SBIR / STTR #A224-14

Army SBIR Phase I development and testing of domestic hardwood trailer decking

The U.S. Army SBIR opportunity seeks Phase I development and testing of domestic hardwood trailer decking to replace Apitong. - Government buyer: U.S. Army, through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program; no sub-agency or specific office is identified. - Procurement: Phase I design, development, and evaluation of scaled engineered domestic hardwood trailer-decking prototypes. - Performance goals: The prototypes should meet or exceed Apitong’s service life, structural properties, durability, and reliability. - Testing requirements: Use American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) laboratory and environmental exposure protocols, Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (TTMA)-based cyclic load testing, and simulated trailer-use testing that includes loading, unloading, cribbing, and abuse. - OEMs and vendors: No manufacturers, OEMs, or vendors are named in the opportunity. - Funding and duration: Funding is available up to $250,000; Phase I may last up to six months. - Notable objectives: Support domestic sourcing, military vehicle readiness, and lower trailer lifecycle costs. Later phases envision military-trailer demonstrations, supply-chain development, and a competitive Department of Defense decking specification.

Description

The Army SBIR Phase I topic seeks development and testing of engineered domestic hardwood prototypes to replace critically endangered Asian Apitong used for trailer decking. Prototypes must provide the same or improved service life, structural properties, durability, and reliability, and will be evaluated using AWPA exposure protocols, TTMA-based cyclic-load testing, and simulated operational loading and abuse. The effort supports sustainable domestic sourcing, readiness, and reduced trailer lifecycle costs; the topic states funding of up to $250,000 and a duration of up to six months. Phase II would demonstrate the selected replacement on a military trailer, while Phase III would pursue commercialization and supply-chain development.

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