Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic MDA27BZ02-DV006 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
MDA27BZ02-DV006 is a Missile Defense Agency Direct-to-Phase II SBIR topic seeking solid rocket motor performance enhancements for existing missile systems that keep the system form factor unchanged. Phase I-like proposals will be rejected. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: MDA27BZ02-DV006
- Official title: Performance Enhancement of Solid Rocket Motors Applied to Existing Systems
- 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, Materials
- 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-DV006)
BW&CO's take
What the Missile Defense Agency wants
MDA wants higher solid rocket motor performance in existing missile systems without changing form factor, meaning minimal or no changes to physical size, mechanical or electrical interfaces, or logistics, operations, and maintenance support. The gains serve both defensive systems and the target systems used to validate them. The text cites solution paths such as burn-rate enhancement, particle size modifications, and propellant composition optimization. Phase II develops and demonstrates the enhancement, and MDA highly desires a ground test that validates the gain against an existing system. Proposals must show how they minimize cost and non-recurring engineering for integration.
Who is a good fit
- Demonstrated expertise developing SRM technology, which the topic requires
- Propellant work such as burn-rate enhancement, particle size modification, or composition optimization, backed by test data
- Ability to run ground tests that compare an enhanced motor against an existing baseline
- Experience integrating motor changes into existing missile systems with low non-recurring engineering
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 demonstrated expertise in SRM technology development.
- Form factor must be preserved, and the proposal must show how it minimizes cost and NRE to integrate. Awardees may receive Government Furnished Information to help preserve form factor.
- The topic is marked ITAR-restricted, so export-control rules apply, and it lists CMMC Level 2 (Self).
Think your company fits MDA27BZ02-DV006? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your MDA27BZ02-DV006 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
Performance Enhancement of Solid Rocket Motors Applied to Existing Systems
Objective
Develop and demonstrate enhanced capability/performance of a Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) on an existing missile system without changing system form factor.
Description
The Missile Defense Agency designs, develops, and delivers advanced missile defense capabilities to protect the United States, its allies, and deployed forces from missile attacks in all phases of flight. Traditional SRM propellant formulations and motor designs are mostly optimized, creating some limitations in regards to capability when form factor is constrained [1]. Methods to enhance and optimize the performance of SRM technology at reasonable cost have been researched for decades, incorporating a variety of potential solution paths such as burn-rate enhancement, particle size modifications, propellant composition optimization, and more [2]. Performance enhancements of SRMs in existing missile systems are desired to provide increased capability to both defensive systems and target systems used to validate defensive capabilities.
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 develop and demonstrate enhanced capability/performance of a Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) on an existing missile system without changing system form factor (Form Factor: relates to MINIMAL/NO changes in physical size, mechanical or electrical interfaces, or logistics/operations/maintenance support) . Awardees may be provided with Government Furnished Information (GFI) to ensure form factor preservation when developing their SRM technology enhancement solution.
Proposers must demonstrate how their solutions minimize cost and Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) required to integrate their SRM enhancement technology into an existing missile system. MDA highly desires a ground test demonstration of the solution to validate capability enhancement compared to an existing system. Proposers must be a small business with demonstrated expertise in the development of SRM technology. Proposers may propose a solution that is exclusive to one existing missile system or a solution that could be applied to multiple existing missile systems.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Integrate the solution developed and tested during the Phase II into an existing system to support flight testing.
References
Atwood, Alice I, et al. “High-Pressure Burning Rate Studies of Solid Rocket Propellants.” Progress in Propulsion Physics, 1 Jan. 2013, https://doi.org/10.1051/eucass/201304003. Accessed 24 Jun 2025.
Mahjub, Ahmed, et al. “Design Optimization of Solid Rocket Propulsion: A Survey of Recent Advancements | Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets.” Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, vol. 57, no. 1, 2019, arc.aiaa.org/doi/full/10.2514/1.A34594, https://doi.org/10.2514/jsr.2020.57.issue-1, pageGroup:string:Publication. Accessed 24 Jun 2025.
Keywords
Solid rocket motor; SRM; test
Frequently asked questions
What is MDA27BZ02-DV006?
It is a Missile Defense Agency SBIR topic to develop and demonstrate improved solid rocket motor performance on an existing missile system without changing the system's form factor.
When is MDA27BZ02-DV006 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 solution have to target one specific missile?
No. Proposers may propose a solution exclusive to one existing missile system or one that could be applied to multiple existing missile systems.