The government yesterday said it wants proposals by April 9 to explore the further development of an advanced next generation combat engine.

One 36-month contract is expected to be awarded June 29. The work would extend from fiscal year 2012 to 2014. The total maximum funding available FY 2012 through 2014 is $4.9 million.

The effort, sought by TACOM Lifecycle Management Command, is develop a military family of engines for combat and tactical applications. The long-term modernization power needs of the U.S. military will be addressed through this development of a modular and scalable high power engine to meet future Army combat vehicle needs.

The successful offerer of the specific high power density, high efficiency, lower heat rejecting, multi-fuel capable engine is required to use a scalable engine family design to maximize value to the government and military vehicles, a presolicitation said on www.fbo.gov.

The contractor would conduct a prototype demonstration and deliver one prototype engine to the government at contract completion.

Also, the contractor will deliver a technical report on the developed modular prototype engine at the end of the contract to demonstrate the feasibility of continuing the scalable engine maturity development.

Specifics can be found on the engine–Broad Area Announcement (BAA) Topic 27–at http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/baa/05RBAA1/baa/05RBAA1/topics.htm. BAA Solicitation W56HZV-05-R-BAA1 containing proposal submission instructions, evaluation criteria, and general terms and conditions: http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/baa/05RBAA1/BAA_W56HZV-05-R-BAA1_Amendment0061_FINAL.pdf. Cost proposal instructions: http://contracting.tacom.army.mil/baa/05RBAA1/05RBAA1.htm.