Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV004: Input-Output Unit (IOU) for Secure Processing and Routing of Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical (HM&E) and Navigation Signals

Quick Answer

DON27BZ01-NV004 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an IP54-rated Input-Output Unit (IOU) that interfaces legacy and modern shipboard equipment and routes steering, machinery control, damage control, alarm, synchro, and navigation signals over redundant Ethernet. Phase I is up to $315,000 including the option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Navy wants a simpler, more open and modular design built from commercially available components to cut lifecycle cost and end reliance on proprietary legacy hardware.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BZ01-NV004
• Title: Input-Output Unit (IOU) for Secure Processing and Routing of Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical (HM&E) and Navigation Signals
• 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: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems; Microelectronics; Sustainment and Logistics
• Keywords: Ethernet networks, input output unit, Parallel Redundancy Protocol, PRP, dust-protected, water splash-resistant
• 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

IOUs are used on all DDG 51 ships, LHA(R) ships, Aegis Ashore, and Foreign Military Sales cases to translate non-Ethernet traffic such as synchro and serial data for Ethernet users. The Navy's move from Halon to water mist fire suppression makes splash resistance essential, and today's many circuit card types complicate support.

The base technology exists in industry. The topic asks you to integrate it into one product.

Selected requirements

• IEC 60529 IP54 enclosure with adequate internal cooling, RoHS compliant, and 50 percent spare capacity for growth.
• Interfaces: RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, NTDS-E, fiber and Cat 5 Ethernet (unicast, multicast), analog synchro (60 and 400 Hz), and analog AC and DC voltage, with triaxial, 42-pin, 92-pin, and fiber connectors.
• Maximum 188 lb and 17 x 26 x 27 inches, mountable from rear or bottom.
• Dual 120V 60Hz power, under 600 W fully loaded, MIL-STD-1399-300 Type I and II, MIL-STD-461 EMI/EMC, restart within 30 seconds after power restoration.
• MIL-STD-810, MIL-DTL-901, MIL-STD-167, and MIL-HDBK-2164 environmental compliance; MTBF above 10,000 hours for all components.
• IPv4, IPv6, IP multicast, and Parallel Redundancy Protocol (IEC 62439-3); repair possible while energized.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops a concept that meets the requirements and demonstrates its efficacy through modeling, simulation, and supporting documentation. The Option covers initial prototype design specifications.

Phase II builds, tests, and delivers a prototype for a network lab to verify continuity and throughput of all signal types with legacy connections, including cooling under sustained heavy load and IP54 verification per IEC 60529 and MIL-STD-1399.

Phase III supports fleet-wide transition, with commercial uses in maritime systems, offshore extraction, and industrial networks.

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?

Rugged industrial networking, shipboard electronics, and protocol gateway companies are the right fit. Firms with MIL-STD-901 and 461 test experience will move faster. Plan for the ITAR restriction.

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-NV004?

DON27BZ01-NV004 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a dust-protected, splash-resistant Input-Output Unit that processes and routes hull, mechanical, electrical, and navigation signals on Navy ships.

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.

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR, and foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.

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.