$7.8M Navy R&D Contract Targets Secure, U.S.-Based Battery Material Supply Chain

WPC Technologies,* Fenton, Missouri, is awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the conductive polymer-enhanced cathode active material for lithium-ion batteries effort. The total cumulative value of this contract, including a 36-month base period with no options, is $7,800,000. This project addresses the Naval Strategy Power and Energy Focus Area. This contract provides for the development of cost-effective battery materials free of critical minerals with enhanced performance and comparable safety to state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery materials to support enhanced mission capability and endurance. The proposed materials synthesis processes that are compatible with existing U.S. manufacturing capabilities would enhance Department of Defense battery materials supply chain security. Work will be performed in Fenton, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in August 2028. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,800,000 are obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured under long range broad agency announcement (BAA) (N0001425SB001) entitled “Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Navy and Marine Corps Science and Technology.” Since proposals will be received throughout the year under the Long-Range BAA, the number of proposals received in response to the solicitation is unknown. The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N0001425C1322).