NIH QuSAFE Challenge

Executive summary

NIH's QuSAFE Challenge offers $7.1M in prizes for quantum-enabled sensors and methods that monitor human in vitro tissue models for toxicity and safety testing. U.S. entities compete as teams. Registration opens October 25, 2026, and Stage 1 submissions are accepted December 31, 2026 through July 27, 2027.

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Stage 1 pays up to 25 winners $20,000 each for a concept, with a path to a grand prize of up to $840,000.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), with NIBIB, NSF and NASA
• Opportunity: QuSAFE: Quantum-Enabled Approaches for Predictive Preclinical NAMs for Toxicity and Safety
• Program: Part of NIH's Qu-BIT program
• Award vehicle: Prize competition
• Funding: $7.1M in total prizes
• Key dates: Registration opens October 25, 2026; technical assistance webinar November 30, 2026; Stage 1 submissions December 31, 2026 to July 27, 2027

Think your team qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before registration opens.

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What is QuSAFE?

An NIH prize challenge for quantum-enabled tools that make preclinical safety testing in human tissue models more predictive.

What problem is NIH trying to solve?

New approach methodologies (NAMs) such as organ chips and tissue models need better ways to watch tissue continuously without damaging it. NIH wants quantum sensing to close that gap.

Prize structure

• Stage 1: up to 25 winners at $20,000 each
• Stage 2, Milestone 1 (July 2028): up to 15 winners at $200,000 each
• Stage 2, Milestone 2 (November 2029): up to 6 runners-up at $460,000 each, plus a grand prize of up to $840,000

Eligibility

• Teams or entities only; individuals cannot enter alone.
• Private entities must be incorporated in the U.S. with their main place of business in the U.S.
• Team leads must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Entrants need $250,000 in liability insurance and must indemnify the government.

How to apply

• Read the rules on the NIH QuSAFE page.
• Register when registration opens on October 25, 2026.
• Join the technical assistance webinar on November 30, 2026.
• Submit Stage 1 between December 31, 2026 and July 27, 2027 through the challenge vendor's portal (to be announced).

What happens after you submit?

• Stage 1 judging: up to 25 winners.
• Stage 2: build and validate, with milestone prizes in July 2028 and November 2029.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for quantum sensing companies (for example NV-diamond magnetometry or quantum optical sensing) and for organ-chip or tissue-model companies that want to add quantum measurement. Weak fit for teams outside the U.S. or without a path to biological validation.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For prize challenges like QuSAFE, we help you:

• Test fit before you register
• Build the right quantum plus biology team
• Write a Stage 1 concept that scores well
• Plan the Stage 2 path and budget
• Map related NIH SBIR and NSF quantum funding

Plan your QuSAFE entry

Frequently asked questions

What is QuSAFE?

An NIH prize challenge for quantum-enabled safety and toxicity testing in human tissue models.

How much money is available?

$7.1M in total prizes.

When does registration open?

October 25, 2026.

When is Stage 1 due?

Submissions are accepted December 31, 2026 through July 27, 2027.

How much does Stage 1 pay?

Up to 25 winners receive $20,000 each.

What is the top prize?

A grand prize of up to $840,000.

Can companies enter?

Yes, as U.S.-incorporated entities competing as teams.

Is insurance required?

Yes, $250,000 in liability insurance.

Can BW&CO help with a QuSAFE entry?

Yes. We help teams test fit, build the team and write a Stage 1 concept. Book a call with our team.

Source: NIH QuSAFE Challenge

NSF ELEGANT Solutions Offering (NSF-OTASO-FY26-ELEGANT)

Executive summary

NSF ELEGANT puts up to $150M over six years into moving low-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials from lab demonstrations toward 300 mm manufacturing. U.S. companies and universities can lead an Expert Performer Team in one of five themes. Proposals are due December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

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ELEGANT uses Other Transaction Agreements with Go/No-Go gates every two years, and it expects industry to commit to funding the work after the government phases end.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: National Science Foundation, Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
• Opportunity: Ecosystem for Low-dimensional Electronics: Growth, Assembly, Nanoelectronics, and Translation (ELEGANT)
• Solicitation: NSF-OTASO-FY26-ELEGANT
• Award vehicle: Other Transaction Agreement
• Funding: Up to $150M over six years (Theme 1 $43M, Theme 2 $35M, Theme 3 $42M, Theme 4 $12M, Theme 5 $6M, Ecosystem Coordinator $12M)
• Due date: December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the December 18 deadline.

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What is ELEGANT?

An NSF TIP program that funds one Ecosystem Coordinator and multiple Expert Performer Teams to translate low-dimensional semiconductor technology into platforms U.S. manufacturers can adopt.

What problem is NSF trying to solve?

Silicon scaling is nearing its limits. NSF wants low-dimensional materials to reach the reproducibility, process maturity and industry validation needed for real chip manufacturing.

Priority capability areas: the five translation themes

• Theme 1, Manufacturable Materials Platform ($43M): 300 mm material demonstrations suitable for foundry qualification
• Theme 2, Process Technology and Process Design Kit ($35M): reproducible 300 mm process flows and PDKs
• Theme 3, Device, Circuit and Full-Chip Demonstration ($42M): devices and circuits validated by industry partners
• Theme 4, Manufacturing Readiness and Transition ($12M): a manufacturing readiness package for an industry funding decision
• Theme 5, AI-Enabled Acceleration ($6M): AI tools that speed up the other themes

Funding and award terms

• Up to $150M over six years, subject to available funds
• Three government-funded phases of about 24 months each, with Go/No-Go reviews
• A Phase 4 in which industry takes over funding
• Competing teams may be funded in Phase 1, especially in Themes 1 and 3, then down-selected

Eligibility

• U.S.-based incorporated entities: universities, for-profit companies, nonprofits or formal consortia.
• The Principal Director must be a full-time employee of the lead organization.
• Sub-awardees must be U.S.-based; no foreign sub-awardees.
• Apply as the Ecosystem Coordinator or as an Expert Performer Team, not both. An organization may submit separate proposals for different themes.
• Active SAM.gov registration is required.

How to apply

• Download the OTASO from SAM.gov.
• Pick your role and theme.
• Write the proposal: up to 25 pages for an Expert Performer Team (20 for the Coordinator), 12-point font, single PDF, plus appendices for budget, CVs, IP plan and letters of commitment.
• Email it to pkbreen@nsf.gov by December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET, with the subject line given in the solicitation.

What happens after you submit?

• Compliance review, then merit review.
• Pre-award negotiation: Go/No-Go criteria and the first Annual Project Plan.
• Phase 1: about 24 months, then a Go/No-Go review.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for companies working on 2D materials, low-dimensional semiconductors, 300 mm process tools, device integration or AI for semiconductor process development, especially with industry partners ready to write letters of commitment. Weak fit for early lab-stage work without a manufacturing path.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For NSF programs like ELEGANT, we help you:

• Choose the right theme and role
• Build the team and industry letters of commitment
• Translate your roadmap into Go/No-Go milestones and KPIs
• Structure a six-year milestone budget
• Write a 25-page proposal NSF can score easily

Plan your ELEGANT proposal

Frequently asked questions

What is ELEGANT?

An NSF program to translate low-dimensional semiconductor technology toward 300 mm manufacturing.

How much funding is available?

Up to $150M over six years, split across five themes and an Ecosystem Coordinator.

Can a company lead a team?

Yes. U.S.-based for-profit companies are eligible to lead.

Can foreign organizations participate?

No foreign sub-awardees are allowed.

What type of award is it?

An Other Transaction Agreement.

When are proposals due?

December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

How long can the proposal be?

25 pages for an Expert Performer Team, 20 for the Ecosystem Coordinator, excluding the title page and appendices.

Can I submit to more than one theme?

Yes, with separate proposals, but not as both Coordinator and Performer.

Can BW&CO help with an ELEGANT proposal?

Yes. We help teams choose a theme, line up industry partners and write the proposal. Book a call with our team.

Source: NSF-OTASO-FY26-ELEGANT on SAM.gov

AFRL ATA-AI BAA (FA8750-24-S-7004)

Executive summary

AFRL's Information Directorate in Rome, NY funds AI and machine learning for next-generation target tracking under a roughly $99M BAA. Awards typically run $1M to $10M for up to 48 months. The BAA is open through July 12, 2029; white papers for FY27 funding are suggested by November 30, 2026.

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Submissions start with a white paper. Full proposals are by invitation only.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate (AFRL/RIED), Rome, NY
• Opportunity: Advanced Tracking Architecture Using AI (ATA-AI)
• Solicitation: FA8750-24-S-7004 (Amendment 5, July 29, 2026)
• Award vehicle: FAR contracts or Other Transactions (10 U.S.C. 4021, 4022 and 4023)
• Funding: About $99M total; awards typically $1M to $10M; up to 48 months; multiple awards expected
• Due dates: Open until July 12, 2029, 5:00 PM ET; suggested white paper dates November 30, 2026 (FY27), November 30, 2027 (FY28), November 30, 2028 (FY29)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 30 FY27 white paper date.

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What is ATA-AI?

An open AFRL BAA for research into AI-driven tracking architectures that follow targets more accurately and in harder conditions.

What problem is AFRL trying to solve?

Current tracking systems struggle with dense, fast-changing and contested environments. AFRL wants AI and machine learning approaches that improve detection, association and tracking.

Funding and award terms

• About $99M total
• Awards typically $1M to $10M, up to 48 months
• FAR contracts or Other Transactions
• Small businesses can qualify for an OT without cost share

Eligibility

• Foreign participation is not allowed, including foreign-national employees and subcontractors, except for fundamental research.
• Foreign-owned companies have a possible mitigation path.
• Some work may require a Secret or Top Secret facility clearance.
• Export-control certification (DLIS) is required.

How to apply

• Read FA8750-24-S-7004 and Amendment 5 on SAM.gov.
• Write a white paper (double-spaced, 12-point, with your CAGE code and UEI).
• Email it to AFRL.RIEDBAA.2024@us.af.mil, ideally by November 30, 2026 for FY27 funding.
• If invited, submit a full proposal.

What happens after you submit?

• White paper review: AFRL invites full proposals from the strongest fits.
• Full proposal and negotiation: contract or OT award.
• Next cycle: later white papers are considered for FY28 and FY29 funding.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for U.S. AI and machine learning companies working on tracking, sensor fusion, computer vision or point-cloud processing. Weak fit for teams with foreign nationals on the project or no path to handling export-controlled or classified work.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For AFRL BAAs like ATA-AI, we help you:

• Match your technology to AFRL's tracking priorities
• Write a white paper that earns a proposal invitation
• Choose between a FAR contract and an OT
• Plan for export-control and clearance requirements
• Time submissions to the right fiscal-year window

Plan your ATA-AI white paper

Frequently asked questions

Is ATA-AI open now?

Yes, through July 12, 2029, 5:00 PM ET.

When should I submit for FY27 funding?

AFRL suggests a white paper by November 30, 2026.

How large are awards?

Typically $1M to $10M, for up to 48 months.

Can small businesses get an OT?

Yes, and small businesses can qualify without cost share.

Can foreign nationals work on the project?

Generally no, except for fundamental research.

Do I need a security clearance?

Some work may require a Secret or Top Secret facility clearance.

How do I submit?

Email a white paper to AFRL.RIEDBAA.2024@us.af.mil.

Is a full proposal required up front?

No. Full proposals are by invitation after the white paper.

Can BW&CO help with an ATA-AI white paper?

Yes. We help teams match AFRL's priorities and write a white paper that earns an invitation. Book a call with our team.

Source: FA8750-24-S-7004 on SAM.gov

USSOCOM Biomedical BAA (HT9425-23-S-SOC1)

Executive summary

USSOCOM's biomedical BAA funds research for special operations medicine and human performance: wound care, analgesia, blood products, brain health, prolonged field care, wearables and field diagnostics. Projects run up to $5M, most at or below $1.5M, with no cost share. Pre-proposals are accepted any time through July 31, 2028.

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The first step is a pre-proposal in eBRAP. Full proposals are by invitation only.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM); awarding office U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA)
• Opportunity: FY23-FY28 DoD USSOCOM Broad Agency Announcement for Extramural Biomedical and Human Performance Research and Development
• Solicitation: HT9425-23-S-SOC1
• Award vehicle: Negotiated contracts
• Funding: Up to $10M per year across the BAA; $5M maximum per project including indirect costs; most projects expected at or below $1.5M; up to 5 years
• Due date: Continuous through July 31, 2028, 11:59 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before you submit a pre-proposal.

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What is the USSOCOM biomedical BAA?

A standing BAA, open since August 1, 2023, that funds extramural research to keep special operators alive, healthy and performing in austere settings.

What problem is USSOCOM trying to solve?

Special operations medics often care for casualties far from hospitals, sometimes for days. USSOCOM needs medical and performance technology that is lighter, more durable and works without the usual support.

Priority capability areas: what USSOCOM is looking for

• Analgesia: pain control at the point of injury for prolonged field care
• Blood and hemostatics: shelf-stable blood products, substitutes and injectable hemostatics
• Austere surgery and wound care: portable surgical stabilization and next-generation wound management
• Prolonged field care: sensors, devices and treatments for multi-day casualty care
• Brain health: fieldable TBI diagnostics and monitoring
• Force health protection: wearable biosensors and environmental exposure monitoring
• Diagnostics: portable lab assays and performance diagnostics that work without refrigeration or power
• Sleep, training and simulation: sleep restoration, medical simulation and training technology

Funding and award terms

• $5M maximum per project including indirect costs; most at or below $1.5M
• Projects up to 5 years
• No cost share required
• Awards are negotiated contracts, even though the BAA is listed on Grants.gov

Eligibility

• For-profit and nonprofit organizations, U.S. and international.
• Awards go to organizations only, not individuals.
• FFRDCs cannot receive awards directly.

How to apply

• Read the BAA on Grants.gov (listing 349586).
• Submit a pre-proposal in eBRAP (the CDMRP portal).
• If invited, submit a full proposal through Grants.gov Workspace.
• Plan for reviews: human-subjects and animal research reviews add 1 to 2 months.

What happens after you submit?

• Pre-proposal review: USSOCOM invites full proposals that fit its needs.
• Full proposal: valid for 24 months after submission.
• Award: negotiated contract.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for medtech, diagnostics and human performance companies whose technology can be adapted for special operations use. Weak fit if your product cannot be tailored to austere military settings, or if you only want to sell an existing product rather than do R&D.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For military medicine BAAs like this one, we help you:

• Choose the topic area your technology fits best
• Frame the work around special operations needs
• Write a pre-proposal that earns a full proposal invitation
• Plan regulatory and human-subjects timelines
• Map related DHA, CDMRP and MTEC funding

Plan your USSOCOM pre-proposal

Frequently asked questions

Is the BAA open now?

Yes, continuously through July 31, 2028, 11:59 PM ET.

How much can one project receive?

Up to $5M including indirect costs; most projects are expected at or below $1.5M.

Is cost share required?

No.

Can startups apply?

Yes. For-profit organizations are eligible.

Can foreign companies apply?

Yes. U.S. and international organizations are eligible.

What is the first step?

A pre-proposal in eBRAP. Full proposals are by invitation.

Is this a grant?

No. Awards are negotiated contracts.

How long can a project run?

Up to 5 years.

Can BW&CO help with a USSOCOM biomedical pre-proposal?

Yes. We help teams pick the right topic and write a pre-proposal that earns an invitation. Book a call with our team.

Source: HT9425-23-S-SOC1 on Grants.gov

DARPA HUBBLE Program Announcement (DARPA-PA-27-01)

Executive summary

DARPA HUBBLE funds teams building fast, physics-informed models of protein-protein binding landscapes, starting with traumatic brain injury. Phase 1 pays up to $2.0M over 12 months through an Other Transaction. Small businesses are eligible. A required abstract of up to 6 pages is due November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET.

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Only teams that submit an abstract can move on to the oral proposal stage, due December 11, 2026.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: DARPA, Biological Technologies Office
• Opportunity: High-throughput Unmasking of Biological Interactomes with Binding Landscape Emulators (HUBBLE)
• Notice: DARPA-PA-27-01
• Award vehicle: Other Transaction for Research
• Funding: Up to $2.0M per team for Phase 1 (12 months); multiple awards expected
• Due dates: Questions November 3, 2026; abstract November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET; oral proposal package December 11, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 5 abstract deadline.

Book a Free Fit Call

What is HUBBLE?

A DARPA program to build computational emulators that predict protein-protein binding across the proteome far faster than atomistic simulation.

What problem is DARPA trying to solve?

Mapping which proteins interact, and how strongly, is too slow with today's simulation and lab methods. DARPA wants models fast enough to scan interactomes at scale, with traumatic brain injury as the first use case.

Funding and award terms

• Phase 1: up to $2.0M in government funding for 12 months per team
• Phase 2: 18 months, planning only at this stage
• Instrument: Other Transaction for Research; the model OT requires a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research partner with a significant role, or one-third cost share

Eligibility

• Large and small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors and universities may apply.
• Non-U.S. organizations may participate.
• FFRDCs and government entities are discouraged without a waiver.

How to apply

• Download DARPA-PA-27-01 and the Attachment A abstract template from SAM.gov.
• Write a 6-page abstract using Attachment A.
• Include NSPM-33 biosketch and current-and-pending support forms.
• Submit through DARPA's BAA Tool by November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET. SAM.gov's due-date field shows 10:00 AM ET, so submit in the morning.

What happens after you submit?

• Abstract review: DARPA uses abstracts to decide who proceeds.
• December 11, 2026, 3:00 PM ET: oral proposal package due.
• Award: Phase 1 OT, 12 months.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for AI, computational biophysics and protein modeling teams. Weak fit for wet-lab biotechs without a modeling core, or for therapeutics companies looking for drug development funding.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DARPA programs like HUBBLE, we help you:

• Test fit against the program's technical goals before you write
• Build a 6-page abstract that reads like a DARPA program pitch
• Set up the OT structure, including the nontraditional or cost-share requirement
• Prepare the oral proposal package if invited
• Map follow-on DoD and NIH funding

Plan your HUBBLE abstract

Frequently asked questions

What is HUBBLE?

A DARPA program funding fast emulators of protein-protein binding landscapes.

How much funding is available per team?

Up to $2.0M for the 12-month Phase 1.

Can small businesses apply?

Yes. Large and small businesses, nontraditional contractors and universities are eligible.

Is an abstract required?

Yes. A 6-page abstract using Attachment A is due November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET.

What type of award is it?

An Other Transaction for Research.

Is cost share required?

Not if a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research partner plays a significant role; otherwise one-third cost share applies.

What is the first use case?

Traumatic brain injury.

When are oral proposals due?

December 11, 2026, 3:00 PM ET.

Can BW&CO help with a HUBBLE submission?

Yes. We help teams test fit, write the abstract and structure the OT. Book a call with our team.

Source: DARPA-PA-27-01 on SAM.gov

DARPA Surgical Competition (DSC)

Executive summary

DARPA's Surgical Competition awards $3.5M in prizes to teams whose robotic systems assist with, or independently perform, trauma surgery tasks. Companies and teams of any nationality can compete. Register for the virtual industry day by November 2, 2026, 5:00 PM ET; qualification packets are due as early as October 30.

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There is no proposal and no cost share. Teams qualify with a packet that includes demonstration videos, and up to 10 teams advance to a January 2027 workshop and the scored competition in March 2027.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Biological Technologies Office
• Opportunity: DARPA Surgical Competition (DSC)
• Notice: DARPA-SN-27-02 (Second Industry Day)
• Award vehicle: Prize competition under 10 U.S.C. 4025
• Funding: $3.5M in total prizes
• Key dates: Industry Day registration closes November 2, 2026, 5:00 PM ET; qualification packets due as early as October 30, 2026 (DARPA has published both October 30 and November 13; confirm with SurgicalCompetition@darpa.mil)

Think your team qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the qualification deadline.

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What is the DARPA Surgical Competition?

An open, global prize challenge run by DARPA's Biological Technologies Office. Teams build robotic systems that help a surgeon with trauma procedures (Lane 1, surgical collaboration) or perform them with increasing independence (Lane 2, surgical independence).

What problem is DARPA trying to solve?

Severely injured service members often cannot reach a surgeon in time. DARPA wants robotic surgical capability that can work closer to the point of injury and with fewer specialists on hand.

Prize structure

• Lane 1, surgical collaboration: $1M first, $400K second, $100K third
• Lane 2, surgical independence: $1M first, $400K second, $100K third
• Component gates: additional prizes for passing specific technical gates
• Field size: up to 10 qualified teams

Eligibility

• Individuals and teams of any nationality may compete.
• Excluded: people on the Specially Designated Nationals list, DARPA staff and support contractors, and systems from companies on the DoD 1260H list.
• Government organizations and FFRDCs may compete but cannot win prize money.
• Prize winners need a U.S. Social Security number or taxpayer ID.

How to apply

• Register for the Second Industry Day (virtual, November 4, 2026, 4:00 to 6:00 PM ET) by November 2, 5:00 PM ET. Non-U.S. citizens must file DARPA Form 60 by October 26, 5:00 PM.
• Prepare the qualification packet: demonstration videos showing robotic motion, an emergency stop and three surgical tasks.
• Start network setup early: DARPA's data access requires a whitelisted static IP, which can take about two weeks.
• Confirm the qualification deadline with SurgicalCompetition@darpa.mil.

What happens after you submit?

• Qualification review: up to 10 teams qualify.
• January 15 to 24, 2027: workshop.
• March 20 to 26, 2027: scored competition.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit if you already have a working robotic platform with surgical or fine-manipulation capability and can produce demonstration video soon. Weak fit for software-only teams without hardware, or teams that need upfront funding to build a system.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For prize competitions like the DARPA Surgical Competition, we help you:

• Decide which lane fits your system
• Plan a qualification packet that shows the required tasks clearly
• Line up the DARPA follow-on paths that prize winners can pursue
• Map related military medicine funding (USSOCOM, DHA, CDMRP)
• Keep the timeline realistic against the qualification deadline

Plan your DARPA Surgical Competition entry

Frequently asked questions

Is this a grant or contract?

Neither. It is a prize competition; winners receive prize money and there is no proposal.

How much can one team win?

Up to $1M for first place in a lane, plus component gate prizes.

Can startups compete?

Yes. Companies and teams of any nationality can compete, with the exclusions listed above.

Do I need a U.S. company?

Not to compete. Winners need a U.S. Social Security number or taxpayer ID to receive prizes.

When is the qualification deadline?

DARPA's pages list October 30, 2026, 4:00 PM ET; the industry day notice lists November 13. Plan for October 30 and confirm with DARPA.

What goes in the qualification packet?

Demonstration videos of robotic motion, an emergency stop and three surgical tasks.

Is there an industry day?

Yes, virtual on November 4, 2026; registration closes November 2, 5:00 PM ET.

Is cost share required?

No.

Can BW&CO help with a DARPA Surgical Competition entry?

Yes. We help teams choose a lane, plan the qualification packet and map follow-on funding. Book a call with our team.

Source: DARPA Surgical Competition

NSF Scientific Instrumentation Pilot (26-511)

Status: Open. Next full proposal deadline November 4, 2026, 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time (NSF invitation required); then March 4 and July 7, 2027.

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Executive summary

NSF’s scientific instrumentation pilot funds U.S. small businesses developing new research instruments and experimental platforms. Phase I proposals may request up to $305,000. The next full proposal deadline is November 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time. An NSF invitation is required for Phase I and Fast-Track.

The key decision is whether your technology enables scientific discovery that existing instruments cannot support. A general technology match is insufficient: explain the measurement or experimental barrier, the technical research needed to overcome it, and who would use and buy the resulting instrument.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation, Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships.
• Solicitation: NSF 26-511, SBIR/STTR Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs: A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.
• Award vehicles: Phase I standard grants; Phase II and Fast-Track fixed amount cooperative agreements.
• Project funding: Phase I up to $305,000; Phase II up to $1,250,000; Fast-Track up to $1,555,000 across both phases, subject to eligibility and available funds.
• Technology maturity: Early-stage R&D for next-generation scientific instrumentation and novel platforms. NSF does not specify a numbered TRL requirement in this solicitation.
• Upcoming deadlines: November 4, 2026; March 4, 2027; July 7, 2027. Full proposals are due at 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time. Fast-Track invitations also carry a four-month submission limit.

Considering the November 4 deadline? First check your invitation and proposal readiness. A new Project Pitch does not guarantee an invitation in time for that deadline.

Book a Free Fit Call

What is the scientific instrumentation pilot?

NSF 26-511 is a dedicated SBIR/STTR emphasis on equipment and enabling technologies for the scientific enterprise. It spans technology areas and markets, with the scientific capability created by the instrument at the center of the case. The broader NSF SBIR/STTR opportunity is NSF 26-510; this page addresses 26-511 specifically.

What problem is NSF trying to solve?

Scientific progress can depend on instruments that do not yet exist. NSF is seeking domestic development of capabilities that allow researchers to investigate new questions, including instruments that generate data for AI-enabled discovery. The pilot also recognizes that some essential scientific instruments serve markets too small to attract conventional venture investment.

Priority capability areas

The solicitation describes a broad emphasis rather than a prescribed list of instrument types:

• Next-generation instruments: New capabilities that extend what scientists can observe, measure or investigate.
• Novel experimental platforms: Systems that enable new forms of scientific experimentation.
• AI-enabled discovery infrastructure: Instrumentation supporting the data and experimental capabilities needed for AI-driven science.
• Enabling scientific equipment: Technologies that open new research directions across scientific and engineering fields.

BW&CO’s fit assessment: Connect your proposed instrument to a specific unmet research need. Routine equipment purchases or incremental product improvements do not, by themselves, establish a compelling R&D case.

Funding and award terms

• Phase I: Up to $305,000 for 6–18 months.
• Phase II: Up to $1,250,000, typically over 24 months. Only eligible NSF Phase I awardees may apply.
• Fast-Track: Up to $400,000 for Phase I over 6–12 months, followed by up to $1,155,000 for Phase II over an additional 18–24 months. It has additional entry requirements and is not an automatic two-phase award.
• Program pool: Up to $40 million in anticipated funding across this pilot. This is the overall pool, not an individual award cap.

The stated project caps include applicable costs and fees. NSF takes no equity. Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Separate supplements and a Program Officer-recommended Strategic Breakthrough route are available to qualifying awardees; they are not additional amounts a new Phase I applicant can assume it will receive.

Eligibility and participation

The applicant must qualify as a small business concern under SBIR/STTR rules. The 500-employee size limit includes affiliates. Ownership, control, U.S. performance of work and research-security requirements also apply. STTR requires an eligible partner research institution; SBIR does not require that partnership.

The principal investigator must have primary employment with the small business, defined here as at least 51%, at award and throughout the project unless an approved exception applies. Phase I and Phase II require at least one calendar month of PI effort per six months of performance; Fast-Track requires three. The PI must be legally able to work for the company in the United States.

Phase I requires an invited Project Pitch. Phase II requires the relevant NSF Phase I award and normally a submission 6–24 months after its start. Fast-Track requires a specific invitation within four months, qualifying NSF research lineage, recent formal customer-discovery training and a complete team. Confirm the current requirements before selecting your route.

How to apply

• Check fit: Read NSF 26-511 and define the research capability your instrument would make possible.
• Submit the appropriate pitch: Describe the technical innovation, research objectives and challenges, market opportunity, and company and team. Wait for the required invitation before a Phase I or Fast-Track full proposal.
• Check invitation validity: Phase I invitations normally cover the next two submission deadlines. Fast-Track has its own four-month window. NSF also publishes transition rules for older invitations and awards.
• Complete registrations: Establish active SAM.gov registration, Research.gov registration and an SBA Company Registry ID. Start early; registrations can delay submission.
• Submit through Research.gov: Follow the current solicitation, linked proposal instructions and applicable NSF policy guide. Grants.gov is not the submission system for this opportunity.

What happens after you submit?

NSF checks compliance and reviews intellectual merit, broader impacts and commercial impact. Review can involve Program Officers and external experts. Research-security and other due diligence may follow. An invitation or a request for additional information is not an award decision. NSF’s Grants and Agreements Officer issues the official award notification.

Is this a good fit for your company?

BW&CO’s assessment framework: A stronger case identifies a scientific bottleneck, shows why the instrument needs substantial technical R&D, defines measurable feasibility milestones, and supports a credible route to customers. Explain how researchers would use the capability and why existing alternatives fall short. If the product’s main purpose is unrelated to scientific discovery, evaluate the broader NSF program or another funding path.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO helps deep-tech companies choose appropriate funding paths and develop well-supported proposals. For the scientific instrumentation pilot, we can help you:

• Assess the instrument’s fit with NSF 26-511.
• Choose a proposal route based on your evidence and eligibility.
• Translate technical uncertainty into a focused research plan.
• Develop the Project Pitch and proposal narrative.
• Review the budget, compliance and submission readiness.

Plan your NSF instrumentation submission

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as the general NSF SBIR program?

No. NSF 26-511 emphasizes scientific instrumentation. NSF 26-510 covers the broader deep-technology program.

Does NSF fund companies buying laboratory equipment?

This pilot funds small-business R&D to develop enabling instruments and platforms. Buying existing equipment alone does not demonstrate that fit.

Can AI-related instrumentation fit?

Yes. The solicitation includes instrumentation for AI-driven scientific discovery. Explain the experimental or measurement capability being developed.

Do I need a Project Pitch invitation?

Yes for Phase I and Fast-Track. Their invitation windows differ. Phase II has an award-lineage requirement instead.

Can a company without an NSF Phase I award apply directly to Phase II?

No. This solicitation limits Phase II to eligible NSF Phase I SBIR/STTR awardees. Fast-Track is a separate route with its own prerequisites.

Is a university partner required?

STTR requires a qualifying research institution partner. SBIR permits a partner but does not require one.

What is the next deadline?

November 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time. Later listed deadlines are March 4 and July 7, 2027. Check your invitation’s validity as well as the calendar.

Does NSF take equity?

No. NSF states that it takes no equity and awardees retain ownership of their company and intellectual property.

Can BW&CO help with a scientific instrumentation submission?

Yes. We can assess fit and support pitch preparation, proposal development and submission readiness. Book a call with our team.

Sources: NSF 26-511 solicitation; Project Pitch guidance; full proposal and registration guidance; Fast-Track requirements. Verified October 16, 2026. Consult the official instructions before applying.

Program names are used for identification only. BW&CO is not affiliated with or endorsed by the sponsoring agencies.

DIU Improved Mobile Electric Power Distribution System (I-MEPDIS) AOI: Executive Summary for Startups

Status: Open. Solution briefs due October 28, 2026, 11:59:59 PM ET through the DIU submission form. Prototype OT award; funding amount not published. Open to U.S. and international vendors.

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Executive Summary

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is looking for commercial companies that can adapt existing power distribution products into the Improved Mobile Electric Power Distribution System (I-MEPDIS), replacing the Marine Corps' aging MEPDIS-Replacement panels. Solution briefs are due October 28, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time.

Awards are prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements under DIU's Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), starting with a solution brief of about 5 pages or 15 slides. DIU wants to modify commercial technology, not fund new development, so companies with an existing mobile power distribution product and a credible path to MIL-STD-810 compliance are best positioned. A successfully completed prototype can lead to follow-on production without further competition.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), for the U.S. Marine Corps
• Opportunity: Area of Interest (AOI), Improved Mobile Electric Power Distribution System (I-MEPDIS)
• Project ID: PROJ00683
• Award Vehicle: Prototype Other Transaction agreement under 10 U.S.C. 4022, through CSO HQ0845-20-S-C001 (Amendment 0001, effective March 13, 2026)
• Funding: Not published. Companies invited to pitch provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost.
• Technology Maturity: Existing commercial systems modified for military use
• Prototype Period: 6 to 12 months of design, prototyping and MIL-STD testing, then 1 to 3 months of user evaluations
• Due Date: October 28, 2026, 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the October 28 deadline.

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What Is I-MEPDIS?

I-MEPDIS is a DIU prototype project to replace the Marine Corps' current Mobile Electric Power Distribution Systems. These systems take power from tactical generators and energy storage and distribute it to communications, mission command, fire control, combat operations centers and force protection systems in expeditionary environments and other places without a stable power grid.

The project runs in two phases. In Project Phase 1 (6 to 12 months), selected vendors modify commercial systems to meet the desired features, deliver initial prototypes and conduct MIL-STD compliance testing. In Project Phase 2 (1 to 3 months), operational units evaluate the prototypes in the field for user feedback, interoperability and performance. These project phases are separate from the CSO selection steps (solution brief, pitch, proposal) covered below.

What Problem Is DIU Trying to Solve?

The fielded MEPDIS systems are at the end of their life cycles. Marine units increasingly operate dispersed and self-sufficient, and DIU states that current power distribution inefficiencies "will actively impair mission execution." The Marine Corps needs a logistically supportable family of systems that interconnects current tactical generators and energy storage, supports various sized generators and electrical loads, and stays backwards compatible with the MEPDIS-Replacement equipment already in service.

Priority Capability Areas: What DIU Is Looking For

• Power Inputs: Must accept 120V and 208V 3-phase AC.
• Power Outputs: Must distribute 120VAC, 208V 3-phase AC and 28V DC.
• Paralleling: All inputs must be able to be paralleled. DIU lists this as a required configuration.
• Monitoring: Amperage monitoring is highly desired for all panels.
• Form Factor Below 200A: Systems with inputs rated below 200 amps must be person-portable.
• Form Factor Above 200A: Systems with inputs rated above 200 amps must be skid-mounted and transportable by standard USMC material handling equipment.
• Environmental Testing: All systems must meet MIL-STD-810 environmental testing requirements.
• Deployment and Compatibility: Rapidly deployable and backwards compatible with the current MEPDIS-Replacement system.

Funding and Award Structure

DIU has not published a budget or award ceiling for I-MEPDIS. Cost comes in at the pitch stage, where invited companies provide a ROM price and a notional schedule. The Agreements Officer then negotiates the terms of the prototype OT directly with the company.

• Proposal Costs: The Government does not pay for solution briefs, pitches or proposal development unless stated otherwise.
• Follow-On Production: Under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), a successfully completed prototype OT may lead to a follow-on production contract or transaction without further competition. It can be used by one or more organizations in the Department of War, and DIU notes it could be significantly larger than the prototype award.
• Records Access: Agreements with total payments above $5,000,000 include a clause giving the Comptroller General access to records.

Eligibility and Participation

• Who Can Apply: U.S. and international vendors, independently or through a teaming arrangement. Foreign-owned businesses may submit alone or with U.S.-owned partners, but an award may depend on obtaining the necessary clearances and approvals.
• OT Participation Rule: The project must satisfy 10 U.S.C. 4022(d). That means significant contribution from a nontraditional defense contractor, all participants being small businesses, or at least one third of the total prototype cost paid with non-Federal funds.
• Multiple Submissions: Allowed if each solution brief is a separate and distinct concept.
• SAM.gov and CAGE: Not required to submit. Companies without a CAGE code must register in SAM if selected for award, and DIU recommends starting early.
• Section 889: Any agreement will require confirmation of compliance with Section 889 of the FY2019 NDAA.
• Classification: Submissions must be unclassified. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and FOUO material may be accepted.

How to Apply

• Write the solution brief: About 5 pages in 12-point font or about 15 slides, saved as a PDF of 10MB or less.
• Cover the required content: A title page that names the AOI (not counted toward the limit), a one-page executive summary, a technology concept and a company viability section.
• Explain the technology concept: What is unique about your system, whether it is a pilot of existing commercial technology or new development, your path to mature it and what you consider proprietary.
• Show company viability: A brief company overview, fundraising to date or top-line revenue, and your commercialization and go-to-market strategy.
• Map to every requirement: Show how your product handles the inputs, outputs, paralleling, form factor and MIL-STD-810 requirements. DIU strongly encourages diagrams.
• Mark proprietary data: Use the restrictive legend from the CSO on the cover page and each restricted sheet.
• Submit on diu.mil: Use the form at the bottom of the AOI page, including company and submitter details, SAM and CAGE status, the CUI certification and the Section 889 acknowledgment. Late submissions and submissions through other channels are not reviewed.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Solution Brief Review: DIU evaluates relevance to the AOI, whether the approach is unique or innovative for Government use, and technical merit and feasibility. Each brief is judged on its own merit, not against other briefs.
• Within 30 Days: DIU aims to contact companies it wants to hear a pitch from within 30 days, and to notify others as soon as possible.
• Pitch: Invited companies pitch in person or virtually and address a ROM price, a notional schedule and data rights assertions. Pitches stay valid for 180 calendar days.
• Proposal: Selected companies receive a Request for Prototype Proposal and submit a technical proposal with a Statement of Work and schedule, plus a price proposal.
• Award and Prototyping: If funding is available, DIU awards a prototype OT. Work then runs through Project Phase 1 (6 to 12 months) and Project Phase 2 (1 to 3 months).

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

This is a strong fit if you already build mobile or temporary power distribution equipment for commercial markets and can adapt it to the stated voltages, paralleling and form factor requirements on a 6 to 12 month timeline. Products with built-in current monitoring have an advantage, and so do companies that have run MIL-STD-810 testing before or can show a credible test plan.

Companies with an early-stage concept and no hardware should probably wait, since DIU is asking to modify existing commercial systems. If your strength is monitoring or energy management software, consider teaming with a hardware manufacturer. Traditional defense contractors can still participate, but they will need a nontraditional partner contributing significantly or a one-third cost share to meet the OT rules.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DIU Areas of Interest like I-MEPDIS, we help you:

• Assess fit against the required features and confirm your 10 U.S.C. 4022(d) participation path.
• Build a solution brief around DIU's three evaluation criteria.
• Turn your product specs into a clear requirements map and system diagram.
• Prepare your pitch, including the ROM price, schedule and data rights position.
• Plan the path from prototype OT to follow-on production, including SAM and CAGE readiness.

Plan Your I-MEPDIS Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the I-MEPDIS solution brief due?

October 28, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time, submitted through the form on the DIU AOI page.

How much funding is available?

DIU has not published a budget or award ceiling. Companies invited to pitch provide a ROM price, and the final amount is negotiated in the prototype OT.

Do I need a CAGE code to submit?

No. The form asks whether you have one, but SAM registration is only required if you are selected for award. DIU recommends starting the process early.

Can international companies apply?

Yes. The AOI is open to U.S. and international vendors. Foreign-owned businesses may need clearances and approvals before an award.

Does my product need to be MIL-STD-810 compliant today?

All systems must meet MIL-STD-810 requirements, and Project Phase 1 includes MIL-STD compliance testing. Existing test data helps, but a credible plan to reach compliance within the prototype period is the key point to show.

Are Project Phase 1 and Phase 2 the same as the CSO phases?

No. The CSO selection process has its own steps (solution brief, pitch, proposal). Project Phase 1 (prototyping and testing) and Project Phase 2 (user evaluations) happen after award.

Can we submit as a team?

Yes. DIU accepts solution briefs from a single company or a teaming arrangement.

Can a traditional defense contractor win an award?

Yes, if the project meets 10 U.S.C. 4022(d) through significant nontraditional participation, all small business participants, or a one-third non-Federal cost share.

Can I submit more than one solution brief?

Yes, as long as each brief describes a separate and distinct concept.

Can BW&CO help with an I-MEPDIS submission?

Yes. We help companies decide whether to pursue, write the solution brief and prepare for the pitch. Book a call with our team.

Source: DIU Area of Interest: Improved Mobile Electric Power Distribution System (PROJ00683)

USSOCOM SOF RACER Sensor Fusion Platforms Prototype: Executive Summary for Startups

Status: Open. Proposals due October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET through the SOF RACER portal (SOCOM's revised RFP confirms the date). Questions due October 16. 0 to 5 awards, with a follow-on production ceiling of $75M. SOF RACER membership required (free to join).

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Executive Summary

Sensor Fusion Platforms is the second opportunity released through SOF RACER, USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium. SOCOM wants a prototype software platform that fuses data from cameras and ground sensors on an edge processor, shows it on one map, and controls the connected sensors, plus design plans for Light, Medium and Heavy hardware variants. It supports Special Operations Forces reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) missions.

SOCOM plans 0 to 5 prototype Other Transaction awards. Vendors that complete the prototype can receive a follow-on production contract without new competition, with an estimated ceiling of $75M over a five-year or longer ordering period. Proposals are limited to 6 pages, and only SOF RACER members can submit.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), SOF Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L)
• Program office: PEO Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS)
• Opportunity: SOF RACER Opportunity 0002, Rapid Prototyping: Sensor Fusion Platforms
• Award vehicle: Prototype Other Transaction through the SOF RACER consortium (10 U.S.C. 4022)
• Number of awards: 0 to 5
• Follow-on production: Estimated ceiling of $75M, five-year or longer ordering period, awarded without new competition to successful prototype vendors
• Prototype funding: Not published. The government applies a prototype cost constraint at screening.
• Submission: Proposal, 6 pages max, through the SOF RACER portal
• Questions due: October 16, 2026
• Due date: October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (revised RFP, October 13)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the October 23 deadline.

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What Is SOF RACER?

SOF RACER is USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium, launched in partnership with GovSignals in 2026. It gives companies, including those that have never held a federal contract, a single place to see SOCOM requirements and respond with short proposals. Membership is free. Sensor Fusion Platforms is the second opportunity released to members, after the Human Performance Data Management System (HPDMS).

What Problem Is SOCOM Trying to Solve?

SOF teams need to pull data from many cameras and sensors into one picture at the tactical edge, from a two-person reconnaissance team to a forward operating base. Today there is no standard, modular, AI-enabled platform that scales across those missions. SOCOM wants one product family with a common operating system, applications and user interface, so software upgrades, sensor integrations and training are done once and apply to every variant.

Priority Capability Areas: What SOCOM Is Looking For

• Edge sensor fusion: Process data from at least five sensor types on an edge processor with hardline sensors and no internet or cloud dependency: PTZ cameras, passive infrared, seismic and two more from a list that includes radar, acoustic, RF, LIDAR, magnetic, shot detection and others.
• Graph data architecture: Store all sensor data, target tracks, events and relationships in a graph-based architecture (such as a knowledge graph) that supports semantic queries and fusion, exposed through a documented API for third-party and government AI models.
• Operator interface and C2: Fused real-time map and video display, offline 2D/3D GIS with MIL-STD-2525D symbols, synchronized playback and clip export, picture-in-picture and split-screen video, GMTI track history, alerts, presets, identity-based access, and command and control of connected cameras and sensors.
• Detection and tracking: Baseline detection and classification of persons, vehicles, aircraft, UAVs and watercraft, and slew-to-cue that points an EO/IR gimbal at a target detected by another sensor.
• Dissemination and communications: Export to TAK and other tools using public or government standards such as CoT, GeoJSON, ISA or OMNI, with a path to MANET radios and over-the-horizon links.
• Hardware variants (design plans): Light, man-packable: at least two 4K cameras and 8 ground sensors, under 4 lb. Medium, dismounted: eight 4K cameras and 16 sensors, under 8 lb. Heavy, mounted or fixed: 16 4K cameras and 24 sensors, under 30 lb. Weights exclude sensors, radios and power.

Funding and Award Terms

• Award type: Prototype Other Transaction through SOF RACER. 0 to 5 awards.
• Prototype amount: Not published. Proposals must fit a government-provided prototype cost constraint, a pass/fail screen.
• What you price: The software demonstration, design plans for three variants, and a rough order of magnitude (ROM) for development cost, schedule and unit price per variant.
• Follow-on production: Successful prototype vendors can receive a follow-on production contract without new competition under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f). The government estimates a ceiling of $75M over a five-year or longer ordering period, including sustainment.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• SOF RACER membership: Required to see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.
• Required details: CAGE code, SAM Unique Entity ID and SOF RACER member or application ID, plus the completed eligibility checklist (Attachment 4).
• Prior federal work: Not required to join SOF RACER. Past performance counts for 5% of the evaluation.
• Teaming: Allowed. Software, sensor and rugged hardware companies may need each other to cover the demo and the three variant designs.

How to Apply

• Join SOF RACER: through the GovSignals SOF RACER page if you are not already a member.
• Submit questions: by October 16, 2026. Answers are shared with all members without naming who asked.
• Write a proposal: of up to 6 pages covering company information, current capabilities and TRL, supply chain management, schedule, cost, and technical approach and architecture. The eligibility checklist and one product spec sheet do not count toward the limit.
• Follow the format: 8.5 x 11 pages, Times New Roman 12-point equivalent, 1-inch margins, sequential page numbers, table and figure text no smaller than 8 point. Mark proprietary information.
• Submit through the SOF RACER portal: by October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Pass/fail screening: Six screens: technical and functional requirements, working demonstration, hardware design plans, prototype cost constraint, milestone schedule and submission compliance.
• Comparative evaluation: Adjectival ratings across ten weighted criteria: Sensor Fusion and Data Integration 20%, Communications and Disconnected Operations 15%, Current Capability and TRL 15%, User Interface, GIS, Video and C2 10%, MOSA and Scalability 8%, Demonstration Schedule 8%, Existing Sensor Integrations 7%, Demonstration Cost 7%, Supply Chain 5%, Past Performance 5%. Shorter executable schedules get greater consideration.
• Prototype phases: Virtual kickoff and System Requirements Review within two weeks of award, Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews with read-aheads five working days ahead, a working software demonstration, and an in-person presentation of the three variant designs and updated ROM.
• Success: The demonstration is pass/fail against every Attachment 1 requirement. The government may allow one re-demonstration.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

This fits companies that already have sensor fusion or C2 software running at the edge, computer vision and edge AI teams, counter-UAS and perimeter security integrators, ISR camera and unattended ground sensor makers, and rugged edge compute builders. Current Capability and TRL plus Existing Sensor Integrations make up 22% of the score, so working integrations matter more than plans.

If you have one strong piece, such as a sensor, a detection model or rugged hardware, the realistic route is to team with a fusion and C2 software company. If you have no working edge demo yet, join SOF RACER now and watch for the next opportunities.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For consortium opportunities like Sensor Fusion Platforms, we help you:

• Decide whether to bid as a prime, sub or teammate
• Map your product to every Attachment 1 demonstration threshold before you write
• Fit a strong 6-page proposal to the ten weighted criteria
• Build a schedule and cost that pass screening and score well
• Position for the follow-on production contract

Plan Your Sensor Fusion Proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sensor Fusion Platforms prototype?

A SOCOM effort to prototype edge software that fuses camera and sensor data, displays it on one map and controls the sensors, plus design plans for Light, Medium and Heavy hardware variants.

Is this a SOF RACER opportunity?

Yes. It is Opportunity 0002 on the SOF RACER portal, the second after HPDMS.

Do I need to be a SOF RACER member?

Yes. Only members can see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.

When is it due?

October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. SOCOM's revised RFP moved the date from October 20 to October 23, matching the portal. Questions are due October 16.

How much funding is available?

The prototype amount is not published, and proposals must fit a government cost constraint. Follow-on production has an estimated ceiling of $75M over five years or more.

How many awards will SOCOM make?

Zero to five prototype agreements.

Does the demo have to run without the cloud?

Yes. The demonstration must run on an edge processor with hardline-networked sensors and no internet or cloud back-end processing.

What sensors are required?

At least five types: PTZ cameras, passive infrared, seismic and two more from Annex A, such as ground radar, acoustic arrays, RF, LIDAR or shot detection.

How long is the proposal?

Six pages maximum. The Attachment 4 eligibility checklist and one product spec sheet are not counted.

Can BW&CO help with a Sensor Fusion Platforms proposal?

Yes. We help founders decide whether to bid, find teammates and write proposals that pass screening. Book a call with our team.

Source: Sensor Fusion Platforms Prototype RFP and Attachments 1 to 5 (SOF RACER member portal). About SOF RACER and how to join: GovSignals SOF RACER

USSOCOM SOF RACER Human Performance Data Management System (HPDMS) Prototype: Executive Summary for Startups

Status: Open. White papers due October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET through the SOF RACER portal. Questions due October 16. Est. funding $10M to $30M (BW&CO estimate). SOF RACER membership required (free to join).

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Executive Summary

HPDMS is the first opportunity released through SOF RACER, USSOCOM's new rapid acquisition consortium. SOF AT&L wants a prototype of a modular, cloud-native system that brings together human performance data for the Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) program across all SOF components. It is built for health data, interoperability, AI and secure cloud companies, and for teams that combine them. White papers are due October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

The effort starts with an Initial Operational Capability and must scale to Full Operational Capability without major rework. Every submission has to pass ten pass/fail screens before it is compared, including MHS GENESIS interoperability, a path to IL5/IL6 authorization and milestone-based pricing. Only SOF RACER members can submit.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), SOF Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L)
• Program office: PEO SOF Warrior (PEO SV)
• Opportunity: SOF RACER Opportunity 0001, Human Performance Data Management System (HPDMS)
• Award vehicle: Prototype Other Transaction through the SOF RACER consortium (10 U.S.C. 4022)
• Estimated funding: $10M to $30M (BW&CO estimate). SOCOM has not published a budget. Vendors propose milestone-based pricing.
• Technology maturity: Prototype to IOC, with a path to enterprise FOC
• Submission: White paper, 10 pages max, PDF, through the SOF RACER portal
• Questions due: October 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
• Due date: October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the October 23 deadline.

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What Is SOF RACER?

SOF RACER is USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium, launched in partnership with GovSignals in 2026. It gives companies, including those that have never held a federal contract, a single place to see SOCOM requirements and respond with short white papers instead of full proposals. Membership is free. HPDMS is the first opportunity released to members.

What Problem Is SOCOM Trying to Solve?

POTFF places providers inside SOF units to protect readiness and career longevity. Their data tools sit in separate silos by component and domain. Providers document the same encounter in a local tracking sheet and in the electronic health record. Commanders can't see a consolidated readiness picture, reports don't match across echelons, and an operator's history is dropped when they move units on PCS or PCA orders. SOCOM wants one system that fixes this and can prove program impact to oversight bodies.

USSOCOM J8, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), SOF AT&L and POTFF mapped HPDMS to the existing SOF Digital Common Core Capabilities Software ICD (DC3 SW-ICD). That speeds up the acquisition path, and every solution must trace back to that baseline.

Priority Capability Areas: What SOCOM Is Looking For

• Interface layer: Role-based views for six user tiers, provider encounter and session logging, de-identified commander dashboards with controlled drill-down, and a mobile self-service portal for service members. Query results must be 100% consistent across echelons.
• Data aggregation layer: A POTFF Common Data Model across five domains (physical, cognitive, spiritual, social and family, psychological), ML-driven schema mapping and entity resolution, AI data-quality agents, and a longitudinal record that follows each operator within 24 hours of a move.
• Analytics layer: ETL and statistics workspaces (Python, R, SQL), ML models for injury risk, readiness forecasting and resource optimization at over 85% validated accuracy, and secure GenAI with retrieval-augmented generation in IL5 and IL6 that can draft auditable responses to oversight requests in under 24 hours.
• Interoperability: Two-way, near-real-time exchange with MHS GENESIS using FHIR, consent-based ingestion from wearables, force plates, body composition scanners and training and nutrition apps, and links to service programs such as Army H2F and Air Force True North.
• Privacy and security: A firewall between clinical and non-clinical records, automated HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification, FIPS 140-3 encryption across IL2, IL5 and IL6, role-based access, audit-by-default logging and full data lineage.

Funding and Award Terms

• Award type: Prototype Other Transaction through SOF RACER.
• Estimated amount: SOCOM has not published a budget. BW&CO estimates $10M to $30M across the prototype, based on the scope (IOC through enterprise rollout, MHS GENESIS integration, IL5/IL6 hosting and AI) and comparable SOCOM data platform awards. Treat this as a planning range, not a government figure.
• Pricing: Vendors propose milestone-based pricing that covers labor, cloud hosting, AI compute, licenses, integration, travel, training, sustainment and recurring costs.
• Delivery: Incremental agile releases, starting with replacement of legacy spreadsheets and the Common Data Model, then the service member portal and injury models, de-identified dashboards, wearable integration, GenAI and joint expansion, and EHR integration.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• SOF RACER membership: Required to see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.
• Competition: Full and open among SOF RACER members.
• Prior federal work: Not required to join SOF RACER, though relevant past performance makes up 15% of the evaluation.
• Teaming: Allowed. The breadth of the requirement (EHR integration, wearables, AI, IL6 hosting) makes teaming practical for most companies.

How to Apply

• Join SOF RACER: through the GovSignals SOF RACER page if you are not already a member.
• Submit questions: by October 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Answers are shared with all members without naming who asked.
• Write a white paper: of up to 10 pages (cover page and certifications excluded) covering: proposed solution, technical approach, mission relevance, risk and security, relevant experience, execution approach and pricing.
• Follow the format: PDF, 8.5 x 11, 10-point minimum font, page numbers required. Tables and graphics count toward the limit. Mark proprietary information.
• Submit through the SOF RACER portal: by October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Email submissions are not accepted unless the government authorizes them.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Pass/fail screening: Ten mandatory screens: technical and functional requirements, MHS GENESIS interoperability, security and authorization path, CUI/PHI/PII protection, data portability, prototype execution, milestone schedule, pricing, SOF RACER eligibility and submission compliance.
• Comparative evaluation: Adjectival ratings (Outstanding to Unacceptable) across six weighted criteria: Innovation 25%, Relevance 20%, Risk Reduction 20%, Past Performance 15%, Business Viability 10%, Affordability 10%.
• Award timing: Not published.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

This fits companies that already run health or performance data platforms, EHR and FHIR integration, wearable and sensor data pipelines, healthcare AI and analytics, or secure DoD cloud environments. A credible answer on MHS GENESIS, IL5/IL6 authorization and HIPAA de-identification is required to pass screening.

If you have one strong piece, such as a wearable data platform or an injury prediction model, the realistic route is to team with a prime or integrator that covers hosting and authorization. If you have no path to IL5, join SOF RACER now and watch for the next opportunities.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For consortium opportunities like HPDMS, we help you:

• Decide whether to bid as a prime, sub or teammate
• Map your capability to the ten pass/fail screens before you write
• Build a 10-page white paper aligned to the six weighted criteria
• Structure milestone-based pricing the government can evaluate
• Prepare for the SOF RACER opportunities that follow

Plan Your HPDMS Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HPDMS?

A prototype Human Performance Data Management System for USSOCOM's POTFF program that consolidates performance and health data across all SOF components.

Is this the first SOF RACER opportunity?

Yes. HPDMS is Opportunity 0001 on the SOF RACER portal.

Do I need to be a SOF RACER member?

Yes. Only members can see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.

When is it due?

October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Questions are due October 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

How long is the white paper?

Up to 10 pages, not counting the cover page and required certifications, in PDF with 10-point minimum font.

How much funding is available?

SOCOM has not published an amount. BW&CO estimates $10M to $30M across the prototype, based on scope and comparable SOCOM data platform awards. Vendors propose milestone-based pricing.

What award type is planned?

A prototype Other Transaction through SOF RACER under 10 U.S.C. 4022.

What will sink a submission fastest?

Missing a pass/fail screen. A weak MHS GENESIS integration plan, no path to IL5/IL6 authorization or incomplete pricing can remove a submission before comparison.

Can small companies compete?

Yes. Prior federal contracts are not required to join SOF RACER, though past performance counts for 15%. Teaming helps cover hosting and authorization.

Can BW&CO help with an HPDMS submission?

Yes. We help founders decide whether to bid, find teammates and write white papers that pass screening. Book a call with our team.

Source: HPDMS Statement of Objectives and Attachment 2 Submission Instructions (SOF RACER member portal). About SOF RACER and how to join: GovSignals SOF RACER

NIH SenNet Technology Projects (SenTecs) RFA-RM-27-007

Status: Open. Due November 23, 2026, 5:00 PM local time (earliest submission October 23). UG3 up to $400,000 and UH3 up to $550,000 in direct costs a year. Companies of any size are eligible.

Book a Free Fit Call

What is the NIH SenNet Technology Projects (SenTecs) opportunity?

SenNet Technology Projects (SenTecs), RFA-RM-27-007, is an NIH Common Fund cooperative agreement that funds the development of new tools and technologies to identify, characterize, and understand senescent cells in human tissue. It is part of the Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet), a program launched in 2021 to map senescent cells across the human body and lifespan.

Senescent cells accumulate with age and contribute to cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, pulmonary disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. SenNet has already documented how varied these cells are across tissues. SenTecs now fund the technologies needed to explain what that variation means and to support better ways of targeting senescent cells in aging and disease.

Awards are five-year, milestone-driven, and run in two phases: a two-year UG3 phase for development and proof of feasibility, then a three-year UH3 phase for scaling, optimizing, and validating the technology in multiple human tissues. The NOFO is administered by the National Cancer Institute on behalf of NIH.

Key dates and funding

• Application due date: November 23, 2026, by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. No late applications are accepted.
• Earliest submission date: October 23, 2026
• UG3 phase: up to $400,000 in direct costs per year for up to 2 years
• UH3 phase: up to $550,000 in direct costs per year for up to 3 years
• Maximum project period: 5 years
• NIH intends to commit $5.4M in total costs in FY2027 to fund up to 9 awards
• Scientific merit review: March 2027. Advisory council review: May 2027. Earliest start date: July 2027.
• No cost sharing required. Clinical trials are not allowed.

Who is eligible?

Small businesses and larger for-profit companies are eligible to apply, along with universities, nonprofits, government entities, and tribal organizations. This is not an SBIR or STTR program, so there are no small business size or ownership rules and no required research partner.

• Non-U.S. entities and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible.
• Foreign subawards or subcontracts make an application noncompliant. Unfunded international collaborations, foreign consultants, and unique foreign equipment or supplies are still allowed.
• Organizations may submit more than one application if each is scientifically distinct.
• Applications must include separate Specific Aims and plans for both the UG3 and UH3 phases.

What technologies does SenTecs fund?

SenTecs fund novel tools, or the adaptation of existing tools, that are built for human systems and that help explain senescent cell heterogeneity in tissue. NIH lists the following examples, though responsive projects are not limited to them.

Multi-omics characterization

Technologies that extend senescent cell mapping beyond spatial single-cell transcriptomics into lipidomic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiling in vivo, plus genomic, epigenomic, and chromosome architecture analysis.

Models of the senescent cell niche

Multiscale models and tools that analyze the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and how it interacts with the tissue-specific niche in health and disease.

AI and machine learning tools

ML and AI approaches that define senotypes, predict where senescence will occur, and uncover clinically relevant vulnerabilities in senescent cells.

Lineage and targeting tools

Methods that predict lineage trajectories for tissue-specific senescent cells, identify targetable vulnerabilities, and predict the outcomes of senotherapies.

Imaging and analysis technologies

Tools that integrate MRI, micro-CT, photoacoustic imaging, Raman spectroscopy, histology, morphology, and mechanical imaging, or that analyze mitochondria, the extracellular space, or viral signatures.

Applications that propose only single-cell transcriptomic technologies, or technologies with no clear consideration of senescence biology, will be deemed non-responsive.

How do you apply?

Applications are submitted through NIH ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution, following the Research (R) instructions in the NIH How to Apply Application Guide.

• Complete SAM.gov (with UEI), Grants.gov, and eRA Commons registrations before submitting. NIH notes registration can take 6 weeks or more.
• Every PD/PI needs an eRA Commons account linked to an ORCID ID.
• Include an Intellectual Property Strategy attachment of up to 3 pages.
• Provide quantitative milestones every 6 months during the UG3 phase and yearly during the UH3 phase, with a Gantt chart.
• Describe how the technology will integrate with SenNet's Discovery and Validation Centers and Data Coordination and Integration Center.
• Plan to set aside about 10% of the year 5 budget for a collaborative demonstration project.

NIH is planning a pre-application webinar. Questions can be sent to the Common Fund Cellular Senescence Program at CS2@nih.gov.

Is this a fit for your company?

SenTecs suit biotech and life science tools companies building assays, imaging platforms, multi-omics methods, or AI analytics that can characterize individual cells in human tissue. Companies with a platform already proven in another field can apply if they show how it solves a real problem in senescence research. Because the deadline is close and registrations take time, teams should start now. BW&CO helps founders assess fit, structure UG3/UH3 milestones, and build a competitive application. Book a free funding fit call to see if SenTecs is right for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can a small business apply for NIH SenTecs funding?

Yes. Small businesses and other for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for RFA-RM-27-007, along with universities, nonprofits, and government entities. Non-U.S. organizations are not eligible.

How much funding does a SenTecs award provide?

Applicants may request up to $400,000 in direct costs per year during the two-year UG3 phase and up to $550,000 in direct costs per year during the three-year UH3 phase. NIH intends to commit $5.4M in total costs in FY2027 to fund up to 9 awards.

When is the SenTecs application due?

Applications are due November 23, 2026, by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. The earliest submission date is October 23, 2026, and no late applications are accepted.

Is SenTecs an SBIR or STTR program?

No. SenTecs is an NIH Common Fund UG3/UH3 cooperative agreement, not an SBIR or STTR award. NIH program staff are substantially involved, and awardees join the SenNet consortium.

How does a project move from the UG3 phase to the UH3 phase?

The transition is not automatic. At the end of year 2, awardees submit a transition application showing milestone achievement, feasibility in human systems, and active consortium participation. NIH staff review it administratively, and transition also depends on available funds.

What projects are considered non-responsive?

Applications that propose only single-cell transcriptomic technologies, or that develop technologies with no clear consideration of senescence biology, will be deemed non-responsive. Clinical trials are also not allowed.

NHLBI Catalyze RFA-HL-26-019: Product Definition for Medical Devices, Diagnostics and Research Tools

Status: Open. Next due dates October 21, 2026 and February 11, 2027, 5:00 PM local time. Up to $300,000 in direct costs a year per phase. Companies of any size, universities and nonprofits are eligible.

Book a Free Fit Call

What is the NHLBI Catalyze Product Definition program for medical devices?

The NHLBI Catalyze Product Definition program (RFA-HL-26-019) is an NIH grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute that funds early-stage development of medical device prototypes, diagnostic assays, and research tools for heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) diseases and disorders.

It uses a two-phase R61/R33 structure. The R61 phase supports initial prototype design and testing, disease target identification, and pilot work on research tools. The R33 phase supports continued development, larger-scale testing, and data integration, with the goal of positioning the product for preclinical development such as the NHLBI Catalyze Preclinical Program.

Unlike SBIR and STTR, Catalyze is open to for-profit companies of any size as well as universities and nonprofits, and it puts heavy weight on milestones, regulatory planning, and commercialization partners.

What are the key dates and funding amounts?

• Next recommended deadline: February 11, 2027 (5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization)
• Remaining due dates: October 21, 2026, February 11, 2027, June 17, 2027, and October 21, 2027
• Earliest start dates: July 2027 (October 2026 cycle), December 2027 (February 2027 cycle), April 2028 (June 2027 cycle), July 2028 (October 2027 cycle)
• Budget: up to $300,000 in direct costs per year in both the R61 and R33 phases
• Project period: up to 3 years combined, with no more than 2 years in either phase
• NHLBI plans up to $4,466,000 per fiscal year (FY 2026 through FY 2028) for up to 8 new awards per year across this NOFO and its companion NOFOs
• Notice expires December 24, 2027

Who is eligible to apply?

• For-profit organizations, including small businesses and larger companies
• Public and private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits, with or without 501(c)(3) status
• State, local, and tribal governments, federal agencies, and certain other organizations

Foreign organizations are not eligible, although non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are allowed. Any individual with the needed skills and resources can serve as PD/PI, and every PD/PI needs an eRA Commons account. An organization may submit multiple applications if each is scientifically distinct.

What does Catalyze Product Definition fund?

Medical devices

R61 work can include key component testing, a first prototype or benchtop unit, in vitro and acute in vivo testing, and small animal studies. R33 work can include system integration, design for manufacturing, performance comparison against gold standard devices, chronic in vivo and large animal testing, and an FDA pre-submission meeting.

Diagnostics and assays

R61 work can include testing with limited human samples, building a working prototype, and incorporating assays onto an existing sensing platform. R33 work can include validation in large sample panels or clinical datasets, sensitivity and precision improvements, and an FDA pre-submission meeting.

Research tools

R61 work can include algorithm design, smartphone interface development, limited user and focus group testing, and pilot feasibility studies. R33 work can include large population testing, EHR integration, extension to iOS or Android, and multi-site studies.

What is out of scope

• Therapeutic agent development (covered by companion NOFOs RFA-HL-26-017 and RFA-HL-26-018)
• Development of risk, detection, diagnostic, prognostic, predictive, and prevention biomarkers
• Clinical research and clinical trials

How does the R61 to R33 transition work?

Applicants propose two separate sets of quantifiable milestones, one for R61 and one for R33. Milestones must be specific, measurable, and time-bound, and every Specific Aim needs at least one. Specific Aims or activity lists alone do not count as milestones.

NHLBI decides whether to fund the R33 phase based on three factors:

• Achievement of the R61 milestones
• Third-party investment, shown by a recommended minimum 0.25:1 non-Federal cash match of R33 Federal direct costs (in-kind contributions do not count toward the match)
• An Accelerator Partner, a commercialization expert who mentors the team on business development, regulatory submissions, IP, reimbursement, and market analysis

Neither the cash match nor the Accelerator Partner is required at application, but the application must explain how a partner would fill development gaps, and NHLBI expects you to secure one early in the R61 phase.

How do you apply?

• Register your organization in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons well before the deadline
• Contact NHLBI program staff early to confirm your project fits the HLBS scope
• Build R61 and R33 milestone plans and place the project timeline as the last element of the Research Strategy
• Prepare the required "IP and Regulatory Strategies.pdf" attachment covering IP position, patents, third-party IP limits, and your planned FDA pathway (for example 510(k) or IDE). Applications without it will not be peer reviewed.
• Submit through Grants.gov using NIH application forms by 5:00 PM local time on the due date

Reviewers score importance of the research, rigor and feasibility (including whether milestones are measurable and timelines realistic), and expertise and resources. Applications may be triaged, with only the top half discussed.

Is this a fit for your company?

Catalyze Product Definition suits medtech, diagnostics, and digital health companies with a heart, lung, blood, or sleep application, solid preliminary data, and a clear path to an FDA pathway. It is especially useful for companies that are not SBIR eligible or have already used SBIR, because there is no company size limit. The milestone plan, IP and regulatory attachment, and Accelerator Partner strategy are where many applications win or lose.

BW&CO has helped clients secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. Book a free funding fit call and we will tell you whether Catalyze, NIH SBIR, or another program is the strongest route for your technology.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does NHLBI Catalyze Product Definition provide?

Up to $300,000 in direct costs per year in each of the R61 and R33 phases, over a combined project period of up to 3 years with no more than 2 years in either phase.

When is the next deadline for RFA-HL-26-019?

The remaining due dates are October 21, 2026, February 11, 2027, June 17, 2027, and October 21, 2027, each at 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

Can companies apply, or only universities?

Companies can apply. For-profit organizations of any size, including small businesses, are eligible, along with universities, nonprofits, and government entities. Foreign organizations are not eligible.

Do I need an Accelerator Partner or cost match to apply?

No. Both are needed to transition from R61 to R33, not at application. NHLBI recommends a minimum 0.25:1 non-Federal cash match for the R33 phase and requires an Accelerator Partner before R33 funding.

Does Catalyze fund therapeutics or clinical trials?

No. Therapeutics are covered by companion NOFOs RFA-HL-26-017 and RFA-HL-26-018. Clinical trials, clinical research, and biomarker development are not responsive to this NOFO.

What attachment is required with the application?

An "IP and Regulatory Strategies.pdf" attachment describing your IP position and planned FDA regulatory pathway is required. Applications without it are considered incomplete and will not be peer reviewed.

SpEC GPS Gen4 Ground Prototype (Project 26-18)

Executive Summary

Space Systems Command is preparing a SpEC prototype project to design and prototype components, software and hardware for a resilient, MOSA-based GPS ground command and control segment for future GPS satellites. Additional program documents were released October 5, 2026. No submission deadline is set yet. NSTXL membership is required.

Book a Free Fit Call

The Government has already held a Project TALX and a teaming event and released CUI program documents. Teams that request the documents and settle their role now will have the most time to prepare.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC)
• Opportunity: GPS Gen4 Ground
• Project Number: SpEC Project 26-18
• Consortium: Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC), managed by NSTXL
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype components, functions, software and hardware
• Due Date: Not yet released. Additional program documents posted October 5, 2026; Project TALX held September 22, 2026.

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the prototype project is released.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is GPS Gen4 Ground?

GPS Gen4 Ground is a coming soon prototype project through the Space Enterprise Consortium. It covers designing, developing and prototyping critical components, functions, software and hardware for a new GPS ground command and control segment.

What Problem Is Space Systems Command Trying to Solve?

Space Systems Command needs a resilient ground command and control segment to launch and operate future Government GPS satellites, built on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) so parts can be upgraded and replaced over time.

Priority Capability Areas: What Space Systems Command Is Looking For

• Command and control software: software for a resilient GPS ground command and control segment
• Hardware: prototype ground segment hardware
• Critical functions: components and functions needed to launch and operate future GPS satellites
• Open architecture: solutions built on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: prototype project through SpEC; terms will be set in the solicitation
• Amounts: not yet published
• Documents: additional program documents are notional and subject to change

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• NSTXL membership: All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any SpEC opportunity. NSTXL asks applicants to allow one business day for a new application (membership@nstxl.org).
• CUI documents: the additional program documents are CUI and must be requested through the CUI Documents Request Form; allow 24 to 48 hours

How to Apply

• Confirm NSTXL membership: apply or check status through membership@nstxl.org
• Request the coming soon notice: use the key document request form on the GPS Gen4 Ground page
• Request the CUI program documents: use the CUI Documents Request Form and allow 24 to 48 hours
• Decide prime or partner: ground segment work at this scale often suits teaming
• Watch for the solicitation: the submission format and deadline will come with the release

What Happens After You Submit?

• Release: SSC will release the prototype project solicitation through SpEC
• Award: selected performers receive prototype awards under SpEC
• Operations: the segment supports the launch and operation of future GPS satellites

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits space ground systems and mission software companies, satellite command and control and cybersecurity teams, and MOSA and open architecture specialists. Smaller firms may fit best as subcontractors on a larger team.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For SpEC prototype projects like GPS Gen4 Ground, we help you:

• Check the fit: match your software or hardware to the ground segment scope
• Get set up on NSTXL: membership and CUI document requests done early
• Decide prime or partner: find the right team position
• Write the solution: a clear MOSA-based technical approach and prototype plan
• Prepare for release: be ready to respond quickly when SSC posts the solicitation

Plan Your GPS Gen4 Ground Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GPS Gen4 Ground open now?

Not yet. The coming soon notice was posted September 4, 2026, and additional program documents were posted October 5, 2026.

Who is the customer?

U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC).

What is it for?

A resilient GPS ground command and control segment to support the launch and operation of future Government GPS satellites.

What is MOSA?

The Modular Open Systems Approach, an open architecture that lets components be upgraded or replaced over time.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding amounts.

Do I need to be an NSTXL member?

Yes. All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any SpEC opportunity.

How do I get the program documents?

They are CUI. Request them through the CUI Documents Request Form on the NSTXL page and allow 24 to 48 hours.

Were there any industry events?

Yes. A Project TALX on September 22, 2026 and an Innovator NETWORX teaming event on September 23, 2026.

Can BW&CO help with a GPS Gen4 Ground submission?

Yes. We help teams confirm fit, decide prime or partner, and prepare a strong submission. Book a call with our team.

Source: GPS Gen4 Ground, Project 26-18, on NSTXL

S²MARTS Sirena Payload Adapter and Demo (26-06)

Executive Summary

NSWC Crane is preparing an OTA prototype opportunity to redesign and deliver a flight-ready payload adapter that integrates the Sirena Payload Delivery Vehicle with a government-furnished tactical boost vehicle. The Request for Solutions has not been released, so no deadline is set yet. NSTXL membership is required.

Book a Free Fit Call

The work runs from integration design through a flight-ready prototype and demonstration, so teams that combine mechanical, electrical and avionics integration with flight hardware manufacturing are the natural fit.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Department of War, with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane
• Opportunity: Sirena Payload Adapter and Demonstration
• Project Number: S²MARTS Project No. 26-06
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS, managed by NSTXL
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Flight-ready prototype and tactical demonstration
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released (coming soon notice posted May 28, 2026)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the Request for Solutions is released.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is Project 26-06?

Project 26-06 is a coming soon S²MARTS prototype opportunity focused on payload integration. It asks for innovative approaches to redesign and deliver a flight-ready payload adapter that joins the Sirena Payload Delivery Vehicle (PDV) to a government-furnished tactical boost vehicle.

What Problem Is NSWC Crane Trying to Solve?

The Department of War needs the Sirena PDV integrated with a tactical boost vehicle. That takes a flight-ready adapter and a demonstration that proves the integration, supporting payload integration and tactical demonstration capabilities.

Priority Capability Areas: What NSWC Crane Is Looking For

• Payload integration: payload integration and interface technologies
• Subsystem integration: advanced mechanical, electrical and subsystem integration approaches
• Hardware design: modular and scalable hardware design concepts
• Flight hardware: flight-ready prototype development and manufacturing
• Avionics: avionics, controls and mission systems integration
• Transition: approaches that support demonstration, transition and production readiness

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS
• Period of performance: finalized after the Request for Solutions, based on the proposed technical approach and performer timelines
• Amounts: not yet published

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• NSTXL membership: All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity. NSTXL asks applicants to allow one business day for a new application (membership@nstxl.org).
• Documents: the full coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Confirm NSTXL membership: apply or check status through membership@nstxl.org
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the Project 26-06 page
• Build the team: combine integration design, avionics and flight hardware manufacturing
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: NSWC Crane will release the RFS with submission details
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements
• Demonstration: the effort ends in a flight-ready adapter and tactical demonstration

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits aerospace structures and integration firms, missile and launch vehicle hardware suppliers, avionics and flight controls companies, and small teams that have delivered flight-qualified hardware on tight schedules.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For S²MARTS prototype projects like Project 26-06, we help you:

• Check the fit: match your integration and flight hardware experience to the focus areas
• Get set up on NSTXL: membership and documents ready before the RFS
• Build the team: cover design, avionics and manufacturing
• Write the solution: a credible adapter design, test and demonstration plan
• Frame the OTA: scope, milestones and price for a prototype agreement

Plan Your Project 26-06 Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Project 26-06 open now?

Not yet. The coming soon notice was posted May 28, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

What is the Sirena PDV?

The Sirena Payload Delivery Vehicle. The adapter must integrate it with a government-furnished tactical boost vehicle.

Who is running it?

The Department of War with NSWC Crane, through the S²MARTS OTA that NSTXL manages.

What award type is planned?

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding amounts.

Do I need to be an NSTXL member?

Yes. All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit.

What does the prototype need to be?

A flight-ready payload adapter, carried through demonstration, with attention to transition and production readiness.

Where do I get the full notice?

Fill out the key document request form on the Project 26-06 page on nstxl.org.

Can BW&CO help with a Project 26-06 submission?

Yes. We help teams confirm fit, get set up on NSTXL, and write the solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: Project No. 26-06 on NSTXL

S²MARTS Aircraft Countermeasure Dispenser (26-11)

Executive Summary

The Navy and NSWC Crane are preparing an OTA prototype opportunity to build domestic manufacturing for an aircraft countermeasure dispenser that carries 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch expendables, plus critical survivability components. The Request for Solutions has not been released, so no deadline is set yet. NSTXL membership is required.

Book a Free Fit Call

The goal is a resilient, multi-source domestic industrial base. That makes manufacturing capacity, process maturity and domestic material sourcing as important as the design itself.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Department of the Navy, with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane
• Opportunity: Aircraft Expendable Countermeasure Dispenser Prototyping and Manufacturing
• Project Number: S²MARTS Project No. 26-11
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS, managed by NSTXL
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype development and manufacturing scale-up
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released (coming soon revision posted July 7, 2026)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the Request for Solutions is released.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is Project 26-11?

Project 26-11 is a coming soon S²MARTS prototype opportunity focused on domestic manufacturing and sustainment for a dispenser or magazine that carries a hybrid of 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch countermeasure expendables, with a possible future variant for 1x1x8-inch expendables only, plus other critical aircraft survivability components.

What Problem Is the Navy Trying to Solve?

The Navy wants to strengthen the domestic industrial base for aircraft survivability. It is looking for resilient, scalable manufacturing that reduces supply chain vulnerabilities and establishes a multi-source domestic industrial base.

Priority Capability Areas: What the Navy Is Looking For

• Aircraft survivability: countermeasure dispenser and survivability capabilities
• Manufacturing process: process development and transition to production
• Advanced manufacturing: industrialization, precision manufacturing and assembly
• Supply chain: resiliency, sustainment and domestic material sourcing
• Speed: rapid prototyping and scaling

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS
• Period of performance: determined after the Request for Solutions, based on selected performers' proposed timelines
• Amounts: not yet published

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• NSTXL membership: All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity. NSTXL asks applicants to allow one business day for a new application (membership@nstxl.org).
• Documents: the full revised coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Confirm NSTXL membership: apply or check status through membership@nstxl.org
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the Project 26-11 page
• Line up manufacturing partners: the effort values multi-source, domestic capacity
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: NSWC Crane will release the RFS with submission details
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements
• Scale-up: the aim is a resilient, multi-source domestic industrial base for these components

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits precision manufacturers, aerospace machining and assembly shops, defense electronics and pyrotechnic hardware suppliers, and companies with countermeasure or aircraft survivability experience.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For S²MARTS prototype projects like Project 26-11, we help you:

• Check the fit: match your manufacturing capability to the focus areas
• Get set up on NSTXL: membership and documents ready before the RFS
• Build the team: find partners to cover design, components and capacity
• Write the solution: a credible prototype and manufacturing scale-up plan
• Frame the OTA: scope, milestones and price for a prototype agreement

Plan Your Project 26-11 Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Project 26-11 open now?

Not yet. The coming soon revision was posted July 7, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

What changed in the July revision?

The name and description changed. The earlier notice focused on the Active Expendable Decoy (AED) system; the revision focuses on a dispenser or magazine for 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch expendables.

Who is running it?

The Department of the Navy with NSWC Crane, through the S²MARTS OTA that NSTXL manages.

What award type is planned?

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding amounts.

Do I need to be an NSTXL member?

Yes. All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit.

Is manufacturing capacity important?

Yes. The stated goal is resilient, scalable, multi-source domestic manufacturing and reduced supply chain risk.

Where do I get the full notice?

Fill out the key document request form on the Project 26-11 page on nstxl.org.

Can BW&CO help with a Project 26-11 submission?

Yes. We help teams confirm fit, get set up on NSTXL, and write the solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: Project No. 26-11 on NSTXL

JDEC Directed Energy Counter-UAS Prototypes (DEcUAS)

Executive Summary

The Joint Directed Energy Consortium is preparing to fund prototypes that defeat drones with directed energy: high energy lasers (1 to 70 kW), high power microwave and airborne systems. Subsystem and software solutions are welcome. The Request for Solutions has not been released, so no deadline is set yet.

Book a Free Fit Call

Awards will be Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements. Because the solicitation is still coming soon, companies that line up their approach, membership and partners now will be best placed when the Request for Solutions drops.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), Critical Technologies, Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE) Office
• Opportunity: Directed Energy Counter Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (DEcUAS)
• Consortium: Joint Directed Energy Consortium (JDEC), managed by NSTXL
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype systems and key partial solutions
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released (coming soon notice posted August 18, 2026)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the Request for Solutions is released.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is DEcUAS?

DEcUAS is a coming soon prototype opportunity from JDEC for directed energy systems that counter uncrewed aircraft. It seeks multi-domain, adaptable, scalable and energy-efficient systems built on modular architectures.

What Problem Is SCADE Trying to Solve?

SCADE wants to advance directed energy defense and force protection against uncrewed aircraft threats. It is looking for adaptable, scalable and energy-efficient prototype systems and key partial solutions, built on modular architectures that work across domains.

Priority Capability Areas: What SCADE Is Looking For

• High-Energy Laser (HEL) prototypes: robust continuous wave lasers in the 1 kW to 70 kW average power class; pulsed lasers will also be considered
• High-Power Microwave (HPM) prototypes: high-gain, full sky dome, fast-steering beam with effective ranges of a kilometer or more
• Directed energy airborne prototypes: modular, lightweight airborne systems, podded or integrated into airframes
• Enablers: critical subsystem and software integration solutions that support the three pillars

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards
• Period of performance: finalized after the Request for Solutions, based on the proposed technical approach and performer timelines
• Amounts: not yet published

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• Company name and CAGE code: the company name you submit under must match the CAGE code on file; parent and subsidiary organizations must have aligned membership status and dates
• Consortium membership: submissions go through JDEC; contact membership@nstxl.org about membership
• Documents: the full coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Check membership and CAGE: make sure your JDEC membership and CAGE code line up under the same company name
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the DEcUAS page
• Join the teaming list: find partners for subsystems or software you do not cover
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: JDEC will release the RFS with submission details
• Evaluation: solutions are categorized under the three prototype pillars plus subsystem and software enablers
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements with periods of performance based on their timelines

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits laser and HPM developers, power and thermal subsystem makers, beam control and tracking companies, airborne pod integrators, and software teams for detection, tracking and fire control. Partial solutions are in scope, so component specialists can compete.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For directed energy prototype opportunities like DEcUAS, we help you:

• Pick the pillar: match your technology to HEL, HPM, airborne or an enabler
• Get ready early: membership, CAGE alignment and partners sorted before the RFS
• Write the solution: a clear prototype plan with performance, SWaP and integration detail
• Frame the OTA: scope, milestones and price that fit a prototype agreement
• Plan the follow-on: show how the prototype can transition to fielding

Plan Your DEcUAS Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DEcUAS open now?

Not yet. The coming soon notice was posted August 18, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

Who is the government customer?

The OUSW(R&E) Critical Technologies Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE) Office, supported by JDEC.

What laser power is in scope?

Continuous wave lasers in the 1 kW to 70 kW average power class. Pulsed lasers will also be considered.

Is high power microwave in scope?

Yes. HPM prototypes with high gain, full sky dome coverage, a fast-steering beam and kilometer-class effective range.

Can I propose only a subsystem or software?

Yes. The notice includes critical subsystem and software integration enablers and key partial solutions.

What award type is planned?

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding amounts.

Does my company name have to match my CAGE code?

Yes. The company name you submit under must match the CAGE code on file, for both parent and subsidiary organizations.

Can BW&CO help with a DEcUAS submission?

Yes. We help teams pick a pillar, get ready before the RFS, and write the solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: DEcUAS on NSTXL

JDEC DE Enhancement SWaP ISV: 30kW HEL Prototypes

Executive Summary

The Joint Directed Energy Consortium is preparing to fund prototypes that reduce size, weight and power for a 30kW-class high energy laser on the Infantry Squad Vehicle. The Request for Solutions is not out yet. Industry Day is October 27, 2026; register by October 22. JDEC members only.

Book a Free Fit Call

This is a coming soon notice, so now is the time to position. Solutions will be evaluated under twelve prototype pillars, from a full HEL system down to single subsystems such as power, thermal storage or beam control, which opens the door to component companies and not only laser integrators.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Fires, Portfolio Management Executive Defensive Fires (PME DF), Project Manager for Advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Effects (PM ACE)
• Opportunity: Directed Energy (DE) Enhancement Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) for the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)
• Consortium: Joint Directed Energy Consortium (JDEC), managed by NSTXL
• Award Vehicle: Prototype opportunity through JDEC; terms will be set in the Request for Solutions
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype systems, subsystems and components for the Enduring HEL (E-HEL) production effort
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released. Industry Day: October 27, 2026, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM CT (registration deadline October 22, 2026).

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the Request for Solutions is released.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is DE Enhancement SWaP ISV?

DE Enhancement SWaP ISV is a coming soon prototype opportunity from JDEC. It seeks prototype systems, subsystems and components that reduce size, weight and power for High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems, using the Enduring HEL Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) so improvements can be integrated during E-HEL production.

What Problem Is the Army Trying to Solve?

The Army needs a 30kW-class HEL weapon that fits on an Infantry Squad Vehicle - Utility (ISV-U). That requires major cuts in size, weight and power while keeping reliability, maintainability, producibility and performance. The work supports the Army's acquisition decision in Fiscal Year 2031.

Priority Capability Areas: What the Army Is Looking For

• Full system: HEL prototype on an ISV-U based, 30kW-class platform
• Power and energy: power generation, energy storage and thermal energy storage subsystems
• Structure: structural subsystems that save weight and space
• Software and sensors: software algorithms, sensors and network and communications subsystems
• Laser and beam control: DE source, beam director, beam combiner and beam transport subsystems

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: prototype awards through JDEC; details will come with the Request for Solutions
• Amounts: not yet published
• Path: solutions may go into a new system or future insertions into the E-HEL production effort

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• JDEC membership: Industry Day attendance is limited to JDEC members who register in advance. Contact membership@nstxl.org to join.
• Documents: the full coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page
• Teaming: an opt-in teaming list is available on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Join JDEC: contact membership@nstxl.org if you are not already a member
• Register for Industry Day: October 27, 2026, in Huntsville, AL or virtually; register by October 22, 2026
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the NSTXL page
• Pick your pillar: decide whether you bid a full system or one of the eleven subsystem pillars, and line up partners
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: JDEC will release the RFS with the submission requirements and deadline
• Evaluation: solutions will be categorized and evaluated under the twelve prototype pillars
• Transition: selected work may feed the E-HEL production effort ahead of the Army's FY2031 acquisition decision

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits laser and photonics companies, power electronics and battery makers, thermal management and energy storage firms, lightweight structures, beam control optics, and sensor and software teams with directed energy experience. Subsystem specialists can compete on a single pillar instead of building a full weapon.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For JDEC prototype opportunities like DE Enhancement SWaP ISV, we help you:

• Choose the right pillar: match your technology to the system or subsystem where you can win
• Prepare before the RFS: get the story, data and partners ready so you can move fast when it drops
• Make the most of Industry Day: know what to ask and who to meet
• Write the solution: clear SWaP gains, MOSA alignment and a credible prototype plan
• Plan the transition: show how your work fits E-HEL production

Plan Your DE Enhancement Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the solicitation open?

Not yet. This is a coming soon notice posted October 8, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

When is the Industry Day?

Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM CT, in Huntsville, AL or virtually. Register by October 22, 2026.

Who can attend the Industry Day?

Only JDEC members who register in advance. Contact membership@nstxl.org to join.

What platform is the laser for?

An Infantry Squad Vehicle - Utility (ISV-U) based, 30kW-class HEL weapon system.

Can I bid just a subsystem?

Yes. Eleven of the twelve pillars are subsystems, including power generation, energy storage, sensors, beam director and thermal energy storage.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding. Expect details in the Request for Solutions.

Who is the customer?

PAE Fires, PME Defensive Fires, and the Project Manager for Advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Effects (PM ACE).

What is MOSA?

The Modular Open Systems Approach. Solutions should follow the Enduring HEL MOSA strategy so they can be inserted during production.

Can BW&CO help with a DE Enhancement SWaP ISV submission?

Yes. We help teams pick a pillar, prepare before the RFS, and write a strong solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: DE Enhancement SWaP ISV on NSTXL

S²MARTS MOSAIC Microelectronics Modernization (25-15)

Executive Summary

The Department of War's ICAM Office is funding prototypes that modernize microelectronics in fielded weapon systems through digital engineering, IP reuse and digital twins. Task Area 1 (PRIM2E) white papers are accepted on a rolling basis until the Request for Solutions is amended or closed. NSTXL membership is required.

Book a Free Fit Call

Awards are Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements through S²MARTS, funded by ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. Because white papers are evaluated as they arrive, an early, well-aimed submission has the advantage over waiting for a closing date that has not been set.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Department of War Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane
• Opportunity: Microelectronics Operations, Sustainment, Acquisition, and Infrastructure Capabilities (MOSAIC)
• Project Number: S²MARTS Project No. 25-15
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS, managed by NSTXL
• Funding: ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program; award amounts are not listed on the public notice
• Technology Maturity: Prototype development that informs future production decisions
• Due Date: Task Area 1 PRIM2E white papers accepted on a rolling basis (initial deadline was April 7, 2026, 12:00 PM ET). Task Area 2 mDICE closed April 24, 2026.

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO while MOSAIC white papers are still being accepted.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is MOSAIC?

MOSAIC is a Department of War prototype project run through the S²MARTS Other Transaction Authority, which NSTXL manages with NSWC Crane. It uses digital engineering tools, commercial best practices and a scalable, cloud-based environment so programs can co-design, reuse data and collaborate across the full microelectronics lifecycle.

What Problem Is ICAM Trying to Solve?

Many fielded weapon systems depend on aging microelectronics. Some modernization efforts need better tools to move faster, and others were never attempted because of cost and schedule limits. ICAM wants faster, more affordable replacements for critical systems and stronger long-term sustainment infrastructure.

Priority Capability Areas: What ICAM Is Looking For

• Modernization of fielded weapon system microelectronics: ongoing efforts that need more advanced tools and methods, and efforts not attempted because of cost and schedule
• IP and data reuse and commonality: standardized frameworks to reuse technical data, IP blocks and chiplets across programs
• Digital twin integration: digital twins for verification, validation and sustainment planning across the lifecycle
• Digital environment development: cloud-based, secure and scalable infrastructure for microelectronics acquisition and sustainment
• Engineering trade space analysis: integrated workflows and tools for early trade studies and system optimization

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS
• Funding source: ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program
• Period of performance: set based on selected performers' proposed timelines
• Award amounts: not published on the public notice; check the RFS and its attachments

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• NSTXL membership: All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity. NSTXL asks applicants to allow one business day for a new application (membership@nstxl.org).
• Documents: the RFS, revisions, Q&A and Project TALX materials are released through the Key Document Request form on the NSTXL page
• Teaming: an opt-in teaming list and Innovator NETWORX slide deck are available for finding partners

How to Apply

• Confirm NSTXL membership: apply or check status through membership@nstxl.org before you submit
• Request the documents: use the Key Document Request form on the MOSAIC page to get the RFS, Revision 2 and the Q&A releases
• Review the Project TALX materials: the recording, slides and Q&A from the April 1, 2026 event explain what the Government wants
• Submit a Task Area 1 PRIM2E white paper: submissions are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis until the RFS is amended or closed

What Happens After You Submit?

• Rolling evaluation: white papers received after the initial deadline are evaluated as they come in
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements, with the period of performance based on their proposed timelines
• Production path: results inform future production decisions and long-term microelectronics modernization and sustainment strategies

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

MOSAIC fits companies working in electronic design automation, digital engineering, digital twins, chiplets and IP reuse, secure cloud environments for engineering data, and microelectronics obsolescence or sustainment for defense systems. It is a strong fit if your tools can shorten the time and cost to replace legacy parts in fielded systems.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For S²MARTS prototype projects like MOSAIC, we help you:

• Check the fit: match your product to the five MOSAIC focus areas before you write
• Get set up on NSTXL: sort out membership and document requests so nothing blocks the submission
• Write the white paper: a clear problem, approach and transition story aimed at fielded weapon systems
• Frame the OTA prototype: scope, milestones and price that make sense for a prototype agreement
• Plan the path to production: show how the prototype feeds sustainment and production decisions

Plan Your MOSAIC White Paper

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MOSAIC still open?

Yes. Task Area 1 PRIM2E white papers are accepted on a rolling basis until the Request for Solutions is amended or closed. The Task Area 2 mDICE response deadline passed on April 24, 2026.

Who is running MOSAIC?

The Department of War's Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, through NSWC Crane and the S²MARTS OTA that NSTXL manages.

What kind of award will I get?

An Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype award. The period of performance is set based on your proposed timeline.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list award amounts. The effort is funded through ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program.

Do I need to be an NSTXL member?

Yes. All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity.

Where do I get the RFS?

Fill out the Key Document Request form on the MOSAIC page on nstxl.org to receive the RFS, revisions and Q&A releases.

What technologies are they looking for?

Microelectronics modernization for fielded weapon systems, IP and data reuse, digital twins, secure cloud engineering environments, and engineering trade space analysis.

Can I find teaming partners?

Yes. NSTXL keeps an opt-in teaming list for MOSAIC and shares the Innovator NETWORX slide deck through the document request form.

Can BW&CO help with a MOSAIC submission?

Yes. We help teams confirm fit, get set up on NSTXL, and write a focused PRIM2E white paper. Book a call with our team.

Source: MOSAIC, S²MARTS Project No. 25-15, on NSTXL

NIH Highlighted Topic: Leveraging All of Us Biospecimens to Advance Precision Medicine Research

Overview

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is encouraging researchers to analyze biospecimens donated by participants in the All of Us Research Program, one of the most diverse and richly characterized biobanks in existence. About 600,000 participants have provided biospecimens, linked to genomic data, electronic health records, wearables data, surveys, and physical measurements.

Book a Free Funding Fit Call

Researchers approved for access to All of Us biospecimens are expected to secure their own funding for sample processing, data generation, analysis, and return of value to participants. More than 20 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices participate, so companies with multiomic, biomarker, or AI capabilities can fund this work through the NIH SBIR program.

Key dates and funding

• Next SBIR due dates: January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027 (5:00 PM local time of your organization)
• Application route: NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR (R43/R44), PA-27-100, Clinical Trial Optional
• Project period: normally up to 6 months for Phase I and up to 2 years for Phase II
• Topic window: NIH lists this Highlighted Topic through September 18, 2028, so it can support more than one submission cycle

Budget guidelines in PA-27-100 vary by participating Institute or Center. Total costs (direct, indirect, and fee) normally stay within these amounts:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): Phase I $700,000, Phase II SBA guideline
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Eye Institute (NEI): Phase I $400,000, Phase II SBA guideline
• National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI): Phase I $400,000, Phase II SBA guideline
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Library of Medicine (NLM): SBA guideline for both phases

NIH notes that researchers must have approval to access All of Us biospecimens. Plan for that access step alongside your SBIR timeline.

Who is eligible?

Only United States small business concerns can apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement. In plain terms, your company must meet these requirements:

• A for-profit business with a place of business in the United States and no more than 500 employees, including affiliates
• Generally more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or by qualifying venture capital, hedge fund, or private equity owners under SBA rules
• The Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the project
• No foreign organizations, foreign components, or foreign subawards (unfunded foreign collaborators and foreign consultants are permitted)
• Companies selected for funding submit the SBA foreign affiliations disclosure during the Just-in-Time process

What NIH wants funded

NIH is most interested in broad-scale biomarker and omics analyses that reduce the need for new sample collection and produce datasets other researchers can build on. Possible assays include long-read sequencing, genome-wide methylation profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, immune profiling, and other multiomic analyses.

Genomics, data science, and AI

• NHGRI: long-read sequencing to capture structural variants and repeat expansions missed by short reads, and population-scale multiomic reference datasets
• NLM: informatics and data science tools, including trustworthy and reproducible AI, scalable data integration, and benchmarking frameworks
• NEI: AI and machine learning combining molecular, retinal imaging, and health record data

Disease-focused interests

• NCI: multiomic data on cancer susceptibility and biomarkers for screening, early detection, and treatment response
• NIDDK: biomarkers for diabetes, obesity, liver, GI, and kidney disease, including links to continuous glucose monitoring data
• NIMH, NINDS, and NIA: genomic and molecular discovery in mental illness, neurological disorders, dementia, and aging
• NIAAA and NIDA: biomarkers and molecular endotypes for alcohol and substance use disorders

Environment, lifestyle, and health differences

• NIEHS: exposomics and precision environmental health
• NIMHD: biomarkers linking social, environmental, and wearable data to health outcomes
• NCCIH, NINR, NICHD, NIAMS, NIDCD, NIDCR, and NHLBI: additional mission-specific interests listed on the topic page

How to apply

NIH Highlighted Topics are not funding opportunities on their own. Small businesses apply through the NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100) and write the application to match the interests of at least one participating Institute or Center. Read the full NIH Highlighted Topic before you start.

• Register early: SAM.gov (which issues your UEI and can take six weeks or more), Grants.gov, eRA Commons (a Signing Official plus a PI account with a linked ORCID iD), and the SBA Company Registry (proof of registration is attached to the application)
• Talk to the program officer: each Institute lists its own scientific contact, NICHD strongly encourages contact before submission, and the All of Us Research Program, ODS, ONR, and ORWH participate but do not award grants
• Check the budget: contact the participating Institute or Center early if you plan to request more than the SBA budget guideline
• Submit electronically: through NIH ASSIST, a system-to-system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace by 5:00 PM local time on January 5, 2027 or April 5, 2027

Is this a fit for your company?

This topic suits companies offering multiomic assays (proteomics, metabolomics, methylation, long-read sequencing), biomarker discovery platforms, and AI or data integration tools that can work at population scale. The strongest applications produce data that goes back into the All of Us Researcher Workbench and supports a clear commercial product, such as a diagnostic panel or analytics platform.

If that sounds like your company, book a free funding fit call with BW&CO. Our team has helped secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding and can tell you quickly whether this topic, and which Institute, is the right target for your January or April submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NIH All of Us biospecimens Highlighted Topic a funding opportunity?

No. It is an NIH Highlighted Topic, which signals scientific interest but is not a notice of funding opportunity. Small businesses apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100), with the next due dates on January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.

How much NIH SBIR funding is available for All of Us biospecimen research?

It depends on the Institute. Under PA-27-100, NCI, NIA, NIMH, NINDS, and NCCIH allow up to $700,000 for Phase I. NHLBI, NIA, NIDA, NIDCD, NIMH, and NINDS allow up to $3,000,000 for Phase II. Several Institutes, including NIEHS, NIMHD, and NLM, follow the SBA guideline.

Do I need approval to use All of Us biospecimens?

Yes. NIH states that researchers who have approval for access to All of Us biospecimens are expected to secure additional funding for sample processing, data generation, analysis, and return of value to participants.

What kinds of assays does NIH want run on All of Us biospecimens?

Examples include long-read sequencing, genome-wide methylation profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, immune profiling, and other multiomic analyses that produce broadly useful datasets.

Who is eligible to apply through NIH SBIR?

U.S. for-profit small businesses with no more than 500 employees, majority owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or qualifying investors under SBA rules), whose Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the company. Foreign organizations and foreign subawards are not allowed.

Can BW&CO help with an NIH SBIR application for this topic?

Yes. BW&CO helps small businesses choose the right NIH Institute, align the Specific Aims with the Highlighted Topic, and build a competitive SBIR application. The firm has helped clients secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.

NIH Highlighted Topic: Advancing Precision Research for Lung Cancer in Never Smokers and Its Risk Factors

Overview

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is encouraging precision cancer research and technology development for lung cancer in never smokers (LCINS). The goal is to identify risk factors, understand the biology, develop early detection and prevention strategies, and advance diagnosis and therapy.

Book a Free Funding Fit Call

LCINS accounts for roughly 10% to 20% of U.S. lung cancers each year and is estimated to be the eighth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the disease responds differently to therapies, including immunotherapy, than smoking-associated lung cancer. Companies with diagnostic, therapeutic, or AI technology can pursue this through the NIH SBIR program.

Key dates and funding

• Next SBIR due dates: January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027 (5:00 PM local time of your organization)
• Application route: NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR (R43/R44), PA-27-100, Clinical Trial Optional
• Project period: normally up to 6 months for Phase I and up to 2 years for Phase II
• Topic window: NIH lists this Highlighted Topic through October 4, 2028, so it can support more than one submission cycle

Budget guidelines in PA-27-100 vary by participating Institute or Center. Total costs (direct, indirect, and fee) normally stay within these amounts:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): SBA guideline for both phases

Who is eligible?

Only United States small business concerns can apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement. In plain terms, your company must meet these requirements:

• A for-profit business with a place of business in the United States and no more than 500 employees, including affiliates
• Generally more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or by qualifying venture capital, hedge fund, or private equity owners under SBA rules
• The Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the project
• No foreign organizations, foreign components, or foreign subawards (unfunded foreign collaborators and foreign consultants are permitted)
• Companies selected for funding submit the SBA foreign affiliations disclosure during the Just-in-Time process

Focus areas by NIH Institute

NCI: biology, detection, and precision therapy

• Biological and environmental factors, including sex and ancestry, behind LCINS initiation and progression
• Mechanisms that distinguish LCINS biology from tobacco-associated lung cancer
• Early detection and diagnostic strategies, including biomarker development
• Mechanism-driven interventions such as overcoming therapeutic resistance, targeting rare mutations, cancer vaccines, and immunotherapies
• Human-relevant research models, databases, computational methods and AI, and other emerging technologies

NIEHS: environmental carcinogens

• New Approach Methodologies to identify chemicals and exposures that are potential lung carcinogens
• Early detection based on disease characteristics in patients exposed to known lung carcinogens

NIMHD: disparities

• Interventions to improve risk prediction, early detection biomarkers, imaging, prevention, treatment selection, and guideline-concordant care
• NIMHD may give special consideration to meritorious applications

How to apply

NIH Highlighted Topics are not funding opportunities on their own. Small businesses apply through the NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100) and write the application to match the interests of at least one participating Institute or Center. Read the full NIH Highlighted Topic before you start.

• Register early: SAM.gov (which issues your UEI and can take six weeks or more), Grants.gov, eRA Commons (a Signing Official plus a PI account with a linked ORCID iD), and the SBA Company Registry (proof of registration is attached to the application)
• Talk to the program officer: the topic lists a central NCI contact plus NIEHS and NIMHD contacts, and ODP also participates but does not award grants
• Check the budget: contact the participating Institute or Center early if you plan to request more than the SBA budget guideline
• Submit electronically: through NIH ASSIST, a system-to-system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace by 5:00 PM local time on January 5, 2027 or April 5, 2027

Is this a fit for your company?

This topic suits companies developing liquid biopsy or other early detection assays, imaging and AI risk prediction tools, targeted therapies, cancer vaccines, or immunotherapies, including approaches to rare mutations and therapeutic resistance, and human-relevant models such as organoids. NCI's $700,000 Phase I guideline makes it the strongest target for most product companies.

If that sounds like your company, book a free funding fit call with BW&CO. Our team has helped secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding and can tell you quickly whether this topic, and which Institute, is the right target for your January or April submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NIH lung cancer in never smokers Highlighted Topic a funding opportunity?

No. It is an NIH Highlighted Topic, which signals scientific interest but is not a notice of funding opportunity. Small businesses apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100), with the next due dates on January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.

How much NIH SBIR funding is available for lung cancer in never smokers research?

Under PA-27-100, NCI allows up to $700,000 for Phase I and up to $2,500,000 for Phase II. NIEHS and NIMHD follow the SBA guideline.

Which NIH Institutes participate in the lung cancer in never smokers topic?

NCI, NIEHS, and NIMHD are the awarding participants. ODP also participates but does not award grants.

What research does NIH want on lung cancer in never smokers?

Risk factors and biology, early detection and diagnostic biomarkers, precision therapies including immunotherapies and cancer vaccines, environmental carcinogen identification, and human-relevant models, databases, and AI.

Who is eligible to apply through NIH SBIR?

U.S. for-profit small businesses with no more than 500 employees, majority owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or qualifying investors under SBA rules), whose Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the company. Foreign organizations and foreign subawards are not allowed.

Can BW&CO help with an NIH SBIR application for this topic?

Yes. BW&CO helps small businesses choose the right NIH Institute, align the Specific Aims with the Highlighted Topic, and build a competitive SBIR application. The firm has helped clients secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.