The objective of this Statement of Need (SON) was to develop resins for military coatings and sealants that do not contain emerging chemicals of concern, such as those identified currently by the Department of Defense (DoD)^[1], while still having properties and performance that are relevant to military applications. Alternative resins had to be safe, scalable, relatively cost effective, and minimize environmental hazards, including use of toxic organic chemicals and should not utilize per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorinated oligomers, and polymers or other chemicals or materials that have been the subject of extensive replacement and/or cleanup efforts.^[2] Proposals had to compare alternative materials to relevant baseline materials to assess benefits and trade-offs. Target topcoats include MIL-DTL-53039E used on ground vehicles and Army helicopters and the US Navy’s extended weathering (MIL-PRF-85285 Type IV) aircraft coating used on Navy and Air Force helicopters and airplanes. Application to military architectural coatings were also relevant.

Proposals included a plan to conduct a Sustainability Analysis^[3] of appropriate proportion to the proposed research and development. Proposals established a lifecycle framework that can mature as the technology or process advances through the acquisition process. This tiered approach aims to develop and document a minimum data set at each stage of research and development that can be used to make informed decisions and streamline transition to an acquisition program. The Sustainability Analysis could have included varying depths of data and information that can inform: the goal and scope of an analysis; the identity and quantity of relevant inputs and outputs to the system; and the estimation of life cycle impacts and costs.

There is a potential that various emerging chemicals of concern may no longer be available to paint companies due to lack of availability or regulation. As such, lower performing formulations would likely be used instead. Thus, efforts to replace emerging chemicals of concern with high performing sustainable solutions would provide significant utility. Program Managers, installations, and Warfighters across all services would benefit from new, innovative and improved weapons systems advanced coating resins. These would reduce worker and environmental regulatory risks, improve asset operational performance and readiness, and improve application/removal production and field throughput characteristics. 

Many high-performance military grade exterior topcoats use or are based on fluorinated chemistries to improve physical, operational, and material characteristics. Target topcoats include MIL-DTL-53039E used on ground vehicles and Army helicopters and the US Navy’s extended weathering (MIL-PRF-85285 Type IV) aircraft coating used on Navy and Air Force helicopters and airplanes. The DLA assist tool can be used to download these specifications: https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/. Application to military architectural coatings is also relevant.

The emerging chemicals of concern landscape is dynamic with new chemicals of concern being identified regularly and some chemicals being removed from consideration through extensive toxicity studies. As such, projects that focus on other emerging chemicals of concern will also be considered, but it is recommended that the proposer strongly justify the target chemical of concern.

The cost and time to meet the requirements of this SON are at the discretion of the proposer. Proposers submitting a Standard or Limited Scope Proposal must provide the rationale for the proposed scale. The two options are as follows:  

Standard Proposals: These proposals describe a complete research effort. The proposer should incorporate the appropriate time, schedule, and cost requirements to accomplish the scope of work proposed. SERDP projects normally run from two to five years in length and vary considerably in cost consistent with the scope of the effort. It is expected that most proposals will fall into this category. 

Limited Scope Proposals: Proposers with innovative approaches to the SON that entail high technical risk or have minimal supporting data may submit a Limited Scope Proposal for funding up to $250,000 and approximately one year in duration. Such proposals may be eligible for follow-on funding if they result in a successful initial project. The objective of these proposals should be to acquire the data necessary to demonstrate proof-of-concept or reduction of risk that will lead to development of a future Standard Proposal. Proposers should submit Limited Scope Proposals in accordance with the SERDP Core Solicitation instructions and deadlines.