Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV005: Intermediate Temperature Cooling Unit

Quick Answer

DON27BZ01-NV005 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a compact cooling unit (chiller, pump, piping, instrumentation, and controls) that supplies about 65 F water to cool DDG 51 electronics more efficiently than the ship's 42 F chilled water system. Phase I is up to $315,000 including the option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

There are no Navy-qualified intermediate temperature chillers today. The Navy estimates about 200 refrigeration tons of load could move to an intermediate loop.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BZ01-NV005
• Title: Intermediate Temperature Cooling Unit
• 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: electronic cooling water, energy efficiency, chiller, HVAC, thermal management
• 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

DDG 51 destroyers are approaching their power and cooling limits. Running all electronics on 42 F chilled water consumes significant power and causes condensation that can create electrical hazards. Equipment that tolerates warmer water could be served by a more efficient intermediate loop, preserving margin for future upgrades.

The unit must have a small footprint, meet Navy shock, noise, vibration, EMI, reliability, and maintainability standards, and be galvanically compatible with copper-nickel piping. Cooling mediums may include water, seawater, or glycol mixes. Proposers define cooling capacity, efficiency, power draw, output pressure and flow, and not-to-exceed dimensions.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops a concept and shows it can meet Navy needs and become a useful product. The Option covers initial prototype design specifications.

Phase II delivers a prototype, demonstrates capacity, efficiency, power draw, pressure, and flow, participates in extended testing at a maritime facility, and prepares a manufacturing and development plan.

Phase III supports Navy transition with installation and maintenance manuals. Commercial markets include maritime, industrial facility cooling, and data centers.

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?

HVAC and chiller manufacturers, marine thermal management firms, and data center cooling companies looking for a defense entry point fit well. Experience with shock-qualified or naval equipment is a plus.

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-NV005?

DON27BZ01-NV005 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a compact intermediate temperature cooling unit supplying about 65 F water to cool DDG 51 shipboard electronics.

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.

Why an intermediate temperature?

Running warmer water than the 42 F chilled water system uses less energy, reduces condensation hazards, and preserves power and cooling margin for future DDG 51 upgrades.

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.