Potential Application of Very Large Array (VLA) over Transmission Infrastructure - SBIR Topic MDA26BZ04-NV004

Funding Amount:

Phase I - $314,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

ITAR:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

Objective:

The application of Very Large Array (VLA) techniques to the utilization of existing transmission infrastructure.

Description:

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) seeks to add multiple resilient layers to the Missile Defense System.

The proposed system uses current power infrastructure to detect potential anomalies generated by unknown sources.

PHASE I:

While solutions may incorporate any combination of hardware, software, and infrastructure upgrades, proposals would be evaluated to the extent that they leverage existing infrastructure with minimal changes required.

The solution’s feasibility should include innovative techniques to optimize the anticipated results.

Phase I Deliverables should include:

• Assessment of the challenges to performance and optimization techniques.

• A roadmap to develop a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 product.

• Identify new infrastructure required to achieve TRL 6, if any.

• Development, Test, and Evaluation Plan of a TRL 6 Prototype.

PHASE II:

The overall mission demonstrates the ability to coherently receive and transmit from multiple geographically distributed infrastructures.

Proposals will be evaluated to the degree that they deliver enabling technologies to the detection and tracking of unknown sources.

Evaluation will also consider to what degree the suggested technology utilizes existing infrastructure and enables the realization of VLA measurements.

Demonstrate real-time electric and magnetic field mapping from ground to endo-atmosphere with potential relativistic effects.

MDA seeks leveraging existing infrastructure and biology inspired neuromorphic data processing along with advanced techniques to turn grids into sensing arrays.

The vendor solution should culminate in a demonstration, subject to conditions to verify function and performance.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

Conduct engineering and manufacturing development, test, and evaluation in a realistic environment with a system level test-bed.

All technical parameters for the given technology should be verified, along with a revolutionary leap forward in sensing capabilities.

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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