Navy: Autonomous Systems to Reduce Risk Warfighters Encounter
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division has released Special Notice N0016426SNB34 titled “Autonomous Systems to Reduce Risk Warfighters Encounter.”
This is a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from industry on Uncrewed System (UxS) solutions (UGV, UAV, USV, UUV) that reduce risk to warfighters.
The Government may issue a future Request for Solutions (RFS) and award a Project Order under the Expeditionary Missions Consortium (EMC2) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022.
The Response Date is Mar 30, 2026 2:00 PM EDT.
If you have a relevant UxS platform, you should evaluate this immediately.
How much funding would I receive?
Although the solicitation does not explicitly state a funding amount, contract opportunities typically follow within the range of $500k to $5m.
What could I use the funding for?
Funding is not specified at this stage.
However, the RFI is focused on autonomous Uncrewed System (UxS) solutions (UGV, UAV, USV, UUV) that reduce risk to warfighters and meet the following required criteria:
REQUIRED (must meet Questions 1–3):
Total system weight: 45 lbs or less
Battery life: Minimum 30-minute run time after deployment
Minimum speed: Must keep pace with a human (between 2.5 and 4 mph)
The RFI also requests additional information on:
Carrying capacity
Safety features (redundant safety, deployment delay timers)
Cost and production rate
Blue UAS status
TRL
ATAK compatibility
Autonomy capabilities
Operation in contested environments
Emission profile (auditory, visual, thermal)
Kinetic/non-kinetic launcher integration
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
The notice states:
Responses may be shared with other partner organizations for additional use cases.
Submission could potentially lead to contact from NSWC Crane personnel for further information.
Participation positions you for potential future EMC2 RFS opportunities.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
RFI Release Date: 10 February 2026
Response Date: Mar 30, 2026 2:00 PM EDT
Inactive Date: Apr 14, 2026
Where does this funding come from?
Department of Defense
Department of the Navy
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division
Issued under the Expeditionary Missions Consortium (EMC2)
Potential awards under Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) authority in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022
Who is eligible to apply?
The RFI is issued to the general public and industry.
All interested parties should visit https://emccrane.org/ to become a member of the consortium to view future possible RFS opportunities.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
While no evaluation criteria are provided, the RFI clearly prioritizes systems that:
Weigh 45 lbs or less
Provide at least 30 minutes of run time
Move at 2.5–4 mph
Demonstrate autonomy capabilities
Potentially integrate with ATAK
Can operate in contested environments
Have known TRL levels
Provide clear cost and production scalability
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Key restrictions include:
Submissions must be non-proprietary
Do not submit classified information
No marketing/advertising pictures
No hyperlinks allowed
File types limited to Microsoft Word, PDF, or PowerPoint
File size must not exceed 10MB
Page limits:
Word/PDF: Not to exceed 5 pages
PowerPoint: Not to exceed 5 slides
Font: Times New Roman 10 (or larger)
Must answer required questions in numbered format
Must clearly indicate “N/A” where applicable
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The submission is limited to:
5 pages (Word/PDF) or
5 slides (PowerPoint)
Formatting requirements are strict but concise.
For a company with an existing UxS platform that meets the REQUIRED criteria, preparation time is likely moderate. The exact time required is not specified in the notice.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO can:
Assess whether your UxS meets the REQUIRED criteria
Position your technology clearly against the numbered RFI questions
Frame autonomy, TRL, ATAK, and contested-environment capabilities strategically
Ensure compliance with formatting and non-proprietary requirements
Prepare you for a potential future EMC2 Request for Solutions (RFS)
How much would BW&CO Charge?
We have both fractional engagements ($250 an hour) and full engagements ($13,000 + 5%) available.