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Topic DON27BZ02-NV015 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
DON27BZ02-NV015 is a Department of the Navy SBIR topic seeking ultra-low size, weight, power, and cost tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) magnetometers with industry-leading sensitivity. It follows a standard Phase I then Phase II path, with 6 or 9 prototypes in Phase II. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: DON27BZ02-NV015
- Official title: High Sensitivity Tunneling Magnetoresistive Magnetometers
- Agency: Department of the Navy
- Program: SBIR (DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2)
- Award type: Phase I (see topic text for Phase II)
- Award amount: Phase I base up to $200,000 plus an option up to $115,000. Source: Navy Release 2 instructions in DSIP.
- CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
- ITAR: Yes. Export-controlled (ITAR/EAR); see topic text
- Technology areas: None
- Pre-release (direct TPOC contact allowed): November 4 to December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Opens in DSIP: December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Proposals due: January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET
- Official source: DSIP Topics app (search DON27BZ02-NV015)
BW&CO's take
What the Department of the Navy wants
Highly sensitive magnetometers such as optically pumped devices carry SWAP-C that limits their use in many Navy systems. The Navy wants TMR magnetometers small, cheap, and low-power enough for one-way attack vehicles, expeditionary and mine warfare, and swarming systems, while keeping Navy-relevant sensitivity. Design requirements are size under 10 mm x 10 mm per axis, power under 100 mW per axis, sensitivity below 50 pT/rt(Hz) at 1 Hz, DC to 500 kHz bandwidth, -100 uT to 100 uT dynamic range, under 0.1% nonlinearity, and standardized per-unit electrical packaging. Phase I produces a single-axis sensor concept with per-sensor voltage-to-field calibration. Phase II fabricates 6 or 9 prototypes in a vector configuration and tests them with Navy personnel.
Who is a good fit
- TMR or other magnetoresistive sensor design and fabrication experience with measured low-frequency noise performance
- Low-noise, low-power readout electronics and standardized sensor packaging
- Magnetometer calibration capability, including per-sensor voltage-to-field calibration and vector configuration testing
- A manufacturing and cost model that can support a per-unit production cost estimate
Watch-outs
- The topic is ITAR-restricted. Plan for export-control compliance, including limits on foreign national participation.
- If your design concept cannot meet the design requirements, the Phase I report must discuss the tradeoffs and justify them with a comparative analysis of U.S. and international COTS capabilities.
- Sensitivity below 50 pT/rt(Hz) at 1 Hz in a sensor under 10 mm x 10 mm and 100 mW per axis is demanding. Proposals should show measured data or a clear noise budget.
- The topic requires CMMC Level 2 (Self).
Think your company fits DON27BZ02-NV015? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your DON27BZ02-NV015 Submission
Official topic text (verbatim from DSIP)
The text in this section is copied word for word from the official DSIP topic as published on November 4, 2026. DSIP is the official source and topics can be amended. Always confirm the current version at dodsbirsttr.mil before you submit. Our commentary above is BW&CO's interpretation, not Government guidance.
Title
High Sensitivity Tunneling Magnetoresistive Magnetometers
Objective
Modernize United States capabilities to produce ultra-low size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) tunneling magnetoresistive magnetometers with industry leading sensitivities.
Description
Many Navy systems utilize magnetometer technologies for the remote detection, localization, and classification of ferrous objects. Decades of research into different technologies including optically pumped magnetometers have provided highly sensitive technologies which meet most Navy sensitivity needs. However, higher sensitivity magnetometers also possess increased SWAP-C, which limits their applicability in many Navy applications.
Therefore, there is a direct need for highly sensitive magnetometers that are also compact, low cost, and low power to support a broader range of Navy mission requirements including one-way attack vehicles, expeditionary warfare, mine warfare, and swarming systems. Over the past 30 years, an adjacent technology known as tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) has had drastic improvements in system sensitivities, unlocking a potential new regime of magnetometer technologies that exhibit ultra-low SWAP-C while maintaining Navy relevant sensitivities.
Design Requirements:
-Size: less than 10 mm x 10 mm per axis
-Power: less than 100 mW per axis
-Sensitivity: less than 50 pT/rt(Hz) @ 1 Hz
-Frequency Range: DC-500KHz
-Dynamic Range: -100 uT to 100 uT
-Nonlinearity over dynamic range: less than 0.1 %
-Standardized per unit electrical packaging
Phase I
Produce a concept for single-axis TMR sensors that possess a design that satisfies the above criteria and also include a per sensor voltage-to-field calibration for confirmation by stakeholders. Provide an analysis or discussion of the potential tradeoffs in the Phase I report if the design concept cannot meet the design objectives. (Note: Justification for the prior should include comparative analysis of COTS capabilities, U.S. and International.)
Phase II
Fabricate 6 or 9 prototype systems for evaluation and testing in a vector configuration including voltage-to-field calibration for each sensor. Demonstrate that the prototypes achieve or show potential for meeting the design requirements and intended use applications. Conduct testing in conjunction with Navy personnel. Address both cost effectiveness and manufacturability feasibility as part of the prototype test and evaluation. Consult the appropriate acquisition program office for any additional evaluation metrics needed for Phase III. Perform potential commercialization cost analysis to estimate at production cost per unit and prepare a Phase III commercialization/transition plan.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Apply the knowledge gained in Phase II to build an advanced vector TMR prototype that meets appropriate technology readiness level (TRL) metrics set by the acquisition program office. Support the Navy for test and validation of the system for certified Navy use. Develop manufacturing plans to facilitate transition to a UUV program of record.
Explore the potential to transfer these TMR sensors for potential commercial use in magnetic surveying and UXO detection.
References
TDK: “New Development Based on High-Sensitivity Nivia xMR Sensor: Measurement of Weak Magnetic Fields from Minute Areas.” https://product.tdk.com/en/techlibrary/developing/bio-sensor/migne-xmr-sensor.html
Keywords
Magnetometery, Tunneling Magnetoresistance, Magnetic Anomaly Detection
Frequently asked questions
What is DON27BZ02-NV015?
It is a Department of the Navy SBIR topic to modernize U.S. capability to produce ultra-low SWAP-C tunneling magnetoresistive magnetometers with industry-leading sensitivity for Navy missions such as mine warfare, expeditionary warfare, one-way attack vehicles, and swarming systems.
When is DON27BZ02-NV015 due?
Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET. DSIP pre-release began November 4, 2026, and direct contact with the topic authors is allowed only until the topic opens on December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET. After that, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A.
Is this a Phase I or Direct-to-Phase II topic?
It is a standard Phase I topic. Phase I produces a concept for single-axis TMR sensors that meets the design criteria, including per-sensor voltage-to-field calibration. Phase II fabricates 6 or 9 prototype systems for evaluation in a vector configuration.
What are the design requirements?
Per axis: size under 10 mm x 10 mm and power under 100 mW. Sensitivity must be under 50 pT/rt(Hz) at 1 Hz, with a frequency range of DC to 500 kHz, dynamic range of -100 uT to 100 uT, nonlinearity under 0.1% over that range, and standardized per-unit electrical packaging.