OMB Approval No. 2700-0087



		AEROPROPULSION BASE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY    







			        NASA Research Announcement
				        Soliciting 
				  Proposals for Research
				  for the Period Ending

				    February 14, 1997




 				    NRA-97-LeRC-2

  			         ISSUED: December 20, 1996



				   Mail Proposals To:
           			        NASA Lewis Research Center
			       Attn:  MS 86-1/NRA-97-LeRC-2
  				 21000 Brookpark Road
				  Cleveland, OH  44135







		NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
				LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER
			   	CLEVELAND, OH  44135-3191














			AEROPROPULSION BASE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY


This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits basic research proposals that offer new and creative 
solutions to technical problems under the area of AEROPROPULSION Base Research and Technology for 
the Fluids, Materials, Structures, Instrumentation and Control, and Multidisciplinary Design and/or 
Analysis for aircraft air breathing engines.

Appendix A provides technical information on the general areas in which proposals are sought.

Participation in this program is specifically open to the following categories of organizations: Educational 
Institutes and Non-Profit Organizations. Although no specific set-aside is contemplated for HBCU's and 
other minority institutes, their participation is highly encouraged.  NASA LeRC employees are not 
permitted to be co-principal investigators on these proposals.

Appendix B contains the basic guidance needed for preparation of solicited proposals in response to this 
NRA.  Lewis Research Center anticipates making between 8 to 12 awards this year as a result of the NRA 
totaling approximately $800,000.00.  Offerors may submit proposal for one, two or three year efforts. 
Funds are not presently available for awards under this NRA.  The government's obligation to make 
awards is contingent on the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for award purposes can 
be made and on the receipt of proposals which the government determines are acceptable for award under 
this NRA.  A proposal that is scientifically and programmatically meritorious, but that cannot be accepted 
during its initial review under this NRA due to funding limitations, may be considered for subsequent 
awards throughout the fiscal year of the NRA unless the offeror requests otherwise.

Offerors are hereby informed that technical investigations in the fields covered by this Announcement 
may require access to technical data, the export of which is controlled under the Export Control Act, Title 
50, United States Code App. '2401-20, the Arms Export Control Act, Title 22, United States Code '2751 - 
2794 or both.  No award will be made to any offeror unless the Grants Officer is satisfied that performance 
of the grant or cooperative agreement will not involve an illegal export of technical data under either 
statute.   All presentations, charts, publications, journals, etc. which may fall under the export control act 
or limited exclusive rights of data (LERD), must be submitted to the LeRC Intellectual Property Officer or 
Technical Monitor for subsequent approval.

Proposals must be received on or before the closing date of February 14, 1997. All others will be rejected.  
Evaluations will be by peer and/or scientific reviews subsequent to receipt of proposals.  Prospective 
offerors are hereby notified that non-Government evaluators will take part in the evaluation of this NRA.  
It is anticipated that notification letters will be sent to offerors by April 18, 1997.  It is anticipated that 
Fiscal Year 1998 funds will be allocated for this NRA with awards planned for November 1997.

The following items apply only to this announcement:

Identifier:			NRA-97-LeRC-2

Submit Proposals to:		NRA-97-LeRC-2
				Lewis Research Center
				21000 Brookpark Road
				Attn:  MS: 86-1
				Cleveland, OH  44135

Copies Required:			6 (1 original and 5 copies)

Selecting Official:		Paul Burstadt
				NASA Lewis Research Center

Procurement Contact:		Irene Cierchacki, Grants Officer 
				NASA Lewis Research Center
				Phone # (216) 433-2781 FAX # (216) 433-2480
				E-Mail: Irene.Cierchacki@Lerc.NASA.Gov

Obtain Additional 		GENERAL TECHNICAL
Information from:		Lawrence Bober
				NASA Lewis Research Center
				21000 Brookpark Road, MS 77-6
				Cleveland, OH  44135-3191
				Phone # (216) 433-3944

				FLUIDS
				John Abbott
				NASA Lewis Research Center
				21000 Brookpark Road, MS 5-11
				Cleveland, OH 44135-3191
				Phone # (216) 433-3607

				MATERIALS
				Hugh Gray
				NASA Lewis Research Center
				21000 Brookpark Road, MS 86-1
				Cleveland, OH  44135-3191
				Phone # (216) 433-3230

				STRUCTURES
				George Stefko
				NASA Lewis Research Center
				21000 Brookpark Road, MS 23-3
				Cleveland, OH 44135-3191
				Phone # (216) 433-6023

				INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS
				Mark Wernet
				NASA Lewis Research Center
				21000 Brookpark Road, MS 77-1
				Cleveland, OH 44135-3191
				Phone # (216) 433-3752

				MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
				Chuck Lawrence
				NASA Lewis Research Center
				21000 Brookpark Road, MS 142-4
				Cleveland, OH 44135-3191
				Phone # (216) 433-6048
			
Enclosures			






					 APPENDIX A
					NRA-97-LeRC-2
			AEROPROPULSION BASE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY


A continuing demand exists for improved air breathing engines to power a wide range of advanced 
aerospace vehicles in all speed ranges - subsonic including general aviation aircraft, supersonic, and 
hypersonic.  Proposals are invited for research topics that will open the paths to innovative concepts for 
new or improved air breathing propulsion systems or propulsion system components.  Propulsion system 
components include inlets, propellers, fans, compressors, combustors, turbines, nozzles, and recuperators 
and/or regenerators.  Objectives include greater component and cycle efficiency; lower gaseous and 
particulate emissions; reduced coolant penalties through advanced cooling concepts; reduced noise levels; 
and reduced weight, volume, and aerodynamic drag.  Improvements in thermodynamic cycles and 
component aerodynamics, acoustics, structures technologies, combustion technologies and aircraft icing 
are sought.  In addition, innovative concepts are sought for analysis, design, and measurement technology 
which will significantly reduce design cycle time with improved design quality in aeropropulsion systems 
for low subsonic through hypersonic speeds.


FLUIDS

Improved air-breathing engines will require a clearer understanding of the basic flow physics of 
propulsion system components, improved numerical models and design tools, and innovative concepts 
which apply that knowledge.  Areas of interest include:

Inlets and nozzles: Research that will lead to concepts which will result in higher performance, quieter, 
shorter, lighter weight inlets and nozzles.  Advanced steady-state and time-dependent flow analyses and 
benchmark quality data for flow fields including shocks, boundary layers, boundary-layer control, 
separation, heat transfer, surface cooling and jet mixing.

Turbomachinery: Research that will lead to concepts which will allow increased efficiency, fewer 
compressor and turbine stages for core engines, lower fan noise, and improved turbine cooling.  Advanced 
flow codes, physical models, and supporting validation data for both steady and unsteady flows including 
shocks, viscous effects, heat transfer, and tip-clearance effects in fans, compressors, and turbines.  Novel 
concepts for instrumentation and flow visualization.

Combustors and augmentors: Research that will lead to concepts which will reduce emissions and 
combustor cooling requirements.  Highly efficient flow codes and novel measurement techniques for the 
flows and physical processes in a combustor, including fuel injection, spray evaporation and mixing, 
reaction mechanisms and kinetic rates for hydrocarbon oxidation and soot formation, formation of solid 
and gaseous exhaust emissions, and the effects of endothermic fuels in high-speed systems.
Drive Train Technology: Research that will lead to concepts which would decrease gearbox and drive 
system weight, or increase strength and reliability, or reduce noise.  High temperature gear, bearing and 
seal materials, improved tooth forms, prediction methods for gear noise, elastohydrodynamic film 
thickness for contacting teeth, and transmission health monitoring systems.

Computational Methods for Internal Flows: Algorithms utilizing high-order upwind techniques, 
unstructured and solution-adaptive grid schemes.  New methods for surface modeling and grid generation.  
Software strategies to simplify the parallel implementation of the above methodologies.

Acoustics/Aircraft Noise Reduction: Research that will lead to concepts which will reduce the noise of 
propulsion systems including engine noise components such as the fan, jet, and combustor.  Advanced 
computational aeroacoustics codes for noise generation, propagation in engine ducts, and radiation to the 
far field.  Diagnostic techniques and experiments for mechanism identification and source location such 
as microphone arrays and signal processing algorithms.  Active noise control concepts and 
implementation strategies.

Propulsion System Numerical Simulation: Methods for integrated system analyses that couple parts, 
components, subsystems and systems at appropriate levels of detail to minimize the time and cost of 
performing large scale simulations are required.  For example, coupling a 1-D or axisymmetric engine 
simulation to a 3-D compressor or combustor simulation to capture the effects of inlet distortion, 
unsteadiness and non-uniform exit profiles on overall engine performance and operability.  Techniques 
that efficiently utilize affordable, high-performance, massively parallel computer systems to simulate 
engine performance rapidly are also required.

Aircraft and Engine Icing: Fundamental research in aircraft icing physics and effects of icing.  Innovative 
concepts in icing test techniques including scaling and instrumentation issues.  Analytical and 
computational work for predicting ice accretion (droplet trajectories, ice growth and removal).  New 
methodologies for aircraft ice protection and sensors are also of interest.


MATERIALS

Innovative research topics are sought for high temperature materials for aeropropulsion applications. The 
proposed efforts should be focused on new material concepts and/or on critical issues currently impeding 
the use of high temperature polymer composites, nickel-base superalloys, high temperature intermetallics, 
ceramic matrix composites, environmentally protective coatings, thermal barrier coatings, and self-
lubricating wear resistant coatings for long life applications.

The fundamental issues of processing-microstructure-property relationships for long-life uses of all of 
these materials is of primary interest. Low cost, innovative processing techniques for composites and 
reinforcing fibers and fiber coatings are also of interest. Computational modeling of materials
and processes are also of interest.


STRUCTURES

Innovative grant proposals are sought on Structures for Aero-Propulsion. Some of the Structures Research 
will be covered under the Hi TEMP NRA solicitation:  NRA-97-LeRC-1.

Machine Dynamics:  Analytical and experimental research that will advance the state-of-the-art in 
Aeroelasticity of fans, compressors, and turbines.  In addition, concepts are sought for active and passive 
blade vibration control and active rotor control of engine stall (e.g. magnetic rotor suspension).
 
Mechanical Components:  Research that will lead to concepts which would improve efficiency, increase 
reliability, reduce cost, increase power density, or reduce noise for aircraft propulsion systems.  High 
temperature seals, advanced bearings, gears, lubrication systems, and health monitoring systems.

Structural Mechanics:  Research that will enable innovative structural concepts and design/analysis 
procedures for engine components, with an emphasis on accounting for multidisciplinary effects, 
quantifying effects of uncertainty of critical design parameters, optimizing performance, designing
for life-cycle reliability and cost, and computational methods for tailored composite materials and 
structural components for optimum performance.

Life Prediction:  Research that will develop life-prediction models and failure theories for advanced high 
temperature materials including their fatigue and fracture characteristics.  In Test and Evaluation, 
benchmark structural testing and non-destructive evaluation of advanced materials is desired as well the 
evaluation of failure modes in critical components that use advanced materials.


INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY

The following technical areas are of particular interest to NASA LeRC.  Innovative concepts which have 
potential for technology gap breakthroughs are also encouraged.

Propulsion research instrumentation is needed to support a wide variety of experimental efforts that range 
from fundamental studies of basic phenomena and design code validation to complete engine systems 
tests.  These instrumentation efforts should focus on both miniature in-situ sensors (including thin film 
sensors) and nonintrusive remote sensing measurement systems.  Special interest is placed on techniques 
useful in conjunction with advanced propulsion system materials such as ceramics and composites, and 
optical techniques which provide measurements both on and off model of multiple parameters at multiple 
spatial points in order to provide 2D and 3D data of propulsion-related phenomena.

Advanced controls are needed to achieve maximum levels of propulsion system performance and life 
while maintaining adequate safety margins.  The controls efforts should focus on the development of 
integrated flight/propulsion control systems, and on the development of active engine component control 
systems for improved stability, environmental impact and safety, using adaptive and intelligent control 
systems.  Efforts in integrated engine health management and fault detection are sought.  Other controls 
efforts focus on developing advanced point and optical sensors, including fiber-optic sensors, for use in 
aeropropulsion control systems.  Emerging technologies such as integrated optics and Micro-electro-
mechanical Systems (MEMS) for control, sensor, and actuator applications are of considerable interest.  

Dynamic modeling efforts should focus on unconventional concepts as well as on the coupling among 
propulsion-related disciplines such as controls, structures and materials.

Electronics that can operate at very high temperatures is an increasing need in aerospace systems for a 
wide variety of applications; silicon carbide-based electronics has high potential here.  The silicon carbide 
electronics efforts now focus on both materials development and device development, with a goal of 
developing a wide variety of integrated electronic circuits for high temperature and high power propulsion 
applications.


MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Computer simulation tools for modeling the cost and life-cycle performance of parts, components, 
subsystems and systems from material selection to end of useful life.  New approaches are required for 
coupling multidisciplinary phenomenon that interact at different length and time scales.  In addition, 
integrated strategies and tools are required for seamless transition from analysis to design to 
manufacturing.  This includes algorithms for component-specific design optimization/tailoring, expert 
systems/artificial intelligence applications for analysis/design process automation and advanced tools for 
manufacturing process modeling.  The implementation of these tools on affordable, high performance, 
parallel computing platforms is also of interest to enable reasonable turnaround times.






					 APPENDIX B

					NRA-97-LeRC-2
			AEROPROPULSION BASE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY


In responding to a NASA Research Announcement, proposals shall be marked with the legend Source 
Selection Information - See FAR 3.104 on each page to meet the requirements of Procurement Integrity.

A.  Instructions for submitting supporting budget data

As part of a proposal in response to NRA-97-LeRC-2, the offeror shall submit budget information on the 
Budget Summary form,(enclosed) as instructed in the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement 
Handbook, NPG 5800.1D (July 23, 1996).  The offeror is requested to provide a separate budget summary 
sheet for each year of the proposed research.  Detailed computations of estimates in each cost category, 
along with any narrative explanation required to fully explain proposed costs should be provided in 
attachments and not part of the proposal. 

B.  Proposal requirements

A typical proposal addresses one problem area, and involves one principal investigator and one student, 
for a maximum of a three year effort.

Proposals involving teaming are allowed.  Teaming may include any one of the following:

(1) Subcontracting (the major portion of funds are to be dedicated to the University/Nonprofit 
Organization submitting the proposal)
(2) Cost-sharing (this can be from the University/Nonprofit Organization or from any other team member)
(3) Interdepartmental (this would be between departments within the University/Nonprofit Organization)

Proposals will be limited to no more than 15 pages.  A page is defined as one sheet, 8 (r) inches x 11 
inches, single-spaced, single-sided, with at least one inch margins on all sides, using 10 point font size or 
larger.  The content of these 15 pages must include the following:

	*Statement of Work
	*Key Personnel
	*Budget Summary Sheets for each year plus total for all

Attachments which must be included but will not be part of the review/evaluation process and will not be 
considered in the 15 page limit are:

	*NASA Cover Sheet (included with this package)
	*The Administrative or Business Office's Endorsement
	*Vitae
	*Budget Breakdowns for each year
	*Certifications (Drugfree Workplace, Lobbying, Debarment/Suspension

Proposals will be evaluated as follows: (NASA FAR Supplement Subpart 1870.203, App. I. Evaluation 
Factors)

a. Unless otherwise specified in the NRA, the principal elements (of approximately equal weight) 
considered in evaluating a proposal are its relevance to NASA's objectives, intrinsic merit, and cost.
b. Evaluation of a proposal's relevance to NASA's objectives includes the consideration of the potential 
contribution of the effort to NASA's mission
c. Evaluation of its intrinsic merit includes the consideration of the following factors, none of which is 
more important than any other:

(1) Overall scientific or technical merit of the proposal or unique and innovative methods, approaches, or 
concepts demonstrated by the proposal.
(2)  Offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these which 
are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives.
(3) The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, or 
key personnel critical in achieving the proposal objectives.
(4) Overall standing among similar proposals and/or evaluation against the state-of-the-art.

d. Evaluation of the cost of a proposed effort includes the realism and reasonableness of the proposed cost 
and available funds.


				BUDGET SUMMARY


			FROM _____________   TO _____________


			RECIPIENT'S COSTS		 	NASA USE ONLY
			       	   	    A		    B		 C

1.    DIRECT LABOR			$_______	$_______        $_______
(salaries, wages, fringe benefits)

2.   OTHER DIRECT COSTS:
a.	Subcontracts			$_______	$_______        $_______
b.	Consultants			$_______	$_______        $_______
c.	Equipment			$_______	$_______        $_______
d.	Supplies			$_______	$_______        $_______
e.	Travel				$_______	$_______        $_______
f.	Other				$_______	$_______        $_______

3.   INDIRECT COSTS ____%		$_______	$_______        $_______

4.   OTHER APPLICABLE COSTS		$_______	$_______        $_______

5.   SUBTOTAL-ESTIMATED COST		$_______	$_______        $_______
		
6.   LESS PROPOSED COST SHARING 	$(______)	$(______)       $(______)

7.   CARRYOVER FUNDS (if any)
a.  Anticipated Amount $_______
b.  Amount used to reduce budget	$(______)	$(______)       $(______)

8.   TOTAL ESTIMATED COST		$________	$________      xxxxxxxxx

      APPROVED BUDGET			 xxxxxxxx	 xxxxxxxx       $_______


Instructions

1.  Provide a complete budget summary sheet for year one and separate estimates for each subsequent year

2.  Recipient's estimated costs should be entered in Column A.  Columns B and C are for NASA use only.  
Column C represents the approved grant budget.

3.  Provide as attachments to the budget summary the detailed computations of estimates in each cost 
category with narratives to fully explain proposed costs.

		
Specific Costs

1.  Direct Labor (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits):  Attachments should list number and titles of 
personnel, amount of time to be devoted to the grant, and rates of pay. 

2.  Other Direct Costs:

	a.  Subcontracts - Attachments should describe the work to be subcontracted, estimated amount, 
recipient (if known), and the reason for subcontracting this effort.

b.  Consultants - Identify consultants to be used, why they are necessary, the time they will spend 
on the project, and rates of pay (not to exceed the equivalent of the daily rate for Level IV of the Executive 
Schedule, exclusive of expenses and indirect costs.)

	c.  Equipment - List separately and explain the need for items costing more than $5,000.  
Describe basis for estimated cost.  General purpose equipment is not allowable as a direct cost unless 
specifically approved by the grant officer.

	d.  Supplies - Provide general categories of needed supplies, the method of acquisition, estimated 
cost.  (For Example:  Office Supplies, Lab Supplies, etc.)

	e.  Travel - List proposed trips individually and describe their purpose in relation to the grant.  
Also provide dates, destination, and number of people where known.  (For example:  Airfare, Hotel, Per 
Diem, Registration, Car Rental, etc.)

f.  Other - Enter the total direct costs not covered by 2.a through 2.e.  Attach an itemized list 
explaining the need for each item and the basis for the estimate.

3.  Indirect Costs - Identify indirect cost rate(s) and base(s) as approved by the cognizant Federal agency, 
including the effective period of the rate.  If unapproved rates are used, explain why and include the 
computational basis for the indirect expense pool and corresponding allocation base for each rate.

4.  Other Applicable Costs - Enter the total of other applicable costs with an itemized list explaining the 
need for each item and basis for the estimate.

5.  Subtotal-Estimated Costs - Enter the sum of items 1 through 4.

6.  Less Proposed Cost Sharing (if any) - Enter any amount proposed.  If cost sharing is based on specific 
cost items, identify each item and amount in an attachment.

7.  Carryover Funds (if any) - Enter the dollar amount of any funds that are expected to be available for 
carryover from the prior budget period.  Identify how the funds will be used if they are not used to reduce 
the budget.  NASA officials will decide whether to use all or part of the anticipated carryover to reduce the 
budget.  Not applicable to 2nd-year and subsequent-year budgets submitted for the award of a multiple 
year.

8.  Total Estimated Costs - Enter the total after subtracting items 6. and 7. from item 5.


 (Appendix   B)

NFS subpart 1870.2

Subpart 1870.2--NASA Research

 Announcement System

1870.201 Purpose.

It is NASA policy to encourage submission of research proposals relevant to agency requirements. The 
NASA Research A0nnouncement (NRA) System is one means of implementing the policy by permitting 
the solicitation and competitive selection of research projects in accordance with statute while at the same 
time preserving the traditional concepts and understandings associated with NASA sponsorship of research.

1870.202 System Content.

(a) The regulations governing the NRA System (see 1835.016-70) set forth
the requirements for preparing, issuing, and processing NRAs.

(b) The system contains instructions for proposers. These instructions
shall be included in the NRA, a form of broad agency announcement
authorized at 1835.016.

1870.203 Instructions for Responding to NRAs.

(a) The "Instructions for Responding to NASA Research Announcements"
document (prescribed in 1835.016- 70(c)(4)) is set forth as Appendix I to this section.

(b) This Appendix may be reproduced locally as part of the NRA provided:

(1) The issuing office shall verify that the current version of Appendix I is used.

(2) The text shall be reproduced verbatim; however, the issuing office may remove the NFS page headers 
and add the NRA number. Any other change shall be treated as a deviation in accordance with 1801.400.

                          APPENDIX I TO 1870.203:

                       INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO

                        NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

                       INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO

                        NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

                                (JUNE 1995)

                                1. Foreword

a. These instructions apply to "NASA Research Announcements." The "NASA Research Announcement 
(NRA)" permits competitive selection of research projects in accordance with statute while preserving the 
traditional concepts and understandings associated with NASA sponsorship of research.

b. These instructions are Appendix I to 1870.203 of the NASA Federal Acquisition Regulation 
Supplement.

                                 2. Policy

a. Proposals received in response to an NRA will be used only for evaluation purposes. NASA does not 
allow a proposal, the contents of which are not available without restriction from another source, or any 
unique ideas submitted in response to an NRA to be used as the basis of a solicitation or in negotiation 
with other organizations, nor is a pre-award synopsis published for individual proposals.

b. A solicited proposal that results in a NASA award becomes part of the record of that transaction and 
may be available to the public on specific request; however, information or material that NASA and the 
awardee mutually agree to be of a privileged nature will be held in confidence to the extent permitted by 
law, including the Freedom of Information Act.

                                 3. Purpose

These instructions supplement documents identified as "NASA Research Announcements." The NRAs 
contain programmatic information and certain requirements which apply only to proposals prepared in 
response to that particular announcement. These instructions contain the general proposal
preparation information which applies to responses to all NRAs.

                          4. Relationship to Award

a. A contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other agreement may be used to accomplish an effort 
funded in response to an NRA. NASA will determine the appropriate instrument.

b. Grants are generally used to fund basic research in educational and nonprofit institutions, while 
research in other private sector organizations is accomplished under contract. Contracts resulting from 
NRAs are subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and the NASA FAR Supplement (NHB 5100.4). 
Any resultant grants or cooperative agreements will be awarded and administered in accordance with the 
NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Handbook (NHB 5800.1).

                         5. Conformance to Guidance

a. NASA does not have mandatory forms or formats for responses to NRAs; however, it is requested that 
proposals conform to the guidelines in these instructions. NASA may accept proposals without discussion; 
hence, proposals should initially be as complete as possible and be submitted on the proposers' most 
favorable terms.

b. To be considered responsive, a submission must, at a minimum, present a specific project within the 
areas delineated by the NRA; contain sufficient technical and cost information to permit a meaningful 
evaluation; be signed by an official authorized to legally bind the submitting organization; not merely 
offer to perform standard services or to just provide computer facilities or services; and not significantly 
duplicate a more specific current or pending NASA solicitation.

                           6. NRA-Specific Items

Several proposal submission items appear in the NRA itself: the unique NRA identifier; when to submit 
proposals; where to send proposals; number of copies required; and sources for more information. Items 
included in these instructions may be supplemented by the NRA.

                            7. Proposal Contents

a. The following information is needed to permit consideration in an objective manner. NRAs will 
generally specify topics for which additional information or greater detail is desirable. Each proposal copy 
shall contain all submitted material, including a copy of the transmittal letter if it contains substantive 
information.

b. Transmittal Letter or Prefatory Material. (1) The legal name and address of the organization and 
specific division or campus identification if part of a larger organization;

(2) A brief, scientifically valid project title intelligible to a scientifically literate reader and suitable for use 
in the public press;

(3) Type of organization: e.g., profit, nonprofit, educational, small business, minority, women-owned, etc.;

(4) Name and telephone number of the principal investigator and business personnel who may be 
contacted during evaluation or negotiation;

(5)Identification of other organizations that are currently evaluating a proposal for the same efforts;

(6) Identification of the NRA, by number and title, to which the proposal is responding;

(7) Dollar amount requested, desired starting date, and duration of project;

(8)  Date of submission; and 

(9) Signature of a responsible official or authorized representative of the organization, or any other person 
authorized to legally bind the organization (unless the signature appears on the proposal itself).

c. Restriction on Use and Disclosure of Proposal Information. Information contained in proposals is used 
for evaluation purposes only. Offerors or quoters should, in order to maximize protection of trade secrets 
or other information that is confidential or privileged, place the following notice on the title page of the 
proposal and specify the information subject to the notice by inserting appropriate identification, such as 
page numbers, in the notice. In any event, information contained in proposals will be protected to the 
extent permitted by law, but NASA assumes no liability for use and disclosure of information not made 
subject to the notice.

                                   Notice

Restriction on Use and Disclosure of Proposal Information. The information (data) contained in [insert 
page numbers or other identification] of this proposal constitutes a trade secret and/or information that is 
commercial or financial and confidential or privileged. It is furnished to the Government in confidence 
with the understanding that it will not, without permission of the offeror, be used or disclosed other than 
for evaluation purposes; provided, however, that in the event a contract (or other agreement) is awarded 
on the basis of this proposal the Government shall have the right to use and disclose this information 
(data) to the extent provided in the contract (or other agreement). This restriction does not limit the 
Government's right to use or disclose this information (data) if obtained from another source without 
restriction.

d. Abstract. Include a concise (200-300 word if not otherwise specified in the NRA) abstract describing 
the objective and the method of approach.

e. Project Description. (1) The main body of the proposal shall be a detailed statement of the work to be 
undertaken and should include objectives and expected significance; relation to the present state of
knowledge; and relation to previous work done on the project and to related work in progress elsewhere. 
The statement should outline the plan of work, including the broad design of experiments to be 
undertaken and a description of experimental methods and procedures. The project description should 
address the evaluation factors in these instructions and any specific factors in the NRA. Any substantial 
collaboration with individuals not referred to in the budget or use of consultants should be described. 
Subcontracting significant portions of a research project is discouraged.

(2) When it is expected that the effort will require more than one year, the proposal should cover the 
complete project to the extent that it can be reasonably anticipated. Principal emphasis should be on the 
first year of work, and the description should distinguish clearly between the first year's work and work 
planned for subsequent years.

f. Management Approach. For large or complex efforts involving interactions among numerous 
individuals or other organizations, plans for distribution of responsibilities and arrangements for ensuring 
a coordinated effort should be described. Intensive working relations with NASA field centers that are not 
logical inclusions elsewhere in the proposal should be described.

g. Personnel. The principal investigator is responsible for supervision of the work and participates in the 
conduct of the research regardless of whether or not compensated under the award. A short biographical 
sketch of the principal investigator, a list of principal publications and any exceptional qualifications 
should be included. Omit social security number and other personal items which do not merit 
consideration in evaluation of the proposal. Give similar biographical information on other senior 
professional personnel who will be directly associated with the project.  Give the names and titles of any 
other scientists and technical personnel associated substantially with the project in an advisory capacity.  
Universities should list the approximate number of students or other assistants, together with information 
as to their level of academic attainment. Any special industry-university cooperative arrangements should 
be described.

h. Facilities and Equipment. (1) Describe available facilities and major items of equipment especially 
adapted or suited to the proposed project, and any additional major equipment that will be required. 
Identify any Government-owned facilities, industrial plant equipment, or special tooling that are proposed 
for use.

(2) Before requesting a major item of capital equipment, the proposer should determine if sharing or loan 
of equipment already within the organization is a feasible alternative. Where such arrangements cannot be 
made, the proposal should so state. The need for items that typically can be used for research and non-
research purposes should be explained.

i. Proposed Costs. (1) Proposals should contain cost and technical parts in one volume: do not use separate 
"confidential" salary pages. As applicable, include separate cost estimates for salaries and wages; fringe 
benefits; equipment; expendable materials and supplies; services; domestic and foreign travel; ADP 
expenses; publication or page charges; consultants; subcontracts; other miscellaneous identifiable direct 
costs; and indirect costs. List salaries and wages in appropriate organizational categories (e.g., principal 
investigator, other scientific and engineering professionals, graduate students, research assistants, and 
technicians and other non-professional personnel). Estimate all manpower data in terms of man-months 
or fractions of full-time.

(2) Explanatory notes should accompany the cost proposal to provide identification and estimated cost of 
major capital equipment items to be acquired; purpose and estimated number and lengths of trips planned; 
basis for indirect cost computation (including date of most recent negotiation and cognizant agency); and 
clarification of other items in the cost proposal that are not self-evident. List estimated expenses as yearly 
requirements by major work phases. (Standard Form 1411 may be used).

(3) Allowable costs are governed by FAR Part 31 and the NASA FAR Supplement Part 1831 (and OMB 
Circulars A-21 for educational institutions and A-122 for nonprofit organizations).

j. Security. Proposals should not contain security classified material. If the research requires access to or 
may generate security classified information, the submitter will be required to comply with Government
security regulations. 

k. Current Support. For other current projects being conducted by the principal investigator, provide title 
of project, sponsoring agency, and ending date.

l. Special Matters. (1) Include any required statements of environmental impact of the research, human 
subject or animal care provisions, conflict of interest, or on such other topics as may be required by the 
nature of the effort and current statutes, executive orders, or other current Government-wide guidelines.

(2) Proposers should include a brief description of the organization, its facilities, and previous work 
experience in the field of the proposal.  Identify the cognizant Government audit agency, inspection 
agency, and administrative contracting officer, when applicable.

                            8. Renewal Proposals

a. Renewal proposals for existing awards will be considered in the same manner as proposals for new 
endeavors. A renewal proposal should not repeat all of the information that was in the original proposal. 
The renewal proposal should refer to its predecessor, update the parts that are no longer current, and 
indicate what elements of the research are expected to be covered during the period for which support is 
desired. A description of any significant findings since the most recent progress report should be included. 
The renewal proposal should treat, in reasonable detail, the plans for the next period, contain a cost 
estimate, and otherwise adhere to these instructions.

b. NASA may renew an effort either through amendment of an existing contract or by a new award.

                                 9. Length

Unless otherwise specified in the NRA, effort should be made to keep proposals as brief as possible, 
concentrating on substantive material. Few proposals need exceed 15-20 pages. Necessary detailed 
information, such as reprints, should be included as attachments. A complete set of attachments is 
necessary for each copy of the proposal. As proposals are not returned, avoid use of "one-of-a-kind" 
attachments: their availability may be mentioned in the proposal.

                            10. Joint Proposals

a. Where multiple organizations are involved, the proposal may be submitted by only one of them. It 
should clearly describe the role to be played by the other organizations and indicate the legal and 
managerial arrangements contemplated. In other instances, simultaneous submission of related proposals 
from each organization might be appropriate, in which case parallel awards would be made.

b. Where a project of a cooperative nature with NASA is contemplated, describe the contributions 
expected from any participating NASA investigator and agency facilities or equipment which may be 
required. The proposal must be confined only to that which the proposing organization can commit itself. 
"Joint" proposals which specify the internal arrangements NASA will actually make are not acceptable as 
a means of establishing an agency commitment.

                             11. Late Proposals

A proposal or modification received after the date or dates specified in an NRA may be considered if the 
selecting official deems it to offer NASA a significant technical advantage or cost reduction.

                               12. Withdrawal

Proposals may be withdrawn by the proposer at any time. Offerors are requested to notify NASA if the 
proposal is funded by another organization or of other changed circumstances which dictate termination 
of evaluation.

                           13. Evaluation Factors

a. Unless otherwise specified in the NRA, the principal elements (of approximately equal weight) 
considered in evaluating a proposal are its relevance to NASA's objectives, intrinsic merit, and cost.

b. Evaluation of a proposal's relevance to NASA's objectives includes the consideration of the potential 
contribution of the effort to NASA's mission.

c. Evaluation of its intrinsic merit includes the consideration of the following factors, none of which is 
more important than any other:

(1) Overall scientific or technical merit of the proposal or unique and innovative methods, approaches, or 
concepts demonstrated by the proposal.

(2) Offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these which 
are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives.

(3) The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, or 
key personnel critical in achieving the proposal objectives.

(4) Overall standing among similar proposals and/or evaluation against the state-of-the-art.

d. Evaluation of the cost of a proposed effort includes the realism and reasonableness of the proposed cost 
and available funds.

                         14. Evaluation Techniques

Selection decisions will be made following peer and/or scientific review of the proposals. Several 
evaluation techniques are regularly used within NASA. In all cases proposals are subject to scientific 
review by discipline specialists in the area of the proposal. Some proposals are reviewed entirely in-house, 
others are evaluated by a combination of in-house and selected external reviewers, while yet others are 
subject to the full external peer review technique (with due regard for conflict-of-interest and protection of 
proposal information), such as by mail or through assembled panels. The final decisions are made by a 
NASA selecting official. A proposal which is scientifically and programmatically meritorious, but not 
selected for award during its initial review, may be included in subsequent reviews unless the proposer 
requests otherwise.

                          15. Selection for Award

a. When a proposal is not selected for award, and the proposer has indicated that the proposal is not to be 
held for subsequent reviews, the proposer will be notified. NASA will explain generally why the proposal 
was not selected. Proposers desiring additional information may contact the selecting official who will 
arrange a debriefing.

b. When a proposal is selected for award, negotiation and award will be handled by the procurement office 
in the funding installation. The proposal is used as the basis for negotiation. The contracting officer may 
request certain business data and may forward a model contract and other information which will be of 
use during the contract negotiation.

                          16. Cancellation of NRA

NASA reserves the right to make no awards under this NRA and to cancel this NRA. NASA assumes no 
liability for cancelling the NRA or for anyone's failure to receive actual notice of cancellation. 
Cancellation may be followed by issuance and synopsis of a revised NRA, since amendment of an NRA is 
normally not permitted.




NRA-97-LeRC-2
Aeropropulsion Base Research and Technology

MAIL TO:  Mail Stop 86-1, Attn:  NRA-97-LeRC-2
Area of Interest:	
															              						                     									Multidisciplinary 
 _Fluids     	     _Materials	 _Structures	  _Instrumentation	_Design and
            					    and Controls 	  Analysis

__Inlets and Nozzles		__Machine 	 __Propulsion Research 
				   Dynamics	    Instrumentation
__Turbomachinery		__Mechanical 	 __Advanced Controls
				   Components
__Combustors and		__Structural	 __Electronics
   Augmentors 		 	   Mechanics
__Drive Train			__Life Prediction
   Technology
__Computational Methods 
   for Internal Flow
__Acoustics/Aircraft 
   Noise Reduction
__Propulsion System 
   Numerical Simulation
__Aircraft and Engine Icing


Name, Address, Phone #, FAX # and E-Mail Address of the Principal Investigator:




_____Educational     _____Non-Profit Organization     _____HBCU     _____Other Minority (specify)

Name, Address, Phone #, Fax # and E-Mail Address of the University or Non-Profit Organization Administrative or Business Office:



Title of Proposal:


Requested Amount:		Year 1:
(by year and total)		Year 2:
				Year 3:
				 TOTAL: