Project Announcement: Development of Critical Arctic Initiatives that Impact Maintenance and Sustainment Endeavors – Phase II

The US Department of Defense is partnering with industry and academia on an initiative to advance the state of new composite technologies and design processes to improve the functionality and lifecycle of rigid wall shelters and equipment intended for use in the Arctic Circle.

This initiative will address key areas of concern for arctic expeditionary hospitals and their need to provide medical care in arctic conditions where temperatures as low as -65°F are encountered.

Phase I focused on ensuring new composite technologies and design techniques for rigid wall shelters could provide improved corrosion resistance, structural performance, maintainability, and affordability for a mobile medical operating room system shelter. In addition, it investigated ways to enable medical personnel to conduct their activities more efficiently and accurately with less structural deflection during patient operations and treatment.

The overall objective of Phase II is to advance the development of the technologies for extreme cold-weather equipment previously demonstrated under Phase I by maturing prototypes based on initial efforts and testing.  Specific objectives include:

  • Demonstrating a prototype build of coal-based fuel cells that work with current Heatpacs
  • Demonstrating a prototype alternative non-coal-based fuel cells impacting continuum of care movement of patients
  • Demonstrating prototype Heatpacs that solve the current issue of hypothermia in extreme cold weather environments.

If you feel your organization has the technical capabilities and would like to be considered for this project, please complete the form below and upload your organization’s technical capabilities statement.

Interested Submissions Due by 9/6/2023.

We encourage participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).