Low-Cost Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (LC CSAC)
Funding opportunity for the development of a low-cost, battery-powered atomic clock with improved size, weight, power, and performance for Army applications, aiming for a selling price goal of less than $300 per unit in high volume.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command has archived this opportunity.
Funder: Dept of the Army -- Materiel Command
Due Dates: May 29, 2020 (Whitepapers) | June 30, 2020 (Invited Proposals) | June 16, 2020 (Clarifying Questions)
Funding Amounts: No fixed ceiling; project aims for high-volume, multi-phase development with significant cost share (at least 50% preferred).
Summary: Supports the design, manufacture, and delivery of a low-cost, battery-powered chip-scale atomic clock for Army applications, targeting <$300/unit in high-volume production.
Key Information: Prime applicants must be for-profit firms; significant cost sharing is required; universities/non-profits may participate as sub-recipients.
Description
This opportunity seeks to fund the development of a battery-powered, chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC) that matches or exceeds the size, weight, power, and performance of current commercial CSACs, but at a significantly reduced cost—specifically, a selling price of less than $300 per unit in high-volume production. The project is motivated by the Army's need for precise, resilient timing solutions for navigation, communications, surveillance, and sensor synchronization, especially in environments where GPS signals may be denied or unreliable.
The program is structured in three phases over four years, with deliverables including prototype clocks and comprehensive technical and financial reporting. The ultimate goal is to enable integration of these clocks into GPS receivers and other DoD platforms, reducing reliance on GPS and enhancing mission-critical capabilities.
