Part of the DoW SBIR/STTR FY27 Release 2 topic list. Browse all 83 topics by industry or service.
Topic OSW27BZ02-DV003 from the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2. Pre-release now; proposals due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Quick answer
OSW27BZ02-DV003 (RAPID) is an Office of the Secretary of War SBIR topic seeking a dual-use 5G/6G Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) prototype that adds sensing to cellular networks without degrading communication performance. It accepts Direct-to-Phase II proposals only. Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET.
Solicitation at a glance
- Topic number: OSW27BZ02-DV003
- Official title: Real-World Applications for Prototype ISAC Demonstrations (RAPID) Small Business
- Agency: Office of the Secretary of War
- Program: SBIR (DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 2)
- Award type: Direct to Phase II (no Phase I awards)
- Award amount: Not yet posted. OSW component instructions not available in DSIP as of Nov 5, 2026.
- CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
- ITAR: No
- Technology areas: Information Systems
- Pre-release (direct TPOC contact allowed): November 4 to December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Opens in DSIP: December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET
- Proposals due: January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET
- Official source: DSIP Topics app (search OSW27BZ02-DV003)
BW&CO's take
What the Office of the Secretary of War wants
The Department of War wants sensing built into cellular networks so one system can do the work of separate radar and communications gear, with a smaller and cheaper footprint. Work covers three pathways: ISAC on fixed infrastructure, ISAC on mobile platforms, and joint AI optimization of radio resources. Phase II must design, build, and demonstrate a prototype in military and civilian scenarios such as UAS detection, vehicle detection, detection of non-RF-emitting objects, or biometrics. It must support Open RAN interfaces such as the 7.2x split and E2 service models, integrate or interoperate with the Linux Foundation OCUDU baseline where applicable, and follow Secure by Design and DoW Zero Trust principles.
Who is a good fit
- Existing ISAC, 5G-based sensing, or radar-over-communications results from prototypes, simulations, or field tests
- Hands-on Open RAN development experience, including the 7.2x functional split and E2 service models
- Work with or familiarity with the OCUDU software baseline from the Linux Foundation
- Demonstrated detection of drones, vehicles, or other non-RF-emitting objects using communications waveforms
Watch-outs
- This is Direct-to-Phase II only. Phase I proposals will not be accepted, and you must document feasibility from prior prototypes, simulations, tests, publications, or other work by your company.
- The topic says basic ISAC feasibility is already established and that the remaining challenges are system integration, prototype development, performance optimization, and operational evaluation in representative environments.
- The prototype must meet the topic objectives in Attachment 1 and Appendix A (ISAC KPI Framework for RAPID), and KPIs are detailed in Appendix A. Appendix A and the RAPID Statement of Objectives are incorporated into the topic but not reproduced in the topic text, so obtain and read them before writing.
- The topic requires CMMC Level 2 (Self). It is not marked as ITAR-restricted in the topic metadata.
Think your company fits OSW27BZ02-DV003? Talk with BW&CO before the January 6 deadline.
Plan Your OSW27BZ02-DV003 Submission
Official topic text (verbatim from DSIP)
The text in this section is copied word for word from the official DSIP topic as published on November 4, 2026. DSIP is the official source and topics can be amended. Always confirm the current version at dodsbirsttr.mil before you submit. Our commentary above is BW&CO's interpretation, not Government guidance.
Title
Real-World Applications for Prototype ISAC Demonstrations (RAPID) Small Business
Objective
Design, develop and demonstrate an innovative 5G/6Gdual-use Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) prototype that provides sensing capabilities without degrading communication performance.
Description
The Department of War (DoW) seeks to accelerate U.S. leadership in Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), a 5G-Advanced feasibility-study area and a key technology for 3GPP 6G specifications. This project addresses the challenge of adding sensing capabilities to communication networks without degrading the primary communication link across diverse missions and environments, from established bases to remote and contested areas. The goal is to develop innovative, dual-use ISAC prototypes that leverage existing cellular infrastructure including 5G, emerging Open RAN interfaces, and AI-native networking. These solutions should offer a smaller, more cost-effective footprint than separate radar and communication systems. The effort will focus on three pathways: ISAC on fixed infrastructure, ISAC on mobile platforms, and joint AI optimization of radio resources. Success of this project will reduce barriers to market entry, enable new ISAC and AI applications, and strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness in a field receiving substantial investment from adversaries.
The following documents are incorporated as part of this topic.
- Appendix A - ISAC KPI Framework for RAPID
- RAPID Statement of Objectives (SOO)
Phase I
This topic solicits Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) proposals only; Phase I proposals will not be accepted. Offerors must document that Phase I feasibility has already been established through prior work. Acceptable feasibility evidence includes results from prior research and development performed by the small business; prototype, breadboard, model, simulation, test, demonstration, or experimental results; analytical studies, calculations, trade studies, or modeling and simulation results; data demonstrating performance against relevant technical parameters; prior relevant contract, commercial, internal research, or customer-funded work performed by the small business; and/or peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, patents, or other supporting documentation directly relevant to the SBC’s approach. Existing research publications, analytical studies, simulation results, and prototype demonstrations have already established the technical feasibility of dual-use Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) systems leveraging commercial cellular infrastructure, including 5G and emerging 5G-Advanced capabilities. Industry-led standardization efforts, including ongoing ISAC work within 3GPP Release 19 and related 5G-Advanced studies, further validate the viability of the underlying concepts and technologies. As a result, the fundamental scientific and technical feasibility questions that would normally be addressed during a Phase I effort should have already been sufficiently demonstrated. The remaining challenges are focused on system integration, prototype development, performance optimization, and operational evaluation in representative environments.
Phase II
Design, implement, and demonstrate a prototype that has potential for both military and commercial use. The prototype, whether technology, product, or service—must meet the topic objectives (Attachment 1 and Appendix A) and account for both commercial and military deployment requirements.
Prototypes shall be demonstrated in the context of military and civilian scenarios such as non-RF emitting objects, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) detection, vehicle detection, or biometrics. The prototype should support Open-RAN interfaces (e.g., 7.2x functional split, E2 Service Model and so on) and the prototype shall be integrated or interoperable with the Open Centralized Unit/Distributed Unit (OCUDU) software baseline, as published by the Linux Foundation where applicable. The design architecture shall utilize "Secure by Design" principles and align with the Department of War's (DoW) Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) framework.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Refer to Appendix A - ISAC KPI Framework for RAPID for complete details. [SA1.1][HE1.2]
Offerors, at a minimum, shall propose the below set of deliverables:
- Program Kickoff- Format to be provided
- Monthly Status Report- Format to be provided
- Quarterly Technical Review- Format to be provided
- Demonstration and Demonstration Report
- Key Performance Indicators
- Final implementation of the Phase 2 demonstrations
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Refer to Appendix A - ISAC KPI Framework for RAPID for complete details.[
Phase III Dual Use Applications
Smart transportation and connected infrastructure: The firm may commercialize ISAC-enabled 5G-Advanced and future 6G network products for transportation agencies, roadway operators, ports, rail systems, airports, logistics centers, and smart-city providers. These capabilities could support collision warnings, intersection safety, autonomous-vehicle infrastructure, traffic-flow optimization, perimeter monitoring, and all-weather situational awareness.
Industrial, warehouse, and critical-infrastructure monitoring:
Private 5G networks deployed in manufacturing plants, warehouses, energy facilities, mining operations, and distribution centers could use ISAC to combine reliable wireless connectivity with passive sensing. This approach could reduce the cost, complexity, and maintenance burden associated with deploying separate radar, camera, and communications systems.
Public safety, disaster response, and search-and-rescue:
ISAC-enabled portable or fixed 5G infrastructure could support first responders operating during natural disasters, infrastructure failures, and mass-casualty events. Communications nodes could simultaneously restore broadband connectivity and assist with locating vehicles, personnel, or survivors in degraded-visibility environments. Commercial transition opportunities may include emergency communications providers, public-safety agencies, temporary-network vendors, and telecommunications equipment manufacturers.
Installation protection and counter-unmanned aircraft system support:
The firm may transition ISAC technology to fixed military installations, expeditionary bases, depots, airfields, ports, and other critical sites. Existing or deployed cellular and tactical-network infrastructure could be used as a distributed sensing layer to detect, localize, and track non-RF-emitting objects, including small, unmanned aircraft systems, ground vehicles, and personnel.
Tactical edge sensing for distributed and contested operations:
Mobile ISAC solutions may support mounted and dismounted formations, unmanned systems, tactical communications relays, and mobile command posts operating where Global Positioning System access, dedicated radar coverage, or reliable backhaul is degraded or unavailable. A mobile platform could maintain command-and-control or data-backhaul connectivity while using the same radio hardware and waveforms to identify obstacles, map local terrain, detect moving objects, and support route awareness. This would reduce the need to carry, power, protect, and sustain separate sensing systems.
References
3GPP TS 22.137, 5G; Integrated Sensing and Communication.
- 3GPP TR 22.837, Feasibility Study on Integrated Sensing and Communication.
- 3GPP TR 38.901, Study on Channel Model for Frequencies from 0.5 to 100 GHz.
- 3GPP TS 33.501, Security Architecture and Procedures for 5G System.
NIST, 6G Communications Roadmap.
Ropitault et al. (NIST), Characterization of Monostatic Base Stations Sensing Resolution Using 5G Reference Signals.
Keywords
<p>Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), 6G, Super Intelligence (SI), dual-use, Open-RAN, Edge Computing, Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) detection, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)</p>
Frequently asked questions
What is OSW27BZ02-DV003?
It is an Office of the Secretary of War SBIR topic, Real-World Applications for Prototype ISAC Demonstrations (RAPID), seeking dual-use 5G/6G Integrated Sensing and Communications prototypes that provide sensing without degrading communication performance.
When is OSW27BZ02-DV003 due?
Proposals are due January 6, 2027, 12:00 PM ET. DSIP pre-release began November 4, 2026, and direct contact with the topic authors is allowed only until the topic opens on December 2, 2026, 8:00 AM ET.
Is this a Phase I or Direct-to-Phase II topic?
It is Direct-to-Phase II only. Phase I proposals will not be accepted, and offerors must document that Phase I feasibility was already established through prior work.
What interfaces and architecture must the prototype support?
The prototype should support Open RAN interfaces such as the 7.2x functional split and E2 Service Model, be integrated or interoperable with the Linux Foundation OCUDU software baseline where applicable, and use Secure by Design principles aligned with the DoW Zero Trust Architecture framework.