Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic MDA27BZ02-DV005 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
MDA27BZ02-DV005 is a Missile Defense Agency Direct-to-Phase II SBIR topic seeking a commercially owned and operated mobile sea-based platform that can launch a variety of commercially procured target vehicles. Phase I-like proposals will be rejected. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: MDA27BZ02-DV005
- Official title: Mobile Sea-Based Launch Platform
- Agency: Missile Defense Agency
- Program: SBIR (DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2)
- Award type: Direct to Phase II (no Phase I awards)
- Award amount: Up to $2,000,000 (Direct to Phase II). Source: MDA Release 2 instructions in DSIP.
- CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
- ITAR: Yes. Export-controlled (ITAR/EAR); see topic text
- Technology areas: Ground Sea
- 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 MDA27BZ02-DV005)
BW&CO's take
What the Missile Defense Agency wants
MDA's Directorate for Test and Targets wants a commercially owned and operated mobile sea-based platform that can launch a variety of commercially procured target vehicles from any point on the ocean. The goal is more accurate and cost-effective replication of adversary threats, better equatorial launch access, and more responsive launch coordination. Phase II covers design, development, fabrication, and field testing, and MDA highly desires an at-sea field test. The solution must be novel rather than commercial off-the-shelf, must support multiple existing, proven target launch vehicles through physical hardware, and should not depend on ongoing MDA outlays for maintenance and overhead.
Who is a good fit
- A demonstrated track record of commercial launch vehicle operations at sea, which the topic requires
- Launch-support hardware that interfaces with multiple existing, proven target launch vehicles
- Modular, containerized, easily transportable launch equipment usable at land and sea sites
- Commercial customers or other DoW stakeholders interested in the platform, and teaming with commercial launch service providers
Watch-outs
- This is Direct-to-Phase II only. Phase I-like proposals are rejected as nonresponsive, and your feasibility documentation must show proof of concept in a relevant environment and/or TRL 5 or higher, from work substantially performed by your company or PI.
- Proposers must be a small business with a demonstrated track record of commercial launch vehicle operations at sea and must show commercial interest in the solution.
- Commercial off-the-shelf procurement does not qualify. Solutions exclusive to MDA, or that require ongoing MDA spending on maintenance and overhead, should not be proposed.
- The topic is marked ITAR-restricted, so export-control rules apply, and it lists CMMC Level 2 (Self).
Think your company fits MDA27BZ02-DV005? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your MDA27BZ02-DV005 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
Mobile Sea-Based Launch Platform
Objective
Develop and test a mobile, sea-based launch platform.
Description
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Directorate for Test and Targets (DT) Directorate designs, develops and provides missile targets to test US missile defenses. The Department of War is pushing towards the deployment of sea-based launch capabilities for a variety of applications to enhance range and survivability of hypersonic technologies [1]. A commercially-owned and operated mobile sea-based platform capable of launching a variety of commercially-procured target vehicles from any point on the ocean will enable MDA to more accurately and cost-effectively replicate adversary threats while increasing equatorial launch access and enabling more responsive launch coordination [2].
Phase I
Phase I-like proposals will not be evaluated and will be rejected as nonresponsive. For this topic, the Government expects the small business would have accomplished the following in a Phase I-like effort via some other means, e.g., independent research and development (IRAD) or other source, a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic capabilities of the stated objective above. Proposal must show, as appropriate, a demonstrated technical feasibility or nascent capability. The documentation provided must substantiate the proposer’s development of a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal in meeting topic objectives.
Documentation should comprise all relevant information including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Feasibility = maturity and what have you already done/validated.
Proposers interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their responses to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met.
(i.e., the small business must have performed a proof of concept like “Phase I” component and/or other validation in a relevant environment, and/or at a much higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level (5 or higher) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology in previous work or research completed.)
IRAD work: Documentation should include the most relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and/or performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the proposer and/or the principal investigator (PI).
Phase II
Under this Direct to Phase II effort, successful proposals should design, develop, fabricate, and field-test a sea-based target launch platform capable of leveraging a wide variety of commercially-procured launch vehicles.
Proposers must demonstrate how their solutions are novel technology (not 'commercial off-the-shelf' procurement) and how they can support multiple, existing, proven target launch vehicles via physical hardware. MDA highly desires a field-test demonstration of the solution at sea. Proposers must be a small business with a demonstrated track record of conducting commercial launch vehicle operations at sea, and must also demonstrate commercial interest in their proposed solution. Proposers should not propose a solution that is exclusive to MDA nor one that requires ongoing MDA outlays for maintenance and overhead costs. MDA prefers proposals that demonstrate their solution meets the needs of other Department of War (DoW) stakeholders. MDA prefers modularized, containerized, and easily-transportable solutions that could be used at a variety of launch sites, both on land and at sea. MDA encourages teaming arrangements that include commercial launch service providers.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Scale-up the capability from the Phase II platform design utilizing the new technologies developed in Phase II into a full-scale test platform. The solution could be utilized in future MDA target launch campaigns leveraging commercial sea-based launch platforms. The solution may be used to meet the intent of the FY 2024 NDAA directive instructing DoW to begin planning for a sea-based launch capability.
References
“Strategic systems programs proves sea based hypersonic launch approach,” Strategic Systems Programs, https://www.ssp.navy.mil/News-Media/News/Article/4172910/strategic-systems-programs-proves-sea-based-hypersonic-launch-approach/ (accessed Jul. 18, 2025)
https://www.diu.mil/latest/defense-innovation-units-issues-first-awards-under-its-novel-responsive
Keywords
Sea-based; launch; target; vehicle; mobile; barge
Frequently asked questions
What is MDA27BZ02-DV005?
It is a Missile Defense Agency SBIR topic to design, build, and field-test a mobile, sea-based launch platform that can launch a variety of commercially procured target vehicles for missile defense testing.
When is MDA27BZ02-DV005 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.
Is this a Phase I or Direct-to-Phase II topic?
It is Direct-to-Phase II. Phase I-like proposals will be rejected as nonresponsive, so you must include feasibility documentation, such as technical reports, test data, and prototype designs, showing Phase I-equivalent work substantially performed by your company or PI.
Does the platform have to be sea-only?
No. MDA prefers modularized, containerized, and easily transportable solutions that could be used at a variety of launch sites, both on land and at sea.