NSF ELEGANT Solutions Offering (NSF-OTASO-FY26-ELEGANT)

Executive summary

NSF ELEGANT puts up to $150M over six years into moving low-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials from lab demonstrations toward 300 mm manufacturing. U.S. companies and universities can lead an Expert Performer Team in one of five themes. Proposals are due December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

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ELEGANT uses Other Transaction Agreements with Go/No-Go gates every two years, and it expects industry to commit to funding the work after the government phases end.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: National Science Foundation, Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP)
• Opportunity: Ecosystem for Low-dimensional Electronics: Growth, Assembly, Nanoelectronics, and Translation (ELEGANT)
• Solicitation: NSF-OTASO-FY26-ELEGANT
• Award vehicle: Other Transaction Agreement
• Funding: Up to $150M over six years (Theme 1 $43M, Theme 2 $35M, Theme 3 $42M, Theme 4 $12M, Theme 5 $6M, Ecosystem Coordinator $12M)
• Due date: December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the December 18 deadline.

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What is ELEGANT?

An NSF TIP program that funds one Ecosystem Coordinator and multiple Expert Performer Teams to translate low-dimensional semiconductor technology into platforms U.S. manufacturers can adopt.

What problem is NSF trying to solve?

Silicon scaling is nearing its limits. NSF wants low-dimensional materials to reach the reproducibility, process maturity and industry validation needed for real chip manufacturing.

Priority capability areas: the five translation themes

• Theme 1, Manufacturable Materials Platform ($43M): 300 mm material demonstrations suitable for foundry qualification
• Theme 2, Process Technology and Process Design Kit ($35M): reproducible 300 mm process flows and PDKs
• Theme 3, Device, Circuit and Full-Chip Demonstration ($42M): devices and circuits validated by industry partners
• Theme 4, Manufacturing Readiness and Transition ($12M): a manufacturing readiness package for an industry funding decision
• Theme 5, AI-Enabled Acceleration ($6M): AI tools that speed up the other themes

Funding and award terms

• Up to $150M over six years, subject to available funds
• Three government-funded phases of about 24 months each, with Go/No-Go reviews
• A Phase 4 in which industry takes over funding
• Competing teams may be funded in Phase 1, especially in Themes 1 and 3, then down-selected

Eligibility

• U.S.-based incorporated entities: universities, for-profit companies, nonprofits or formal consortia.
• The Principal Director must be a full-time employee of the lead organization.
• Sub-awardees must be U.S.-based; no foreign sub-awardees.
• Apply as the Ecosystem Coordinator or as an Expert Performer Team, not both. An organization may submit separate proposals for different themes.
• Active SAM.gov registration is required.

How to apply

• Download the OTASO from SAM.gov.
• Pick your role and theme.
• Write the proposal: up to 25 pages for an Expert Performer Team (20 for the Coordinator), 12-point font, single PDF, plus appendices for budget, CVs, IP plan and letters of commitment.
• Email it to pkbreen@nsf.gov by December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET, with the subject line given in the solicitation.

What happens after you submit?

• Compliance review, then merit review.
• Pre-award negotiation: Go/No-Go criteria and the first Annual Project Plan.
• Phase 1: about 24 months, then a Go/No-Go review.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for companies working on 2D materials, low-dimensional semiconductors, 300 mm process tools, device integration or AI for semiconductor process development, especially with industry partners ready to write letters of commitment. Weak fit for early lab-stage work without a manufacturing path.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For NSF programs like ELEGANT, we help you:

• Choose the right theme and role
• Build the team and industry letters of commitment
• Translate your roadmap into Go/No-Go milestones and KPIs
• Structure a six-year milestone budget
• Write a 25-page proposal NSF can score easily

Plan your ELEGANT proposal

Frequently asked questions

What is ELEGANT?

An NSF program to translate low-dimensional semiconductor technology toward 300 mm manufacturing.

How much funding is available?

Up to $150M over six years, split across five themes and an Ecosystem Coordinator.

Can a company lead a team?

Yes. U.S.-based for-profit companies are eligible to lead.

Can foreign organizations participate?

No foreign sub-awardees are allowed.

What type of award is it?

An Other Transaction Agreement.

When are proposals due?

December 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

How long can the proposal be?

25 pages for an Expert Performer Team, 20 for the Ecosystem Coordinator, excluding the title page and appendices.

Can I submit to more than one theme?

Yes, with separate proposals, but not as both Coordinator and Performer.

Can BW&CO help with an ELEGANT proposal?

Yes. We help teams choose a theme, line up industry partners and write the proposal. Book a call with our team.

Source: NSF-OTASO-FY26-ELEGANT on SAM.gov

S²MARTS Aircraft Countermeasure Dispenser (26-11)

Executive Summary

The Navy and NSWC Crane are preparing an OTA prototype opportunity to build domestic manufacturing for an aircraft countermeasure dispenser that carries 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch expendables, plus critical survivability components. The Request for Solutions has not been released, so no deadline is set yet. NSTXL membership is required.

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The goal is a resilient, multi-source domestic industrial base. That makes manufacturing capacity, process maturity and domestic material sourcing as important as the design itself.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Department of the Navy, with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane
• Opportunity: Aircraft Expendable Countermeasure Dispenser Prototyping and Manufacturing
• Project Number: S²MARTS Project No. 26-11
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS, managed by NSTXL
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype development and manufacturing scale-up
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released (coming soon revision posted July 7, 2026)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the Request for Solutions is released.

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What Is Project 26-11?

Project 26-11 is a coming soon S²MARTS prototype opportunity focused on domestic manufacturing and sustainment for a dispenser or magazine that carries a hybrid of 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch countermeasure expendables, with a possible future variant for 1x1x8-inch expendables only, plus other critical aircraft survivability components.

What Problem Is the Navy Trying to Solve?

The Navy wants to strengthen the domestic industrial base for aircraft survivability. It is looking for resilient, scalable manufacturing that reduces supply chain vulnerabilities and establishes a multi-source domestic industrial base.

Priority Capability Areas: What the Navy Is Looking For

• Aircraft survivability: countermeasure dispenser and survivability capabilities
• Manufacturing process: process development and transition to production
• Advanced manufacturing: industrialization, precision manufacturing and assembly
• Supply chain: resiliency, sustainment and domestic material sourcing
• Speed: rapid prototyping and scaling

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS
• Period of performance: determined after the Request for Solutions, based on selected performers' proposed timelines
• Amounts: not yet published

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• NSTXL membership: All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity. NSTXL asks applicants to allow one business day for a new application (membership@nstxl.org).
• Documents: the full revised coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Confirm NSTXL membership: apply or check status through membership@nstxl.org
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the Project 26-11 page
• Line up manufacturing partners: the effort values multi-source, domestic capacity
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: NSWC Crane will release the RFS with submission details
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements
• Scale-up: the aim is a resilient, multi-source domestic industrial base for these components

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits precision manufacturers, aerospace machining and assembly shops, defense electronics and pyrotechnic hardware suppliers, and companies with countermeasure or aircraft survivability experience.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For S²MARTS prototype projects like Project 26-11, we help you:

• Check the fit: match your manufacturing capability to the focus areas
• Get set up on NSTXL: membership and documents ready before the RFS
• Build the team: find partners to cover design, components and capacity
• Write the solution: a credible prototype and manufacturing scale-up plan
• Frame the OTA: scope, milestones and price for a prototype agreement

Plan Your Project 26-11 Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Project 26-11 open now?

Not yet. The coming soon revision was posted July 7, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

What changed in the July revision?

The name and description changed. The earlier notice focused on the Active Expendable Decoy (AED) system; the revision focuses on a dispenser or magazine for 1x1x8-inch and 2x1x8-inch expendables.

Who is running it?

The Department of the Navy with NSWC Crane, through the S²MARTS OTA that NSTXL manages.

What award type is planned?

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding amounts.

Do I need to be an NSTXL member?

Yes. All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit.

Is manufacturing capacity important?

Yes. The stated goal is resilient, scalable, multi-source domestic manufacturing and reduced supply chain risk.

Where do I get the full notice?

Fill out the key document request form on the Project 26-11 page on nstxl.org.

Can BW&CO help with a Project 26-11 submission?

Yes. We help teams confirm fit, get set up on NSTXL, and write the solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: Project No. 26-11 on NSTXL

S²MARTS MOSAIC Microelectronics Modernization (25-15)

Executive Summary

The Department of War's ICAM Office is funding prototypes that modernize microelectronics in fielded weapon systems through digital engineering, IP reuse and digital twins. Task Area 1 (PRIM2E) white papers are accepted on a rolling basis until the Request for Solutions is amended or closed. NSTXL membership is required.

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Awards are Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements through S²MARTS, funded by ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program. Because white papers are evaluated as they arrive, an early, well-aimed submission has the advantage over waiting for a closing date that has not been set.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Department of War Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, with Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane
• Opportunity: Microelectronics Operations, Sustainment, Acquisition, and Infrastructure Capabilities (MOSAIC)
• Project Number: S²MARTS Project No. 25-15
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS, managed by NSTXL
• Funding: ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program; award amounts are not listed on the public notice
• Technology Maturity: Prototype development that informs future production decisions
• Due Date: Task Area 1 PRIM2E white papers accepted on a rolling basis (initial deadline was April 7, 2026, 12:00 PM ET). Task Area 2 mDICE closed April 24, 2026.

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO while MOSAIC white papers are still being accepted.

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What Is MOSAIC?

MOSAIC is a Department of War prototype project run through the S²MARTS Other Transaction Authority, which NSTXL manages with NSWC Crane. It uses digital engineering tools, commercial best practices and a scalable, cloud-based environment so programs can co-design, reuse data and collaborate across the full microelectronics lifecycle.

What Problem Is ICAM Trying to Solve?

Many fielded weapon systems depend on aging microelectronics. Some modernization efforts need better tools to move faster, and others were never attempted because of cost and schedule limits. ICAM wants faster, more affordable replacements for critical systems and stronger long-term sustainment infrastructure.

Priority Capability Areas: What ICAM Is Looking For

• Modernization of fielded weapon system microelectronics: ongoing efforts that need more advanced tools and methods, and efforts not attempted because of cost and schedule
• IP and data reuse and commonality: standardized frameworks to reuse technical data, IP blocks and chiplets across programs
• Digital twin integration: digital twins for verification, validation and sustainment planning across the lifecycle
• Digital environment development: cloud-based, secure and scalable infrastructure for microelectronics acquisition and sustainment
• Engineering trade space analysis: integrated workflows and tools for early trade studies and system optimization

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards through S²MARTS
• Funding source: ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program
• Period of performance: set based on selected performers' proposed timelines
• Award amounts: not published on the public notice; check the RFS and its attachments

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• NSTXL membership: All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity. NSTXL asks applicants to allow one business day for a new application (membership@nstxl.org).
• Documents: the RFS, revisions, Q&A and Project TALX materials are released through the Key Document Request form on the NSTXL page
• Teaming: an opt-in teaming list and Innovator NETWORX slide deck are available for finding partners

How to Apply

• Confirm NSTXL membership: apply or check status through membership@nstxl.org before you submit
• Request the documents: use the Key Document Request form on the MOSAIC page to get the RFS, Revision 2 and the Q&A releases
• Review the Project TALX materials: the recording, slides and Q&A from the April 1, 2026 event explain what the Government wants
• Submit a Task Area 1 PRIM2E white paper: submissions are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis until the RFS is amended or closed

What Happens After You Submit?

• Rolling evaluation: white papers received after the initial deadline are evaluated as they come in
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements, with the period of performance based on their proposed timelines
• Production path: results inform future production decisions and long-term microelectronics modernization and sustainment strategies

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

MOSAIC fits companies working in electronic design automation, digital engineering, digital twins, chiplets and IP reuse, secure cloud environments for engineering data, and microelectronics obsolescence or sustainment for defense systems. It is a strong fit if your tools can shorten the time and cost to replace legacy parts in fielded systems.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For S²MARTS prototype projects like MOSAIC, we help you:

• Check the fit: match your product to the five MOSAIC focus areas before you write
• Get set up on NSTXL: sort out membership and document requests so nothing blocks the submission
• Write the white paper: a clear problem, approach and transition story aimed at fielded weapon systems
• Frame the OTA prototype: scope, milestones and price that make sense for a prototype agreement
• Plan the path to production: show how the prototype feeds sustainment and production decisions

Plan Your MOSAIC White Paper

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MOSAIC still open?

Yes. Task Area 1 PRIM2E white papers are accepted on a rolling basis until the Request for Solutions is amended or closed. The Task Area 2 mDICE response deadline passed on April 24, 2026.

Who is running MOSAIC?

The Department of War's Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, through NSWC Crane and the S²MARTS OTA that NSTXL manages.

What kind of award will I get?

An Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype award. The period of performance is set based on your proposed timeline.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list award amounts. The effort is funded through ICAM's Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program.

Do I need to be an NSTXL member?

Yes. All respondents must have an active NSTXL membership to submit a solution to any S²MARTS opportunity.

Where do I get the RFS?

Fill out the Key Document Request form on the MOSAIC page on nstxl.org to receive the RFS, revisions and Q&A releases.

What technologies are they looking for?

Microelectronics modernization for fielded weapon systems, IP and data reuse, digital twins, secure cloud engineering environments, and engineering trade space analysis.

Can I find teaming partners?

Yes. NSTXL keeps an opt-in teaming list for MOSAIC and shares the Innovator NETWORX slide deck through the document request form.

Can BW&CO help with a MOSAIC submission?

Yes. We help teams confirm fit, get set up on NSTXL, and write a focused PRIM2E white paper. Book a call with our team.

Source: MOSAIC, S²MARTS Project No. 25-15, on NSTXL

Army Red River Army Depot OIB Modernization CSO (W911RQ-27-S-C001): Executive Summary for Startups

Open now for solution briefs through September 30, 2027.

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Executive Summary

Army Contracting Command at Red River Army Depot (ACC-RRAD) in Texas posted a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) on October 6, 2026 to modernize the depot's Organic Industrial Base. It is open for submissions through September 30, 2027. Ten areas of interest are continuously open, including automation, advanced manufacturing, advanced analytics, warehouse and inventory systems, paint processes, and energy and chemical processes.

If your company sells a commercial product or service in one of these areas, or can adapt one for depot use, you can apply with a five-page solution brief. Awards are fixed-price contracts under FAR Part 12 commercial procedures, subject to available funds. Two specific areas of interest also carry their own deadlines: Micro Trucks (October 19, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CDT) and Parts Washers Lease and Maintenance (November 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CDT).

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Army Contracting Command, Red River Army Depot (ACC-RRAD), Texas
• Opportunity: Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Modernization Commercial Solutions Opening
• Solicitation number: W911RQ-27-S-C001
• Authority: DFARS Subpart 212.70 (DoD Class Deviation 2022-O0007)
• Award vehicle: Fixed-price contracts, including fixed-price incentive fee, under FAR Part 12. Other contract types are possible depending on the area of interest.
• Funding: No dollar amount published. Awards depend on funding availability, which is a Phase 1 evaluation criterion.
• Technology maturity: Commercially available products or adaptations of existing commercial products. Pilots, concept demonstrations and agile development are also allowed.
• Period of performance: Generally 12 months or less unless the area of interest says otherwise
• Due date: Rolling through September 30, 2027. Micro Trucks AoI: October 19, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CDT. Parts Washers AoI: November 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CDT.

Think your company fits one of these areas? Talk with BW&CO before you submit.

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What Is the Red River OIB Modernization CSO?

A CSO is a competitive procedure that lets the Army buy commercial products, technologies and services through short solution briefs instead of a full proposal. Red River uses this one to modernize how the depot repairs and builds Army equipment. The Army groups these technologies under the name Convergent Manufacturing: agile facilities, a connected digital enterprise, advanced manufacturing, digital twin, automation and cybersecurity.

What Problem Is Red River Trying to Solve?

The depot wants to link legacy analog manufacturing systems with modern digital systems, use modeling and simulation to speed decisions, and get the right materiel to soldiers at the right time and place. Its specific areas of interest point to everyday depot bottlenecks: painting bulky parts, building tire and wheel assemblies, tracking inventory and training, and handling coatings, cleaning, stripping and plating safely.

Priority Capability Areas: What Red River Is Looking For

These ten areas are continuously open. Put the area title in your email subject line.

• Agile / Flexible Facilities: Scalable, adaptive production lines that integrate physical and virtual processes and can make multiple weapon components on one line.
• Advanced Manufacturing: Hybrid manufacturing cells, advanced robotics, point-of-need manufacturing kits, human-machine interfaces, integrated controls, and AI/ML with real-time process monitoring for predictive maintenance, scheduling and lower reject rates.
• Paint Process: Faster, more efficient painting of wheel hubs, engine and transmission containers and other storage containers, including moving and handling heavy, bulky items.
• Automation: Sensor-driven control systems, including robotic painting and welding and pick-and-sort for warehousing.
• Advanced Analytics: Machine learning, forecasting, simulation, data mining and related techniques that go beyond traditional preventive maintenance and business intelligence.
• Workforce Development: Talent programs that build skills for convergent and advanced manufacturing.
• Human Capital: Software that tracks training requirements and progress by series and grade.
• Tire Process: Better flow, handling and temporary storage in tire and wheel assembly.
• Inventory Process: Warehouse management systems, hardware and software that improve inventory accuracy, reduce loss and cut pick and receipt time.
• Energy and Chemical: Safe and sustainable surface coating, cleaning, rubber denuding, stripping and plating.

Specific areas of interest with deadlines:

• Micro Trucks (W911RQ-27-S-C001-A001): Two small utility vehicles for the Equipment and Heavy Tactical Divisions. Due October 19, 2026, 4:00 p.m. CDT.
• Parts Washers Lease and Maintenance (W911RQ-27-S-C001-A002): Leasing, maintenance and closed-loop solvent reclamation for industrial parts washers. Due November 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CDT.

Funding and Contract Terms

• Funding: No dollar amount or award ceiling is published.
• Contract type: Fixed-price, primarily under FAR Part 12, and dependent on available funds.
• Terms: Payment terms and intellectual property rights are negotiable.
• Submission costs: The Army does not pay for solution briefs, pitches or proposals unless an area of interest says otherwise.
• If funds are not available: Phase 1 solution briefs are kept in the ACC-RRAD library.

Eligibility

• Who can apply: Traditional and nontraditional defense contractors, including small businesses.
• Foreign-owned businesses: May apply alone or with U.S.-owned partners, subject to required clearances and approvals.
• Registrations before award: A Unique Entity ID, an active SAM.gov registration and the government invoicing system (for example, Wide Area Workflow).
• Responsibility: You cannot be suspended, debarred or otherwise prohibited from award.
• Classification: All submissions must be unclassified.

How to Apply

• Pick the area of interest that matches your product. Use a separate brief for each distinct concept.
• Write a solution brief of up to five single-sided pages in 12-point font, or up to 15 slides. Include company and contact details, the area of interest, an executive summary, the technology concept (commercial product, pilot or adaptation), and a rough order of magnitude price with desired payment terms.
• Mark proprietary data with the disclaimer in the CSO.
• Email it to usarmy.rrad.acc.mbx.cso@army.mil with the area of interest title in the subject line.
• Send questions to the POCs in the specific area of interest. The CSO POC is Jake Horn (jacob.j.horn.civ@army.mil).

What Happens After You Submit?

• Phase 1, solution brief: Evaluated on responsiveness with a commercially available product, technical merit and uniqueness, and the extent to which funding is available. The Army aims to finish within 30 calendar days of the submission period closing.
• Phase 2, pitch (if invited): In person, virtual or on paper, with a rough price (+/- 15%), notional schedule and IP. Pitches stay valid for 90 days. If no funding is assigned within 120 days after the pitch evaluation, the Army closes the selection.
• Phase 3, Commercial Solution Proposal (if invited): Separate technical and price volumes, valid for at least 120 days.
• Award: A fixed-price contract after negotiations, subject to funds. The Army may skip Phase 2 or move faster for urgent needs.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits companies with a commercial or near-commercial product in industrial automation, robotics, manufacturing software and analytics, warehouse and inventory systems, training-tracking software, or coatings and surface-finishing chemistry. It also fits firms that can run a 12-month pilot at a depot.

It fits less well if your technology still needs basic research or your price depends on cost-reimbursement. For early R&D, an SBIR topic or a research BAA is usually the better first step.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For CSOs like Red River's, we help you:

• Choose the area of interest your product fits best.
• Write a five-page solution brief built around the Phase 1 criteria.
• Build a fixed-price scope and rough price the depot can fund.
• Prepare for the pitch and the Commercial Solution Proposal.
• Find related depot and arsenal CSOs where the same brief can work.

Plan Your Red River CSO Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is solicitation W911RQ-27-S-C001?

It is Army Contracting Command-Red River Army Depot's Organic Industrial Base Modernization Commercial Solutions Opening. It buys commercial products, technologies and services that modernize depot operations.

What is the deadline?

The CSO is open through September 30, 2027. The Micro Trucks area of interest closes October 19, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. CDT, and the Parts Washers area of interest closes November 5, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. CDT.

How much funding is available?

No amount is published. Funding availability is evaluated for each solution brief.

What kind of contract results?

Fixed-price contracts, including fixed-price incentive fee, primarily under FAR Part 12 commercial procedures.

Can a company with no government contracts apply?

Yes. Nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses can apply. You need a UEI and SAM registration before award.

How long is the solution brief?

Up to five single-sided pages in 12-point font, or up to 15 slides. The title page does not count.

Does the Army pay for my submission?

No, unless a specific area of interest says otherwise.

How fast is the evaluation?

The Army aims to evaluate solution briefs within 30 calendar days after the submission period closes and pitches within 30 calendar days of the pitch.

Can I submit more than one brief?

Yes, if each brief covers a separate and distinct concept.

Can BW&CO help with a Red River CSO submission?

Yes. We help founders pick the right area, write the brief and price a fundable scope. Book a call with our team.

Source: SAM.gov, W911RQ-27-S-C001

Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV003: Improved Cargo Door Actuator

Quick Answer

DON27BZ01-NV003 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an improved, corrosion-resistant actuator for the roughly 2,500 pound cargo doors on DDG 51 destroyers. Phase I is up to $315,000 including the option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Saltwater spray routinely corrodes current actuators to failure, forcing crews to hand-carry cargo in port. The new design should be close to a form and fit replacement and must never allow a sudden door closure.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BZ01-NV003
• Title: Improved Cargo Door Actuator
• 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: Advanced Materials; Sustainment and Logistics
• Keywords: nanocoatings, saltwater corrosion, corrosion resistant materials, actuator, reliability and maintainability
• 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

The Navy needs an actuator that withstands saltwater, marine fuel, and chemicals; is as close as possible to a form and fit replacement; is cost effective on a life-cycle basis; holds heavy doors open for long periods without failure; and is easy for sailors to repair or replace.

The Navy notes that corrosion-resistant steels and Inconel alloys exist but are often cost-prohibitive or unproven for Navy use, and nanomaterials can improve corrosion resistance but may lack needed mechanical properties. Design improvements are also welcome.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops a concept and demonstrates feasibility against corrosion resistance, mechanical performance, form, fit, function, maintainability, and life-cycle cost through small-scale test, modeling, or simulation. The Option covers initial prototype design specifications.

Phase II delivers a prototype actuator, demonstrates performance, completes an extended maritime environment test, and prepares a manufacturing and development plan.

Phase III supports fleet transition with installation, maintenance, and operations manuals. Commercial markets include shipping, offshore extraction, and industrial processes.

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?

Actuator, hydraulic, and motion control manufacturers with marine products, and corrosion engineering or coatings companies willing to team with one, are the strongest fits.

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-NV003?

DON27BZ01-NV003 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an improved, corrosion-resistant cargo door actuator for DDG 51 class destroyers.

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.

What are the key design constraints?

Corrosion resistance to saltwater, fuel, and chemicals; near form and fit replacement; life-cycle cost effectiveness; the strength to hold roughly 2,500 pound doors open for long periods with no sudden closure; and easy maintenance.

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.

Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV002: Fire Resistant Joiner Bulkhead

Quick Answer

DON27BZ01-NV002 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a more fire-resistant joiner bulkhead that improves compartment-level fire containment on ships without adding significant weight, width, or installation cost. Phase I is up to $315,000 including the option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The bulkhead must meet AN-30 class shock and fire performance per MIL-STD-3020 and pass Navy Fire, Smoke, and Toxicity testing per MIL-STD-1623.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BZ01-NV002
• Title: Fire Resistant Joiner Bulkhead
• 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: Advanced Materials; Sustainment and Logistics
• Keywords: fire safety, intumescent coatings, bio-composites, bulkhead fire containment, fire protection, high-performance fibers
• 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

Recent and historical ship fires (the topic cites USS Oscar Austin, USS Conyngham, USS Stark, and the cruise ship Star Princess) spread through joiner bulkheads. Better panels would let damage control teams contain fires before they threaten the ship and crew.

Constraints matter as much as performance: no significant weight increase given how many panels a ship carries, little added width in tight destroyer spaces, and no expensive edge treatments since panels are often cut to fit at the shipyard.

The Navy points to intumescent coatings, nanomaterial-enhanced thermal coatings, and high-performance fibers, and is also open to bio-composites and bio-polymers with lower toxicity.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops a concept, shows it can meet the requirements, and establishes feasibility of the material or system through small-scale testing. The Option, if exercised, covers initial design specifications for a Phase II prototype.

Phase II delivers a prototype bulkhead for evaluation, demonstrates performance over the required parameters, completes an extended land-based evaluation, and prepares a manufacturing and development plan with connection detail drawings.

Phase III supports Navy transition with installation and maintenance manuals. Commercial markets include shipping, construction, aerospace, and automotive.

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?

Fire-resistant materials, coatings, and composite panel manufacturers are the right audience. Firms that already test to marine or aerospace fire, smoke, and toxicity standards will have the easiest feasibility story.

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-NV002?

DON27BZ01-NV002 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a fire-resistant joiner bulkhead that improves compartment-level fire containment while meeting Navy limits on weight, fit, cost, and fire, smoke, and toxicity.

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.

What standards must the bulkhead meet?

It must meet or exceed AN-30 class shock and fire certification per MIL-STD-3020 and pass Navy Fire, Smoke, Toxicity testing per MIL-STD-1623.

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.

Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV001: Cleaner for the Time Domain Reflectometer Tank Level Indicator

Quick Answer

DON27BZ01-NV001 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a technology that cleans, and ideally reverses, fouling on Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) Tank Level Indicator (TLI) sensors in place inside compensated fuel tanks on DDG 51 destroyers, without depressurizing, defueling, or dewatering. Phase I is up to $315,000 including the option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

One application should restore full operability for 36 months (objective) and no less than 8 months (threshold).

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BZ01-NV001
• Title: Cleaner for the Time Domain Reflectometer Tank Level Indicator
• 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: time domain reflectometry, tank level indicator, fuel fouling, TDR rods and tubes, compensated fuel tanks, crystallization
• 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

Crystallization and contaminants on TDR rods and tubes cause false readings, electrical shorts, and fuel tracking errors that affect ship stability and have contributed to fuel spills. Today's fix takes tanks offline, removes fuel and compensating seawater, and pulls sensors for manual cleaning, which is costly, rarely feasible underway, and can cause miscalibration on reinstallation.

The DDG 51 Program Office treats this as a high priority. The Navy wants a product that cleans the entire TDR assembly, works with the existing sensor architecture, and can be used on in-service ships while underway.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops a concept to clean a fouled TDR TLI in situ in a compensated fuel tank, explains how it would be employed underway, and establishes feasibility through small-scale testing, analysis, or modeling. The Option, if exercised, covers initial design specifications for a Phase II prototype.

Phase II builds and demonstrates a prototype that returns a fouled TDR TLI to full operability in a simulated confined space without emptying the tank or causing spills, minimizes personnel tank access, identifies the Navy testing needed for shipboard certification, and delivers a transition plan.

Phase III supports fleet-wide transition with equipment, training, and logistics documentation, with likely extension to LHD 1 and LHA 6 classes and commercial fuel tank farms.

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?

Industrial cleaning chemistry, ultrasonic or in-line cleaning tool makers, and fuel system maintenance companies are the natural fit. Experience with sensor maintenance in fuel or marine environments will help your feasibility case.

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-NV001?

DON27BZ01-NV001 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to clean fouled Time Domain Reflectometer tank level indicator sensors in place inside compensated fuel tanks on DDG 51 class destroyers.

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.

How long must one cleaning last?

The technology must restore full TDR TLI operability for an objective of 36 months and a threshold of no less than 8 months from a single application.

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.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV005: Luminescence-Based Surface Measurement Technique for Simultaneous Pressure and Temperature Measurements within Non-Oxygen Based Hypersonic Ground Test Facilities

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV005 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a non-intrusive, luminescence-based surface technique that measures pressure and temperature simultaneously in hypersonic wind tunnels that use nitrogen instead of air, such as AEDC Tunnel 9. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Conventional pressure sensitive paint relies on oxygen quenching, so it does not work in oxygen-free flows. That leaves these facilities limited to discrete measurements.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV005
• Title: Luminescence-Based Surface Measurement Technique for Simultaneous Pressure and Temperature Measurements within Non-Oxygen Based Hypersonic Ground Test Facilities
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Hypersonics
• Keywords: hypersonic, instrumentation, non-intrusive, wind tunnel
• 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 Air Force Is Looking For

Pressure sensitive paint (PSP) gives global surface pressure data used to calculate aerodynamic loads and spot small-scale flow features. Its luminophores fluoresce inversely with local oxygen concentration, which rules it out in nitrogen blowdown facilities.

The Air Force wants a new technique, paint or luminophore system plus data reduction, that captures simultaneous global pressure and temperature in non-oxygen hypersonic tunnels.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops the technique or paint and establishes feasibility through thorough characterization of paint properties, sensitivities, and the data reduction process, using benchtop tests and small-scale educational supersonic or hypersonic facilities.

Phase II demonstrates the full-scale prototype in a hypersonic test facility using test probes or a well-known standard test article, and delivers the completed technique and refined data reduction process.

Phase III markets the technique for non-intrusive simultaneous pressure and temperature measurement in non-oxygen high-speed tunnels.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I award maximum: $300,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Phase I award maximum duration: 6 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 20 pages or slides.
• Technical and Business Assistance (TABA): DAF will provide up to $6,500 per Phase I award, in addition to the topic award amount. The detailed TABA request must be in Volume 5.

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 Phase I research or analytical work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic rather than several variations.

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?

Optical diagnostics firms, luminescent materials chemists, and university aerospace labs with PSP or TSP experience are the right fit. A university co-investigator with access to a small hypersonic facility helps Phase I credibility.

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 DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV005?

DAF27BZ01-NV005 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a luminescence-based technique for simultaneous global surface pressure and temperature measurement in non-oxygen hypersonic ground test facilities.

How much funding is available?

Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over up to 6 months. The DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase I award, in addition to the topic amount.

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. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Volume 2 is limited to 20 pages or slides for this topic. Pages beyond the limit are not considered.

Why doesn't standard pressure sensitive paint work here?

Standard PSP depends on oxygen quenching of luminophores. Facilities such as AEDC Tunnel 9 use nitrogen as the working fluid, so there is no oxygen signal to measure.

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, technical questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV001: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV001 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to build a fast, physics-based engineering model of the hydrodynamic spurt in fluid cavity created jets. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, with a 20 page technical volume. The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Hydrocodes can already simulate the spurt, but they are too slow for design iteration. The Air Force wants a validated reduced-order model that predicts spurt velocity, mass, and geometry orders of magnitude faster.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV001
• Title: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software
• Keywords: warhead, engineering model, hydrodynamic spurt
• 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 Air Force Is Looking For

The spurt is the initial, often unsteady ejection of material from the liner that comes before the main, stable jet forms. Predicting it accurately as a function of liner material, geometry, and threat characteristics matters for designing and optimizing advanced warheads.

The Air Force wants a computationally efficient engineering-level model, analytical or semi-empirical, validated against high-fidelity simulation and experimental data, that can sit inside warhead design toolchains.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I identifies and analyzes the physical mechanisms behind spurt formation using literature and high-fidelity hydrocode runs, develops a preliminary analytical or semi-empirical framework, and demonstrates feasibility on a baseline shaped charge design. The final report covers the model's theoretical basis and a proof-of-concept correlation with high-fidelity simulation data for at least one configuration.

Phase II turns the model into a robust software prototype, expands it across liner materials, geometries, and explosive types, and validates it against a matrix of existing or new experimental data. The tool must be orders of magnitude faster than full hydrocode runs.

Phase III hardens the software for DoD warhead design toolchains with training and support for government and prime contractor teams. Dual-use markets include high-speed metal forming, explosive welding, and industrial perforation.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I award maximum: $300,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Phase I award maximum duration: 6 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 20 pages or slides.
• Technical and Business Assistance (TABA): DAF will provide up to $6,500 per Phase I award, in addition to the topic award amount. The detailed TABA request must be in Volume 5.

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 Phase I research or analytical work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic rather than several variations.

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?

This fits small firms and university spinouts with shock physics, hydrocode, and reduced-order modeling expertise, particularly those who have worked with shaped charge or explosively formed penetrator problems.

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 DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV001?

DAF27BZ01-NV001, Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model, is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a fast, validated reduced-order model of the hydrodynamic spurt in fluid cavity created jets for warhead design.

How much funding is available?

Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over up to 6 months. The DAF also provides up to $6,500 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase I award, in addition to the topic amount.

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. Proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Volume 2 is limited to 20 pages or slides for this topic. Pages beyond the limit are not considered.

What should Phase I deliver?

A theoretical framework for the model and a final report showing proof-of-concept correlation with high-fidelity hydrocode data for at least one baseline shaped charge configuration.

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, technical questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV012: Agile Autonomous Technical Data Package to Path Robotic Task Specification

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV012 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for software that ingests Technical Data Packages (3D CAD, 2D drawings, BOMs, and text specifications), extracts engineering intent such as GD&T, and automatically generates collision-free robotic inspection paths without manual waypoint programming. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

This is a software topic. Building the physical manipulator is out of scope. The goal is to cut quality inspection programming from days to under two hours and reach TRL 6 to 7.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV012
• Title: Agile Autonomous Technical Data Package to Path Robotic Task Specification
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software; Advanced Manufacturing; Hypersonics; Space Technology; Sustainment and Logistics; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: autonomous path planning, technical data package, automated inspection, enterprise data ingestion, semantic feature extraction, digital manufacturing
• 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 Air Force Is Looking For

Robotic inspection lines still depend on specialists manually teaching waypoints and running trial-and-error collision tests in vendor-specific tools. As defense systems move to modular, rapidly changing, low-cost attritable designs, that model does not scale.

The Air Force wants an intelligent layer that parses multi-format TDP data, binds tolerances to locations on the 3D geometry in a standardized data model, simulates the inspection virtually, and deploys executable commands to mobile robotic manipulators from multiple vendors. A no-code operator interface with human-in-the-loop review is required.

Benchmarks and use cases

• Setup time for novel manufacturing configurations under 8 hours.
• Numerical programming time under 1.5 hours.
• Native ingestion of STEP, IGES, drawings, PDF specification sheets, and text process blocks without manual pre-formatting.
• Use case 1: rapid line reconfiguration for modular or short-run parts such as autonomous collaborative platform and unmanned aircraft structures.
• Use case 2: multi-vendor kinematic adaptation across serial arms on mobile carts or tracked bases, abstracted from OEM programming languages.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic requires proof that you own or hold rights to the algorithmic baseline and evidence in three areas: ingestion and semantic interpretation, a standardized data architecture binding dimensions to CAD nodes, and kinematic and simulation mechanics. Acceptable evidence includes technical reports, OCR and parsing accuracy data, architecture models, path generation run-time benchmarks, and defined prototype success criteria. Missing quantitative proof makes the proposal ineligible.

Phase II hardens the platform and validates it on representative aerospace assembly geometries, ending with a software-driven execution demo in high-fidelity simulation or on physical hardware in a pilot production setting.

Phase III commercializes to program offices, the industrial base, and dual-use manufacturers.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF 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?

Manufacturing software, CAD-to-robot, and inspection automation companies with working parsing and path planning engines are well matched. Teams that only have the robotics side or only the document AI side should consider teaming before this deadline.

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 DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV012?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for software that turns Technical Data Packages into autonomous, collision-free robotic inspection paths.

Do I need to build a robot?

No. Design and fabrication of the physical manipulator is out of scope. The work is translating TDPs into robot-ingestible task specifications and paths.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What happens if my feasibility evidence is weak?

The topic states that failing to provide rigorous, quantitative proof of a functioning baseline that bridges data ingestion with path computation results in a determination of technical non-conformance and ineligibility.

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR, and foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV011: Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV011 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a modular, single-arm robotic workcell that autonomously routes, aligns, inserts, and verifies flexible wire harnesses and connectors inside unmanned aerial systems and munitions. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The bar is specific: insertion accuracy of 0.5 mm or better, at least 2x cycle time improvement, at least 50 percent fewer skilled labor hours per unit, retasking to a new harness family in under 8 hours, and a machine-readable digital thread for every step. Applicants need a TRL 4 baseline.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV011
• Title: Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Manufacturing; Hypersonics; Space Technology; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: robotic wire routing, deformable material manipulation, autonomous harness installation, single-arm workcell, blind-mate connector insertion, tactile feedback, computer vision alignment
• 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 Air Force Is Looking For

Wire harness routing and connector insertion are the largest automation gap in UAS and munitions production. Flexible cabling deforms unpredictably, so hard-tooled robotics fail, and manual work limits surge capacity and introduces latent defects such as partially seated connectors and overstressed wires.

The Air Force wants a COTS collaborative arm on a reconfigurable base, with interchangeable end-effectors, local real-time compute, and a vision, tactile, and force-torque sensor stack. It must combine offline CAD-driven path planning with real-time adaptive control and human-like search and settle behavior for blind-mate insertions. The primary use case is wiring for the Franklin Affordable Mass Missile (FAMM) and Coyote missile families, with demonstrations at defense prime manufacturing sites.

Minimum deliverables

• One integrated single-arm robotic workcell with the full multi-modal sensor stack.
• Unencumbered delivery of the software stack, including CAD ingestion, adaptive control, and vision-tactile tracking.
• A cross-program retasking report showing a switch between two harness families in under 8 hours.
• A technical data package with schematics, interface control documents, manuals, and MES/ERP integration guides.
• A final performance report from a live prime facility demonstration validating accuracy, force profiles, throughput, labor savings, and the digital thread.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. Expected evidence includes empirical lab data and test logs from prior robotic manipulation of flexible parts, closeout reports from non-SBIR federal, academic, or internally funded flexible assembly work (the topic cites ARM Institute style projects), and an existing physical or digital single-arm prototype that runs on a cloud-independent edge loop at TRL 4 or higher.

Phase II integrates and validates the workcell in the lab, then in live TRL 7 pilot production testing at prime contractor facilities.

Phase III commercializes to government program offices, the industrial base, and dual-use manufacturers.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF 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?

Robotics startups working on deformable object manipulation, cable routing, or tactile sensing are the target, especially those with existing industrial pilots. A partnership letter from a defense prime or UAS manufacturer willing to host the demonstration will strengthen the proposal considerably.

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 DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV011?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an agile single-arm robotic workcell that autonomously installs flexible wire harnesses and connectors in UAS and munitions.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What performance targets matter most?

Insertion accuracy of 0.5 mm or better, at least 2x throughput over manual work, at least 50 percent labor hour reduction, retasking in under 8 hours, and full digital thread traceability.

What starting maturity is required?

A validated proof-of-concept software and mechanical baseline at TRL 4 or higher, supported by empirical data rather than concepts.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV009: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV009 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to establish domestic production of an AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) yielding preceramic polymer. UHTCs are used in propulsion and aeroshell components, and scaled C/C-UHTC composite production needs precursor supply at volume and an affordable price. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

This is a chemical manufacturing scale-up topic. The Air Force wants a dedicated production capability of at least 50 kg per month and 75 kg of qualified polymer delivered by the end of Phase II.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV009
• Title: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Hypersonics
• Keywords: preceramic polymer, ultra-high temperature ceramics, UHTC, precursors, ceramic matrix composites, CMC, scaled production
• 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 Air Force Is Looking For

Acquisition programs that rely on UHTC matrix composites need precursor material in quantities and at prices the high-temperature composite community can actually buy. The Air Force wants a U.S. small business to take an AFRL-patented chemistry and turn it into a safe, robust, scalable production process.

The topic sets cost context: offerors can assume $6,300 per kg in raw material cost if reagents are bought from commercial suppliers, and the target business case is more than 1,000 kg per year at a retail price under $5,000 per kg, preferably under $4,000 per kg.

Phase II deliverables named in the topic

• A documented, safe, robust, scalable manufacturing process that meets purity and production volume targets.
• A safety and handling analysis for all reagents, intermediates, and waste, with facilities that meet safety and environmental requirements.
• Five 1 kg samples to AFRL with NMR, elemental analysis, rheology, and ICP/MS on the polymer and XRD, TEM/EDS, and SEM on the polymer-derived ceramic for each lot.
• A dedicated production capability of at least 50 kg per month (more than 600 kg per year).
• 75 kg of qualified, packaged UHTC preceramic polymer delivered by the end of Phase II.
• A cost analysis and business plan for more than 1,000 kg per year at under $5,000 per kg.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic asks for a feasibility study showing expertise in synthesizing and handling air and water sensitive compounds, demonstrated experience scaling chemical synthesis from lab to pilot scale (for example 5 to 50 kg batches), past success producing high-purity materials, and a working command of safety protocols for the relevant precursors and reagents.

Phase II executes the production scale-up and deliveries listed above.

Phase III turns the production line into a commercial business unit supplying certified polymer to primes and Tier 1 and Tier 2 composite manufacturers, potentially with further scaling, broader vendor qualification for high-speed aeroshells, and long-term supply agreements.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000. Proposals above this amount will not be considered for evaluation or award.
• Award maximum duration: 24 months.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 35 pages or slides.
• No Phase I awards will be made under this topic.
• TABA: DAF will provide up to $50,000 per Phase II award in addition to the topic amount, and you may split it 50/50 across a first and a sequential Phase II. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• You must document that you already completed Phase I type feasibility work. That work must have been substantially performed by your firm or your principal investigator, and it cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF 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?

This is a strong fit for specialty chemical and precursor manufacturers with air-sensitive synthesis experience and pilot-scale equipment, or for ceramic composite suppliers ready to backward-integrate. Firms without existing scale-up data will struggle to clear the feasibility bar.

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 DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV009?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to establish U.S. production of an AFRL-patented ultra-high temperature ceramic yielding preceramic polymer for hypersonic and aerospace composites.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested.

What production rate is required?

A dedicated capability yielding at least 50 kg per month, more than 600 kg per year, plus delivery of 75 kg of qualified polymer by the end of Phase II.

What feasibility evidence does the Air Force want?

Expertise synthesizing and handling air and water sensitive compounds, demonstrated lab to pilot scale-up such as 5 to 50 kg batches, past high-purity production, and knowledge of the needed safety protocols.

When is the deadline?

The topic opens October 28, 2026 and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

AFRL Rocket Lab HERMES Broad Agency Announcement (HERMES BAA) FA9300-20-S-0001: Executive Summary for Startups

Executive Summary

The HERMES BAA (FA9300-20-S-0001) is the Air Force Research Laboratory Rocket Propulsion Division's open, two-step broad agency announcement. It has a 20-year open period, and white papers "may be submitted anytime during the open period." AFRL also issues specific calls under it with their own due dates. The current call, for a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine-Combined Cycle flight demonstration, closes for white papers on November 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific.

The BAA is written for propulsion, but its topics go well beyond engine builders. They explicitly include advanced materials and manufacturing processes, modeling and simulation tools, embedded sensors and diagnostics, thermal management, engine health management, test and manufacturing facilities, and launch ground equipment. A five-page white paper is reviewed on three questions: does it fit a listed topic, is the research of interest to the Government, and is funding available.

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before you submit your first white paper.

Book a Free Fit Call

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Air Force Research Laboratory, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Rocket Propulsion Division (Edwards AFB, CA); contracting through Air Force Test Center
• Opportunity: AFRL Rocket Lab HERMES BAA, open two-step BAA
• Solicitation Number: FA9300-20-S-0001
• Award Vehicle: Contracts, purchase orders, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions, depending on the work
• Funding: No program total published. Individual awards "are not anticipated to exceed $250M per contract," and anticipated funding includes future-year funding not yet appropriated
• Period of Performance: 6 to 60 months, tailored to each award
• Technology Maturity: Study efforts on novel concepts through maturation "to appropriate technology readiness levels"
• Due date: Rolling. Calls set their own due dates (RDRE-CC call: November 16, 2026, 4:00 p.m. PST)

What Is the HERMES BAA?

HERMES is how AFRL's Rocket Lab buys propulsion research. It works in two ways. Under the open white paper process, a company can send a white paper at any time against a listed technology topic. If AFRL is interested and has funding, it sends a letter request for proposal. Under the call process, AFRL publishes a specific requirement with a common due date, evaluation criteria and its own instructions.

The latest posted version of the BAA is dated May 22, 2025, and AFRL says it may republish the BAA "at a minimum of yearly intervals." Check SAM.gov for the current version and any amendments before you submit.

What Problem Is AFRL Trying to Solve?

AFRL wants propulsion that costs less to build, launches faster and performs better for missiles, space access and aircraft. The turbine section states the goal directly: technologies that "reduce development, production, and maintenance costs; increase fuel efficiency; increase propulsive capability; and integrate propulsion, power, and thermal management." The liquid engine section focuses on resiliency and rapid launch. The solid rocket motor section emphasizes transition to users and system-level verification.

Priority Capability Areas: What AFRL Is Looking For

• Solid rocket motors (AFRL/RQRM): Advanced components and manufacturing processes for motor cases, insulation, nozzles, thrust vector control, igniters and other energetic components, and automated assembly; modeling and simulation of manufacturing and motor physics; development and testing of motors for air-launched missiles and boosters.
• Liquid rocket engines (AFRL/RQRE): Disruptive engine cycles and components (combustion chambers, injectors, nozzles, turbomachinery, valves, fluid delivery), plume phenomenology, embedded sensors, data recording and modeling tools.
• Modularity: Modular engines and propulsion systems that improve scalability, testability and life-cycle cost.
• Advanced materials and manufacturing: Materials and processes for liquid engines and components that reduce complexity, unpredictability and mass.
• Rapid launch and austere locations: Responsive launch concepts, reusability and launch-to-space-vehicle integration.
• Vehicle technologies: Stages, feed systems, flight controls and telemetry, health monitoring, payload adapters, cargo processing facilities and ground service equipment, supported by digital engineering.
• Rotating detonation engines and combustors: Thrust chambers, injectors, combustor and nozzle materials, gas generators, and compact high-speed sensor diagnostics.
• Air-breathing turbine propulsion (AFRL/RQT): Engine components, shared engine and aircraft thermal management, inlets and exhausts, open-architecture electronic controls, engine health management, and digital engineering.

Funding and Award Information

AFRL anticipates multiple awards of varying size and duration. The BAA states that individual awards "are not anticipated to exceed $250M per contract." That is a ceiling on a single award, not money set aside for this BAA. No award is made until funds are available, and calls may state their own number of anticipated awards.

AFRL's stated data rights preference is unlimited rights for technical data and noncommercial software developed under the BAA. Companies bringing privately funded technology should explain in the white paper what was developed at private expense and how it is segregable.

Eligibility Requirements

• Open competition: The BAA is unrestricted, and small businesses are encouraged to propose. The size standard for NAICS 541715 is listed as 1,250 employees in the solicitation text (the capability statement form cites 1,000).
• U.S. firms only: "Foreign persons or foreign-owned firms are precluded from proposing and participating on subsequent awards."
• DD Form 2345 required: All offerors must register with DLA's Joint Certification Program and submit a copy of the approved DD Form 2345 with the white paper. JCP requires SAM registration and a CAGE code, and DLA also requires a NIST SP 800-171 assessment posted to SPRS.
• Security: Some areas and calls may require access to classified information, and a DD Form 254 is considered before any award. The RDRE-CC call requires CUI and Secret-level safeguarding.
• FFRDCs: Allowed only after sponsor and AFRL determinations described in the BAA.

How to Apply

• Pick one topic. The title page must name the technology area from the BAA's list. Fit to that topic is the first review question.
• Write five pages. The white paper is limited to five double-spaced pages (title page excluded) and must cover: Period of Performance and Task Objectives; Technical Summary and Proposed Deliverables; and Estimated Cost (a time-phased rough order of magnitude for the major tasks).
• Attach the DD 2345. Include the approved DD Form 2345 with the submission. It does not count toward the page limit.
• Email it. Send it to the White Paper Focal Point, AFTC.PZRA.BAAs@us.af.mil, and copy the contracting officer listed on the current SAM.gov notice.
• Consider the Capability Repository. You can submit a one-page, non-proprietary capability statement that AFRL posts with the BAA to encourage teaming and subcontracting. It is public and does not affect award decisions.
• Talk to the program first. The BAA encourages dialogue with Government points of contact until full proposals are submitted. Technical questions go to the TPOC listed in the BAA.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Receipt: The contracting office confirms receipt of each white paper.
• Review: AFRL asks whether the approach fits the cited topic, whether the research is of interest, and whether funding is available.
• Letter RFP: If selected, you receive a letter request for proposal describing the technical, cost and other content required, including a non-proprietary Statement of Work.
• Retention: White papers not selected are kept for up to two years.
• Calls: Proposals under a call are rated Highly Recommended, Selectable or Not Selectable, and the Government may fund a Selectable proposal ahead of a Highly Recommended one if its approach is unique.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

HERMES fits U.S. companies whose technology improves how rocket motors, rocket engines or turbine engines are designed, built, tested or controlled. That includes engine developers, and it also includes companies in additive manufacturing, high-temperature materials and composites, metallurgy, modeling and simulation, sensors and diagnostics, thermal management, controls and health monitoring, and launch ground systems. The current Capability Repository already lists companies in several of those categories.

It is a weaker fit if your technology has no link to propulsion or launch, if you are foreign-owned, or if you cannot accept AFRL's data rights expectations for Government-funded work. If you lack a DD Form 2345, start that first. If a specific call requires safeguarding you do not have, the better route is usually as a subcontractor to a team that does, or through a DoD SBIR or STTR topic from the same office.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For open BAAs like HERMES, we help you:

• Map your technology to the right HERMES topic and AFRL branch
• Prepare for technical conversations with the program before you write
• Write a five-page white paper that answers AFRL's three review questions
• Build the rough order of magnitude cost and data rights position
• Get DD Form 2345 and other registrations in place, and find teaming partners for calls with security requirements

Plan Your HERMES White Paper

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HERMES BAA open right now?

Yes. It is an open BAA with a 20-year open period, and white papers can be submitted anytime. AFRL republishes it periodically, so check SAM.gov for the current version.

Do I need to wait for a call?

No. The open white paper process runs alongside calls. Calls cover specific requirements and have their own deadlines, like the RDRE-CC flight demonstration call due November 16, 2026.

How much funding is available?

The BAA does not publish a total. Individual awards are not anticipated to exceed $250M per contract, and awards depend on available funds.

What award types can AFRL use?

Contracts, purchase orders, grants, cooperative agreements or other transactions, depending on the work proposed.

Do I need a DD Form 2345?

Yes. All offerors must certify through DLA's Joint Certification Program and submit the approved DD Form 2345 with their white paper.

Can a non-U.S. company apply?

No. Foreign persons and foreign-owned firms are precluded from proposing and from participating on resulting awards.

My company does not build engines. Can we still apply?

Yes, if your work fits a listed topic. The BAA names materials and manufacturing processes, modeling and simulation tools, embedded sensors, diagnostics, thermal management, controls, health management and ground equipment.

How long is the white paper?

Five double-spaced pages plus a title page. Calls can set different limits; the RDRE-CC call allows 10 pages plus a 5-page technical appendix.

What data rights does AFRL expect?

Unlimited rights are the stated preference for technical data and noncommercial software developed with Government funds. Explain any privately developed technology clearly in your white paper.

Can BW&CO help with a HERMES submission?

Yes. We help founders choose the right topic, prepare for program conversations and write white papers that fit AFRL's review criteria. Book a call with our team.

Source: AFRL Rocket Lab HERMES BAA, FA9300-20-S-0001 (SAM.gov)

DARPA Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) DARPA-PS-26-141: Complete Guide for Proposers

Executive Summary

DARPA's Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program is soliciting proposals for new ways to synthesize polymeric materials and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials with molecular level control over sequence, orientation, and composition. DARPA calls these programmable precision polymers.

The program's first target application is the sub-nanosecond electro-optic modulator. Teams must show they can scale their synthesis to quantities that matter for integration, and the program culminates in a prototype demonstration of a new NLO material integrated into a functional government-provided electro-optic modulator. DARPA also points to broader defense and commercial uses such as LiDAR and communications.

APM is released as Program Solicitation DARPA-PS-26-141 and uses Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype agreements with milestone payments. This is not an SBIR or STTR topic, and it has no small business set-aside.

DARPA APM at a Glance

• Solicitation number: DARPA-PS-26-141
• Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Multi X Office
• Program manager: John M. Hoffman
• Published: September 25, 2026
• Abstract deadline: October 27, 2026
• Proposal deadline: December 18, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern
• Award instrument: Other Transaction for Prototype, paid against milestones
• Program length: 36 months across two phases
• Set-aside: None
• NAICS: 541715, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
• Contact: APM PS Coordinator, apm@darpa.mil

What DARPA Wants to Fund

DARPA is looking for revolutionary advances in material synthesis, not refinements of today's materials. Strong proposals will show a credible path to:

• New chemistries that give precise control over polymer sequence, orientation, and composition
• NLO materials that outperform the current state of the art for high speed electro-optic modulation
• Synthesis that scales to quantities relevant for device integration
• A prototype NLO material integrated into a functional government-provided electro-optic modulator

What Is Out of Scope

The solicitation is explicit about what it will not fund:

• Research that mainly produces evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice
• Proposals built on exceptional claims that cannot be technically justified
• Approaches that use only inorganic materials with no polymeric component
• Modifying or repurposing existing NLO materials for incremental gains

How the Two-Phase Program Works

Phase 1: New Chemistries (12 months)

Teams develop new chemistries capable of producing programmable precision polymers and prove out the level of molecular control they claim.

Phase 2: Materials and Devices (24 months)

Teams apply those chemistries to synthesize advanced NLO materials at useful quantities and integrate them into functional electro-optic modulator devices.

Who Should Apply

APM rewards multidisciplinary teams. The strongest proposers will bring together polymer synthesis, computational chemistry and materials simulation, characterization, microfabrication, and photonics. Prior NLO experience helps but is not required. Startups with a novel synthesis platform should consider teaming with a university lab or a photonics partner to cover device integration.

How to Apply

• Step 1, abstract: Submit an abstract using the provided template (Attachment A) by October 27, 2026. An abstract is a low-effort way to get DARPA's read on fit before you invest in a full proposal.
• Step 2, full proposal: Submit Volume I (Technical) and Volume II (Price) by December 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern, along with the proposal summary slide, Task Description Document, price detail spreadsheet, schedule of milestones and payments, and OT certifications.
• Step 3, submission: Proposals go through the DARPA BAA Tool (BAAT) submission portal. Register early, since portal access can take time.

Funding and Award Terms

The notice on SAM.gov does not publish a total program budget or a per-award ceiling. Awards are made as Other Transaction for Prototype agreements, which means payments are tied to milestones you propose in your schedule. Your price volume and milestone plan carry real weight, so build them alongside the technical approach rather than at the end.

Controlled Unclassified Information

The solicitation includes a program CUI guide (Attachment J). Expect some program information and deliverables to be handled as Controlled Unclassified Information, and make sure your organization can meet those safeguarding requirements before you submit.

How to Prepare Now

• Read the full solicitation and every attachment on SAM.gov, including the proposer checklist
• Write a one-page technical concept that states why your chemistry is revolutionary, not incremental
• Line up partners for any gaps in synthesis, modeling, characterization, or photonics integration
• Draft milestones that map cleanly to the two phases and to measurable NLO performance
• Register for the DARPA BAAT portal and confirm your SAM.gov registration is active

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DARPA-PS-26-141? It is the Program Solicitation for DARPA's Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program, which funds new synthesis methods for programmable precision polymers and nonlinear optical materials, starting with sub-nanosecond electro-optic modulators.

When is the deadline? Abstracts are due October 27, 2026. Full proposals are due December 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern.

Is APM an SBIR or STTR opportunity? No. It is a DARPA Program Solicitation awarded through Other Transaction for Prototype agreements, and it has no small business set-aside.

How much funding is available? DARPA has not published a total budget or award ceiling in the SAM.gov notice. Funding is paid against the milestones in each awarded agreement.

How long is the program? 36 months. Phase 1 runs 12 months and focuses on new chemistries. Phase 2 runs 24 months and focuses on materials synthesis and device integration.

What will DARPA not fund? Incremental improvements, purely inorganic approaches with no polymeric component, repurposed existing NLO materials, and claims that cannot be technically justified.

Who should I contact with questions? The APM PS Coordinator at apm@darpa.mil.

Sources

• SAM.gov: Atomically Precise Molecules (APM), DARPA-PS-26-141
• DARPA: Atomically Precise Molecules program page

Get Your APM Abstract Ready

DARPA programs move fast, and the abstract window is short. BW&CO helps deep-tech teams test fit, shape a revolutionary technical story, and build milestone plans that hold up under DARPA review. Book a free strategy call with our team to see if APM is right for you.

Army Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) Commercial Solutions Opening W9124P26SC001: Complete Guide for Startups

Executive Summary

The Army Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) Commercial Solutions Opening asks for innovative commercial solutions that establish and advance manufacturing capability across the Army's Organic Industrial Base (OIB) and out to the tactical edge.

The CSO was first issued on July 15, 2026. Amendment 1 was posted on SAM.gov on August 27, 2026. It is an umbrella CSO with no deadline, and the document says it "will remain open and accept submissions continuously" until the Army cancels it.

Companies can respond in two ways:

• General submission. Submit at any time against one of 18 Active Capability Gap (ACG) areas of interest.
• Call for Solutions. Respond to a specific Call, which addresses a defined need and has its own short deadline.

Phase 1 is a one-page quad chart and a five-page white paper sent by email. Awards are firm-fixed-price only.

For a startup with a commercial manufacturing, automation, inspection or industrial software product, this is one of the broadest Army entry points open right now. The main thing to understand: a general submission gets you on file, and a Call usually means the Army has already identified a specific need.

Army AdvM CSO at a Glance

• Solicitation number: W9124P26SC001 (W9124P-26-S-C001), Amendment 1
• Issuing office: Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA), Redstone Services and Information Technology Solutions Branch
• Customer: Headquarters U.S. Army Materiel Command (HQ AMC)
• Status: Open in perpetuity until canceled. Individual Calls for Solutions carry their own deadlines.
• Authorities:
  • The CSO document cites Section 803 of the FY2022 NDAA.
  • The SAM.gov notice also lists 10 U.S.C. § 3458 with DFARS RFO 212.70, 10 U.S.C. § 4022 prototype OTs, RFO 6.101(b)(3), and the Employee Stock Ownership Pilot Program.
• Areas of interest: 18 Active Capability Gap areas, and the CSO "is open to any novel advanced manufacturing solution"
• Phase 1 submission: One-page quad chart plus white paper of up to five pages, emailed as two separate PDFs
• Award type: Firm-fixed-price only, per DFARS RFO 212.7002(b)
• Instruments: RFO Part 12 purchase orders and BPAs, Part 12 and 15 contracts, Part 16 IDIQs and BOAs, or prototype OTs under 10 U.S.C. § 4022
• Eligibility: Industry, academia and nontraditional partners. Small businesses are generally nontraditional defense contractors under 10 U.S.C. § 3014. Active SAM.gov registration is required for award.
• Submission and questions: usarmy.redstone.acc.mbx.acc-rsa-advm-cso@army.mil (primary POC on SAM.gov: Stephanie Dillon)

The 18 Active Capability Gap Areas

The CSO says it is open to any novel advanced manufacturing solution. It names these 18 areas of particular interest:

1. Robotics and Automation. Automating manual manufacturing and depot maintenance processes, such as robotic welding, automated material handling and cobots for assembly.
2. Additive Manufacturing. On-demand polymer, metal or composite parts, including large-format and multi-material printing and quality assurance and certification for critical components.
3. Advanced Materials. High-strength alloys, composites, self-healing materials and other materials that improve performance, weight or corrosion resistance.
4. Digital Twin and Digital Thread. Virtual models of assets and processes for predictive maintenance, process optimization and lifecycle management.
5. Smart and Connected Factories (IIoT). Sensors, analytics and IIoT to monitor equipment health, track production and optimize the factory floor.
6. Advanced Non-destructive Testing and Inspection. Advanced ultrasonics, thermography, automated computer-aided inspection and similar methods.
7. Workforce Development and Manufacturing Skills. Training material, concepts or methods for a digital manufacturing workforce.
8. Supply Chain Risk Management. Tools to identify and address strategic manufacturing value chain vulnerabilities in the defense industrial base.
9. Cybersecurity. Tools to build DoW Risk Management Framework requirements into processes, product design and documentation.
10. Enterprise Data Integration. A centralized AdvM data repository for qualified part data, technical data packages and IP, with data exchange with the Defense Logistics Agency.
11. AdvM at the Tactical Edge. The right mix of AdvM capability in expeditionary and tactical environments, including point-of-need solutions.
12. Army AdvM Consortium. Managing an alliance of government, industry, nonprofits and academia to qualify AdvM vendors, processes and parts.
13. OIB and AdvM Innovation Centers. Machines, tooling, technology and talent for a network of innovation hubs.
14. Metrology. Advanced measurement systems, such as optical or blue light scanning, to verify machines and parts meet tolerances.
15. Qualification and Certification. Technologies and methods to qualify and certify manufacturing processes and parts.
16. Advanced Electronics Manufacturing. Flexible hybrid electronics and additively manufactured electronics.
17. Advanced Coatings and Surface Engineering. Coatings and surface modifications for durability, corrosion resistance, thermal management and signature management.
18. Predictive Maintenance Analytics. AI and machine learning models that predict component failures, optimize maintenance schedules and forecast sustainment needs.

The CSO's general invitation to "any novel advanced manufacturing solution" acts as a catch-all beyond these named areas.

Not sure which area your technology fits, or whether it fits at all? We can tell you on a short call.

What Recent Calls for Solutions Looked Like

The CSO says the Army "may issue specific 'Calls for Solutions' as amendments" to address focused gaps. In practice, recent Calls were posted as separate SAM.gov notices titled "AdvM Call for Solutions" and linked from the CSO page:

• Modern Radar Systems Organic Capability Development (PANRSA-26-P-0000-039852): closed August 14, 2026.
• Expeditionary Additive Manufacturing (EAM) Systems (PANRSA-26-P-0000040885): posted August 24, due August 31 at noon CT. Seven days to respond.
• Modernized Paint Line at Tobyhanna Army Depot (PANRSA-26-P-0000-040601): posted August 27, due September 16 at noon CT after amendment. The Army asked for a complete system: hardware, automated parts handling and open-architecture SCADA software for paint application, curing and shop operations.
• Automated Parts Handling for Plating at Tobyhanna Army Depot (PANRSA-26-P-0000-040599): posted August 27, due September 16 at noon CT after amendment.

No AdvM Call was active on SAM.gov as of October 1, 2026.

Two lessons stand out. The windows are short: seven days at the low end, about three weeks with extensions. And the Calls can ask for an integrated, working system. A startup that owns one piece of that system may be better positioned as a supplier or teammate to an integrator.

The SAM notice also says RFIs posted under the CSO are for market research only, and the government has no obligation to follow one with a Call.

How the Three-Phase Process Works

Phase 1: White paper and quad chart. You submit both as two separate PDFs by email to usarmy.redstone.acc.mbx.acc-rsa-advm-cso@army.mil. Use the subject line "CSO Submission – Advanced Manufacturing – [Your Company Name]". Content past the page limits will not be read.

The quad chart is one page and follows Attachment 1. Its four quadrants are:

• Objective and Description: objective, description of effort and commerciality.
• Graphic or Illustration.
• Benefits and Challenges: benefits, challenges and current maturity (TRL/MRL).
• Execution Plan: milestones, deliverables, proposed funding, period of performance and contact information.

The white paper follows Attachment 2: up to five pages, 8.5 x 11 inches, one-inch margins, single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman. It has eight sections:

1. Project title, offeror, and area of interest or Call number
2. Executive summary
3. Description of effort, including why it is commercial in nature
4. Benefits to the Army
5. Technical challenges, with risks and mitigation
6. Rough order of magnitude cost and schedule
7. Corporate and personnel qualifications
8. Data rights

Phase 2: Oral presentation or demonstration. This happens at the government's discretion. Offerors with meritorious white papers may be invited to present or demonstrate to a panel of government subject matter experts. The government may skip Phase 2 and go directly to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Request for Solution Proposal. Offerors who are evaluated successfully may be invited to submit a full written proposal with technical, price and contractual portions. An award may follow a favorable evaluation.

The government does not pay for preparing or submitting documents or presentations in any phase.

How Submissions Are Evaluated

The government first checks compliance with the format rules in Section 4.1 and Attachments 1 and 2. A submission that fails the check may be excluded before technical review.

Submissions are evaluated on their own merit, not against each other. The factors, in descending order of importance, are:

1. Technical merit and relevance: applicability to the area of interest or Call, technical feasibility, and potential to enhance Army readiness and manufacturing capability.
2. Innovation and uniqueness: how new, underused or uniquely applied the solution is.
3. Company viability: relevant corporate experience in advanced manufacturing, industrial operations or commercializing similar technology, plus personnel qualifications and a sound business model.
4. Price and affordability.

All non-price factors combined are significantly more important than price.

After Phase 1, every submission gets one of three outcomes:

• Selected for Further Consideration: invited to the next phase.
• Retained for Future Consideration: the submission meets the criteria, and "will be retained in a repository for future consideration into the next phase once a Government need, manpower, and funding is available."
• Not Selected for Further Consideration.

The middle outcome matters most for general submissions. A strong white paper against an area of interest can sit in the repository until a depot need and funding line up.

Funding: What You Can and Cannot Expect

The CSO publishes no award ceiling or funding pool. It states, "Any award is subject to the availability of funds." The government may award some, all or none of the proposals. FY2027 began October 1 under a continuing resolution through December 11, 2026, which can slow new obligations.

The quad chart asks you to state proposed funding and a period of performance. The white paper asks for a rough order of magnitude cost and schedule. A scope the Army can fund and execute quickly is easier to move than a large multi-year program.

Depot modernization CSOs do produce real awards. In March 2026, Red River Army Depot awarded Hadrian $39.2 million, with up to $80 million in cumulative value, to establish advanced automation manufacturing at the depot. That award came through Red River's own OIB modernization CSO, not the AdvM CSO. It is not a ceiling or a typical award size, but it shows how quickly a depot can move once a need and funding align.

Data Rights

The government says it wants only the data rights it needs. Identify any data rights restrictions clearly in the proposal, and use section 8 of the white paper for a preliminary list. Negotiations follow DFARS data and software rights clauses.

How to Prepare Before the Next Call

1. Pick one problem. Choose one area of interest and one depot or field problem your technology solves. Describe it in measurable terms: throughput, turnaround time, labor hours, hazardous exposure, scrap, inspection backlog or downtime.
2. Build the package to the templates. Follow Attachments 1 and 2 exactly. The compliance check comes before technical review.
3. Submit against the general area now. Even a "Retained for Future Consideration" result puts your solution in the repository the Army draws on when a need is funded.
4. Make it reusable. Write the package so it can be tailored to a Call within 48 hours. Include the ROM, the period of performance and an implementation plan covering installation, training, cybersecurity and sustainment at a government facility.
5. Watch for Calls. Save a SAM.gov search for "AdvM Call for Solutions" and follow W9124P26SC001.
6. Decide your role early. If a likely Call needs a full system, line up the integrator or partner now.
7. Look at the depot CSOs too. See our guides to the Sierra Army Depot CSO and the Anniston Army Depot CSO.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is solicitation W9124P26SC001? The Army Advanced Manufacturing Commercial Solutions Opening, issued by ACC-Redstone for Headquarters Army Materiel Command, to acquire innovative commercial manufacturing solutions for the Organic Industrial Base and the tactical edge.

What is the deadline? The CSO itself has none. It is open in perpetuity until canceled. Each Call for Solutions has its own deadline, and recent Calls closed between seven days and about three weeks after posting.

Is there an open Call right now? No AdvM Call for Solutions was active on SAM.gov as of October 1, 2026.

What do I submit? A one-page quad chart and a white paper of up to five pages in 12-point Times New Roman, as two separate PDFs, emailed to usarmy.redstone.acc.mbx.acc-rsa-advm-cso@army.mil with the subject line "CSO Submission – Advanced Manufacturing – [Your Company Name]."

How much funding is available? No amount is published. Any award is subject to the availability of funds, and only firm-fixed-price arrangements can be awarded.

Can a startup with no government contracts apply? Yes. The CSO invites industry, academia and other nontraditional partners, and small businesses are generally nontraditional defense contractors. You need an active SAM.gov registration to receive an award.

What happens if my white paper is good but there is no funding? It can be marked "Retained for Future Consideration" and held in a repository until a government need, manpower and funding are available.

Does the government pay proposal costs? No. The government does not pay for preparation or submission in any phase.

Sources

• SAM.gov, Army Advanced Manufacturing (AdvM) CSO, W9124P26SC001, updated August 27, 2026, verified October 1, 2026: https://sam.gov/opp/7f9b0cd559494155a50c7e5af0f11bbd/view
• ACC-RSA, "Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Solicitation Number W9124P-26-S-C001 Amendment 1 for Advanced Manufacturing" (attachment on SAM.gov)
• SAM.gov, AdvM Call for Solutions, Expeditionary Additive Manufacturing Systems: https://sam.gov/opp/69a143cc118243b48a82fb5cfea2a3b8/view
• SAM.gov, AdvM Call for Solutions, Modernized Paint Line in SOD: https://sam.gov/opp/ab97e088933e40a5bf2289daed14d4b4/view
• SAM.gov, AdvM Call for Solutions, Automated Parts Handling for Plating in SOD: https://sam.gov/opp/64f3745e095c4cedb8d066f6da1bba33/view
• U.S. Army, "Army accelerates advanced manufacturing with contracting award at Red River," March 18, 2026: https://www.army.mil/article/291165

Get Ready Before the Next Call

AdvM Calls can close in seven days. BW&CO helps deep tech and dual-use founders pick the right area of interest, build a quad chart and white paper that follow the CSO templates, and tailor the package fast when a Call drops. We have helped clients secure more than $350 million in non-dilutive funding.

Featured image: U.S. Army photo by Mark Cleghorn. The appearance of U.S. Department of War visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

GRA Development Grant: Executive Summary for Georgia Startups

Executive Summary

Sponsor: Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program
Award size: $10,000 to $250,000 per grant
Deadline: Six review cycles per year
Eligible applicants: Faculty researchers at accredited public or private universities in Georgia
Funding type: Non-dilutive grant (GRA takes no financial stake in the project)

The GRA Development Grant funds milestone-driven projects that move a Georgia university technology toward commercialization or startup formation. It is built for teams that have moved past the idea stage and now need to reduce technical risk, prove a competitive advantage, and generate the evidence that investors and federal reviewers expect to see.

What the Development Grant Funds

Projects are organized around a defined set of milestones. Typical activities include:

• Prototype refinement and technology validation
• Preclinical testing for medtech and biotech technologies
• Pilot manufacturing and scale-up studies
• IP landscape and regulatory pathway analysis
• Customer pilots and market validation

GRA may award more than one Development Grant to the same project as it continues to hit milestones, which makes the program a practical bridge from lab result to fundable company.

Who Should Apply

• Faculty founders at Georgia institutions such as Georgia Tech, Emory, the University of Georgia, Augusta University, Georgia State, and Kennesaw State
• Pre-spinout teams preparing to license university IP and form a company
• Deep-tech, biotech, medtech, and dual-use researchers whose technology shows commercial promise but still needs validation before outside investors will engage

Companies that were not founded on Georgia university technology are not eligible for GRA grants.

Where It Fits in the GRA Funding Ladder

• Exploratory Grant (up to $10,000, rolling): answers focused go/no-go questions on technical feasibility, early customer discovery, or lightweight whitespace analysis
• Development Grant ($10,000 to $250,000): advances commercialization or startup formation through defined milestones
• Startup Loan (up to $250,000): available after company formation to Georgia companies built on Georgia university technology, released in milestone-based tranches with a modest warrant and an option to convert in a future financing

Why It Pairs Well With SBIR and STTR

Federal SBIR and STTR reviewers reward proposals backed by strong preliminary data, a clear commercialization path, and evidence of customer demand. A GRA Development Grant pays for exactly that work. Georgia teams that use GRA funding to validate their technology are better positioned to pursue NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE, and NASA SBIR/STTR awards, and STTR in particular is a natural next step because it already requires a research institution partner.

GRA-backed projects have attracted more than $2.3 billion in follow-on investment, and GRA reports that 87% of its startups are still operating after four years.

How to Apply

• Download the Development Grant Application (MS Word) from the GRA Innovation & Entrepreneurship documents page
• Follow the instructions on pages 1 and 2 and complete the proposal inside the application file, not in a separate document
• Submit ahead of one of the six annual review cycles
• Plan for a progress report six months after funding begins and every six months after that
• Direct eligibility questions to Andrew Short, GRA Director of Innovation Programs, or grants@gra.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GRA Development Grant?

The GRA Development Grant is a non-dilutive award of $10,000 to $250,000 from the Georgia Research Alliance Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program. It funds milestone-driven projects that advance Georgia university technologies toward commercialization or startup formation.

Who is eligible for a GRA Development Grant?

Faculty researchers employed by accredited public or private universities in Georgia are eligible. Companies not founded on Georgia university technology are not eligible for GRA grants.

What activities can a GRA Development Grant fund?

Typical activities include prototype refinement, technology validation, preclinical testing, pilot manufacturing, IP and regulatory analysis, and customer pilots.

When are GRA Development Grant applications reviewed?

GRA holds six Development Grant review cycles per year. Exploratory Grants of up to $10,000 are accepted on a rolling basis.

Does GRA take equity in exchange for a Development Grant?

No. GRA grants are non-dilutive and GRA holds no financial stake in grant-funded projects. GRA Startup Loans, available after company formation, do include a modest warrant component and an option to convert in a future financing.

How does a GRA Development Grant help with SBIR and STTR funding?

A Development Grant pays for the preliminary data, validation, and customer evidence that SBIR and STTR reviewers look for. Georgia faculty and spinouts can use GRA funding to strengthen proposals to NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE, and NASA. BW&CO helps teams build that full non-dilutive funding strategy.

Turn Your GRA Award Into Federal Funding

BW&CO helps Georgia founders and faculty map a GRA Development Grant into a full non-dilutive funding strategy, from milestone planning to SBIR and STTR proposals across NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE, and NASA. With more than $350M in funding secured for our clients, we know what reviewers look for.

FAA Aviation Research BAA 692M15-25-R-00004: Executive Summary for Startups

Executive Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aviation Research Broad Agency Announcement, solicitation number 692M15-25-R-00004, is a long-running open call for applied and basic research that advances aviation safety. It is sponsored by the Aviation Research Division at the William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace in Atlantic City, New Jersey. White papers are accepted on a rolling basis, and the BAA remains open through December 4, 2034 unless it is terminated sooner or a topic is removed. Amendment 012, issued September 29, 2026, adds four new topics covering cybersecurity for autonomous airport ground vehicles, pilot decision-making training, nationwide pilot training data, and a pilot operational decision-making aid. There are now 15 active topics, with published project budgets ranging from about $100,000 per year to as much as $1.2 million per project.

Solicitation at a Glance

Solicitation number: 692M15-25-R-00004 (Amendment 012)

Full title: Broad Agency Announcement, Aviation Research 2025

Agency: Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace (Atlantic City, New Jersey)

Opportunity type: Broad Agency Announcement issued under the FAA Acquisition Management System (49 USC 106(l) and (m))

Latest amendment: Amendment 012, September 29, 2026

White papers due: Rolling, through December 4, 2034 or until a topic is removed

Response time: The FAA aims to respond within 60 calendar days of receiving a white paper

Funding: Roughly $100,000 to $1.2 million per project depending on topic; several topics set the budget based on the work proposed

Period of performance: Typically 12 to 36 months; no topic accepts efforts longer than 3 years

Award types: Purchase orders, contracts, agreements, or Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs); Firm Fixed-Price awards are preferred for initial phases

Set-aside: None. Open to industry, small businesses, universities, HBCUs, minority-serving institutions, and research organizations

NAICS code: 5417, Scientific Research and Development Services

Submission method: Email to the topic's Technical Point of Contact, with 9-ACT-AAQ-600-BAA@faa.gov copied

What Is the FAA Aviation Research Division?

The Aviation Research Division at the William J. Hughes Technical Center conducts applied research and development with industry, academia, and government to solve current and future air transportation challenges. It runs five program branches: Fire Safety, Airport Technology R&D, Software and Systems, Structures and Propulsion, and Separation Standards Analysis. Research results feed directly into FAA Advisory Circulars, certification guidance, design and evaluation software such as FAARFIELD and BAKFAA, and training material for the FAA workforce.

This BAA is the standing channel for outside organizations to bring research ideas to the FAA. It is open for ten years from December 5, 2024, and the FAA adds and removes topics through amendments. The FAA may also issue "Calls" on SAM.gov when it has a more urgent need in a specific topic area.

How This BAA Differs From SBIR and STTR

Many startups first encounter federal R&D through SBIR and STTR. This BAA works differently, and understanding the differences helps you plan.

• It is not a small business program. There is no set-aside, so startups are evaluated alongside universities, large companies, and research institutions.
• There are no phases. There is no Phase I or Phase II structure. Each topic publishes its own estimated budget and period of performance.
• It is a two-step process. You submit a white paper first. If the FAA is interested and funding is available, it requests a full proposal.
• Proposals are judged on their own merits. The FAA does not rank proposals against others in the same research area.
• Awards are often Other Transaction Agreements. The FAA has historically used OTAs for this BAA, which can offer more flexible terms than traditional contracts.

The 15 Topics of Interest: What the FAA Is Looking For

Every white paper must name the specific topic number and title it responds to. Topics marked as new were added in Amendment 012.

Airport Pavements (ARAP)

ARAP0010: Rational Overload Criteria for Airport Pavements in the ACR/PCR Method. Develop engineering-based criteria for occasional overloads on flexible and rigid pavements, drawing on full-scale test data from the National Airport Pavement Test Facility, suitable for the PCR module of FAARFIELD. Up to 3 years; ROM not to exceed $200,000 per project, per fiscal year.

ARAP0012: Engineering Analysis of Field Monitoring and Instrumentation Data. Improve pavement design, construction, and management using data from instrumented operational airports, including AI/ML, pavement instrumentation, signal processing, materials characterization, and remote data collection. Budget and duration set by proposal; multiple white papers welcome.

ARAP0013: Enhancement of Airport Pavement Layer Backcalculation Software (BAKFAA). Build faster, more accurate models for characterizing asphalt and concrete from Heavy and Falling Weight Deflectometer data, including machine learning or advanced search methods that run in real time or near real time. Up to 3 years; ROM not to exceed $200,000 per project, per fiscal year.

ARAP0014: Advancing Pavement Condition Assessment Practices for Airport Pavements. Compare emerging inspection methods with the ASTM D5340 standard on coverage, accuracy, repeatability, resource needs, and compatibility with pavement management programs. Non-proprietary approaches only. About $250,000 per project, per fiscal year; 12 to 36 months.

ARAP0015: Advancing Concrete Strength Evaluation for Airport Pavement Design and Construction. Explore alternatives or supplements to flexural beam testing, methods for estimating cracking-related properties, and continuous strength measurement for decisions such as early opening. Non-proprietary approaches only. $100,000 to $300,000 per project, per fiscal year; 12 to 36 months.

Airport Safety (ARAS)

ARAS0014: Cybersecurity Concerns with Autonomous Ground Vehicle Systems (AGVS) in the Airport Environment. (New) Applied research on identifying vulnerable system components, validating operational AGVS, preventing and detecting cyberattacks, and safely recovering from a successful attack. Covers self-driving tugs, jet bridges, baggage carts, shuttles, mowers, and perimeter inspection vehicles, plus their command and control systems and field devices. Up to 12 months.

Structures and Materials (ARSM)

ARSM0001: Structural Integrity of Metallic Components. Identify data sources, capabilities, and methods that support FAA risk assessment for metallic structures on transport category airplanes under the Monitor Safety/Analyze Data (MSAD) process in FAA Order 8110.107B. Budget and duration set by proposal.

Structures and Propulsion (ARSP)

ARSP0001: Nickel Anomaly Fatigue Testing. Low-cycle fatigue testing of premium wrought nickel alloy specimens containing subsurface melt anomalies such as "dirty white spots," with baseline testing, fractography, metallography, and a teaming plan with engine manufacturer experts. About 24 months; ROM approximately $350,000.

ARSP0002: Hydrogen Aviation Safety Research. Four research areas: hydrogen leak detection, hydrogen dispersion modeling and simulation, hydrogen risk assessment and mitigation, and integration of hydrogen-powered aircraft into the National Airspace System. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged. Up to 36 months; ROM not to exceed $650,000 per award.

Software and Systems (ARSS)

ARSS0003: Integrated Flight and Propulsion Control for Rotorcraft. Data to support airworthiness criteria for multi-rotor, powered-lift, and eVTOL vehicles, covering stability, control bandwidth, performance, failure modes, system integration, and automation that backs up the pilot. Up to 3 years; budget set by proposal.

ARSS0008: Complex Digital Systems. Assurance and verification methods for AI/ML and autonomy in safety-critical airborne systems, including formal methods, assurance cases, explainability, diverse specifications, and large language models for classifying latent risk. Up to 3 years; ROM not to exceed $400,000 per project, per fiscal year.

ARSS0009: Future of Oversight. New concepts for performance-based and Safety Management System (SMS) based oversight, future oversight workforce needs, measures of oversight effectiveness, and lessons from other regulated industries. Up to 3 years; budget set by proposal.

ARSS0010: A Training Framework for Reducing Pilot Decision-Making Errors. (New) Academic and simulator-based training modules that expose pilots to realistic decision-making errors and teach mitigations, built for Part 121 carriers and extendable to Parts 135, 91K, and 61. About 24 months; ROM up to $910,000.

ARSS0011: Improving Airline Safety Using Nationwide Pilot Training Data. (New) A voluntary, privacy-conscious framework for collecting de-identified flight simulator training data, with standardized data structures, governance, objective performance metrics, and cross-airline benchmarking. About 36 months.

ARSS0012: Pilot Operational Decision Making Aid. (New) Research and test a structured tool that gathers information scattered across flight manuals and handbooks to support pilot decisions in complex situations, with testing on B-737 and A330 simulators. Responses that rely heavily on AI will be viewed less favorably. About 24 months; ROM up to $1.2 million.

Funding Allowance: What Startups Should Expect

Funding is set topic by topic. Some topics publish a firm ceiling, some publish an approximate figure, and some leave the budget entirely to the proposal. In practice:

• Your ROM must match the topic. The white paper's Rough Order of Magnitude cost should be consistent with any dollar value the topic lists and with the scope you propose.
• Many topics are funded annually. Several pavement and software topics cap funding per fiscal year, and continuation after each milestone is at the FAA's discretion.
• Partial awards are possible. The FAA may negotiate an award for only part of a proposal if funding is limited.
• Firm Fixed-Price is preferred for initial phases, and the FAA may change the award type during negotiation.
• Cost sharing is allowed on a cost reimbursement basis with no fee, if your accounting system can support it.

Timeline and Key Dates

December 5, 2024: BAA opened for white papers.

September 29, 2026: Amendment 012 added ARAS0014, ARSS0010, ARSS0011, and ARSS0012.

Anytime: White papers may be submitted on a rolling basis, or in response to a specific Call posted on SAM.gov.

Within about 60 days of submission: The FAA aims to respond, and may request a technical and cost proposal.

December 4, 2034: The BAA expires unless terminated sooner. Awards may still be made after expiration if the white paper was received before that date.

Because topics can be removed by amendment at any time, earlier submissions carry less risk.

How to Apply

Step 1: Contact the Contracting Officer

The FAA strongly encourages applicants to email 9-ACT-AAQ-600-BAA@faa.gov with "Question for the CO" in the subject line before writing, to confirm interest in the proposed effort and whether funding is available. Technical questions go to the topic's Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), and discussions with the TPOC about your white paper are permitted.

Step 2: Submit a White Paper

A white paper is required before any proposal. Offerors who submit a proposal without first submitting a white paper may not be eligible for award.

• Maximum of 5 pages, single sided, single spaced, Times New Roman 12 point, in Word or PDF
• The ROM cost estimate does not count toward the 5 pages
• State the topic number and title in the document and in the email subject line
• Email to the topic TPOC with 9-ACT-AAQ-600-BAA@faa.gov on the cc line

Each white paper must cover the purpose of the research, the research method and how its validity will be demonstrated, the expertise of each team member and any aviation industry partners or endorsements, the current state of development, a proposed timeline, testing and evaluation procedures, and a good faith ROM cost including any fee.

Step 3: Submit a Full Proposal (By Invitation)

If invited, you will receive a Request for Proposal with specific instructions. Proposals are submitted as three separate files, sent only to 9-ACT-AAQ-600-BAA@faa.gov without copying the TPOC:

• Cover letter on company letterhead with the topic, UEI, business type, place and period of performance, estimated cost, proposed award type, and an authorized signature
• Volume I, Technical: up to 25 pages covering background, objectives, feasibility, methodology, technical uncertainties, program management, key personnel resumes (up to 3 pages each, not counted), conflicts of interest, subcontracting, past performance, and intellectual property
• Volume II, Price/Cost: up to 10 pages with costs broken down by task and cost element, plus a funding profile

Proposals should remain valid for at least 180 days.

How Proposals Are Evaluated

Proposals go through peer review and technical feasibility assessment. They are judged on their own merit and relevance, not ranked against other proposals in the same area. The FAA considers:

• Scientific and technical merit: The overall quality and soundness of the proposed research.
• Mission relevance: Potential contribution to the FAA Aviation Research mission.
• Team competency: The experience and capability of the people doing the work.
• Project plan: An effective plan for completing the project.
• Risk: Technical and implementation risk.

Cost is not scored, but the FAA analyzes it for completeness, reasonableness, realism, magnitude, and affordability, including the cost impact of any intellectual property restrictions you assert.

Registration Requirements

Offerors cannot receive an award without an active SAM.gov registration, and Certifications and Representations must be completed there. The cover letter also requires your SAM Unique Entity ID. Registration can take several weeks, so startups without an active registration should begin now. Foreign-owned companies must submit disclosure information for an eligibility review.

A Note on Intellectual Property

Proposals must include a representation of ownership or licensing rights for all intellectual property used, and a list of any technical data or software to be delivered with restricted rights. If you do not submit that list, the FAA assumes it has unlimited rights. Awardees must deliver all technical data and software developed under the award, including source code. Startups should decide early what they will protect and mark it correctly.

Is This BAA a Good Fit for Your Startup?

This BAA tends to fit startups and research teams with a clear technical approach to a real FAA safety or certification problem. Strong candidates include companies working on:

• Airport pavement engineering, sensors, instrumentation, and materials testing
• Cybersecurity for autonomous vehicles and connected ground systems
• Hydrogen sensors, fuel systems, dispersion modeling, and hydrogen infrastructure
• Advanced air mobility, eVTOL, and powered-lift flight controls
• AI/ML assurance, formal methods, and safety-critical software
• Aviation human factors, pilot training, flight simulation, and safety data analytics
• Aerospace metallurgy, fatigue testing, and structural integrity

It is a weaker fit for companies whose main goal is validating a proprietary product, since several topics exclude that, and for companies that need a large, guaranteed award on a fixed timeline.

Strategic Tips for Startup Applicants

• Ask the Contracting Officer first. A short inquiry about interest and funding can save weeks of effort on a topic with no budget.
• Mirror the topic language. Use the topic's terminology and connect your work to the specific FAA guidance, software, or standard it is meant to improve.
• Lead with quality, not length. The FAA states that quality matters far more than quantity, and weak white papers may be declined without further review.
• Show industry support. White papers must describe aviation industry interest, endorsements, or partners, so line up letters or teaming partners early.
• Keep the ROM realistic. Match the topic's published range and tie costs to tasks and milestones.
• Watch for new Calls and amendments. Topics are added and removed regularly, and Calls can signal urgent FAA priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA Aviation Research BAA 2025?

It is the FAA's Broad Agency Announcement 692M15-25-R-00004, an open call from the William J. Hughes Technical Center for applied and basic research that advances aviation safety across airport pavements, airport safety, structures and materials, propulsion, hydrogen safety, and software and systems.

What is the deadline for the FAA Aviation Research BAA?

White papers are accepted on a rolling basis. The BAA is open through December 4, 2034, unless it is terminated sooner or a specific topic is removed by amendment.

How much funding is available?

Funding varies by topic. Published estimates range from about $100,000 per project per fiscal year for pavement topics to as much as $1.2 million per project for the Pilot Operational Decision Making Aid topic. Several topics set the budget based on the work proposed.

What topics were added in Amendment 012?

Amendment 012, issued September 29, 2026, added ARAS0014 Cybersecurity Concerns with Autonomous Ground Vehicle Systems in the Airport Environment, ARSS0010 A Training Framework for Reducing Pilot Decision-Making Errors, ARSS0011 Improving Airline Safety Using Nationwide Pilot Training Data, and ARSS0012 Pilot Operational Decision Making Aid.

Can startups and small businesses apply?

Yes. The BAA has no set-aside and is open to industry, small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, universities, HBCUs, minority-serving institutions, and research organizations. Teaming arrangements are welcome.

Is the FAA Aviation Research BAA an SBIR or STTR program?

No. It is a Broad Agency Announcement issued under the FAA Acquisition Management System. It has no phase structure and no small business eligibility requirement, and awards are often made as Other Transaction Agreements.

How long can a white paper be?

White papers may not exceed 5 pages, single sided, single spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point font. The Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate does not count toward the page limit.

How do I submit a white paper?

Email the white paper to the Technical Point of Contact listed for your topic and copy 9-ACT-AAQ-600-BAA@faa.gov, with the topic number and title in the subject line. The FAA recommends first emailing the same mailbox with "Question for the CO" in the subject line to confirm interest and funding.

How long does it take to hear back?

The FAA aims to respond within 60 calendar days of receiving a white paper, but may take longer. It may respond by requesting a technical and cost proposal.

How are proposals evaluated?

Proposals are peer reviewed on scientific and technical merit, relevance to the FAA Aviation Research mission, team competency and experience, the project completion plan, and technical and implementation risk. Cost is analyzed for reasonableness and affordability rather than scored.

What type of award will the FAA make?

Awards may be purchase orders, contracts, agreements, or Other Transaction Agreements. The FAA has historically used Other Transaction Agreements for this BAA and prefers Firm Fixed-Price awards for initial research phases.

What registrations are required?

You must have an active SAM.gov registration with completed Certifications and Representations to receive an award, and your SAM Unique Entity ID is required in the proposal cover letter.

Get Help With Your FAA White Paper

BW&CO helps deep-tech, aerospace, and dual-use startups pick the right FAA topic, frame the Contracting Officer inquiry, write focused five-page white papers, and build compliant technical and cost proposals, including intellectual property assertions and OTA terms. With more than $350M in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we make innovation funding simple.

With rolling submissions and topics that can be removed at any time, the best time to start is now. Book a free strategy call to see if your technology fits.

NIH Highlighted Topic: Advanced Biomaterials for Biomedical Research

Below is a brief summary. Please check the full solicitation before applying (link in resources section).

Executive Summary:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is encouraging innovative research on advanced biomaterials that overcome a core limitation of today's research tools: traditional biomaterials fail to recapitulate the tissue complexity, heterogeneity, and dynamic change seen in living systems. This highlighted topic seeks new materials that let material scientists and biomedical researchers work together to solve fundamental biological problems.

NIH is particularly interested in biomaterials that enable dynamic physical properties, detect and respond to tissue-specific changes, behave in robust and predictable ways, and improve reproducibility in disease models. Multidisciplinary teams that combine materials scientists, physical scientists, bioengineers, and biomedical researchers are strongly encouraged.

Areas of interest include responsive and programmable biomaterials (pH, thermal, light, electrostatic, and stiffness responsive), functionalized materials that model the transition from normal tissue to tumor microenvironment, biomaterials that modulate immune, nerve, vascular, or lymphatic components, and approaches that pair material science with synthetic biology to study cancer.

How to apply: This is a Highlighted Topic rather than a standalone NOFO, so it has no dedicated solicitation or deadline of its own. Small businesses should apply through the NIH SBIR omnibus (PA-27-100) or STTR omnibus (PA-27-102) and reference this Highlighted Topic by name in the Specific Aims or Significance section so program staff can connect the application to this priority. STTR is a natural fit for company and university materials science partnerships. We also recommend contacting the listed NCI or NIDCR scientific contact to confirm fit before writing.

This highlighted topic is supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). NIDCR notes it may give special consideration to meritorious applications in this area. The topic is active from September 9, 2026 through September 9, 2028.

How much funding would I receive?

Awards provide up to $323,090 for Phase I projects (up to 2 years) and $2,153,927 for Phase II projects (up to 3 years). Some topics approved by NIH may exceed these limits. Fast-Track and Phase IIB (follow-on) options allow continuous or extended funding beyond Phase II.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may support the research, development, validation, and commercialization of advanced biomaterials, engineered tissue models, and enabling research tools that more faithfully reproduce living tissue.

Eligible activities may include:

• Stimuli-responsive and programmable hydrogels, scaffolds, and matrices

• Materials with tunable stiffness, porosity, and degradation for disease modeling

• Engineered tumor microenvironment models for cancer research and drug testing

• Biomaterials that incorporate immune, vascular, lymphatic, or nerve components

• Material platforms combined with synthetic biology and engineered cells

• Embedded sensing materials that detect and report tissue-specific changes

• Dental, oral, and craniofacial biomaterials and tissue models

• Standardized, reproducible biomaterial kits for research laboratories

• Scale-up and manufacturing process development for research-grade materials

• Characterization, quality control, and validation studies

• Prototype development and usability testing with research end users

• Commercialization planning and market validation

Funding may also support personnel, materials and supplies, equipment, contract research, academic collaborations, intellectual property protection, and commercialization activities necessary to advance a scalable and commercially viable biomaterial product aligned with NIH priorities.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond the formal funding award, awardees gain several strategic advantages:

• Government Validation and Credibility:
  Being selected for an NIH-backed SBIR grant signals technical excellence and alignment with national health and biomedical priorities. This validation builds investor and partner confidence.

• Enhanced Visibility and Market Recognition:
  Awardees are featured in NIH and HHS announcements, helping attract partnerships, media attention, and future contracting opportunities.

• Access to the Federal Innovation Ecosystem:
  Recipients join a national network of researchers and agencies advancing life science innovation, often opening doors to collaborations with NIH laboratories and federal health programs.

• Stronger Commercial and Exit Potential:
  By maturing technology through nondilutive funding, companies strengthen valuation, de-risk commercialization, and increase attractiveness for acquisition or follow-on private investment.

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding?

Applications are accepted each year on January 5th, April 5th, and September 5th. The next standard deadline is January 5, 2027. This Highlighted Topic remains active until September 9, 2028. Funding is received approximately 9 months after submission.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with statutory set-asides requiring NIH, CDC, and FDA to devote portions of their extramural R&D budgets (3.2% for SBIR, 0.45% for STTR) to support small business innovation.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be U.S. small business concerns (SBCs) that:

• Are organized for profit with a U.S. place of business.

• Have 500 or fewer employees including affiliates.

• Are more than 50% owned by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, qualifying U.S. entities, or combinations thereof.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Projects that demonstrate:

• A clear unmet medical or public-health need,

• Strong scientific rationale and feasibility,

• High commercialization potential, supported by a realistic market and regulatory strategy, and

• Alignment with an NIH Institute's specific research mission, including an explicit connection to this Highlighted Topic.

Competitive applicants often have an early prototype, preliminary data, and a defined path to market adoption.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

• Companies must complete multiple federal registrations (SAM.gov, Grants.gov, eRA Commons, SBA Company Registry) before applying.

• Foreign entities are not eligible.

• Disclosure of foreign affiliations and compliance with national security screening are mandatory. Currently we do not recommend any sort of foreign affiliation.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

For a first-time applicant, preparing a competitive submission will likely take 120 to 200 hours in total.

How can BW&CO help?

Our team specializes in complex federal R&D proposals and can:

• Triple your likelihood of success through proven strategy and insider-aligned proposal development

• Reduce your time spent on the proposal by 50 to 80%, letting your team focus on technology and operations

• Ensure you are targeting the best opportunity for your project and positioning your company for long-term growth.

Review solicitation here.

NAVFAC EXWC Broad Agency Announcement N39430-26-S-5000: Executive Summary for Startups

Executive Summary

The Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) Command Wide Broad Agency Announcement, solicitation number N39430-26-S-5000, is an open, year-long U.S. Navy solicitation for research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) across 13 technology topic areas, from expeditionary construction and shore energy to control systems cybersecurity and living marine resources. Abstracts are accepted on a rolling basis until June 14, 2027 at 4:00 PM PDT. There is no small business set-aside, no published funding ceiling, and no funding reserved in advance. Startups, small businesses, large businesses, universities, FFRDCs, UARCs, and nonprofits can all submit. Technologies must fall within applied research (6.2), advanced technology development (6.3), or advanced component development and prototypes (6.4).

Solicitation at a Glance

• Solicitation number: N39430-26-S-5000

• Full title: Command Wide Broad Agency Announcement for Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation

• Agency: Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, NAVFAC, Expeditionary Warfare Center (Port Hueneme, California)

• Opportunity type: Broad Agency Announcement issued under FAR 6.102(d)(2) and FAR 35.016

• Published: June 15, 2026

• Abstracts due: June 14, 2027 at 4:00 PM PDT

• Review cadence: Technical Evaluation Boards meet approximately every 3 months

• Set-aside: None. Open to all organization types

• Research categories accepted: 6.2 applied research, 6.3 advanced technology development, 6.4 advanced component development and prototypes

• Funding: No ceiling published and no funding reserved in advance

• NAICS code: 5417, Scientific Research and Development Services

• Submission method: Email to both points of contact

• Points of contact: Nicole Mendes (nicole.m.mendes2.civ@us.navy.mil, 805-895-5260) and Katelyn Rydberg (katelyn.t.rydberg.civ@us.navy.mil, 805-895-5299)

What Is NAVFAC EXWC?

NAVFAC EXWC is the Navy's RDT&E center for specialized facility, ocean system, and expeditionary solutions that support the warfighter. Its work covers the full range of Navy infrastructure: advanced bases built in contested environments, ship-to-shore logistics, piers and dry docks, undersea cable and sensor infrastructure, shore energy, installation environmental compliance, and the science that keeps Navy at-sea training and testing in compliance with marine species protection laws.

This Command Wide BAA is the front door for outside organizations that want to bring a technology or methodology to NAVFAC EXWC. It is open for one year and is re-advertised annually, so it functions as a standing channel rather than a single competition.

How This BAA Differs From SBIR and STTR

Many startups first encounter the Department of Defense through SBIR and STTR. This BAA works differently, and understanding the differences helps you plan.

• It is not a small business program. There is no set-aside, so startups are evaluated alongside universities, large primes, FFRDCs, UARCs, and nonprofits.

• There are no phases. There is no Phase I or Phase II structure and no fixed award size. Your project scope and cost estimate define the ask.

• It is a two-step process. You submit an abstract first. If the Navy is interested, it requests a detailed proposal.

• Abstracts are judged on their own merits. They are not ranked against each other, so a strong abstract is not competing for a fixed number of slots.

• Funding is sought after acceptance. Because no money is reserved in advance, NAVFAC EXWC shares qualified abstracts with other federal activities to find test sites and funding sponsors.

Funding Allowance: What Startups Should Expect

The solicitation does not publish an award ceiling, an award floor, an anticipated number of awards, or a total program budget. It states plainly that no funding has been reserved in advance and that the Navy makes no commitment to issue any award or to cover any costs incurred before an award.

In practice, this means:

• Your budget is proposal-driven. You estimate what it takes to execute the project to completion, and the Navy evaluates whether that cost is appropriate relative to the technical approach.

• Accepted abstracts can reach multiple sponsors. NAVFAC EXWC shares qualified abstracts with other federal government activities to seek sites and funding, which can expand the pool of potential buyers for your technology.

• Cost realism is an evaluation criterion. The project plan, including cost, schedule, and execution plan, is scored relative to the technical approach. Oversized or thinly justified budgets weaken an abstract.

• Topic 11 has specific cost rules. Living Marine Resources abstracts must include a cost estimate broken out by calendar year, project management costs, and annual travel for the Principal Investigator to the LMR In-Progress Review in Santa Barbara, California. Details appear in the Topic 11 section below.

Timeline and Key Dates

• June 15, 2026: BAA published on SAM.gov and opened for abstracts.

• Ongoing, approximately every 3 months: Technical Evaluation Boards review submitted abstracts.

• Within about 3 months of your submission: If the Navy wants a detailed proposal, you will be notified. If you have not heard back within 3 months, the solicitation instructs you to assume non-selection.

• One year from your submission date: Your abstract remains valid for consideration, even if it was not selected in its first review cycle.

• June 14, 2027 at 4:00 PM PDT: Final deadline for abstracts under this BAA.

• June 29, 2027: The notice becomes inactive on SAM.gov.

• Annually: NAVFAC EXWC re-advertises the BAA, so organizations that miss this cycle can expect a future window.

• Each fall, for funded Topic 11 projects: The Principal Investigator attends the 3-day LMR In-Progress Review in Santa Barbara, California.

Because review happens on a rolling basis, earlier submissions get more chances. An abstract submitted early in the cycle can be reviewed by a board, remain valid for a year, and still be shared with other federal activities looking for solutions.

Technology Maturity Requirements

To be eligible, your technology or methodology must fall within one of three Department of Defense RDT&E budget activities:

• 6.2 Applied Research: Work that translates promising scientific findings into solutions for defined military needs, typically ending with a proof of concept or early laboratory demonstration.

• 6.3 Advanced Technology Development: Work that develops and integrates subsystems and components into prototypes, with demonstrations in relevant or simulated operational environments.

• 6.4 Advanced Component Development and Prototypes: Work that evaluates integrated technologies and prototypes in realistic operating environments to prepare for transition.

Basic research (6.1) is outside the scope of this BAA. For Topic 11, if your project contains basic research elements, the guide asks you to clearly separate the basic and applied portions and to provide evidence, including references, that the approach is mature enough for applied research funding.

The 13 Topic Areas: What NAVFAC EXWC Is Looking For

Every abstract must address at least one of the following topic areas and advance Naval capabilities.

Topic 1: Expeditionary Construction, Battle Damage Repair, and Advanced Naval Base Construction Technologies

Technologies for rapidly building, repairing, and developing infrastructure in austere, contested, or damaged environments. Interests include lightweight, multi-functional equipment for diverse terrain; advanced construction and repair materials; automated and robotic construction systems; site and damage assessment tools; modular and scalable structures; site preparation and soil stabilization; and mobile, self-sufficient solutions with a minimal logistics footprint.

Topic 2: Logistics Over the Shore Technologies

Technologies that move personnel, equipment, and supplies from ship to shore where port infrastructure is limited or unavailable. Interests include amphibious connector craft and lighterage, modular and rapidly deployable causeways and piers, automated cargo handling that reduces beach time and increases throughput, mobile fuel and water distribution, all-terrain material handling equipment, and real-time cargo tracking and visibility.

Topic 3: Waterfront Facilities and Systems

Technologies that sustain waterfront facilities in harsh marine environments, including cathodic protection, corrosion and weathering, metallurgy, concrete and pavements, and paints and coatings. Special interests include resilience of dry docks and harbor facilities to extreme weather; improved inspection of piers, wharves, water and fuel tanks, dams, and bridges; marine and offshore structures; fleet moorings; passive waterfront barriers; and underwater and waterfront construction tools and methods.

Topic 4: Undersea Facilities and Systems

Technologies for engineering, installing, and maintaining ocean and littoral underwater systems and magnetic silencing facilities. Interests include physical and numerical modeling, survey and route planning, installation and repair methods for fleet ranges, undersea surveillance and tactical communication facilities, undersea power infrastructure, and geotechnical engineering for seafloor interactions and heavy load handling of shipboard cabled sensor systems.

Topic 5: Shore Facilities, Equipment, and Systems

Technologies across the full lifecycle of Naval shore infrastructure, from planning and design through construction, operations, maintenance, repair, and disposal. Examples include advanced survey and design tools, industrialized and alternative construction methods, corrosion control, concrete and pavement materials, materials chemistry and testing, roofing, structural modeling, improvements to the safety and resilience of petroleum, oils, and lubricants infrastructure, and research that closes knowledge gaps in blast effects on structures.

Topic 6: Facilities Inspections

Technologies that advance inspection of Naval facilities, including unique high value facility inspections, interpretation of inspection data, and projection of how facility condition affects mission.

Topic 7: Shore Energy Technology

Technologies that improve energy security, efficiency, reliability, and resilience at Naval shore installations. Program expertise includes microgrid control systems, critical power applications, geothermal exploration and systems management, distributed energy resources, and alternatively fueled vehicles and supporting infrastructure.

Topic 8: Facilities Related Control Systems Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare

Technologies that secure facilities infrastructure controls and expeditionary systems, spanning both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT), to mitigate cyber threats and resolve cybersecurity incidents.

Topic 9: Installation Restoration, Munitions Response, and Groundwater Management

Technologies and methodologies that return military lands to use and reduce risk to human health. This includes assessing, managing, and remediating past releases of hazardous chemicals, munitions and explosives of concern, material potentially presenting an explosive hazard, and chemicals of emerging concern in soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, and subsurface vapor. It also covers waste containment, remedy reliability, hydrogeologic investigation, and aquifer management for installation groundwater resources.

Topic 10: Installation Compliance and Water Resource Management

Technologies that help shore and marine operations meet regulatory requirements while lowering environmental risk and cost. Focus areas include drinking water, stormwater, wastewater, air quality, oil spill response, hazardous and solid waste, and water resource management covering supply, usage, infrastructure, and delivery systems at installations.

Topic 11: Living Marine Resources

Information and technology solutions that support the Navy's at-sea compliance and permitting for legally protected marine species. Focus areas include data to support the Navy Acoustic Effects Model (NAEMO), data processing and analysis tools, monitoring and mitigation technology demonstrations, and standards and metrics development. Topic 11 has its own abstract submission guide, covered in detail below.

Topic 12: Marine Energy Development

Technologies for generating, storing, managing, and distributing energy in the marine environment, both surface and undersea, to power persistent surveillance, autonomous vehicle recharging, communications nodes, and other applications where conventional power delivery is unavailable or limited.

Topic 13: Physical Security, Locks, and Barriers

Physical security and asset tracking for large facilities and expeditionary missions. Interests include lightweight, forced entry resistant security containers; finite element and physical modeling to validate security systems against mechanical, energetic, and ballistic threats; tamper detection for inventory and intermodal transit; personnel and force protection technologies; unmanned and remotely manned systems for perimeter defense and situational awareness; and integration of emerging technologies to multiply the effectiveness of security operations.

Topic 11 Deep Dive: Living Marine Resources Program

The Living Marine Resources (LMR) program is an applied RDT&E program with one core mission: protecting the Navy's ability to conduct uninterrupted at-sea training and testing. The Navy must hold permits and demonstrate compliance with marine species protection laws to train and test at sea. Without that compliance, training and testing can be interrupted, and without training and testing, readiness suffers. LMR funds Navy driven research that strengthens the science behind those permits.

LMR Investment Areas

The LMR program makes its primary investments in five areas:

• Data to Support Risk Threshold Criteria: Research that informs how the Navy estimates the effects of sound and other activities on marine species, including data that feeds the Navy Acoustic Effects Model (NAEMO).

• Data Processing and Analysis Tools: Software, algorithms, and analytical methods that turn large monitoring datasets into usable results.

• Monitoring Technology Demonstrations: Field demonstrations of sensors, platforms, and systems for monitoring and mitigating effects on protected species.

• Standards and Metrics: Development of standards, methods, and metrics that make data comparable, defensible, and repeatable.

• Emergent Topics: New needs that arise as Navy compliance requirements evolve.

Check the LMR Proposals Page First

Before submitting under Topic 11, visit the LMR program Proposals page at https://exwc.navfac.navy.mil/Products-and-Services/Environmental-Security/LMR/Proposals/ to check for specific need topics. The LMR guide describes an abstract as a response to a specific need topic, and it notes that the program accepts abstracts only during an open season specified on the BAA. If a need topic is posted, align your abstract directly to it. If none is posted, contact the BAA points of contact to confirm how the program will consider unsolicited Topic 11 abstracts before investing in a full submission. The LMR website also lists current and completed projects, publications, newsletters, and annual reports, which are the best available evidence of what the program has funded before.

Topic 11 Format Rules

• No specific template is required.

• Submit a single consolidated PDF file.

• The abstract may not exceed 10 pages.

• One-page CVs for the Principal Investigator and each key team member are required and do not count toward the 10-page limit.

Required First Page Information for Topic 11

• Submittal date

• Contact information: Name, address, phone, and email for both a technical point of contact and a contracting point of contact

• Organization information: Organization type (large business, small business, academia, FFRDC, UARC, or nonprofit), name and address, SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and CAGE code

• Solicitation number: N39430-26-S-5000

• Topic number and name: TOPIC 11: Living Marine Resources

• Project title

• Cost estimate by calendar year: A summary of total project costs to completion, broken out by calendar year

Required Project Management Costs for Topic 11

Project management must appear in the abstract, either within technical tasks or as its own task. Required project management activities include:

• Developing a project fact sheet

• Submitting quarterly status reports

• Managing budget and invoicing

• Presenting progress at the LMR In-Progress Review each year

• Writing a 1 to 2 page summary of the effort each year for the LMR annual report

Budgets must include a trip each fall for the Principal Investigator to attend the 3-day In-Progress Review (IPR) in Santa Barbara, California. The PI must attend all three days. No more than two people from the entire project team, including subcontractors, may attend. Teams with an existing LMR project that already covers IPR travel should not include those costs again.

Required Content for the Remaining Pages of a Topic 11 Abstract

• Technical approach: Describe the project and background, state clearly how it addresses the need topic, discuss any demonstration and validation phase, show evidence of maturity for applied research funding, define performance criteria for success, note any leveraged funding from other programs, identify limitations and technical risks, and break the approach into distinct tasks with deliverables.

• Offeror's related experience: Evidence that your organization has experience directly related to the proposed solution.

• Principal Investigator and key team member experience: A summary listing each person's name, highest degree, organization or affiliation, location, and years of experience, plus a one-page CV for each person.

• Project benefits: Expected benefits to the Navy, the key need topic issues addressed, potential applications of the results, and advantages over current technologies, methods, or costs.

• Schedule and milestones: Overall start and completion dates and a detailed breakdown of tasks, development stages, field tests or studies, deliverables, and publications with proposed dates.

• Product implementation: Three required elements. First, products and deliverables. Second, implementation requirements, including the intended end user (such as the Navy marine species monitoring program, the Navy environmental compliance community working under MMPA, ESA, and NEPA, or the broader scientific community), the transition method, how implementation differs across Navy, regulatory, and scientific audiences, any restrictions such as permits, patents, or proprietary data, and any proposed guidance documentation. Third, technical risks to successful implementation.

How Abstracts Are Evaluated

A peer review board evaluates each abstract on its own merits. Abstracts that meet all evaluation criteria are accepted into the BAA program. The four criteria are:

• Scientific and technical merit: The merits and objectives of the proposed work.

• Offeror qualifications: Your team's capabilities, related experience, techniques, or unique combination of these that are integral to achieving the objectives.

• Project plan: Cost, schedule, and execution plan relative to the technical approach.

• Topical alignment: Fit with current command priorities and availability of resources to pursue the work.

The fourth criterion matters more than many applicants realize. A technically excellent abstract can still be passed over if it does not match what the command is prioritizing right now, which is why reading the topic language closely and checking program pages for current needs pays off.

How to Submit

• Topics 1 through 10, 12, and 13: Use the BAA Abstract Submittal Form provided as Attachment 1 to the solicitation on SAM.gov.

• Topic 11: Follow the Topic 11 LMR Abstract Submission Guide. No template is required, but every required element in the guide must be included in a single PDF of no more than 10 pages, plus CVs.

• Delivery: Email your abstract to both nicole.m.mendes2.civ@us.navy.mil and katelyn.t.rydberg.civ@us.navy.mil before the deadline.

• Questions: Direct questions about the BAA to the same two points of contact.

Registration Requirements

No award will be made to any organization that is not registered, or in the process of registering, in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Registration provides your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and Topic 11 abstracts also require a CAGE code on the first page. SAM registration can take several weeks, so startups without an active registration should begin immediately rather than waiting until an abstract is selected.

A Note on Sensitive Information

Because NAVFAC EXWC shares qualified abstracts with other federal activities to find sites and funding, and some of those activities use civilian support contractors to evaluate technologies, the solicitation advises offerors not to submit information that would be sensitive to review by those personnel. Startups should write abstracts that demonstrate technical credibility without disclosing trade secrets, and should be deliberate about which details are held back for a detailed proposal.

Is This BAA a Good Fit for Your Startup?

This BAA tends to fit startups that have moved past pure discovery and can show a working concept, prototype, or field-ready method tied to a real Navy infrastructure or compliance problem. Strong candidates include companies working on:

• Robotic, automated, or additive construction and rapid repair materials for austere sites

• Corrosion control, coatings, advanced concrete, and structural health monitoring for marine infrastructure

• Inspection technologies such as drones, underwater robotics, and AI driven inspection data analysis

• Undersea cable installation, seafloor geotechnics, and undersea power systems

• Microgrids, distributed energy, geothermal systems, and marine energy harvesting

• Operational technology and industrial control system cybersecurity

• Environmental remediation, groundwater characterization, and water treatment

• Passive acoustic monitoring, marine species detection and classification tools, and at-sea monitoring platforms

• Tamper detection, asset tracking, forced entry resistant containers, and perimeter security

It is a weaker fit for companies still doing fundamental research, companies whose technology has no clear Navy facility, expeditionary, or compliance application, and companies that need a guaranteed, fixed award amount on a predictable timeline.

Strategic Tips for Startup Applicants

• Mirror the topic language. Reviewers score topical alignment directly. Name the specific topic, use its terminology, and connect your technology to the capability gap it describes.

• Prove maturity. Show where your technology sits within 6.2, 6.3, or 6.4, and back it up with data, prior demonstrations, or publications.

• Build a credible, task-based budget. Tie every cost to a task and deliverable. For Topic 11, include calendar year breakouts, project management, and IPR travel.

• Name the end user and the transition path. Explain who in the Navy uses the result and how it gets to them, whether through a publication, software tool, method, or fielded system.

• Submit early. Boards meet about every 3 months and abstracts stay valid for a year, so early submissions get more review opportunities.

• Use this BAA alongside SBIR and STTR. A NAVFAC EXWC abstract can open conversations with Navy stakeholders that support SBIR and STTR topic development, Phase III transitions, and other non-dilutive pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NAVFAC EXWC BAA N39430-26-S-5000?

It is the Command Wide Broad Agency Announcement for the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center, a year-long U.S. Navy solicitation that accepts abstracts for research, development, testing, and evaluation across 13 topic areas covering facilities, expeditionary, ocean, energy, cybersecurity, environmental, marine species, and physical security technologies.

When is the deadline for the NAVFAC EXWC BAA?

Abstracts are due by June 14, 2027 at 4:00 PM PDT. The BAA opened June 15, 2026 and accepts abstracts on a rolling basis, with Technical Evaluation Boards meeting approximately every 3 months.

How much funding is available under the NAVFAC EXWC BAA?

The solicitation does not publish a funding ceiling, award floor, or number of awards, and no funding has been reserved in advance. Award size depends on the scope and cost estimate in your proposal. NAVFAC EXWC shares qualified abstracts with other federal government activities to seek sites and funding.

Can startups and small businesses apply?

Yes. The BAA has no set-aside and is open to small businesses, large businesses, academic institutions, FFRDCs, UARCs, and nonprofit organizations. Startups compete on the merits of their abstract rather than in a small business only pool.

Is the NAVFAC EXWC BAA an SBIR or STTR program?

No. It is a Broad Agency Announcement issued under FAR 6.102(d)(2) and FAR 35.016. It has no phase structure, no small business eligibility requirement, and no fixed award amount. It can complement SBIR and STTR strategies by building relationships with Navy stakeholders.

What technology readiness level is required?

The technology or methodology must be in applied research (6.2), advanced technology development (6.3), or advanced component development and prototypes (6.4). Basic research is outside the scope. Topic 11 applicants with basic research elements must clearly separate basic and applied work.

What topics does the NAVFAC EXWC BAA cover?

There are 13 topics: expeditionary construction and battle damage repair, logistics over the shore, waterfront facilities, undersea facilities, shore facilities and equipment, facilities inspections, shore energy, facilities control systems cybersecurity, installation restoration and groundwater management, installation compliance and water resources, living marine resources, marine energy development, and physical security, locks, and barriers.

What is Topic 11 Living Marine Resources looking for?

Topic 11 funds information and technology solutions that support the Navy's at-sea compliance and permitting for legally protected marine species. Its investment areas are data to support risk threshold criteria including the Navy Acoustic Effects Model (NAEMO), data processing and analysis tools, monitoring technology demonstrations, standards and metrics, and emergent topics.

How long can a Topic 11 abstract be?

A Topic 11 abstract must be a single PDF of no more than 10 pages. No template is required. One-page CVs for the Principal Investigator and key team members are required and do not count toward the page limit.

What costs must a Topic 11 budget include?

Topic 11 budgets must be broken out by calendar year and include project management, covering a project fact sheet, quarterly status reports, budget and invoicing management, an annual In-Progress Review presentation, and a 1 to 2 page annual summary. Budgets must also include annual travel for the Principal Investigator to the 3-day fall In-Progress Review in Santa Barbara, California.

How do I submit an abstract?

Email your abstract to both nicole.m.mendes2.civ@us.navy.mil and katelyn.t.rydberg.civ@us.navy.mil. Topics 1 through 10, 12, and 13 use the BAA Abstract Submittal Form attached to the solicitation. Topic 11 follows the LMR Abstract Submission Guide.

How are abstracts evaluated?

A peer review board evaluates each abstract on its own merits against four criteria: scientific and technical merit, offeror qualifications and related experience, the project plan including cost and schedule, and topical alignment with current command priorities and available resources.

How long does it take to hear back?

If the Navy wants a detailed proposal, it will notify you, typically within about 3 months of submission. If you have not been notified within 3 months, the solicitation says to assume non-selection. Abstracts remain valid for one year from submission.

What registrations are required?

You must be registered, or in the process of registering, in SAM.gov to receive an award, which provides your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Topic 11 abstracts also require a CAGE code on the first page.

Will my abstract be kept confidential?

Not entirely. NAVFAC EXWC shares qualified abstracts with other federal government activities to seek sites and funding, and some of those activities use civilian contractors to evaluate technologies. The solicitation advises against submitting information that would be sensitive to review by those personnel.

What happens after an abstract is accepted?

Abstracts that meet all evaluation criteria are accepted into the BAA program. The Navy may then request a detailed proposal. Because funding is not reserved in advance, accepted abstracts may also be shared with other federal activities that could sponsor or host the work.

Get Help With Your NAVFAC EXWC Abstract

BW&CO helps deep-tech, defense-adjacent, and dual-use startups identify the right Navy topic, position their technology for 6.2 through 6.4 funding, build credible task-based budgets, and write abstracts that align with command priorities. With more than $350M in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we make innovation funding simple.

EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I Solicitation: Complete Guide for Startups

Status: Open. Proposals due November 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern via FedConnect. About 25 Phase I awards of up to $100,000.

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Executive Summary

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) opened its 2026 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I solicitation (68HERW26R0102) on September 24, 2026. Proposals are due November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern through FedConnect. EPA expects about 25 Phase I awards, which are firm fixed price contracts of up to $100,000 for a six month proof of concept, followed by Phase II awards of up to $400,000 over two years and an additional commercialization option of up to $100,000. Proposals must respond directly to one of EPA's ten published 2026 topics and are submitted through FedConnect, not Grants.gov.

EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SBIR Program

• Solicitation: 68HERW26R0102, issued September 24, 2026

• November 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern: November 8, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Proposals go through the FedConnect response function, not FedConnect messages.

• Award instrument: contract, not a grant. This is a critical distinction that changes your registration setup and your reporting obligations.

• Phase I award: up to $100,000, including profit, for up to six months, as a firm fixed price contract. EPA expects about 25 awards. Technical and business assistance (TABA) of up to $6,500 is available in addition to the $100,000.

• Phase II award: up to $400,000 over two years, available only to companies that have completed an EPA Phase I

• Commercialization option: up to an additional $100,000 in Phase II for companies that secure third party investment

• Submission portal: FedConnect. Each company may submit one proposal, as a single PDF of no more than 36 pages.

• Topic count: 10 topics across 4 environmental focus areas

• Equity given up: none. SBIR is non dilutive funding.

What Is the EPA SBIR Program?

The EPA SBIR program funds U.S. small businesses developing commercially viable technologies that solve environmental problems within EPA's mission. EPA is one of eleven federal agencies participating in the SBIR program, and it runs a single annual Phase I solicitation.

Two features make EPA different from the larger SBIR agencies such as NIH, NSF, and the Department of Defense. First, EPA awards contracts rather than grants, which means your SAM.gov registration must be configured to accept contract awards and your proposal is evaluated as an offer under federal acquisition rules. Second, EPA runs a modest budget relative to other SBIR agencies, so responsiveness to the specific published topic is decisive. A brilliant environmental technology that does not map cleanly onto one of the eleven 2026 topics will not be competitive, no matter how strong the science is.

If your technology addresses PFAS, water reuse, air monitoring, food waste, critical minerals, battery recycling, safer chemicals, or lead detection, this solicitation deserves a serious look.

2026 EPA SBIR Phase I Topics: What EPA Is Actually Looking For

EPA published ten topics across four focus areas for the 2026 Phase I cycle. Topic areas change every year, so prior year topic language should not be reused. Below is an overview of each topic and the problem space behind it. The binding technical requirements, including any performance thresholds, exclusions, and deliverable expectations, live in the solicitation document itself, so read the topic text in full before writing.

Focus Area 1: Clean and Safe Water

Topic 1A: Monitoring Technologies for Water Reuse. Water reuse systems, whether municipal, industrial, agricultural, or onsite, need real time or near real time assurance that treated water is safe for its intended end use. EPA is looking for monitoring approaches that reduce reliance on slow offsite laboratory analysis and give operators actionable data on contaminants, pathogens, or treatment performance. Strong proposals typically address sensor durability in real matrices, calibration and drift, data integration with existing SCADA or operator workflows, and unit economics at the scale of a real reuse facility.

Topic 1B: Treatment of PFAS in Wastewater Sewage Sludge and Biosolids. PFAS accumulate in the solids stream at wastewater treatment plants, and land application of biosolids has become a major pathway for PFAS to reenter soil and groundwater. EPA wants treatment or destruction technologies that work on the sludge and biosolids matrix specifically, which is a far harder problem than treating clear water. Expect reviewers to focus on destruction efficiency, byproduct and incomplete fluorinated product formation, energy demand, and whether the approach can be retrofitted at a working treatment plant.

Topic 1C: Technologies for the Removal and/or Destruction of PFAS in Groundwater. This topic targets in situ or ex situ approaches for contaminated groundwater, including sites near airports, fire training areas, and manufacturing facilities. Competitive concepts usually show a cost or performance advantage over granular activated carbon and ion exchange, address the full range of chain lengths including short chain PFAS, and have a credible answer for what happens to the captured or concentrated PFAS. Note that EPA directs PFAS sensing concepts to Topic 2A rather than this topic.

Focus Area 2: Air Quality

Topic 2A: Sensors to Detect PFAS in Environmental Matrices. This is the detection topic, and it covers environmental matrices broadly, including water. The underlying need is field deployable, lower cost PFAS measurement that does not require shipping samples to a laboratory for liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Reviewers will look closely at detection limits relative to current health advisory and regulatory levels, selectivity across PFAS species and against interferences, reusability, and the path toward method acceptance.

Topic 2B: Advancing Technologies to Monitor Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide monitoring spans ambient air quality networks, indoor and occupational exposure, and combustion source characterization. EPA is looking for improvements in accuracy, cost, power consumption, size, or deployment density over current instrumentation. If your concept enables distributed or community scale monitoring, quantify the data quality tradeoff explicitly rather than leaving reviewers to guess.

Focus Area 3: Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials

Topic 3A: Innovative Technologies to Prevent and Recycle Food Waste. Food waste is one of the largest single streams in U.S. landfills and a significant source of methane. EPA's framing here covers both prevention, meaning technologies that keep food from becoming waste in the first place, and recycling, meaning conversion of food waste into usable products. Proposals should be specific about where in the supply chain the technology sits, what it displaces, and who pays for it.

Topic 3B: Critical Mineral Recovery from Lithium-Ion Batteries and Safe Recycling/Reuse of Batteries. This topic sits at the intersection of domestic critical mineral supply and battery end of life safety. EPA is interested in recovery of lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, and other critical materials, and in safer handling, sorting, discharging, and reuse pathways for spent cells and packs. Competitive proposals address recovery yield and purity, chemistry flexibility across cell types, fire and thermal runaway risk, and the economics against virgin material pricing.

Topic 3C: Technologies that Mitigate the Impacts of Critical Mineral Mining or Extract Critical Minerals from Acid Mine Drainage. Acid mine drainage is both an environmental liability and a potential feedstock, since it often carries rare earth elements and other critical minerals in solution. EPA wants technologies that either reduce the environmental footprint of critical mineral mining or turn legacy drainage into a recovery opportunity. Site access, real world water chemistry variability, and sludge management are recurring weak points in proposals here.

Focus Area 4: Safer Chemicals

Topic 4A: Rubber Anti-Degradants That Are Lower Concern for Human Health and The Environment. Antiozonants and antioxidants are essential to tire and rubber performance, but the transformation products of widely used compounds have drawn serious environmental scrutiny, most notably in connection with aquatic toxicity in stormwater runoff. EPA is looking for alternative chemistries that preserve rubber performance and service life while presenting lower hazard for people and ecosystems. Proposals need both a toxicological rationale for why the alternative is safer and real performance data against the incumbent.

Topic 4B: Improved Lead Test Kits. Field usable lead test kits remain a bottleneck for renovation, repair, and painting compliance and for consumer and community lead screening. EPA wants improvements in sensitivity, specificity, false positive and false negative rates, ease of use by non technical users, and applicability across substrates. If your kit targets EPA recognition, address the recognition performance criteria directly in the proposal.

EPA SBIR Funding Amounts and Award Structure

Phase I: Proof of Concept

Phase I provides up to $100,000 for a six month period of performance. The objective is to establish technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential before EPA commits further federal support. Because the period of performance is only six months, the work plan has to be genuinely achievable in that window. Overscoped Phase I plans are a common reason strong technologies score poorly.

Phase II: Development and Commercialization

Phase II provides up to $400,000 over two years and is available only to companies that have received and completed an EPA Phase I award. Selection is based on results achieved in Phase I along with technical merit, commercial potential, and impact. EPA states that Phase II contracts typically start in mid October.

Commercialization Option: Matching Private Investment

EPA offers a commercialization option of up to an additional $100,000 during Phase II for companies that secure third party investment. This is effectively a non dilutive match on private capital and is one of the more underused levers in the EPA program. If you expect to raise or close a strategic partnership during your Phase II window, build that into your commercialization plan from the start.

Total Potential Non Dilutive Funding

A company that moves through the full EPA pathway can access up to $600,000 in non dilutive federal funding across Phase I, Phase II, and the commercialization option, without giving up equity, board seats, or IP ownership.

EPA SBIR 2026 Timeline and Key Dates

• September 16, 2026: EPA SBIR informational webinar covering the 2026 topics and proposal requirements. The recording, slides, and a Q and A document are posted on EPA's webinar resources page.

• September 24, 2026: 2026 Phase I solicitation (68HERW26R0102) opened on FedConnect.

• Closing date: Phase I proposals are due through the FedConnect response function. Plan a submission buffer of at least 48 hours.

• Early December (typical): Phase I contracts typically start, per EPA.

• Mid October (typical): Phase II contracts typically start, per EPA.

Work backward from registration, not from the deadline. EPA states that the required registrations can take 6 to 8 weeks. If you are not already registered in SAM.gov, FedConnect, and the SBA Company Registry, registration is your binding constraint on this cycle, not writing time.

Registration Requirements Before You Can Submit

All of the following must be complete before proposal submission. Start today if any are missing.

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

EPA requires the EIN prior to issuance of a funding award. For an organization this is the IRS Tax Identification Number.

System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

You must have an active SAM registration and maintain it with at least annual renewal. Renewal can take as long as the original registration, so check your expiration date now. Critical detail specific to EPA: because EPA SBIR awards are contracts, your SAM profile must be configured to allow the award of "contracts" or "all awards." A profile set up only for grants will block you.

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

DUNS numbers were retired in April 2022. Your UEI is assigned through SAM.gov and is visible in your SAM.gov profile.

FedConnect Registration

FedConnect is the portal EPA uses for proposal submission. Your company must be registered in FedConnect to submit. FedConnect support is reachable at (800) 899-6665 or support@fedconnect.net, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time.

SBA Company Registry

All applicants must register in the SBA Company Registry before submission and include the resulting SBC Control ID with the proposal. This is a frequent last minute scramble for first time applicants.

How EPA Evaluates Proposals

Internal and external reviewers score proposals against three criteria groups, and each group carries one third of the overall score. Commercial merit is weighted equally with technical merit, which surprises many first time applicants from research heavy backgrounds.

Technical Review (one third)

• Technical approach

• Company and team, technical capability

Relevancy Review (one third)

• Impact and relevance to the specific topic

Commercial Review (one third)

• Innovation and intellectual property

• Market opportunity

• Company and team, commercial capability

• Commercialization approach

Proposals are ranked by score, and EPA may also apply programmatic balance, agency priorities, and available funding in the selection decision. The practical implication is that a technically excellent proposal with a thin market section is leaving a full third of the score on the table.

Human Subjects Research and EPA Phase I

Research involving human subjects may fall under 40 CFR 26 and other federal and state requirements. Research is considered to involve human subjects if it obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with human subjects, or obtains data through using, studying, analyzing, or generating identifiable private information. Survey research counts. Any time you administer a survey, questionnaire, or other data collection instrument, you are interacting with human subjects.

Unless exempt under 40 CFR 26.104, human subjects research requires review and approval by a federally approved Institutional Review Board. EPA specifically does not recommend submitting Phase I offers that require human subjects research, because IRB approval can take 6 to 12 months and the Phase I period of performance is only six months. If your concept depends on human data, restructure the Phase I scope so that the six month work plan does not sit behind an IRB approval.

Who Is Eligible for EPA SBIR

EPA follows standard SBA SBIR eligibility rules. In general terms, the applicant must be a U.S. for profit small business with 500 or fewer employees, more than 50 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and the work must be performed in the United States with the principal investigator primarily employed by the company at the time of award and during the project. Ownership structures involving venture capital, private equity, or hedge fund investment, multiple affiliates, or foreign parent entities require a careful eligibility review before you invest weeks in a proposal. Confirm current requirements against the SBA SBIR site and the solicitation. Two EPA rules matter for 2026: the principal investigator must be primarily employed by your company at award and during the work, and EPA will not accept proposals from firms owned in majority part by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds or private equity firms.

Common Reasons EPA SBIR Proposals Fail

• Weak topic responsiveness. The proposal describes a good technology but does not directly answer the topic as written. With a modest budget and a full third of the score tied to relevance, this is the fastest path to a low ranking.

• Six month scope creep. A Phase I work plan that implicitly needs twelve months signals poor project management to reviewers.

• Commercialization as an afterthought. Market size assertions without customers, pricing, channel, or a realistic competitive comparison against incumbent technologies.

• Registration failure. SAM lapsed, SAM configured for grants only, no FedConnect account, or no SBC Control ID.

• Submission mechanics. FedConnect deadlines are enforced to the minute, and EPA has historically required the full proposal as a single PDF. Do not test the portal for the first time on deadline day.

• Ignoring the byproduct question. In the PFAS and critical minerals topics especially, reviewers want to know what happens to the contaminant or residual stream after your process runs.

Frequently Asked Questions About the EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I Solicitation

Is the EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I solicitation open?

Yes. EPA issued the 2026 Phase I solicitation (68HERW26R0102) on September 24, 2026, and it is open now.

When is the EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I deadline?

Proposals are due November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Submit through the FedConnect response function. EPA will not consider proposals sent through FedConnect messages.

How much funding does EPA SBIR Phase I provide?

EPA SBIR Phase I provides up to $100,000 for a six month proof of concept project.

How much is an EPA SBIR Phase II award?

Phase II provides up to $400,000 over two years, plus a commercialization option of up to an additional $100,000 for companies that secure third party investment. Total potential funding across the pathway is up to $600,000.

Is EPA SBIR a grant or a contract?

EPA SBIR awards are contracts, not grants. This matters practically, because your SAM.gov registration must permit the award of contracts or all awards, and your proposal is submitted as an offer through FedConnect rather than through Grants.gov.

Where do I submit an EPA SBIR proposal?

Proposals are submitted through the FedConnect portal using its response function. Your company must be registered in FedConnect before you can submit.

What registrations do I need before applying to EPA SBIR?

You need an EIN, an active SAM.gov registration configured for contract awards, a Unique Entity Identifier from SAM.gov, a FedConnect account, and an SBA Company Registry registration with an SBC Control ID. EPA advises that the full registration process can take 6 to 8 weeks.

How long do EPA SBIR registrations take?

EPA states the registration process may take 6 to 8 weeks. SAM.gov renewal can take as long as an initial registration, so verify your status early rather than assuming an existing registration is active.

What topics does the EPA SBIR 2026 solicitation cover?

The 2026 solicitation covers ten topics in four areas: Clean and Safe Water, which includes monitoring for water reuse and PFAS treatment in biosolids and groundwater; Air Quality, which includes PFAS sensors and carbon monoxide monitoring; Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials, which includes food waste, critical mineral recovery from lithium-ion batteries, and critical minerals from mining and acid mine drainage; and Safer Chemicals, which includes lower concern rubber anti-degradants and improved lead test kits.

Can I apply to EPA SBIR if my technology does not fit a published topic?

No. EPA requires proposals to be responsive to the specific topics listed in the annual solicitation. Given EPA's modest program budget, topic responsiveness is one third of your total score and is not something reviewers stretch on your behalf.

How are EPA SBIR proposals scored?

Reviewers score proposals in three equally weighted groups, each worth one third: technical review covering technical approach and technical team, relevancy review covering impact and relevance to the topic, and commercial review covering innovation and intellectual property, market opportunity, commercial team, and commercialization approach. EPA may also consider programmatic balance, agency priorities, and available funding.

Can I apply directly to EPA SBIR Phase II?

No. Phase II is available only to companies that have received an EPA Phase I award, and funding decisions are based on the results achieved in Phase I along with technical merit and commercial potential.

Does EPA SBIR take equity in my company?

No. SBIR is non dilutive funding. EPA does not take equity, board seats, or ownership of your intellectual property, and SBIR data rights protections apply to data generated under the award.

Can my EPA SBIR Phase I project involve human subjects?

EPA does not recommend it. Human subjects research generally requires Institutional Review Board approval under 40 CFR 26, which can take 6 to 12 months, and that conflicts with the six month Phase I period of performance. Survey and questionnaire research counts as human subjects research.

What happens if my EPA SBIR proposal is not funded?

EPA notifies applicants through FedConnect once funding decisions are made. If your proposal is not funded, you can request feedback on it. That debrief is valuable input for the next cycle and for other agency solicitations.

Is there a webinar or recording for the 2026 EPA SBIR solicitation?

Yes. EPA held an informational webinar on September 16, 2026 covering the 2026 topics and proposal requirements. The recording, presentation slides, and a Q and A document are available on EPA's webinar resources page.

Official EPA Notice

The EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I solicitation opened September 24, 2026. Proposals are due November 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Find more information on how to apply at the How to Apply Page. Please check back for updates or sign up for the EPA SBIR Listserv to receive notifications of new funding opportunities.

Next Steps for Your EPA SBIR Application

1. Confirm eligibility and registration status this week. Check whether your SAM.gov registration is active and whether it permits contract awards. Registration is the single most common reason companies miss a cycle.

2. Map your technology to a specific topic. Pick one topic and write to it. Hedging across two topics reads as a weak fit for both.

3. Scope a six month work plan with clear go and no go milestones. Feasibility, not full development, is the Phase I objective.

4. Build the commercialization case in parallel with the technical narrative. It is a full third of your score.

5. Read the full solicitation now and put the November 8, 11:59 p.m. Eastern deadline in your calendar with a submission buffer of at least 48 hours.

Work With BW&CO on Your EPA SBIR Proposal

BW&CO helps deep tech, cleantech, and environmental technology founders win non dilutive federal funding across EPA, NIH, NSF, DOE, DoD, NASA, and ARPA-H. Our team has supported more than $350M in funding secured for innovators building real technology. If you are evaluating whether the EPA SBIR 2026 Phase I solicitation is the right fit, or you want a proposal strategy built around the three part scoring rubric rather than a template, we should talk.