DON26BZ05-DV083 — Solution to Reduce Towing Based Mishaps During Flightline Operations
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Quick Answer
DON26BZ05-DV083 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds retrofit technology that improves situational awareness and prevents collisions during aircraft towing operations, both at land-based airfields and on shipboard flight decks. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.
Executive Summary
Towing aircraft is one of the most routine and unavoidable tasks on a flightline, and it is also a persistent source of costly mishaps. NAVAIR wants a retrofit solution that can be added to existing Navy tow tractors, specifically the Mid-Range Tow Tractor, Shipboard Tow Tractor, and Large Land-Based Tow Tractor, to give towing crews better situational awareness and prevent unintended collisions.
The operating environment is demanding. Any solution must function whether or not the unit is actively towing, must operate correctly in an Emission Controlled environment, must meet electromagnetic interference requirements for both shipboard and shore-based use, and must give the towing crew enough advance warning to make an informed decision while accounting for the acceleration and inertial effects of a large towed object. NAVAIR is explicitly open to the approach: this can be a low-tech, human-in-the-loop alerting system or a high-tech, fully autonomous intervention system, as long as it meets the mission need of reducing mishaps.
Unlike most of the other DP2 topics in this release, this one does not carry an explicit classification or ITAR restriction in the topic description, and it does not require a security clearance, which may make it more accessible to companies without existing cleared facilities.
The Phase I feasibility bar is specific and demanding: NAVAIR expects proposers to already have prototyped and tested core sensing, alerting, and control functions in relevant operational conditions, with prior validation of real-time proximity detection, operator alerting performance, and integration with representative towing platforms. This is a topic for companies who have already built and tested a working system, not one starting from a concept.
Phase II centers on a real-world demonstration. Deliverables include a Technical Data Package, maintained system specifications, an evaluation and analysis report covering reliability, maintainability, sustainability, and Supply Chain Risk Management, plus training documentation and manuals. The effort concludes with a final prototype demonstration at NAS Lakehurst or NAS Pax River, tested directly on the MRTT, STT, and LLTT during standard towing operations.
Phase III looks toward low-rate or full-rate production and fleet-wide deployment, along with training program rollout. NAVAIR also flags a genuine commercial pathway: towing is just as critical to commercial airport operations, where the same technology could reduce schedule-impacting incidents and improve ground safety at major airports.
Funding
Phase II Base: up to $1,000,000, period of performance up to 30 months
Phase II Option: up to $400,000, period of performance up to 12 months
Maximum total (Base plus Option): $1,400,000
No separate Phase I award is issued under DP2
Award types considered: Cost Plus Fixed Fee, Firm Fixed Price, Basic Ordering Agreement, or Prototype Other Transaction
Discretionary TABA available: up to $25,000 per award, included in the Phase II award amount
Timeline
Step one: submit a Phase I Feasibility Proposal through DSIP
Step two: if selected, the SYSCOM contacts the company directly with instructions to submit a Full DP2 Proposal
Proposal deadline: September 23, 2026 (verify against the official BAA close date for this release)
Notifications sent approximately one week after BAA close, based on the Cover Sheet email address
Final Phase II prototype demonstration occurs at NAS Lakehurst or NAS Pax River
Key Requirements
Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must have already prototyped and tested sensing, alerting, and control functions in relevant conditions
Must be compatible with the MRTT, STT, and LLTT tow tractor platforms
Technical Volume limited to 30 pages total: 20 pages for Phase I feasibility, 10 pages for the Phase II snapshot
Minimum 50 percent of Phase II work performed by the proposing small business, in both Base and Option
CMMC Level 2 (Self) projected requirement
Point of Contact
Kristi DePriest, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)
navair-sbir@us.navy.mil
Frequently Asked Questions
What towing equipment must this be compatible with?
The Navy's Mid-Range Tow Tractor, Shipboard Tow Tractor, and Large Land-Based Tow Tractor.
Does the solution have to be fully autonomous?
No. NAVAIR accepts either a low-tech, human-in-the-loop alerting system or a high-tech, fully autonomous intervention system, as long as it meets the mission need.
Does this topic require a security clearance?
No. Unlike several other topics in this release, DV083 does not include a classification or clearance requirement in the topic description.
What kind of prior work does NAVAIR expect for feasibility?
Prototyped and tested core sensing, alerting, and control functions in relevant operational conditions, with validated real-time proximity detection and integration on representative towing platforms.
Where does the Phase II demonstration happen?
At NAS Lakehurst or NAS Pax River, tested on existing MRTT, STT, and LLTT tow tractors during standard towing procedures.
Is there a commercial market for this outside the Navy?
Yes. NAVAIR specifically notes applicability to commercial airports, where reducing towing mishaps improves both safety and schedule reliability.
How much can a Phase II award be worth?
Up to $1,000,000 for the Base and up to $400,000 for the Option, for a maximum of $1,400,000.
What is the proposal deadline?
September 23, 2026
