Extremely Wide Band Digital Recording System for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Development - SBIR Topic DON26BZ01-NV022
Disclaimer:
This topic was temporarily posted by the Department of War SBIR Program on March 2nd 2026 and removed the following day.
We believe this topic is planned to be released once the SBIR program is reauthorized; however, this topic may ultimately be modified or withdrawn.
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Funding Amount:
Est. $240,000
Deadline to Apply:
Est. April 29th, 2026.
Objective:
Develop a small and dense data recorder that can store > = 8 Petabytes of information in = two different interface protocols each supporting > 400 GB/sec data transfer rates for > = 30 seconds.
Description:
In today’s environment, emphasis is put on how Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) can solve most of the Department of War’s (DOW) problems as long as the AI/ML algorithms are trained correctly. This training requires vast amounts of relevant data. Unlike commercial websites where the algorithm developers can have the public train them based on security selection images, the DOW does not have vast stores of relevant data sets much less a global community to train the algorithms. Unfortunately, very few to none of the fielded program of record (POR) systems have the ability to record (at the tactical edge) relevant data products in sufficient quantity to help algorithm developers.
This SBIR topic is intended to develop extremely deep sensor data recorders for implementation/fielding on tactical platforms for tactical sensors at the tactical edge. These recording devices must be able to be integrated easily into the platform’s sensor suite and be able to record the relevant data products for use in future algorithm development and training.
These recorders must easily adapt to various networking infrastructures (e.g., InfiniBand, NVLINK, PCIe, and or Ethernet, etc.) and support the extreme streaming bandwidths for wideband (500Mhz and greater I/Q data) Radio Frequency (RF) digital data and high definition (4 K or greater) streaming video. These recording devices must be scalable in nature, at a minimum take up less than or equal to 4u of face plate volume in a 19-inch rack, and record greater than 8 petabytes of storage.
These devices must meet all NSA data at rest encryption requirements and be developed in a manner to easily acquire a volatility certification letter. References 7, 8, and 9 are provided for informational purposes, further information may be provided to Phase II awardee. These prototype devices will be installed on manned and unmanned platforms. With that in mind, they must be developed with remote and/or autonomous operations in mind. These prototype devices will deliver the hardware and the requisite software to perform recording, playback, librarying, and search functions for the data on the devices.
Key requirements:
- Less than or equal to 4u of 19-inch rack volume
- Must meet class B shipboard installation Environmental Qualification Testing (EQT)
- Greater than 8 petabytes of data storage
- Must meet data at rest security requirements
- Must meet non-volatility certification requirements
- Have networking architecture demonstrating ability to configure to multiple types of networks
- Have a minimum of two different networking options where each networking option can sustain > 400 GB/s data rate
- Compliance with shipboard installation environmental qualification requirements
- Ability to perform data at rest encryption and the ability to meet volatility requirements for system posture changes
- Ability to consume data from a defined sensor and parse/tag this data
- Ability to record and playback from both local and remote users
Conduct, at a minimum, two lab demonstrations at the developer’s facility and one integration and demonstration at a government lab. (Note: The government lab will provide testing and validation of the capabilities and provide immediate feedback to the developer for further refinement of the prototype.) Work with the government lab to develop a shipboard installation and testing plan. If the Phase II Option is exercised, focus on getting the prototype system ready to be installed and tested at sea during a government-defined testing event.
Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and ONR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Who will win?
If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.
Who is eligible to apply?
Any company that meets the following criteria:
For-profit company
U.S.-owned and controlled.
500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)
How Can BW&CO Help?
1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.
2) Proposal strategy and review.
3) Administrative & compliance support.
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