DTRA SBIR DTR26BZ05-NP001: Novel Technologies for CWMD and Related Threats

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

Quick Answer

DTR26BZ05-NP001 is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency SBIR open topic seeking ways to detect radiological or nuclear threats using signals from ordinary military hardware and commercial devices, rather than building new, purpose-built sensors. Phase I awards go up to 250,000 dollars over 7 months. Phase II awards go up to 1,500,000 dollars over 24 months and are only open to Phase I awardees. Proposals are due September 23. The topic is ITAR and EAR restricted.

What This Topic Is Looking For

DTRA exists to help the Department of War detect, deter, and defeat weapons of mass destruction. The agency's problem is that purpose-built radiological and nuclear detection hardware is slow and expensive to develop, test, and field, and the commercial market for that kind of specialized equipment is thin.

This topic flips the approach. Instead of asking for a new sensor, it asks for a way to detect the storage, transfer, or use of WMD and related materials using signals that already exist. That could mean microphones, cameras, motion detectors, passive infrared, or other common sensors already sitting on military platforms or in commercial devices that have nothing to do with radiological detection on their own. The goal is to find a novel use case where ordinary, non-specialized signals or data can serve as an indication and warning capability for WMD threats.

This is structured as an open topic rather than a conventional one, which means DTRA is not specifying a particular technical objective or output up front. Proposers have room to define the use case themselves, provided it fits the broader mission of detecting WMD threats without bespoke sensors. Because it is an open topic, a company may submit only one proposal to it. If more than one proposal is submitted, only the most recently certified one will be evaluated, and all earlier submissions will be marked non-responsive.

Phase I, II, and III Expectations

Phase I is a feasibility study. The deliverable is proof of at least one feasible use case where a non-WMD-specific sensor, signal, or data source can detect a WMD threat or event, including characterization of the use case's applicability, customizability, and effectiveness, plus a proposed course of action for building a model or prototype in Phase II. The final Phase I deliverable is a report documenting the study and that course of action.

Phase II is only open to companies that received a Phase I award on this topic. It focuses on actually building the model or prototype identified in Phase I and testing it against relevant scenarios and data. The deliverable is the model or prototype itself, along with a final report containing an objective assessment of the technology and all test data and outcomes. Phase II proposals need to generally follow the same outline as the Phase I proposal, incorporating lessons learned, and should be ready to submit within 30 days after the Phase I period of performance ends.

Phase III is about refining the technology for broader mission use, improving effectiveness, usability, and sustainability, and delivering both a proven capability and a study of dual use applications spanning defense, government, and commercial use cases.

Funding and Timeline

Phase I award: up to 250,000 dollars for a 7 month period of performance, structured as 6 months of research plus a final month for the report. Phase I awards are issued as fixed-price purchase orders.

Phase II award: up to 1,500,000 dollars for a 24 month period of performance, issued as a definitive cost contract. Only Phase I awardees on this topic may submit a Phase II proposal.

TABA: up to 6,500 dollars for the Phase I project, and up to 50,000 dollars for the Phase II project, which can be split into two 25,000 dollar increments across sequential Phase II usage if needed.

Proposal deadline: September 23. All proposals must be submitted through DSIP, and proposals submitted through any other channel will be disregarded.

Award timeline: selection or non-selection notifications go out within 90 days of the BAA closing date. Selected offers then move through a DTRA acquisition package for contracting officer approval, which typically takes 120 to 180 days to reach contract execution.

Required Proposal Volumes

Every submission needs seven volumes: the Proposal Cover Sheet, the Technical Volume capped at 20 pages for Phase I and 40 pages for Phase II, the Cost Volume using DTRA's required Excel spreadsheet template, the Company Commercialization Report, Supporting Documents, Fraud Waste and Abuse Training, and the Disclosures of Foreign Affiliations webform.

DTRA has one mandatory Supporting Documents requirement beyond the standard package: the Contractor Certification Regarding Provision of Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. If a company has concerns about meeting this certification, it needs to submit a mitigation plan addressing those concerns rather than skip the requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for DTR26BZ05-NP001? September 23. Submission is only accepted through DSIP.

Can a company submit more than one proposal to this topic? No. This is an open topic, so a company may submit only one proposal. If multiple proposals are submitted, only the most recently certified one is evaluated, and earlier submissions are marked non-responsive.

What makes this an open topic instead of a conventional one? DTRA has not specified a particular technical objective or output. Proposers get to define the specific use case themselves, as long as it fits the mission of detecting WMD threats using non-specialized sensors, signals, or data sources rather than purpose-built detection hardware.

Can a company propose directly to Phase II? No. Phase II proposals may only come from companies that already hold a Phase I award on this specific topic.

What kind of company or team fits this topic best? Teams with signal processing, sensor fusion, or data science expertise who can identify a genuinely novel way to repurpose existing military or commercial hardware for detection, rather than teams focused on building new radiological or nuclear sensor hardware from scratch.

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.

How competitive is this program? DTRA receives roughly 250 proposals a year across its SBIR program and makes 17 to 20 awards annually, so the overall program is competitive, though award rates vary by topic and year.

What does DTRA expect as the final Phase I deliverable? A report proving out at least one feasible use case, along with a proposed course of action for building a model or prototype in Phase II. Phase I is a feasibility study, not a working prototype.