Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for NSWC Crane - N0016424SNB35
Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).
Executive Summary:
The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is an always-open opportunity for companies, universities, nonprofits, and research organizations developing innovative defense technologies that support U.S. national security. Rather than focusing on a single topic, this BAA accepts revolutionary research ideas and technology demonstrations across ten broad technical capability areas, allowing organizations to submit proposals when they have a compelling solution.
Proposals and abstracts may be submitted on a rolling basis. The current response deadline is July 7, 2027, at 4:00 PM EDT. Multiple awards are anticipated, and selected projects may be funded through procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions depending on the nature of the work. Organizations with technologies aligned to NSWC Crane's mission should engage early, as proposals are evaluated as they are received and funding availability varies by project.
How much funding would I receive?
The solicitation does not specify award amounts.
The BAA states:
Multiple awards are anticipated.
Individual award values will vary depending on the technology area and the proposed technical approach.
Periods of performance will also vary by project.
Awards may be made as:
Procurement contracts
Grants
Cooperative agreements
Technology Investment Agreements (TIAs)
Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs)
What could I use the funding for?
Funding is intended to support innovative research, development, prototyping, technology demonstrations, and related activities that advance NSWC Crane's mission.
The BAA seeks projects supporting one or more of the following technical capability areas:
Electronic Warfare
Infrared and Pyrotechnic Countermeasures
Strategic Systems Hardware
Expeditionary Warfare and Systems
Advanced Electronics
Sensors and Surveillance Systems
Hypersonic Weapon Systems
Power and Energy Systems
Electro-optic and Infrared Technologies
Force Level Electronic Warfare Mission Analysis, Advanced Concepts and Technologies
Within these areas, NSWC Crane is interested in technologies including (but not limited to):
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Trusted microelectronics
Radar and RF systems
EO/IR sensors
Quantum technologies
Power and energy storage
Advanced batteries
Directed energy enabling technologies
Cybersecurity
Counter-UAS technologies
Modeling and simulation
Autonomous systems
Advanced manufacturing
Digital engineering
Hypersonic technologies
Sensor fusion
Radio frequency-enabled cyber capabilities
Projects supporting multiple technical capability areas are encouraged but are not required.
Topic Areas:
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Research and development for materials, material processing, microelectronics, radio frequency (RF), electro-optic infrared (EOIR) and other hardware that improves the efficiency, capability and responsiveness of EW systems used in all warfighting domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyber). Algorithms, digital signal processing techniques and photonics approaches that improves EW system responsiveness and accuracy. Hardware and software-based solutions focused on manipulation of electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) signatures or emissions to include signature management. Material and non-material solutions that improve sustainability and affordability of EW systems and their components. Novel and low-cost approaches to EW test and evaluation (T&E) supporting fast-to-field initiatives. Technology demonstrations that include prototypes of component or system level solutions to EW problems. EW mission analysis that may include a combination of live, virtual or constructive representations of EW systems, platforms or unique capabilities in single or multiple engagements and campaign simulations. Research and development that enable improvements in EW component or EW system Size, Weight and Power (SWAP). Research and development that support the integration of EW capability into unmanned systems. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) approaches with emphasis on accuracy, generalizability, and tactical employment of AI and ML in support of all EW functions.
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Research, design, development, prototyping, and demonstration of safe, reliable, and effective infrared (IR) and electro-optic (EO) countermeasures, countermeasure systems, and pyrotechnics for platform protection, target enhancement, counterintelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C-ISR), illumination, and signaling and marking. Seeking innovative approaches to Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force platform protection through design, development, modeling and simulation (M&S), integration, test and evaluation (T&E), and fielding of camouflage, concealment, and deception devices, countermeasures, threat warning, and dispensing systems. Unique solutions that improve current capabilities in M&S, T&E, simulators, and all infrared countermeasure and pyrotechnic solutions, especially those that also incorporate RF with EO/IR are encouraged.
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Research and development, prototyping, technology demonstration, and test & evaluation of safe, reliable, secure and effective hardware that supports the Department of Navy and DoD nuclear deterrence community. Innovation around Strategic Systems Hardware design starting at the physics level for materials and devices including quantum, mechanics, thermodynamics, electronics and electromagnetism. Application to specific systems and subsystems such as acoustic sensors, navigation, fire control, launch, flight, guidance, onboard & pier side mechanical & electrical support systems, as well as modeling & simulation and integrated verification & validation of those systems. Approaches that facilitate strategic hardware reliability through design, manufacturing and assessment of radiation hardened microelectronics for space missions, nuclear modernization, and missile defense are desired. Special emphasis is placed on research that enables secure, robust, and resilient microelectronics, sensors and embedded systems for military applications in severe environments. Other areas of interest include digital engineering and system modeling of requirements, interface management, system level architecture integration with model-based systems engineering. Data analytics, intelligent design with artificial intelligence and machine learning, configuration and data management, and improved procedures and trainings with augmented and virtual reality will be beneficial.
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Research, development, prototyping, and demonstration of technology associated with Expeditionary Warfare, commonly considered mission sets executed by the USMC, NAVSPECWAR & SOF, NECC, and other maritime & land-based forces. ExWar technologies can include sensor systems, battle management systems, communications and command & control systems, and kinetic & non-kinetic effectors. Unmanned (UxS) and Counter-Unmanned (C-UxS) systems technologies are of particular interest to this area of research. Novel, end-to-end capability development and demonstration via rapid prototyping and fleet experimentation is a goal for the ExWar area of research. Areas of concentration at NSWC Crane in support of ExWar capabilities include EO/IR Sensor Systems, Radar Sensor Systems, Command & Control Systems, Cyber Security, Weapon Systems & Munitions, Power & Energy, Mobility Systems, and Electronic Warfare Systems. Capabilities that enable Naval expeditionary strategies and concepts, such as Distributed Maritime Operations, Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, and force modernization are a focus for NSWC Crane.
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Research, development, prototyping, and demonstration of affordable, sustainable microelectronics solutions that provide asymmetric capability for the Department of Navy and the DoD Enterprise in support of the following platforms but not limited to hypersonic weapon systems and their platforms, ballistic missile defense systems, electronic warfare systems, command; control; communications; computing; intelligence; surveillance; and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, cyber-physical systems, space surveillance systems, maritime and undersea autonomous systems. Areas of interest but not limited to basic and applied trusted microelectronics research & development (including design, development, acquisition, test and evaluation, advanced prototyping, technology maturation and technology demonstration) in support of security systems engineering to integrate advanced electronics within complex systems satisfying security and resilience objectives. Microelectronics technology areas of interests include but are not limited to active and passive electronic devices, circuit cards, advanced Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) logic for ASICs and programmable logic, volatile and nonvolatile memory, radiation hardened technologies, advance packaging to include heterogeneous integration, advanced interconnect technologies, electronic controls, solid state transmit/receive modules, digital receiver exciters, digital beamforming electronics, DC to DC converters, microwave tubes, other radio frequency and optoelectronics technologies. Microelectronics technology test and evaluation areas of interests include but are not limited to model and simulation at the board, component, and circuit level, as well as operational environments to include radiation, cyber, electronic warfare across all identified microelectronics technologies. Additionally, solutions in development and demonstration of tools, techniques, and technologies for evaluation of microelectronics devices to support the confidentiality and integrity objectives of the DoD are desired.
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Basic research; applied research; advanced technology development; and advanced component development and prototypes that facilitate the maturation of Sensors and Surveillance System technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Sensors and Surveillance Systems include multi-domain sensors and systems supporting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Counter-Uncrewed Systems (C-UxS); Radar; Electromagnetic Warfare (EW); Signals Intelligence (SIGINT); Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), and Communications missions and activities. Solutions of interest target improvements to sensor size, weight, power, cost, and/or performance. Research and development areas of interest to demonstrate include innovations associated with metamaterials, microelectronics, 2.5- and 3-Dimensional packaging, advanced sensor architectures, power systems, thermal management solutions, mechanical technologies, networking solutions, processing systems, modeling and simulation capabilities, sensor fusion, and algorithms.
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Research and development of technologies that support the development, integration, test and evaluation of HWS to include aerodynamics, aerothermal prediction and analysis, guidance, navigation and control, high temperature materials, thermal management, sensors and supporting algorithms. Any approach including materials and manufacturing processes that improve HWS performance, lethality, survivability, lowers costs or improves HWS and HWS component manufacturability (cost and capacity) is strongly desired. Innovative approaches and prototypes that lower the cost or increase the cadence of HWS testing and evaluation are also strongly desired. M&S of HWS components, subsystems and systems at all M&S levels (Engineering, Engagement, Mission and Campaign). Power and Energy solutions for HWS that reduce Size, Weight and Power (SWAP), improve power density or lower costs are welcome. Solutions that enhance microelectronics and HWS component, subsystem and system reliability and survivability in natural and prompt radiation environments are desired.
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Research, development, prototyping, test and evaluation, materials analysis, safety analysis, modeling, digital engineering, data analytics, data management, specification development, and production and demonstration of advanced battery technologies, advanced high energy density storage systems, high power energy storage systems, hybrid and all-electric propulsion systems, energy transfer systems, alternative and renewable energy systems, and battery management systems. Applications include space, airborne, missile, surface, land, undersea, manned, and unmanned platforms, hybrid and all-electric vehicles, human portable energy storage systems, and portable energy storage and energy conversion systems. Desired outcomes are as follows: (1) Improvements in battery power density in support of directed energy systems. (2) Improvements in battery energy density in support of extended mission endurance for space, airborne, missile, surface, land, undersea, manned, and unmanned applications. (3) Improvements in battery cycle life in support of aerospace applications and austere mission environments. (4) Enable integration onto high value surface, air, and undersea platforms by mitigating safety risks associated with lithium chemistry batteries. This includes advancements in battery casualty containment and early failure detection. This also includes advancements of battery technologies utilizing nonflammable electrolyte and solid-state electrolyte batteries. (5) Improvements of lithium chemistry battery performance in extreme cold weather environments. (6) Improvements in power management and distribution systems efficiency. (7) Improvements of solar array technology efficiency to support expeditionary mission sets. (8) Supply chain risk mitigations associated with power and energy technologies. This includes advancement of technologies, methodologies, and materials that increase availability of domestic raw materials, address obsolescence issues, enable processing of raw materials, and reduce dependence of rare earth metals. This also includes development and advancement of batteries and electric motors that utilize alternative materials. (9) Development of cost effective and supportable high voltage and high-power battery test systems.
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The objective of the Electro-Optic and Infrared (EO/IR) is to develop high-performance, low-cost, next generation EO/IR sensors, devices and autonomous processing to provide real-time detection, tracking, classification, and identification of air, sea-surface, and ground targets in all weather conditions. The primary interest is for systems working in the visible and infrared (near, short-wave, mid-wave, and long-wave) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is typically considered to be 0.4 um to 15 um in wavelength. Beyond imaging and detection, this area also includes supported EO/IR technologies and sub-systems such as optics, software, targeting and tracking, sensor protection, visual augmentation systems (VAS), laser pointers, free space optics (FSO), laser markers, and laser designators. Approaches and technologies that offer improvements or improved understanding in of these areas is of interest. Additionally, innovative approaches, prototypes, and tools that benefit modeling and simulation (M&S), test and evaluation (T&E), systems installation, logistics, or other approaches that reduced cost or benefit to the management of the entire EO/IR lifecycle are of interest.
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Research and development of technologies and capabilities that support development, integration, modeling and simulation, test and evaluation of distributed and integrated electromagnetic warfare mission capabilities to support joint and naval kinetic and non-kinetic operations delivering lethal and non-lethal effects in the air, surface, ground, space and cyber domains of the electromagnetic spectrum. Seeking innovative approaches to provide a comprehensive modeling and simulation and analytical foundation to represent non-kinetic effects and complex electromagnetic environments for evaluation at the engineering, engagement, mission and campaign levels of modeling to facilitate rapid evaluation of current and emerging electromagnetic systems and system of systems capabilities. Seeking novel model-based systems engineering approaches, non-kinetic models, and visualization of non-kinetic effects in a modeling and simulation environment. Solutions and prototypes that are focused on advancing radio frequency enabled cyber, hardware agnostic electromagnetic spectrum capabilities, advanced electromagnetic sensors and systems, decision-making aids, many on many threat simulators, and advanced countermeasures are welcome. Innovative approaches and prototypes that benefit modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, and development and evaluation of integrated and distributed system of systems capabilities to help reduce cost and enable rapid analysis and evaluation are of interest.
Are there any additional benefits I would receive?
Potential benefits include:
Opportunity to receive funding through multiple award mechanisms depending on project needs.
Ability to submit proposals on a rolling basis.
Opportunity for follow-on work where appropriate under applicable contracting authorities.
Access to collaboration with NSWC Crane technical subject matter experts throughout project execution when appropriate for the selected award instrument.
The solicitation also notes that awardees may be eligible to use Department of Defense High Performance Computing Program resources with appropriate approvals.
What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?
Key dates include:
Abstracts: Accepted on a rolling basis.
Proposals: Accepted on a rolling basis.
Response deadline: July 7, 2027, at 4:00 PM EDT.
Project start dates are unique to each individual award.
The solicitation does not specify how long proposal evaluations or award negotiations will take before funding is issued.
Where does this funding come from?
Funding is provided by:
Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane)
within the
U.S. Department of the Navy
The BAA supports research across funding categories 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 and is intended to advance technologies supporting U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, and broader national security missions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
Businesses of any size
Startups
Small businesses
Large businesses
Universities
University Affiliated Research Centers (unless prohibited by their UARC agreements)
Nonprofit research organizations
Other responsible research organizations
Teams and consortia
The BAA also encourages participation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), although no funding is specifically set aside for these organizations.
Who is not eligible to apply?
The solicitation states that the following organizations are not eligible to receive awards directly:
Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), although they may participate through eligible teaming arrangements where permitted.
Department of Defense laboratories.
Navy laboratories.
Military universities.
Warfare centers.
Other federal civilian agency laboratories.
Additional eligibility restrictions may apply depending on the selected award instrument.
What companies and projects are likely to win?
NSWC Crane evaluates proposals using three equally weighted criteria:
Overall scientific and technical merit.
Potential military relevance and contribution to NSWC Crane and Department of the Navy missions.
Availability of funding.
Strong proposals will generally demonstrate:
Innovative technical approaches.
Clear understanding of the state of the art.
Qualified technical personnel.
Strong technical capabilities and facilities.
Meaningful relevance to one or more NSWC Crane technical capability areas.
Potential impact on national security missions.
The solicitation also notes that proposals supporting multiple technical capability areas are highly desired, although not required.
How competitive will this solicitation be?
This opportunity is expected to be highly competitive.
The solicitation:
Accepts proposals from all responsible sources.
Anticipates multiple awards.
Does not reserve funding for any specific business category.
Evaluates proposals solely on technical merit, military relevance, and funding availability.
Because the BAA remains open for an extended period and accepts rolling submissions, organizations are competing against a continually evolving pool of innovative technologies rather than against a single submission deadline. The solicitation does not specify anticipated success rates or award percentages.
Are there any restrictions I should know about?
Applicants should be aware that:
Proposal preparation costs are not reimbursed.
Award amounts are not guaranteed.
NSWC Crane may fund all, some, or none of the proposals received.
Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration before award.
Export control requirements may apply.
Classified proposals are permitted under specified submission procedures, but resulting awards may remain unclassified depending on the effort.
Cost sharing is generally not required and is not evaluated, although voluntary cost sharing may be considered.
Certain award types prohibit profit or fee.
Intellectual property, security, reporting, and other compliance requirements vary depending on the award instrument selected.
How long will it take me to prepare an application?
The solicitation does not specify the expected preparation time.
However, applicants should plan sufficient time to:
Engage the appropriate NSWC Crane technical point of contact when appropriate.
Develop either a white paper or full proposal.
Prepare technical and cost information.
Complete required registrations (including SAM if not already active).
Assemble any required compliance documentation associated with the proposed award instrument.
How can BW&CO help?
BW&CO helps defense technology companies maximize their chances of success by:
Determining whether your technology aligns with one or more NSWC Crane technical capability areas.
Positioning your innovation around the evaluation criteria used by NSWC Crane.
Developing compelling white papers and full proposals.
Preparing compliant technical, management, and budget documentation.
Managing proposal development from kickoff through submission.
Supporting commercialization and follow-on defense funding strategy.