DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV009: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV009 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to establish domestic production of an AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) yielding preceramic polymer. UHTCs are used in propulsion and aeroshell components, and scaled C/C-UHTC composite production needs precursor supply at volume and an affordable price. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

This is a chemical manufacturing scale-up topic. The Air Force wants a dedicated production capability of at least 50 kg per month and 75 kg of qualified polymer delivered by the end of Phase II.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV009
• Title: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers
• 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: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Hypersonics
• Keywords: preceramic polymer, ultra-high temperature ceramics, UHTC, precursors, ceramic matrix composites, CMC, scaled production
• 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

Acquisition programs that rely on UHTC matrix composites need precursor material in quantities and at prices the high-temperature composite community can actually buy. The Air Force wants a U.S. small business to take an AFRL-patented chemistry and turn it into a safe, robust, scalable production process.

The topic sets cost context: offerors can assume $6,300 per kg in raw material cost if reagents are bought from commercial suppliers, and the target business case is more than 1,000 kg per year at a retail price under $5,000 per kg, preferably under $4,000 per kg.

Phase II deliverables named in the topic

• A documented, safe, robust, scalable manufacturing process that meets purity and production volume targets.
• A safety and handling analysis for all reagents, intermediates, and waste, with facilities that meet safety and environmental requirements.
• Five 1 kg samples to AFRL with NMR, elemental analysis, rheology, and ICP/MS on the polymer and XRD, TEM/EDS, and SEM on the polymer-derived ceramic for each lot.
• A dedicated production capability of at least 50 kg per month (more than 600 kg per year).
• 75 kg of qualified, packaged UHTC preceramic polymer delivered by the end of Phase II.
• A cost analysis and business plan for more than 1,000 kg per year at under $5,000 per kg.

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. The topic asks for a feasibility study showing expertise in synthesizing and handling air and water sensitive compounds, demonstrated experience scaling chemical synthesis from lab to pilot scale (for example 5 to 50 kg batches), past success producing high-purity materials, and a working command of safety protocols for the relevant precursors and reagents.

Phase II executes the production scale-up and deliveries listed above.

Phase III turns the production line into a commercial business unit supplying certified polymer to primes and Tier 1 and Tier 2 composite manufacturers, potentially with further scaling, broader vendor qualification for high-speed aeroshells, and long-term supply agreements.

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 is a strong fit for specialty chemical and precursor manufacturers with air-sensitive synthesis experience and pilot-scale equipment, or for ceramic composite suppliers ready to backward-integrate. Firms without existing scale-up data will struggle to clear the feasibility bar.

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-DV009?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to establish U.S. production of an AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic yielding preceramic polymer for hypersonic and aerospace composites.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What production rate is required?

A dedicated capability yielding at least 50 kg per month, more than 600 kg per year, plus delivery of 75 kg of qualified polymer by the end of Phase II.

What feasibility evidence does the Air Force want?

Expertise synthesizing and handling air and water sensitive compounds, demonstrated lab to pilot scale-up such as 5 to 50 kg batches, past high-purity production, and knowledge of the needed safety protocols.

When is the deadline?

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