation stage, or only rebated if you are a Winner?

EMC² has no required membership fees.

 

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Can companies provide proposals on multiple technology opportunities?

Yes

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How many applications do you get/expect in a typical submission cycle?

We are not able to speak to a potential number of applicants, as this is a first for the EMC² program.

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If we are teaming, then does it matter if the company submits or the university or any preference or both should do separate submissions?

There probably is some consideration in who owns the technology. The funding will go to the applicant organization. The guidance from the administration team is one submission per technology, but each organization can have multiple technologies.

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How can EMC²/TechConnect help expose, advertise and support (endorse) our system solutions to the broad defense community?

By virtue of participating in the Defense TechConnect pitch event, your solution will be exposed to the defense community.

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Are there any restrictions on subcontracting and outsourcing? Both financially and ownership.

EMC² does not restrict this as long as they are a U.S.-based firm or institution organized or existing under the laws of the United States, its territories, or possessions. For the purposes of this Consortium Membership Agreement, any agency or instrumentality of a foreign government shall not be granted Membership.

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What are the requirements to comply with the prototyping OTA statute?

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. §4022, each Prototype Project awarded under an OTA must meet at least one of the following conditions:

• There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.
• All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.
• At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

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What is a "nontraditional defense contractor"?

For transactions authorized under 10 U.S.C. §4022, "nontraditional defense contractor" means an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources by the Department of Defense for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section.

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Can we submit multiple entries?

Yes, each submission must be different technologies or solutions.

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How many additional pages are allowed for the submission?

Please see the webpage. No more than two pages, PDF format, 8.5x11" size with font size 12 pt or greater. There is a 10 MB file size limit.

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What are the requirements to become an EMC² member?

A list of membership obligations can be found in the Consortium Membership Agreement available on emccrane.org/how-to-join/. EMC² membership requires SAM.gov registration, a UEI and CAGE code, and an active DD Form 2345. Please visit the ATI.org training page for guidance on meeting these requirements for DoD contracting.

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Who will pay for travel to the Call For NAVSEA Energy Storage Solutions?

Presenters are responsible for their own travel to the event.

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Is there a pitch, interview or similar step to go from submissions to presenter? Or are we only submitting one time that will be evaluated twice?

You submit an application only one time. Submissions will be reviewed by a government team to select Presenters for the Call For NAVSEA Energy Storage Solutions.

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Does the application need to be non-proprietary?

Yes, we are requesting a non-proprietary description of the technology so that the review panel can evaluate the proposal which has more focus on the technical solution.

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Can a small business retain the IP, or will the DOD own the IP?

Government is asking for Government Purpose Rights only.

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Do we need a CAGE code by the December pitch session?

Yes

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Who will choose the presenters?

Teams composed of government personnel review the applications and select Presenters to deliver non-proprietary presentation at the event.

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What presentations are required at the event?

Presenters will be required to present their topic in an open public forum as well as to a closed-door government evaluation team.

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How does EMC² evaluate proposals, and what are the program priorities?

The government will evaluate solutions to assess each respondent's understanding of the work and its ability to accomplish the stated tasking and successfully deliver prototype(s). Please see Preliminary Statements of Need for specific Success Criteria by topic.

1. Demonstration of expertise and overall technical merit of response
2. Feasibility of implementation
3. Estimated cost and timeline for completion
4. Total project risk as it relates to technical objectives, schedule, data rights, and costs.

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How many awards are expected?

The government is looking for many different solutions and multiple awards may be made following the full procurement process.

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What is the procurement process?

EMC² is utilizing TechConnect Submission and Forum as a vehicle to award under the 10 U.S. Code § 4022. Following the December event, submissions showing potential for success will be engaged for follow on requirements to include additional conversations and detailed Milestone Schedules and Statements of Work.

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