Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic MDA27BZ02-DV007 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
MDA27BZ02-DV007 is a Missile Defense Agency Direct-to-Phase II SBIR topic seeking affordable, scalable, high-rate insulation technologies for solid rocket motor cases. Phase I-like proposals will be rejected. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: MDA27BZ02-DV007
- Official title: Low Cost / Rapidly Producible Booster Insulation Methods
- 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: Weapons
- 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-DV007)
BW&CO's take
What the Missile Defense Agency wants
The Government wants new insulation materials or processes for solid rocket motor cases that cut processing time or cost compared with legacy methods, which apply filled polymers on custom mandrels with significant manual labor. Polymer matrix composite cases are the main interest, with applicability to metallic cases also desirable. Reusable or low-cost consumable mandrels that come out easily are also of interest. The insulation must match or beat current insulating ability at equal or lower inert mass. Phase II produces subscale insulated cases, compares erosion rate in subscale motor tests, and shows 20-year storage life and storage down to -40 °C.
Who is a good fit
- Insulation material formulation with thermal conductivity and erosion rate data
- High-rate or automated processing for insulating composite motor cases of varied geometry and size
- Reusable or low-cost consumable mandrel designs that remove quickly after lay-up and winding
- Access to subscale motor testing with relevant propellants, and aging and low-temperature characterization
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.
- Phase II requires subscale motor tests comparing erosion rate to the state of the art, plus evidence of 20-year storage life and storage conditions as low as -40 °C.
- Adhesion to the propellant must survive storage and operation, and the design must account for propellant stress across temperature. Mandrel proposals must show thrust misalignment under 1°.
- The topic is marked ITAR-restricted, so export-control rules apply, and it lists CMMC Level 2 (Self).
Think your company fits MDA27BZ02-DV007? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your MDA27BZ02-DV007 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
Low Cost / Rapidly Producible Booster Insulation Methods
Objective
This topic will develop affordable, scalable, high production rate insulation technologies for solid rocket motors.
Description
Solid propellant rockets use insulation to protect motor cases from the high temperature combustion gases and, in the case of composite cases, prevent egress of gases. Heritage methods for insulating motor cases utilize filled polymers with low thermal conductivities which absorb heat as they decompose. The insulation layer is typically applied through time consuming processes on custom mandrels which require significant manual labor. The Government seeks novel insulation material/processing technologies which reduce insulation processing time and/or cost compared to legacy processes for a variety of motor case geometries and sizes. The primary motor case materials of interest for this solicitation are polymer matrix composites, though applicability to metallic cases is also desirable. Proposals developing reusable or low-cost consumable mandrels which can be easily and quickly removed after insulation lay-up and winding are also of interest. The proposed insulation solution must consider stress limitations in the propellant with variations in temperature during storage and operation. The proposed insulation technology should also meet or exceed the insulating ability of the current state of the art with equal or lower inert mass with an increased production rate and/or lower per unit price.
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
Produce subscale insulated cases with novel, scalable insulation technology, and characterize the erosion rate compared to the current state of the art in sub-scale motor tests with relevant motor propellants. Show that the proposed insulation should meet a 20-year storage life as well as storage conditions as low as -40 °C. The proposed insulation technology must demonstrate adequate adhesion to the propellant to survive storage and operating conditions. The proposal for novel insulation technology must include thermal conductivity and other relevant material characterization. Proposals incorporating novel mandrel technologies must show that motors incorporating the technology can achieve thrust misalignment of less than 1°.
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Partner with a propulsion manufacturer to insulate and static test full size motors with a variety of propellants.
References
G. M. Santerre, P. L. Smith and R. F. Russ, "Asbestos-Free Insulation Development," JANNAF, 1987.
G. Sutton, Rocket Propulsion Elements, Danvers, Maine: John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
Keywords
Insulation; Solid Rocket Motor; Low-Cost; Rapid Production; Advanced Manufacturing; Scalable; Polymer Matrix Composites; Mandrel
Frequently asked questions
What is MDA27BZ02-DV007?
It is a Missile Defense Agency SBIR topic to develop affordable, scalable, high production rate insulation technologies, and optionally new mandrel approaches, for solid rocket motor cases.
When is MDA27BZ02-DV007 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.
Which motor case materials matter most?
Polymer matrix composite cases are the primary interest. Applicability to metallic cases is also desirable.