The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for a research topic titled "Domestic Sourced or Manufactured Coal Tar Pitch to Meet Military Requirements". The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is specifically interested in finding a domestic capability to address the lack of a viable domestic source of defense-grade coal tar pitch solid. Coal tar pitch is a precursor material used in various military applications, including tactical munitions, strategic rockets and missiles, and hypersonic vehicles. Currently, the United States relies on foreign sources or a single domestic source for this material, which is costly. The objective of this topic is to verify a domestic manufacturing production process for coal tar pitch that meets military requirements, thereby eliminating the need for costly foreign alliances.

The research and development efforts funded under this topic may encompass any specific discrete-parts or materials manufacturing or processing technology at any level resulting in a unit cost reduction. The DOD is particularly interested in advanced technology demonstrations for increasing production capacity, affordability, and supply chain resiliency for coating techniques and processing. The proposed efforts should demonstrate a degree of risk and be at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or less, but greater than TRL 3 to receive funding consideration.

Phase I of the project is accepting Direct to Phase II proposals only. The successful proposal should demonstrate the project's feasibility at the Analytical and Experimental Critical Function and/or Characteristic Proof of Concept level (TRL 3) and develop applicable and feasible process demonstrations. Phase II, which should not exceed a duration of 12 months and a cost of $1,000,000, will consist of making a pilot/low-rate validation of domestically sourced coal tar pitch precursor materials. Collaboration with a relevant DoD component organization/supplier and one or more relevant DoD weapon system supply chain participants or other suitable organizations is required. The goal of Phase II is to identify commercial benefit or application opportunities of the innovation and develop processes that can readily transition to production in support of DoD and its supply chains.

Phase III, which does not have specific funding associated with it, focuses on the dual-use applications of the research. The relationships and progress made in Phase I and Phase II projects should result in the ability to produce to DoD orders and organic growth of business. The goal of Phase III is to validate the production process and qualify the coal tar pitch material for military applications.

Overall, this solicitation seeks proposals for research and development efforts to establish a domestic capability for manufacturing defense-grade coal tar pitch, which would reduce reliance on foreign sources and improve supply chain resiliency.