DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV007: Reusable Illumination System

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV007 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air Force needs a modern, reusable replacement for the PF300 flash bulb, which provides high-intensity illumination for high-speed video on the Holloman High Speed Test Track and other sled tracks and is no longer in production. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months. The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

No Phase I awards will be made. The ideal solution leverages commercial off-the-shelf or near-COTS lighting technology that must be adapted to the unique test track environment, so firms with proven high-intensity illumination products and ruggedization experience are best positioned.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV007
• Title: Reusable Illumination System
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Materials; Hypersonics
• Keywords: illumination, photo-optic, hypersonic, sled test
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

The 846th Test Squadron relies on PF300 flash bulbs for the light needed to capture high-speed photo-optic data during sled tests. With the bulbs out of production, the Air Force faces an obsolescence problem and a recurring consumable cost. It wants a small business to engineer, design, and manufacture a robust, reusable system that meets or surpasses the illumination and performance of the original bulbs and integrates with existing high-speed video systems.

The topic notes that prior Phase I type work by other companies has produced similar illumination methods, but not to the requirements of the test track environment. The technology exists; what does not exist is a product built for that operating environment. The Test Track is ready to define requirements including illumination levels, illumination duration, connectivity, and ruggedness.

Upside capabilities the Air Force calls out include adjustable light intensity and longer duration illumination for better high-speed video data quality.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. Your feasibility package should show a working illumination approach and the engineering judgment to adapt it to sled test conditions.

Phase II develops a detailed design and operational procedures for a prototype reusable illumination system that meets requirements set by 846 TS customers. Component level prototypes are built and tested first to retire risk, and the effort culminates in a demonstration of an operational reusable illumination sled on the test track that shows both performance and reusability.

Phase III refines the design from Phase II lessons learned so the system is ready for operational use at HHSTT and other DoW test tracks, through non-SBIR funded R&D or production contracts.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

This topic suits lighting, strobe, and high-speed imaging companies with a COTS or near-COTS high-intensity source that can be ruggedized for shock, vibration, and sled test conditions. If your strength is optics research without a product baseline, a Direct to Phase II topic is a hard place to start.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV007?

DAF27BZ01-DV007, Reusable Illumination System, is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. It seeks a reusable replacement for the out-of-production PF300 flash bulb used for high-speed video on the Holloman High Speed Test Track and other sled tracks.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months. The DAF may also provide up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase II award, in addition to the topic amount.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

Can I submit a Phase I proposal?

No. This is a Direct to Phase II topic and no Phase I awards will be made. You must document completed Phase I type feasibility that is not based on prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR. You must disclose any proposed foreign nationals, their countries of origin, visa type, and assigned tasks, and their participation may be restricted.

Can I talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.