DARPA SBIR DPA26BZ05-DV018: Hoboken - SBIR XL

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Quick Answer

DPA26BZ05-DV018, known as Hoboken, is a DARPA Direct to Phase II SBIR topic seeking critical subsystems for an underwater 3D concrete printing system that uses local seafloor sediment and seawater instead of traditional imported materials. The award is worth up to 3,000,000 dollars over an 18 month period of performance, with no option period. Proposals are due September 23. The topic is ITAR and EAR restricted, and this is a Direct to Phase II topic only, meaning no separate Phase I award will be made.

What This Topic Is Looking For

DARPA wants to move underwater concrete construction away from slow, expensive, cast-in-place methods and toward rapid, flexible 3D printing that harvests sediment straight from the seafloor. Building on the DARPA Trenton program, which already proved that low-binder concrete mixes using native sediment and seawater can achieve self-supporting strength, Hoboken funds the next layer of hardware and software needed to make that idea field-ready.

The topic is structured around four tracks, and performers can propose to one or more:

Track 1 asks for a fully submersible 3D concrete printer that can operate at shallow to medium depths near shore and print a self-supporting structure such as an arch, wall, slab, or pile, with basic remote deployment and retrieval.

Track 2 asks for a modular transportation system that can pump wet sediment, dry sediment, and low-binder concrete mixes through the harvest-to-print pipeline, including in-line dewatering.

Track 3 asks for an in-line, marinized mixing system near the print nozzle that can handle variable sediment and binder ratios, monitor mix quality in real time, and adjust based on sensor feedback.

Track 4 asks for a structured, data-driven approach to sediment-based concrete formulation, including building a machine-readable database of sediment properties and mix performance, and developing a beta AI tool that predicts strength and printability and recommends optimized mixes.

Every proposed subsystem needs to fit inside a 3,000,000 dollar budget per performer, use seawater in the concrete mix, and be designed for future interoperability since DARPA plans a follow-on program focused on full system integration.

DP2 Feasibility and Phase II Structure

Because this is a Direct to Phase II topic, there is no separate Phase I award. Proposers to Tracks 1 through 3 need to show prior work demonstrating understanding of low-binder seafloor sediment concrete. Proposers to Track 4 need to show prior work with low-binder, non-traditional concrete mixes. DARPA points to its own Trenton program as the baseline proof that this approach is feasible.

The 18 month Phase II period runs through four stages: feasibility and requirements analysis, system design and detailed design review, component fabrication and subsystem testing, and prototype demonstration with transition planning. Every proposal must include an Integration Readiness Plan and performers will participate in cross-team Technical Interchange Meetings, since DARPA is planning a future Strategic Breakthrough Phase II focused on integrating everyone's subsystems together. The prototype demonstration has to tie to a real-world use case such as port damage repair, new port construction, seawall construction, underwater cable or pipe protection, blowout protection for oil and gas, or artificial reef construction and repair.

Fixed milestones run from a Month 2 requirements analysis through a Month 17 near-shore underwater prototype demonstration and a Month 18 final report.

Phase III Outlook

Phase III applications split cleanly between military and commercial. On the defense side, DARPA points to expeditionary port damage repair, underwater infrastructure, and underwater asset protection. Commercially, the technology applies to offshore platform construction, custom mooring, shoreline protection, environmental restoration, hydroelectric infrastructure, and even underwater data centers. The long-term vision is full system integration combining sediment harvesting, formulation, transport, mixing, and printing into one autonomous, deep-water capable construction system.

Funding and Timeline

Award amount: up to 3,000,000 dollars for the base period of performance.

Period of performance: 18 months, with no option period.

TABA: DARPA offers Technical and Business Assistance up to 25,000 dollars per Phase II project, reviewed at time of award.

Proposal deadline: September 23. Technical questions must be submitted by September 16, since DARPA does not answer questions submitted within 7 calendar days of the closing date.

Proposal Format

DARPA DP2 proposals for this topic use the standard Technical Volume format rather than the white paper and slide deck format, since Hoboken's table entry lists page limits rather than slide limits in the underlying BAA structure. Proposers should confirm the exact Volume 2 format required for this topic against the DSIP posting before drafting, since DARPA enforces page limits strictly and will not consider pages beyond the stated limit.

All proposals go through DSIP and require the standard seven volumes: cover sheet, technical volume, cost volume, Company Commercialization Report, supporting documents, Fraud Waste and Abuse training, and the Disclosures of Foreign Affiliations webform, which must be completed as a webform and will not be accepted as a PDF upload.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for DPA26BZ05-DV018? September 23. Technical questions must be submitted by September 16.

Is this a Phase I or Phase II award? Phase II only. This is a Direct to Phase II topic, so no separate Phase I award will be made. Proposers must show feasibility was already established outside the SBIR program, largely by pointing to the DARPA Trenton program results.

Can a company propose to more than one track? The topic describes four distinct tracks and expects each performer to focus on one or more, but the proposal should clearly identify which track or tracks are being addressed and size the budget accordingly within the 3,000,000 dollar per performer limit.

Does DARPA expect a fully integrated system in Phase II? No. Full system integration is explicitly deferred to a future program. Phase II is about developing and demonstrating individual subsystems and proving they are ready for future integration.

Is this topic export controlled? Yes. It is restricted under ITAR and may also fall under EAR. Any planned use of foreign nationals must be disclosed, including country of origin, visa status, and specific tasks.

Can venture capital or private equity backed companies apply? Yes. DARPA topics under this BAA explicitly accept proposals from companies more than 50 percent owned by venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms, provided the company registers with the SBA Company Registry Database and submits the required VC certification.

What real-world application does the prototype need to support? At least one of the following: port damage repair, new port construction, seawall construction, underwater cable or pipe protection, blowout protection for oil and gas, or artificial reef construction and repair.