DON26BZ05-DV085 — Persistent Non-Destructive Inspection System for Airfield Readiness and FOD Mitigation
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Quick Answer
DON26BZ05-DV085 is a Navy Direct to Phase II (DP2) SBIR topic sponsored by NAVAIR. It funds a continuous, sensor-based system that inspects airfield pavement, reproduces Pavement Condition Index (PCI) assessments in line with ASTM D 5340 and FAA guidance, and detects Foreign Object Debris (FOD) risks, all without interfering with active airfield operations. Maximum Phase II award across Base and Option is $1,400,000. Proposals are due September 23, 2026.
Executive Summary
Airfield pavement condition and Foreign Object Debris are directly tied to flight safety, and today's inspection process depends on periodic manual surveys. NAVAIR wants a sensor-based system that inspects continuously, reproduces the standard Pavement Condition Index that airfields and funding sponsors already use to prioritize maintenance, and detects and classifies surface features including markings, vegetation, and debris, all while operating persistently without disrupting flight operations.
"Without interfering" is defined precisely in this topic: the system cannot require additional runway, taxiway, or apron closures, cannot introduce operational delays, and cannot increase operator burden. That is a meaningfully higher bar than simply automating an existing inspection, since it rules out solutions that need dedicated inspection windows or closures to operate.
The system also needs a credible path to autonomy. NAVAIR specifies that any platform used must be capable of transitioning to an autonomously operated system that plugs into a larger airfield management digital architecture, described as the beginning of a FOD Operational Decision Network.
Phase I feasibility centers on sensor development and qualification, with a specific statistical bar: the system must quantify probability of detection well enough to identify, distinguish, and quantify PCI features within a 95 percent confidence interval, and must be able to distinguish those features from markings, vegetation, and FOD. AI and machine learning may be used to categorize features, but the core requirement is measurable sensor performance, not just an algorithm.
Phase II moves from sensor validation to full system integration on an active airfield, with 100 percent coverage of accessible pavement sections, documented handling of any inaccessible areas, and reproduction of a legacy-format PCI report for both asphalt and concrete per ASTM standards. The system must also produce near-real-time condition updates and integrate with existing FOD data systems and digital twins, plus a Phase III commercialization and transition plan.
This topic's Phase III path is unusually well-defined: it feeds directly into NAVAIR's Zero FOD program, and its outputs are expected to inform facilities commands including NAVFAC, MCICOM, and CNIC. The civil aviation crossover is explicit as well, since the FAA faces the identical 40-year pavement mandate and airfield recapitalization challenge, and the Zero FOD program is already coordinating with the FAA on a shared operational condition index built from this kind of data.
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
Key Requirements
Must demonstrate completed Phase I-type R&D independently, not solely from prior federal SBIR/STTR funding
Must quantify probability of detection for PCI features within a 95 percent confidence interval
Must operate without requiring closures, delays, or increased operator burden
Must have a credible path to autonomous operation and integration into a digital airfield architecture
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 is the Pavement Condition Index and why does it matter here?
PCI is the standard, ASTM D 5340-aligned method airfields use to assess pavement condition and prioritize maintenance. NAVAIR wants a sensor system that can reproduce PCI assessments automatically and continuously.
What does "without interfering with airfield operations" mean specifically?
The system cannot require additional runway, taxiway, or apron closures, cannot introduce operational delays, and cannot increase operator burden.
Does the system need to detect Foreign Object Debris specifically?
Yes, along with distinguishing FOD from pavement markings and vegetation, as part of the broader PCI feature detection requirement.
What statistical performance is required in Phase I?
Probability of detection sufficient to identify, distinguish, and quantify PCI features within a 95 percent confidence interval.
Does the platform need to be autonomous?
It must be capable of transitioning to autonomous operation and integrating into a larger airfield management digital architecture, described as the start of a FOD Operational Decision Network.
What is the connection to the Zero FOD program?
Zero FOD, managed by NAVAIR, is the primary Phase III transition partner for this topic, and its outputs will also inform Navy facilities commands including NAVFAC, MCICOM, and CNIC.
Is there a civil aviation angle to this topic?
Yes. The FAA faces the same airfield recapitalization and pavement lifecycle challenge, and the Zero FOD program is coordinating with the FAA on a shared operational condition index.
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
