DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV003: Multiple Telemetry Site Signal Source Synchronization

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV003 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a networked system that synchronizes telemetry signal simulators across geographically separated ground stations, so test ranges can check the full telemetry chain, including best source selection, before a live flight. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The end goal is a product standardized in IRIG-106 and adopted at major Air Force, Army, and Navy test ranges.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV003
• Title: Multiple Telemetry Site Signal Source Synchronization
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Space Technology
• Keywords: signal synchronization, best source selection, test and training ranges, flight test, data quality metrics, hypersonic vehicles, telemetry infrastructure
• 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

Flight tests that cross multiple ranges, such as hypersonic, cruise missile, and long-range weapon tests, rely on telemetry receive stations along the flight path relaying data to a control room. Best source selectors (BSS) now time-align these streams and pick the best data bit by bit using data quality metrics.

The problem: pre-flight checks still test each site individually with an uncorrelated boresight simulator, so the BSS cannot correlate the streams and its configuration is unknown until the mission. The Air Force wants signal sources at multiple sites to simulate the test article as if every station could see it at once, enabling an end-to-end checkout of antennas, networks, BSS, and control room displays.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I describes the shortfall with all components, interfaces, standards, and use cases; proposes an architecture with spatially diverse signal sources synchronized to a precise common time and frequency reference; derives a master-client network with a central command and control GUI; and develops a protocol that aligns the pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBS) from every simulator.

Phase II delivers a prototype with time-aligned signal generation, a web GUI for central control, multi-site BER testing through a BSS including simulated latency and jitter, lab verification, and field validation with at least three signal sources at three geographically diverse locations (for example Edwards AFB, China Lake, and Point Mugu).

Phase III matures the system from TRL 6 to TRL 8 with the ranges and the Range Commanders Council Telemetry Group. Named customers include the 412th Test Wing, 96th Test Wing, NAWCAD, and White Sands Missile Range, with commercial markets at primes and launch providers.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I award maximum: $300,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Phase I award maximum duration: 6 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 20 pages or slides.
• Technical and Business Assistance (TABA): DAF will provide up to $6,500 per Phase I award, in addition to the topic award amount. The detailed TABA 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.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the Phase I research or analytical 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 rather than several variations.

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?

Telemetry, RF test equipment, and precision timing companies are the natural fit, especially those familiar with IRIG-106, data quality encapsulation, and range operations. A team that pairs RF signal generation with network timing expertise will read well.

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-NV003?

DAF27BZ01-NV003 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to synchronize telemetry signal simulators across multiple range sites so the full receive chain, including best source selection, can be verified before a flight test.

How much funding is available?

Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over up to 6 months. The DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase I award, in addition to the topic amount.

When is the deadline?

The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Volume 2 is limited to 20 pages or slides for this topic. Pages beyond the limit are not considered.

What does the Phase II field test require?

A prototype of at least three signal sources controlled by a central hub, installed and tested at three geographically diverse locations, with PRBS synchronization, remote GUI control, and passing multi-site BER testing at the BSS output.

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, technical questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.