Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV001: Cleaner for the Time Domain Reflectometer Tank Level Indicator

Quick Answer

DON27BZ01-NV001 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a technology that cleans, and ideally reverses, fouling on Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) Tank Level Indicator (TLI) sensors in place inside compensated fuel tanks on DDG 51 destroyers, without depressurizing, defueling, or dewatering. Phase I is up to $315,000 including the option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

One application should restore full operability for 36 months (objective) and no less than 8 months (threshold).

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BZ01-NV001
• Title: Cleaner for the Time Domain Reflectometer Tank Level Indicator
• Component: Department of the Navy
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $315,000
• Period of performance: 6 month base plus 6 month option
• Technical volume limit: 10 pages
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Sustainment and Logistics
• Keywords: time domain reflectometry, tank level indicator, fuel fouling, TDR rods and tubes, compensated fuel tanks, crystallization
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Navy Is Looking For

Crystallization and contaminants on TDR rods and tubes cause false readings, electrical shorts, and fuel tracking errors that affect ship stability and have contributed to fuel spills. Today's fix takes tanks offline, removes fuel and compensating seawater, and pulls sensors for manual cleaning, which is costly, rarely feasible underway, and can cause miscalibration on reinstallation.

The DDG 51 Program Office treats this as a high priority. The Navy wants a product that cleans the entire TDR assembly, works with the existing sensor architecture, and can be used on in-service ships while underway.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops a concept to clean a fouled TDR TLI in situ in a compensated fuel tank, explains how it would be employed underway, and establishes feasibility through small-scale testing, analysis, or modeling. The Option, if exercised, covers initial design specifications for a Phase II prototype.

Phase II builds and demonstrates a prototype that returns a fouled TDR TLI to full operability in a simulated confined space without emptying the tank or causing spills, minimizes personnel tank access, identifies the Navy testing needed for shipboard certification, and delivers a transition plan.

Phase III supports fleet-wide transition with equipment, training, and logistics documentation, with likely extension to LHD 1 and LHA 6 classes and commercial fuel tank farms.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I Base: up to $200,000 over 6 months.
• Phase I Option: up to $115,000 over 6 months, so the Phase I total is up to $315,000. Base and Option costs must be separated in Volume 3.
• Phase II: up to $2,000,000 including all options and TABA, with structure provided to Phase I awardees.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 10 pages, 10-point minimum font, and the Option tasks must be inside the 10 pages.
• TABA: up to $6,500 for Phase I, in addition to the Phase I amount. Cost sharing is not accepted on Navy Phase I proposals.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the work in both the Phase I Base and the Option. The Navy does not accept deviations from this rule for Phase I.
• Firms more than 50 percent owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms are eligible to propose to Navy topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Industrial cleaning chemistry, ultrasonic or in-line cleaning tool makers, and fuel system maintenance companies are the natural fit. Experience with sensor maintenance in fuel or marine environments will help your feasibility case.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Navy SBIR topic DON27BZ01-NV001?

DON27BZ01-NV001 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to clean fouled Time Domain Reflectometer tank level indicator sensors in place inside compensated fuel tanks on DDG 51 class destroyers.

How much funding is available?

Phase I has a Base of up to $200,000 over 6 months and an Option of up to $115,000 over 6 months, for up to $315,000 total. Phase II can be up to $2,000,000 including options and TABA.

When is the deadline?

The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Navy Phase I technical volumes are limited to 10 pages, with a 10-point minimum font, and the Phase I Option tasks must fit inside those 10 pages.

How long must one cleaning last?

The technology must restore full TDR TLI operability for an objective of 36 months and a threshold of no less than 8 months from a single application.

Can I talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A.