Status: Open. Proposals accepted at any time through September 30, 2027. NAWCWD encourages a white paper and a call with its points of contact before a full proposal.
Executive Summary
The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake, California, accepts proposals for basic research, applied research and advanced technology development in aerospace propulsion, energetic materials, high-speed weapons, batteries and naval weapons. Companies and universities can submit at any time through September 30, 2027.
Awards may be contracts, cooperative agreements, Technology Investment Agreements or Other Transaction agreements. NAWCWD posts no funding amount and says award size and length vary by research area and technical approach.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Navy, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), China Lake, CA
- Opportunity: Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Naval Air Warfare and Weapons
- Number: N6893626R5014
- Award Types: Procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, Technology Investment Agreements (50/50 cost share) and Other Transaction agreements, including prototype OTs
- Funding: No amount posted. NAWCWD may fund all, some or none of the proposals.
- Research Stage: Basic research, applied research and advanced technology development
- White Paper: Encouraged, up to 10 pages
- Full Proposal: Up to 30 pages for the technical and cost volumes combined, plus the cost spreadsheet
- Open Through: September 30, 2027
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before you contact NAWCWD.
What Is the NAWCWD BAA?
It is China Lake's standing, open call for research that can advance Navy and Marine Corps air warfare and weapons. Because it is a BAA, no separate RFP is issued, and proposals selected for award count as the result of full and open competition.
What Problem Is the Navy Trying to Solve?
The Navy needs weapons and aerospace technology for joint strike warfare, air superiority and precision attack, plus naval surface fire support and ship self-defense. NAWCWD wants research that closes current and future naval capability gaps and leads to new naval prototypes.
Priority Capability Areas: What NAWCWD Is Looking For
- Aerospace science: Advanced aerospace propulsion, naval aviation design tools and analysis, combat-safe insensitive munitions, energetic materials, advanced combustion, high-energy dense oxidizers, high-speed weapons, and batteries and power systems.
- Air warfare and naval weapons: Enhanced weapons systems, future naval capabilities, high-speed weapons technology and high-density reactive materials.
- Not in scope: Technical, engineering or other support services. The BAA is for research only.
Eligibility Requirements
- Who can submit: All responsible sources from academia, industry and the research community, small or large. No portion is set aside for small business.
- Not eligible to receive awards: FFRDCs (including DOE national laboratories), Navy laboratories, warfare centers and other government labs. They may team with eligible proposers.
- UARCs: Eligible unless their DoD UARC contract prevents it.
- Export control: Some topics are export-controlled and limited to U.S. persons under ITAR.
How to Apply
- Contact the NAWCWD points of contact first, as the BAA strongly encourages: Kyle Hedman (contracts, kyle.d.hedman.civ@us.navy.mil) and Ephraim Washburn (technical, ephraim.b.washburn.civ@us.navy.mil).
- Send a white paper of up to 10 pages, single-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman with 1-inch margins, as a Word or PDF attachment to both contacts. The subject line must read "BAA N6893626R5014, White Paper Submission."
- Cover the technical concept and risks, plus naval relevance (basic research) or the operational naval concept (applied research and technology development).
- Follow up with a full proposal of up to 30 pages for the technical and cost volumes combined, plus the cost proposal spreadsheet, if NAWCWD invites one.
- Handle classified material only through the NAWCWD Security Coordinator. Never email classified questions.
How NAWCWD Evaluates Proposals
- 1: Overall scientific and technical merit.
- 2: Potential naval relevance and contribution to the agency's mission.
- 3: The offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities and techniques.
- 4: Qualifications and experience of the proposed key personnel.
- 5: Realism and reasonableness of proposed costs.
NAWCWD selects proposals based on technical merit, importance to agency programs and availability of funds.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies and research teams working on propulsion, energetic or reactive materials, high-speed weapons, combustion, batteries and power systems, or weapons design tools that can show naval relevance. It is a poor fit for teams offering engineering support services, or for non-U.S. teams on export-controlled topics.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For standing BAAs like NAWCWD China Lake, we help you:
- Prepare for the first conversation with NAWCWD's technical point of contact.
- Write a 10-page white paper that leads with naval relevance.
- Choose the right award type, from contract to Other Transaction agreement.
- Build the full proposal, statement of work and cost spreadsheet if invited.
- Plan follow-on work so the first award leads to a larger program.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is it due?
Proposals are accepted at any time until September 30, 2027.
How much funding is available?
NAWCWD posts no amount. Award size and period of performance vary by research area and technical approach.
Do I need to send a white paper first?
White papers are desired by NAWCWD program officers. The BAA asks you to consult the points of contact about whether to send one.
What award types are possible?
Contracts, cooperative agreements, Technology Investment Agreements (with a 50/50 cost share) and Other Transaction agreements.
Can small businesses apply?
Yes. Businesses of all sizes can propose, though nothing is set aside for small business.
Can national labs propose?
FFRDCs, including DOE national laboratories, cannot receive awards but can team with eligible proposers.
Are foreign teams eligible?
Some topics are export-controlled and limited to U.S. persons. Non-U.S. participants must comply with export control and security rules.
How long can the full proposal be?
Up to 30 pages for the technical and cost volumes combined, not counting the cost spreadsheet.
Can BW&CO help with a NAWCWD submission?
Yes. BW&CO can help you prepare for the call with NAWCWD, write the white paper and build the full proposal if invited. Book a call with our team.
Source: SAM.gov: N6893626R5014, BAA for Naval Air Warfare and Weapons at NAWCWD China Lake