AFRL ATA-AI BAA (FA8750-24-S-7004)

Executive summary

AFRL's Information Directorate in Rome, NY funds AI and machine learning for next-generation target tracking under a roughly $99M BAA. Awards typically run $1M to $10M for up to 48 months. The BAA is open through July 12, 2029; white papers for FY27 funding are suggested by November 30, 2026.

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Submissions start with a white paper. Full proposals are by invitation only.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate (AFRL/RIED), Rome, NY
• Opportunity: Advanced Tracking Architecture Using AI (ATA-AI)
• Solicitation: FA8750-24-S-7004 (Amendment 5, July 29, 2026)
• Award vehicle: FAR contracts or Other Transactions (10 U.S.C. 4021, 4022 and 4023)
• Funding: About $99M total; awards typically $1M to $10M; up to 48 months; multiple awards expected
• Due dates: Open until July 12, 2029, 5:00 PM ET; suggested white paper dates November 30, 2026 (FY27), November 30, 2027 (FY28), November 30, 2028 (FY29)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 30 FY27 white paper date.

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What is ATA-AI?

An open AFRL BAA for research into AI-driven tracking architectures that follow targets more accurately and in harder conditions.

What problem is AFRL trying to solve?

Current tracking systems struggle with dense, fast-changing and contested environments. AFRL wants AI and machine learning approaches that improve detection, association and tracking.

Funding and award terms

• About $99M total
• Awards typically $1M to $10M, up to 48 months
• FAR contracts or Other Transactions
• Small businesses can qualify for an OT without cost share

Eligibility

• Foreign participation is not allowed, including foreign-national employees and subcontractors, except for fundamental research.
• Foreign-owned companies have a possible mitigation path.
• Some work may require a Secret or Top Secret facility clearance.
• Export-control certification (DLIS) is required.

How to apply

• Read FA8750-24-S-7004 and Amendment 5 on SAM.gov.
• Write a white paper (double-spaced, 12-point, with your CAGE code and UEI).
• Email it to AFRL.RIEDBAA.2024@us.af.mil, ideally by November 30, 2026 for FY27 funding.
• If invited, submit a full proposal.

What happens after you submit?

• White paper review: AFRL invites full proposals from the strongest fits.
• Full proposal and negotiation: contract or OT award.
• Next cycle: later white papers are considered for FY28 and FY29 funding.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for U.S. AI and machine learning companies working on tracking, sensor fusion, computer vision or point-cloud processing. Weak fit for teams with foreign nationals on the project or no path to handling export-controlled or classified work.

How BW&CO can help

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

• Match your technology to AFRL's tracking priorities
• Write a white paper that earns a proposal invitation
• Choose between a FAR contract and an OT
• Plan for export-control and clearance requirements
• Time submissions to the right fiscal-year window

Plan your ATA-AI white paper

Frequently asked questions

Is ATA-AI open now?

Yes, through July 12, 2029, 5:00 PM ET.

When should I submit for FY27 funding?

AFRL suggests a white paper by November 30, 2026.

How large are awards?

Typically $1M to $10M, for up to 48 months.

Can small businesses get an OT?

Yes, and small businesses can qualify without cost share.

Can foreign nationals work on the project?

Generally no, except for fundamental research.

Do I need a security clearance?

Some work may require a Secret or Top Secret facility clearance.

How do I submit?

Email a white paper to AFRL.RIEDBAA.2024@us.af.mil.

Is a full proposal required up front?

No. Full proposals are by invitation after the white paper.

Can BW&CO help with an ATA-AI white paper?

Yes. We help teams match AFRL's priorities and write a white paper that earns an invitation. Book a call with our team.

Source: FA8750-24-S-7004 on SAM.gov

DARPA HUBBLE Program Announcement (DARPA-PA-27-01)

Executive summary

DARPA HUBBLE funds teams building fast, physics-informed models of protein-protein binding landscapes, starting with traumatic brain injury. Phase 1 pays up to $2.0M over 12 months through an Other Transaction. Small businesses are eligible. A required abstract of up to 6 pages is due November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET.

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Only teams that submit an abstract can move on to the oral proposal stage, due December 11, 2026.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: DARPA, Biological Technologies Office
• Opportunity: High-throughput Unmasking of Biological Interactomes with Binding Landscape Emulators (HUBBLE)
• Notice: DARPA-PA-27-01
• Award vehicle: Other Transaction for Research
• Funding: Up to $2.0M per team for Phase 1 (12 months); multiple awards expected
• Due dates: Questions November 3, 2026; abstract November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET; oral proposal package December 11, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 5 abstract deadline.

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What is HUBBLE?

A DARPA program to build computational emulators that predict protein-protein binding across the proteome far faster than atomistic simulation.

What problem is DARPA trying to solve?

Mapping which proteins interact, and how strongly, is too slow with today's simulation and lab methods. DARPA wants models fast enough to scan interactomes at scale, with traumatic brain injury as the first use case.

Funding and award terms

• Phase 1: up to $2.0M in government funding for 12 months per team
• Phase 2: 18 months, planning only at this stage
• Instrument: Other Transaction for Research; the model OT requires a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research partner with a significant role, or one-third cost share

Eligibility

• Large and small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors and universities may apply.
• Non-U.S. organizations may participate.
• FFRDCs and government entities are discouraged without a waiver.

How to apply

• Download DARPA-PA-27-01 and the Attachment A abstract template from SAM.gov.
• Write a 6-page abstract using Attachment A.
• Include NSPM-33 biosketch and current-and-pending support forms.
• Submit through DARPA's BAA Tool by November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET. SAM.gov's due-date field shows 10:00 AM ET, so submit in the morning.

What happens after you submit?

• Abstract review: DARPA uses abstracts to decide who proceeds.
• December 11, 2026, 3:00 PM ET: oral proposal package due.
• Award: Phase 1 OT, 12 months.

Is this opportunity a good fit for your company?

Strong fit for AI, computational biophysics and protein modeling teams. Weak fit for wet-lab biotechs without a modeling core, or for therapeutics companies looking for drug development funding.

How BW&CO can help

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

• Test fit against the program's technical goals before you write
• Build a 6-page abstract that reads like a DARPA program pitch
• Set up the OT structure, including the nontraditional or cost-share requirement
• Prepare the oral proposal package if invited
• Map follow-on DoD and NIH funding

Plan your HUBBLE abstract

Frequently asked questions

What is HUBBLE?

A DARPA program funding fast emulators of protein-protein binding landscapes.

How much funding is available per team?

Up to $2.0M for the 12-month Phase 1.

Can small businesses apply?

Yes. Large and small businesses, nontraditional contractors and universities are eligible.

Is an abstract required?

Yes. A 6-page abstract using Attachment A is due November 5, 2026, 3:00 PM ET.

What type of award is it?

An Other Transaction for Research.

Is cost share required?

Not if a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research partner plays a significant role; otherwise one-third cost share applies.

What is the first use case?

Traumatic brain injury.

When are oral proposals due?

December 11, 2026, 3:00 PM ET.

Can BW&CO help with a HUBBLE submission?

Yes. We help teams test fit, write the abstract and structure the OT. Book a call with our team.

Source: DARPA-PA-27-01 on SAM.gov

NSF Scientific Instrumentation Pilot (26-511)

Status: Open. Next full proposal deadline November 4, 2026, 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time (NSF invitation required); then March 4 and July 7, 2027.

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Executive summary

NSF’s scientific instrumentation pilot funds U.S. small businesses developing new research instruments and experimental platforms. Phase I proposals may request up to $305,000. The next full proposal deadline is November 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time. An NSF invitation is required for Phase I and Fast-Track.

The key decision is whether your technology enables scientific discovery that existing instruments cannot support. A general technology match is insufficient: explain the measurement or experimental barrier, the technical research needed to overcome it, and who would use and buy the resulting instrument.

Solicitation at a glance

• Agency: U.S. National Science Foundation, Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships.
• Solicitation: NSF 26-511, SBIR/STTR Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs: A Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation.
• Award vehicles: Phase I standard grants; Phase II and Fast-Track fixed amount cooperative agreements.
• Project funding: Phase I up to $305,000; Phase II up to $1,250,000; Fast-Track up to $1,555,000 across both phases, subject to eligibility and available funds.
• Technology maturity: Early-stage R&D for next-generation scientific instrumentation and novel platforms. NSF does not specify a numbered TRL requirement in this solicitation.
• Upcoming deadlines: November 4, 2026; March 4, 2027; July 7, 2027. Full proposals are due at 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time. Fast-Track invitations also carry a four-month submission limit.

Considering the November 4 deadline? First check your invitation and proposal readiness. A new Project Pitch does not guarantee an invitation in time for that deadline.

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What is the scientific instrumentation pilot?

NSF 26-511 is a dedicated SBIR/STTR emphasis on equipment and enabling technologies for the scientific enterprise. It spans technology areas and markets, with the scientific capability created by the instrument at the center of the case. The broader NSF SBIR/STTR opportunity is NSF 26-510; this page addresses 26-511 specifically.

What problem is NSF trying to solve?

Scientific progress can depend on instruments that do not yet exist. NSF is seeking domestic development of capabilities that allow researchers to investigate new questions, including instruments that generate data for AI-enabled discovery. The pilot also recognizes that some essential scientific instruments serve markets too small to attract conventional venture investment.

Priority capability areas

The solicitation describes a broad emphasis rather than a prescribed list of instrument types:

• Next-generation instruments: New capabilities that extend what scientists can observe, measure or investigate.
• Novel experimental platforms: Systems that enable new forms of scientific experimentation.
• AI-enabled discovery infrastructure: Instrumentation supporting the data and experimental capabilities needed for AI-driven science.
• Enabling scientific equipment: Technologies that open new research directions across scientific and engineering fields.

BW&CO’s fit assessment: Connect your proposed instrument to a specific unmet research need. Routine equipment purchases or incremental product improvements do not, by themselves, establish a compelling R&D case.

Funding and award terms

• Phase I: Up to $305,000 for 6–18 months.
• Phase II: Up to $1,250,000, typically over 24 months. Only eligible NSF Phase I awardees may apply.
• Fast-Track: Up to $400,000 for Phase I over 6–12 months, followed by up to $1,155,000 for Phase II over an additional 18–24 months. It has additional entry requirements and is not an automatic two-phase award.
• Program pool: Up to $40 million in anticipated funding across this pilot. This is the overall pool, not an individual award cap.

The stated project caps include applicable costs and fees. NSF takes no equity. Voluntary committed cost sharing is prohibited. Separate supplements and a Program Officer-recommended Strategic Breakthrough route are available to qualifying awardees; they are not additional amounts a new Phase I applicant can assume it will receive.

Eligibility and participation

The applicant must qualify as a small business concern under SBIR/STTR rules. The 500-employee size limit includes affiliates. Ownership, control, U.S. performance of work and research-security requirements also apply. STTR requires an eligible partner research institution; SBIR does not require that partnership.

The principal investigator must have primary employment with the small business, defined here as at least 51%, at award and throughout the project unless an approved exception applies. Phase I and Phase II require at least one calendar month of PI effort per six months of performance; Fast-Track requires three. The PI must be legally able to work for the company in the United States.

Phase I requires an invited Project Pitch. Phase II requires the relevant NSF Phase I award and normally a submission 6–24 months after its start. Fast-Track requires a specific invitation within four months, qualifying NSF research lineage, recent formal customer-discovery training and a complete team. Confirm the current requirements before selecting your route.

How to apply

• Check fit: Read NSF 26-511 and define the research capability your instrument would make possible.
• Submit the appropriate pitch: Describe the technical innovation, research objectives and challenges, market opportunity, and company and team. Wait for the required invitation before a Phase I or Fast-Track full proposal.
• Check invitation validity: Phase I invitations normally cover the next two submission deadlines. Fast-Track has its own four-month window. NSF also publishes transition rules for older invitations and awards.
• Complete registrations: Establish active SAM.gov registration, Research.gov registration and an SBA Company Registry ID. Start early; registrations can delay submission.
• Submit through Research.gov: Follow the current solicitation, linked proposal instructions and applicable NSF policy guide. Grants.gov is not the submission system for this opportunity.

What happens after you submit?

NSF checks compliance and reviews intellectual merit, broader impacts and commercial impact. Review can involve Program Officers and external experts. Research-security and other due diligence may follow. An invitation or a request for additional information is not an award decision. NSF’s Grants and Agreements Officer issues the official award notification.

Is this a good fit for your company?

BW&CO’s assessment framework: A stronger case identifies a scientific bottleneck, shows why the instrument needs substantial technical R&D, defines measurable feasibility milestones, and supports a credible route to customers. Explain how researchers would use the capability and why existing alternatives fall short. If the product’s main purpose is unrelated to scientific discovery, evaluate the broader NSF program or another funding path.

How BW&CO can help

BW&CO helps deep-tech companies choose appropriate funding paths and develop well-supported proposals. For the scientific instrumentation pilot, we can help you:

• Assess the instrument’s fit with NSF 26-511.
• Choose a proposal route based on your evidence and eligibility.
• Translate technical uncertainty into a focused research plan.
• Develop the Project Pitch and proposal narrative.
• Review the budget, compliance and submission readiness.

Plan your NSF instrumentation submission

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same as the general NSF SBIR program?

No. NSF 26-511 emphasizes scientific instrumentation. NSF 26-510 covers the broader deep-technology program.

Does NSF fund companies buying laboratory equipment?

This pilot funds small-business R&D to develop enabling instruments and platforms. Buying existing equipment alone does not demonstrate that fit.

Can AI-related instrumentation fit?

Yes. The solicitation includes instrumentation for AI-driven scientific discovery. Explain the experimental or measurement capability being developed.

Do I need a Project Pitch invitation?

Yes for Phase I and Fast-Track. Their invitation windows differ. Phase II has an award-lineage requirement instead.

Can a company without an NSF Phase I award apply directly to Phase II?

No. This solicitation limits Phase II to eligible NSF Phase I SBIR/STTR awardees. Fast-Track is a separate route with its own prerequisites.

Is a university partner required?

STTR requires a qualifying research institution partner. SBIR permits a partner but does not require one.

What is the next deadline?

November 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. submitting organization’s local time. Later listed deadlines are March 4 and July 7, 2027. Check your invitation’s validity as well as the calendar.

Does NSF take equity?

No. NSF states that it takes no equity and awardees retain ownership of their company and intellectual property.

Can BW&CO help with a scientific instrumentation submission?

Yes. We can assess fit and support pitch preparation, proposal development and submission readiness. Book a call with our team.

Sources: NSF 26-511 solicitation; Project Pitch guidance; full proposal and registration guidance; Fast-Track requirements. Verified October 16, 2026. Consult the official instructions before applying.

Program names are used for identification only. BW&CO is not affiliated with or endorsed by the sponsoring agencies.

USSOCOM SOF RACER Sensor Fusion Platforms Prototype: Executive Summary for Startups

Status: Open. Proposals due October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET through the SOF RACER portal (SOCOM's revised RFP confirms the date). Questions due October 16. 0 to 5 awards, with a follow-on production ceiling of $75M. SOF RACER membership required (free to join).

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Executive Summary

Sensor Fusion Platforms is the second opportunity released through SOF RACER, USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium. SOCOM wants a prototype software platform that fuses data from cameras and ground sensors on an edge processor, shows it on one map, and controls the connected sensors, plus design plans for Light, Medium and Heavy hardware variants. It supports Special Operations Forces reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) missions.

SOCOM plans 0 to 5 prototype Other Transaction awards. Vendors that complete the prototype can receive a follow-on production contract without new competition, with an estimated ceiling of $75M over a five-year or longer ordering period. Proposals are limited to 6 pages, and only SOF RACER members can submit.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), SOF Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L)
• Program office: PEO Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS)
• Opportunity: SOF RACER Opportunity 0002, Rapid Prototyping: Sensor Fusion Platforms
• Award vehicle: Prototype Other Transaction through the SOF RACER consortium (10 U.S.C. 4022)
• Number of awards: 0 to 5
• Follow-on production: Estimated ceiling of $75M, five-year or longer ordering period, awarded without new competition to successful prototype vendors
• Prototype funding: Not published. The government applies a prototype cost constraint at screening.
• Submission: Proposal, 6 pages max, through the SOF RACER portal
• Questions due: October 16, 2026
• Due date: October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (revised RFP, October 13)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the October 23 deadline.

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What Is SOF RACER?

SOF RACER is USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium, launched in partnership with GovSignals in 2026. It gives companies, including those that have never held a federal contract, a single place to see SOCOM requirements and respond with short proposals. Membership is free. Sensor Fusion Platforms is the second opportunity released to members, after the Human Performance Data Management System (HPDMS).

What Problem Is SOCOM Trying to Solve?

SOF teams need to pull data from many cameras and sensors into one picture at the tactical edge, from a two-person reconnaissance team to a forward operating base. Today there is no standard, modular, AI-enabled platform that scales across those missions. SOCOM wants one product family with a common operating system, applications and user interface, so software upgrades, sensor integrations and training are done once and apply to every variant.

Priority Capability Areas: What SOCOM Is Looking For

• Edge sensor fusion: Process data from at least five sensor types on an edge processor with hardline sensors and no internet or cloud dependency: PTZ cameras, passive infrared, seismic and two more from a list that includes radar, acoustic, RF, LIDAR, magnetic, shot detection and others.
• Graph data architecture: Store all sensor data, target tracks, events and relationships in a graph-based architecture (such as a knowledge graph) that supports semantic queries and fusion, exposed through a documented API for third-party and government AI models.
• Operator interface and C2: Fused real-time map and video display, offline 2D/3D GIS with MIL-STD-2525D symbols, synchronized playback and clip export, picture-in-picture and split-screen video, GMTI track history, alerts, presets, identity-based access, and command and control of connected cameras and sensors.
• Detection and tracking: Baseline detection and classification of persons, vehicles, aircraft, UAVs and watercraft, and slew-to-cue that points an EO/IR gimbal at a target detected by another sensor.
• Dissemination and communications: Export to TAK and other tools using public or government standards such as CoT, GeoJSON, ISA or OMNI, with a path to MANET radios and over-the-horizon links.
• Hardware variants (design plans): Light, man-packable: at least two 4K cameras and 8 ground sensors, under 4 lb. Medium, dismounted: eight 4K cameras and 16 sensors, under 8 lb. Heavy, mounted or fixed: 16 4K cameras and 24 sensors, under 30 lb. Weights exclude sensors, radios and power.

Funding and Award Terms

• Award type: Prototype Other Transaction through SOF RACER. 0 to 5 awards.
• Prototype amount: Not published. Proposals must fit a government-provided prototype cost constraint, a pass/fail screen.
• What you price: The software demonstration, design plans for three variants, and a rough order of magnitude (ROM) for development cost, schedule and unit price per variant.
• Follow-on production: Successful prototype vendors can receive a follow-on production contract without new competition under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f). The government estimates a ceiling of $75M over a five-year or longer ordering period, including sustainment.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• SOF RACER membership: Required to see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.
• Required details: CAGE code, SAM Unique Entity ID and SOF RACER member or application ID, plus the completed eligibility checklist (Attachment 4).
• Prior federal work: Not required to join SOF RACER. Past performance counts for 5% of the evaluation.
• Teaming: Allowed. Software, sensor and rugged hardware companies may need each other to cover the demo and the three variant designs.

How to Apply

• Join SOF RACER: through the GovSignals SOF RACER page if you are not already a member.
• Submit questions: by October 16, 2026. Answers are shared with all members without naming who asked.
• Write a proposal: of up to 6 pages covering company information, current capabilities and TRL, supply chain management, schedule, cost, and technical approach and architecture. The eligibility checklist and one product spec sheet do not count toward the limit.
• Follow the format: 8.5 x 11 pages, Times New Roman 12-point equivalent, 1-inch margins, sequential page numbers, table and figure text no smaller than 8 point. Mark proprietary information.
• Submit through the SOF RACER portal: by October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Pass/fail screening: Six screens: technical and functional requirements, working demonstration, hardware design plans, prototype cost constraint, milestone schedule and submission compliance.
• Comparative evaluation: Adjectival ratings across ten weighted criteria: Sensor Fusion and Data Integration 20%, Communications and Disconnected Operations 15%, Current Capability and TRL 15%, User Interface, GIS, Video and C2 10%, MOSA and Scalability 8%, Demonstration Schedule 8%, Existing Sensor Integrations 7%, Demonstration Cost 7%, Supply Chain 5%, Past Performance 5%. Shorter executable schedules get greater consideration.
• Prototype phases: Virtual kickoff and System Requirements Review within two weeks of award, Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews with read-aheads five working days ahead, a working software demonstration, and an in-person presentation of the three variant designs and updated ROM.
• Success: The demonstration is pass/fail against every Attachment 1 requirement. The government may allow one re-demonstration.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

This fits companies that already have sensor fusion or C2 software running at the edge, computer vision and edge AI teams, counter-UAS and perimeter security integrators, ISR camera and unattended ground sensor makers, and rugged edge compute builders. Current Capability and TRL plus Existing Sensor Integrations make up 22% of the score, so working integrations matter more than plans.

If you have one strong piece, such as a sensor, a detection model or rugged hardware, the realistic route is to team with a fusion and C2 software company. If you have no working edge demo yet, join SOF RACER now and watch for the next opportunities.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For consortium opportunities like Sensor Fusion Platforms, we help you:

• Decide whether to bid as a prime, sub or teammate
• Map your product to every Attachment 1 demonstration threshold before you write
• Fit a strong 6-page proposal to the ten weighted criteria
• Build a schedule and cost that pass screening and score well
• Position for the follow-on production contract

Plan Your Sensor Fusion Proposal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sensor Fusion Platforms prototype?

A SOCOM effort to prototype edge software that fuses camera and sensor data, displays it on one map and controls the sensors, plus design plans for Light, Medium and Heavy hardware variants.

Is this a SOF RACER opportunity?

Yes. It is Opportunity 0002 on the SOF RACER portal, the second after HPDMS.

Do I need to be a SOF RACER member?

Yes. Only members can see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.

When is it due?

October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. SOCOM's revised RFP moved the date from October 20 to October 23, matching the portal. Questions are due October 16.

How much funding is available?

The prototype amount is not published, and proposals must fit a government cost constraint. Follow-on production has an estimated ceiling of $75M over five years or more.

How many awards will SOCOM make?

Zero to five prototype agreements.

Does the demo have to run without the cloud?

Yes. The demonstration must run on an edge processor with hardline-networked sensors and no internet or cloud back-end processing.

What sensors are required?

At least five types: PTZ cameras, passive infrared, seismic and two more from Annex A, such as ground radar, acoustic arrays, RF, LIDAR or shot detection.

How long is the proposal?

Six pages maximum. The Attachment 4 eligibility checklist and one product spec sheet are not counted.

Can BW&CO help with a Sensor Fusion Platforms proposal?

Yes. We help founders decide whether to bid, find teammates and write proposals that pass screening. Book a call with our team.

Source: Sensor Fusion Platforms Prototype RFP and Attachments 1 to 5 (SOF RACER member portal). About SOF RACER and how to join: GovSignals SOF RACER

USSOCOM SOF RACER Human Performance Data Management System (HPDMS) Prototype: Executive Summary for Startups

Status: Open. White papers due October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET through the SOF RACER portal. Questions due October 16. Est. funding $10M to $30M (BW&CO estimate). SOF RACER membership required (free to join).

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Executive Summary

HPDMS is the first opportunity released through SOF RACER, USSOCOM's new rapid acquisition consortium. SOF AT&L wants a prototype of a modular, cloud-native system that brings together human performance data for the Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) program across all SOF components. It is built for health data, interoperability, AI and secure cloud companies, and for teams that combine them. White papers are due October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

The effort starts with an Initial Operational Capability and must scale to Full Operational Capability without major rework. Every submission has to pass ten pass/fail screens before it is compared, including MHS GENESIS interoperability, a path to IL5/IL6 authorization and milestone-based pricing. Only SOF RACER members can submit.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), SOF Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L)
• Program office: PEO SOF Warrior (PEO SV)
• Opportunity: SOF RACER Opportunity 0001, Human Performance Data Management System (HPDMS)
• Award vehicle: Prototype Other Transaction through the SOF RACER consortium (10 U.S.C. 4022)
• Estimated funding: $10M to $30M (BW&CO estimate). SOCOM has not published a budget. Vendors propose milestone-based pricing.
• Technology maturity: Prototype to IOC, with a path to enterprise FOC
• Submission: White paper, 10 pages max, PDF, through the SOF RACER portal
• Questions due: October 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
• Due date: October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the October 23 deadline.

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What Is SOF RACER?

SOF RACER is USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium, launched in partnership with GovSignals in 2026. It gives companies, including those that have never held a federal contract, a single place to see SOCOM requirements and respond with short white papers instead of full proposals. Membership is free. HPDMS is the first opportunity released to members.

What Problem Is SOCOM Trying to Solve?

POTFF places providers inside SOF units to protect readiness and career longevity. Their data tools sit in separate silos by component and domain. Providers document the same encounter in a local tracking sheet and in the electronic health record. Commanders can't see a consolidated readiness picture, reports don't match across echelons, and an operator's history is dropped when they move units on PCS or PCA orders. SOCOM wants one system that fixes this and can prove program impact to oversight bodies.

USSOCOM J8, the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), SOF AT&L and POTFF mapped HPDMS to the existing SOF Digital Common Core Capabilities Software ICD (DC3 SW-ICD). That speeds up the acquisition path, and every solution must trace back to that baseline.

Priority Capability Areas: What SOCOM Is Looking For

• Interface layer: Role-based views for six user tiers, provider encounter and session logging, de-identified commander dashboards with controlled drill-down, and a mobile self-service portal for service members. Query results must be 100% consistent across echelons.
• Data aggregation layer: A POTFF Common Data Model across five domains (physical, cognitive, spiritual, social and family, psychological), ML-driven schema mapping and entity resolution, AI data-quality agents, and a longitudinal record that follows each operator within 24 hours of a move.
• Analytics layer: ETL and statistics workspaces (Python, R, SQL), ML models for injury risk, readiness forecasting and resource optimization at over 85% validated accuracy, and secure GenAI with retrieval-augmented generation in IL5 and IL6 that can draft auditable responses to oversight requests in under 24 hours.
• Interoperability: Two-way, near-real-time exchange with MHS GENESIS using FHIR, consent-based ingestion from wearables, force plates, body composition scanners and training and nutrition apps, and links to service programs such as Army H2F and Air Force True North.
• Privacy and security: A firewall between clinical and non-clinical records, automated HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification, FIPS 140-3 encryption across IL2, IL5 and IL6, role-based access, audit-by-default logging and full data lineage.

Funding and Award Terms

• Award type: Prototype Other Transaction through SOF RACER.
• Estimated amount: SOCOM has not published a budget. BW&CO estimates $10M to $30M across the prototype, based on the scope (IOC through enterprise rollout, MHS GENESIS integration, IL5/IL6 hosting and AI) and comparable SOCOM data platform awards. Treat this as a planning range, not a government figure.
• Pricing: Vendors propose milestone-based pricing that covers labor, cloud hosting, AI compute, licenses, integration, travel, training, sustainment and recurring costs.
• Delivery: Incremental agile releases, starting with replacement of legacy spreadsheets and the Common Data Model, then the service member portal and injury models, de-identified dashboards, wearable integration, GenAI and joint expansion, and EHR integration.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• SOF RACER membership: Required to see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.
• Competition: Full and open among SOF RACER members.
• Prior federal work: Not required to join SOF RACER, though relevant past performance makes up 15% of the evaluation.
• Teaming: Allowed. The breadth of the requirement (EHR integration, wearables, AI, IL6 hosting) makes teaming practical for most companies.

How to Apply

• Join SOF RACER: through the GovSignals SOF RACER page if you are not already a member.
• Submit questions: by October 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Answers are shared with all members without naming who asked.
• Write a white paper: of up to 10 pages (cover page and certifications excluded) covering: proposed solution, technical approach, mission relevance, risk and security, relevant experience, execution approach and pricing.
• Follow the format: PDF, 8.5 x 11, 10-point minimum font, page numbers required. Tables and graphics count toward the limit. Mark proprietary information.
• Submit through the SOF RACER portal: by October 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Email submissions are not accepted unless the government authorizes them.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Pass/fail screening: Ten mandatory screens: technical and functional requirements, MHS GENESIS interoperability, security and authorization path, CUI/PHI/PII protection, data portability, prototype execution, milestone schedule, pricing, SOF RACER eligibility and submission compliance.
• Comparative evaluation: Adjectival ratings (Outstanding to Unacceptable) across six weighted criteria: Innovation 25%, Relevance 20%, Risk Reduction 20%, Past Performance 15%, Business Viability 10%, Affordability 10%.
• Award timing: Not published.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

This fits companies that already run health or performance data platforms, EHR and FHIR integration, wearable and sensor data pipelines, healthcare AI and analytics, or secure DoD cloud environments. A credible answer on MHS GENESIS, IL5/IL6 authorization and HIPAA de-identification is required to pass screening.

If you have one strong piece, such as a wearable data platform or an injury prediction model, the realistic route is to team with a prime or integrator that covers hosting and authorization. If you have no path to IL5, join SOF RACER now and watch for the next opportunities.

How BW&CO Can Help

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

• Decide whether to bid as a prime, sub or teammate
• Map your capability to the ten pass/fail screens before you write
• Build a 10-page white paper aligned to the six weighted criteria
• Structure milestone-based pricing the government can evaluate
• Prepare for the SOF RACER opportunities that follow

Plan Your HPDMS Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HPDMS?

A prototype Human Performance Data Management System for USSOCOM's POTFF program that consolidates performance and health data across all SOF components.

Is this the first SOF RACER opportunity?

Yes. HPDMS is Opportunity 0001 on the SOF RACER portal.

Do I need to be a SOF RACER member?

Yes. Only members can see the full solicitation and submit. Membership is free.

When is it due?

October 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Questions are due October 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

How long is the white paper?

Up to 10 pages, not counting the cover page and required certifications, in PDF with 10-point minimum font.

How much funding is available?

SOCOM has not published an amount. BW&CO estimates $10M to $30M across the prototype, based on scope and comparable SOCOM data platform awards. Vendors propose milestone-based pricing.

What award type is planned?

A prototype Other Transaction through SOF RACER under 10 U.S.C. 4022.

What will sink a submission fastest?

Missing a pass/fail screen. A weak MHS GENESIS integration plan, no path to IL5/IL6 authorization or incomplete pricing can remove a submission before comparison.

Can small companies compete?

Yes. Prior federal contracts are not required to join SOF RACER, though past performance counts for 15%. Teaming helps cover hosting and authorization.

Can BW&CO help with an HPDMS submission?

Yes. We help founders decide whether to bid, find teammates and write white papers that pass screening. Book a call with our team.

Source: HPDMS Statement of Objectives and Attachment 2 Submission Instructions (SOF RACER member portal). About SOF RACER and how to join: GovSignals SOF RACER

NIH Highlighted Topic: Leveraging All of Us Biospecimens to Advance Precision Medicine Research

Overview

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is encouraging researchers to analyze biospecimens donated by participants in the All of Us Research Program, one of the most diverse and richly characterized biobanks in existence. About 600,000 participants have provided biospecimens, linked to genomic data, electronic health records, wearables data, surveys, and physical measurements.

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Researchers approved for access to All of Us biospecimens are expected to secure their own funding for sample processing, data generation, analysis, and return of value to participants. More than 20 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices participate, so companies with multiomic, biomarker, or AI capabilities can fund this work through the NIH SBIR program.

Key dates and funding

• Next SBIR due dates: January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027 (5:00 PM local time of your organization)
• Application route: NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR (R43/R44), PA-27-100, Clinical Trial Optional
• Project period: normally up to 6 months for Phase I and up to 2 years for Phase II
• Topic window: NIH lists this Highlighted Topic through September 18, 2028, so it can support more than one submission cycle

Budget guidelines in PA-27-100 vary by participating Institute or Center. Total costs (direct, indirect, and fee) normally stay within these amounts:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH): Phase I $700,000, Phase II SBA guideline
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $3,000,000
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR): Phase I $400,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Eye Institute (NEI): Phase I $400,000, Phase II SBA guideline
• National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI): Phase I $400,000, Phase II SBA guideline
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Library of Medicine (NLM): SBA guideline for both phases

NIH notes that researchers must have approval to access All of Us biospecimens. Plan for that access step alongside your SBIR timeline.

Who is eligible?

Only United States small business concerns can apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement. In plain terms, your company must meet these requirements:

• A for-profit business with a place of business in the United States and no more than 500 employees, including affiliates
• Generally more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or by qualifying venture capital, hedge fund, or private equity owners under SBA rules
• The Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the project
• No foreign organizations, foreign components, or foreign subawards (unfunded foreign collaborators and foreign consultants are permitted)
• Companies selected for funding submit the SBA foreign affiliations disclosure during the Just-in-Time process

What NIH wants funded

NIH is most interested in broad-scale biomarker and omics analyses that reduce the need for new sample collection and produce datasets other researchers can build on. Possible assays include long-read sequencing, genome-wide methylation profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, immune profiling, and other multiomic analyses.

Genomics, data science, and AI

• NHGRI: long-read sequencing to capture structural variants and repeat expansions missed by short reads, and population-scale multiomic reference datasets
• NLM: informatics and data science tools, including trustworthy and reproducible AI, scalable data integration, and benchmarking frameworks
• NEI: AI and machine learning combining molecular, retinal imaging, and health record data

Disease-focused interests

• NCI: multiomic data on cancer susceptibility and biomarkers for screening, early detection, and treatment response
• NIDDK: biomarkers for diabetes, obesity, liver, GI, and kidney disease, including links to continuous glucose monitoring data
• NIMH, NINDS, and NIA: genomic and molecular discovery in mental illness, neurological disorders, dementia, and aging
• NIAAA and NIDA: biomarkers and molecular endotypes for alcohol and substance use disorders

Environment, lifestyle, and health differences

• NIEHS: exposomics and precision environmental health
• NIMHD: biomarkers linking social, environmental, and wearable data to health outcomes
• NCCIH, NINR, NICHD, NIAMS, NIDCD, NIDCR, and NHLBI: additional mission-specific interests listed on the topic page

How to apply

NIH Highlighted Topics are not funding opportunities on their own. Small businesses apply through the NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100) and write the application to match the interests of at least one participating Institute or Center. Read the full NIH Highlighted Topic before you start.

• Register early: SAM.gov (which issues your UEI and can take six weeks or more), Grants.gov, eRA Commons (a Signing Official plus a PI account with a linked ORCID iD), and the SBA Company Registry (proof of registration is attached to the application)
• Talk to the program officer: each Institute lists its own scientific contact, NICHD strongly encourages contact before submission, and the All of Us Research Program, ODS, ONR, and ORWH participate but do not award grants
• Check the budget: contact the participating Institute or Center early if you plan to request more than the SBA budget guideline
• Submit electronically: through NIH ASSIST, a system-to-system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace by 5:00 PM local time on January 5, 2027 or April 5, 2027

Is this a fit for your company?

This topic suits companies offering multiomic assays (proteomics, metabolomics, methylation, long-read sequencing), biomarker discovery platforms, and AI or data integration tools that can work at population scale. The strongest applications produce data that goes back into the All of Us Researcher Workbench and supports a clear commercial product, such as a diagnostic panel or analytics platform.

If that sounds like your company, book a free funding fit call with BW&CO. Our team has helped secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding and can tell you quickly whether this topic, and which Institute, is the right target for your January or April submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NIH All of Us biospecimens Highlighted Topic a funding opportunity?

No. It is an NIH Highlighted Topic, which signals scientific interest but is not a notice of funding opportunity. Small businesses apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100), with the next due dates on January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.

How much NIH SBIR funding is available for All of Us biospecimen research?

It depends on the Institute. Under PA-27-100, NCI, NIA, NIMH, NINDS, and NCCIH allow up to $700,000 for Phase I. NHLBI, NIA, NIDA, NIDCD, NIMH, and NINDS allow up to $3,000,000 for Phase II. Several Institutes, including NIEHS, NIMHD, and NLM, follow the SBA guideline.

Do I need approval to use All of Us biospecimens?

Yes. NIH states that researchers who have approval for access to All of Us biospecimens are expected to secure additional funding for sample processing, data generation, analysis, and return of value to participants.

What kinds of assays does NIH want run on All of Us biospecimens?

Examples include long-read sequencing, genome-wide methylation profiling, proteomics, metabolomics, immune profiling, and other multiomic analyses that produce broadly useful datasets.

Who is eligible to apply through NIH SBIR?

U.S. for-profit small businesses with no more than 500 employees, majority owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or qualifying investors under SBA rules), whose Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the company. Foreign organizations and foreign subawards are not allowed.

Can BW&CO help with an NIH SBIR application for this topic?

Yes. BW&CO helps small businesses choose the right NIH Institute, align the Specific Aims with the Highlighted Topic, and build a competitive SBIR application. The firm has helped clients secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.

NIH Highlighted Topic: Advancing Precision Research for Lung Cancer in Never Smokers and Its Risk Factors

Overview

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is encouraging precision cancer research and technology development for lung cancer in never smokers (LCINS). The goal is to identify risk factors, understand the biology, develop early detection and prevention strategies, and advance diagnosis and therapy.

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LCINS accounts for roughly 10% to 20% of U.S. lung cancers each year and is estimated to be the eighth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the disease responds differently to therapies, including immunotherapy, than smoking-associated lung cancer. Companies with diagnostic, therapeutic, or AI technology can pursue this through the NIH SBIR program.

Key dates and funding

• Next SBIR due dates: January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027 (5:00 PM local time of your organization)
• Application route: NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR (R43/R44), PA-27-100, Clinical Trial Optional
• Project period: normally up to 6 months for Phase I and up to 2 years for Phase II
• Topic window: NIH lists this Highlighted Topic through October 4, 2028, so it can support more than one submission cycle

Budget guidelines in PA-27-100 vary by participating Institute or Center. Total costs (direct, indirect, and fee) normally stay within these amounts:

• National Cancer Institute (NCI): Phase I $700,000, Phase II $2,500,000
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS): SBA guideline for both phases
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): SBA guideline for both phases

Who is eligible?

Only United States small business concerns can apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement. In plain terms, your company must meet these requirements:

• A for-profit business with a place of business in the United States and no more than 500 employees, including affiliates
• Generally more than 50% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or by qualifying venture capital, hedge fund, or private equity owners under SBA rules
• The Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the small business at the time of award and for the duration of the project
• No foreign organizations, foreign components, or foreign subawards (unfunded foreign collaborators and foreign consultants are permitted)
• Companies selected for funding submit the SBA foreign affiliations disclosure during the Just-in-Time process

Focus areas by NIH Institute

NCI: biology, detection, and precision therapy

• Biological and environmental factors, including sex and ancestry, behind LCINS initiation and progression
• Mechanisms that distinguish LCINS biology from tobacco-associated lung cancer
• Early detection and diagnostic strategies, including biomarker development
• Mechanism-driven interventions such as overcoming therapeutic resistance, targeting rare mutations, cancer vaccines, and immunotherapies
• Human-relevant research models, databases, computational methods and AI, and other emerging technologies

NIEHS: environmental carcinogens

• New Approach Methodologies to identify chemicals and exposures that are potential lung carcinogens
• Early detection based on disease characteristics in patients exposed to known lung carcinogens

NIMHD: disparities

• Interventions to improve risk prediction, early detection biomarkers, imaging, prevention, treatment selection, and guideline-concordant care
• NIMHD may give special consideration to meritorious applications

How to apply

NIH Highlighted Topics are not funding opportunities on their own. Small businesses apply through the NIH, CDC and FDA Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100) and write the application to match the interests of at least one participating Institute or Center. Read the full NIH Highlighted Topic before you start.

• Register early: SAM.gov (which issues your UEI and can take six weeks or more), Grants.gov, eRA Commons (a Signing Official plus a PI account with a linked ORCID iD), and the SBA Company Registry (proof of registration is attached to the application)
• Talk to the program officer: the topic lists a central NCI contact plus NIEHS and NIMHD contacts, and ODP also participates but does not award grants
• Check the budget: contact the participating Institute or Center early if you plan to request more than the SBA budget guideline
• Submit electronically: through NIH ASSIST, a system-to-system solution, or Grants.gov Workspace by 5:00 PM local time on January 5, 2027 or April 5, 2027

Is this a fit for your company?

This topic suits companies developing liquid biopsy or other early detection assays, imaging and AI risk prediction tools, targeted therapies, cancer vaccines, or immunotherapies, including approaches to rare mutations and therapeutic resistance, and human-relevant models such as organoids. NCI's $700,000 Phase I guideline makes it the strongest target for most product companies.

If that sounds like your company, book a free funding fit call with BW&CO. Our team has helped secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding and can tell you quickly whether this topic, and which Institute, is the right target for your January or April submission.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NIH lung cancer in never smokers Highlighted Topic a funding opportunity?

No. It is an NIH Highlighted Topic, which signals scientific interest but is not a notice of funding opportunity. Small businesses apply through the NIH Parent SBIR announcement (PA-27-100), with the next due dates on January 5, 2027 and April 5, 2027.

How much NIH SBIR funding is available for lung cancer in never smokers research?

Under PA-27-100, NCI allows up to $700,000 for Phase I and up to $2,500,000 for Phase II. NIEHS and NIMHD follow the SBA guideline.

Which NIH Institutes participate in the lung cancer in never smokers topic?

NCI, NIEHS, and NIMHD are the awarding participants. ODP also participates but does not award grants.

What research does NIH want on lung cancer in never smokers?

Risk factors and biology, early detection and diagnostic biomarkers, precision therapies including immunotherapies and cancer vaccines, environmental carcinogen identification, and human-relevant models, databases, and AI.

Who is eligible to apply through NIH SBIR?

U.S. for-profit small businesses with no more than 500 employees, majority owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or permanent residents (or qualifying investors under SBA rules), whose Principal Investigator is primarily employed by the company. Foreign organizations and foreign subawards are not allowed.

Can BW&CO help with an NIH SBIR application for this topic?

Yes. BW&CO helps small businesses choose the right NIH Institute, align the Specific Aims with the Highlighted Topic, and build a competitive SBIR application. The firm has helped clients secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Commercial Solutions Opening (SP4701-27-S-C001): Executive Summary for Startups

Open through October 1, 2031. Areas of interest post on SAM.gov.

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Executive Summary

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) posted a five-year Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) on October 1, 2026. It stays open until October 1, 2031. DLA will publish specific Areas of Interest (AOIs) on SAM.gov on a rolling basis, and each AOI will set its own deadline and solution brief template. As of October 7, 2026, no AOI has been posted.

DLA runs the Department's supply chain management, energy and fuel distribution, disposition services and rapid logistics response. Companies in logistics software, supply chain visibility, warehouse automation, fuel and energy, and disposition and recycling should watch this CSO and be ready to apply when an AOI matches their product. Awards are fixed-price, either as prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements with a path to follow-on production or as FAR-based commercial contracts.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), DCSO Philadelphia
• Opportunity: Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Framework (2026 to 2031)
• Solicitation number: SP4701-27-S-C001
• Authority: 10 U.S.C. 3458 and DFARS Subpart 212.70; prototype OTs under 10 U.S.C. 4022
• Award vehicle: Fixed-price prototype OT agreements, FAR Part 12 commercial contracts or commercial contracts under DFARS 212.7002(b)
• Funding: No dollar amount published. Funding availability is screened for each solution brief.
• Technology maturity: Technologies, processes or methods that are new, or a rapid, novel application or adaptation of existing ones
• Due date: Rolling through October 1, 2031. Each AOI sets its own closing date.

Think your company fits DLA's mission areas? Talk with BW&CO before the first AOIs post.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is the DLA CSO?

A CSO is a competitive procedure that lets DoD buy commercial and innovative solutions through short solution briefs. DLA's CSO is a five-year framework: the base notice sets the rules, and each AOI describes a specific need, its evaluation scale and its deadline.

What Problem Is DLA Trying to Solve?

DLA is the Department of Defense's logistics combat support agency. It supports the military services, combatant commands and federal partners worldwide. Its AOIs will describe specific capability gaps, technical challenges or mission requirements across that mission.

Priority Capability Areas: Where DLA Works

DLA has not posted AOIs yet. Its notice describes the mission areas AOIs will come from:

• Supply chain management: Planning, sourcing, inventory and visibility across the defense supply chain.
• Energy and fuel distribution: Fuel supply and energy support for military operations.
• Disposition services: Reuse, resale, recycling and disposal of excess property.
• Rapid logistics response: Fast support for crises and contingencies.

Funding and Contract Terms

• Funding: No dollar amount is published.
• Funding screen: At the first screen, DLA rates each solution brief "Funding Possible" or "Funding Not Possible." DLA states that "lower-priced solutions that align with immediate budgetary parameters are inherently favored."
• Contract type: Every contract or agreement under this CSO is fixed-price.
• Instrument: DLA intends to award prototype OTs but may use a FAR-based contract instead.
• Path to production: After a successful prototype OT, DLA may award a follow-on production contract or agreement without new competition, subject to available funds. Success can be declared on a discrete phase of the project.
• Submission costs: DLA does not pay for solution briefs, pitches, proposals or travel.

Eligibility

• Who can apply: Any responsible company. The notice defines nontraditional defense contractors to include all small businesses.
• Classification: Submissions must be unclassified.
• Responsibility: DLA will assess performance record, integrity, financial capability and operational capacity before award.

How to Apply

• Watch SAM.gov for AOIs posted under SP4701-27-S-C001.
• Use the official Solution Brief template attached to the AOI. Nonconforming briefs are returned without technical evaluation.
• Describe your solution, technical approach and pricing in the brief.
• Keep your terms and price valid for at least 180 calendar days.
• Mark proprietary information. DFARS 252.227-7991 (Deviation 2026-O0036) applies.
• Submit electronically to the DLA points of contact before the AOI's closing date and time. You may submit more than one brief for different approaches to one AOI.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Conformance review and funding screen: Administrative check and "Funding Possible / Funding Not Possible."
• Technical evaluation: Technical feasibility, importance to agency programs and viability, in that order. Ties go to the lowest-priced, highly rated brief.
• Next step if selected: A pitch, a full proposal or direct award negotiations.
• Award: A prototype OT or FAR-based commercial contract after negotiations and a fair and reasonable price determination.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits companies with a working commercial product, or a prototype close to one, in logistics software, supply chain analytics, warehouse and materiel handling automation, fuel and energy systems, or recycling and disposition. It also fits firms that can price a bounded first phase.

It fits less well if you need cost-reimbursed R&D or if you cannot hold your price for 180 days.

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 DLA's, we help you:

• Track new DLA AOIs and match them to your product.
• Write a solution brief on the official template.
• Price a fixed-price first phase that fits DLA's funding screen.
• Draft prototype success metrics that support a follow-on production award.
• Prepare for the pitch and negotiations.

Plan Your DLA CSO Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is solicitation SP4701-27-S-C001?

DLA's Commercial Solutions Opening framework for 2026 to 2031. It sets the rules for solution briefs submitted against AOIs DLA posts on SAM.gov.

What is the deadline?

The CSO is open through October 1, 2031. Each AOI has its own closing date and time.

Are any AOIs open now?

Not as of October 7, 2026. DLA says it will post AOIs on a rolling basis.

How much funding is available?

No amount is published. DLA screens each brief for funding availability.

What kind of award results?

A fixed-price prototype OT under 10 U.S.C. 4022 or a FAR-based commercial contract, at DLA's discretion.

Can a prototype lead to production?

Yes. If the prototype OT was competitively awarded through this CSO and is successfully completed, DLA may award follow-on production without new competition, subject to funds.

Does DLA pay for my submission?

No. DLA does not pay for briefs, pitches, proposals or travel.

Can I submit more than one brief?

Yes, for different technological approaches to the same AOI. Each brief must stand alone.

Can BW&CO help with a DLA CSO submission?

Yes. We help founders match AOIs, write the brief and price a fundable first phase. Book a call with our team.

Source: SAM.gov, SP4701-27-S-C001

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.

Book a Free Fit Call

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

Army SBIR ARM27BX01-DP001: G-TEAD USAREUR-AF ACE 27-02: Spectrum Enabled Warfare Powered by xTech

Quick Answer

ARM27BX01-DP001 is an Army SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in the DoW SBIR 2027 CSO, Release 1, tied to the xTech competition G-TEAD USAREUR-AF ACE 27-02: Spectrum Enabled Warfare. The Army wants electromagnetic spectrum operations solutions for U.S. forces on NATO's Eastern Flank, with awards up to $2,000,000 over 12 to 18 months.

The first deadline is the one that matters: a white paper on xtech.army.mil by October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Only competition finalists and final winners can submit a DSIP proposal, in a window from April 19 to May 7, 2027.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: ARM27BX01-DP001
• Title: G-TEAD USAREUR-AF ACE 27-02: Spectrum Enabled Warfare Powered by xTech
• Component: U.S. Army
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 CSO, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 12 to 18 months
• Entry route: xTech prize competition (finalists and winners only may submit to DSIP)
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Emerging Threat Reduction
• Keywords: electromagnetic support, autonomous network management, electromagnetic environment visualization, electromagnetic spectrum operations, distributed RF systems
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• xTech white paper deadline: October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
• DSIP proposal window (finalists and winners only): April 19, 2027 to May 7, 2027
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Army Is Looking For

The Army FUZE program and U.S. Army Europe and Africa are running this Accelerated Capability Event to help V Corps sense, understand, exploit, attack, and protect across a contested electromagnetic environment and connected cyberspace, protecting tactical command and control while delivering non-lethal and lethal effects against adversary C3 and targeting architectures.

Solutions should be modular, coalition interoperable, effective in congested RF, scalable, upgradeable, intuitive for Soldiers across specialties, and maintainable at the tactical edge without routine field service representative support. Selected solutions will be integrated into live USAREUR-AF exercises.

Three demonstration tracks

• Capability 1: Electromagnetic Support and Tactical Surveillance.
• Capability 2: Autonomous Network Management.
• Capability 3: Electromagnetic Environment Visualization and Battle Damage Assessment Tools.
• Full details are in Appendix A of the competition RFI on xtech.army.mil/competitions.

How the Phases Are Structured

There is no Phase I. Finalists and winners submit a Direct to Phase II proposal with justification documentation (technical reports, test data, prototype designs, and performance results) showing scientific and technical merit and feasibility plus military and commercial applications.

Phase II produces Soldier-friendly prototypes for testing and experimentation with select Army units in realistic field conditions, with direct feedback for rapid iteration, plus a draft transition and commercialization plan.

Phase III matures the technology to TRL 8 or 9 and produces prototypes to support scaling and fielding with the Army and commercial pathways.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II cost limit: $2,000,000.
• Period of performance: 12 to 18 months.
• TABA: the Army may provide up to $50,000 per Direct to Phase II project, in addition to the award limit, if the need is supported.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Only finalists and final winners of the xTech competition may submit a Direct to Phase II proposal. Proposals from anyone else will not be evaluated.
• To be considered at all, you must submit a white paper on the xTech competition site by October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. xTech applications are not submitted through DSIP.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• October 7, 2026: the xTech application window opens. Read the full competition announcement and Appendix A topic details on xtech.army.mil/competitions.
• October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET: white paper deadline on the xTech site. Firms that miss it cannot compete or submit a DSIP proposal under this topic.
• Finalists and final winners are invited to submit a Direct to Phase II proposal in DSIP between April 19, 2027 and May 7, 2027, with justification documents showing scientific and technical merit and feasibility.
• Keep SAM.gov and DSIP registrations current so you are ready if you advance.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

EW, RF sensing, spectrum management, and network autonomy companies with demonstrable hardware or software fit this competition. The white paper is short and due in a few weeks, so the decision to compete should be made now.

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 Army SBIR topic ARM27BX01-DP001?

It is an Army SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in the DoW SBIR 2027 CSO, Release 1, tied to the xTech competition G-TEAD USAREUR-AF ACE 27-02: Spectrum Enabled Warfare, seeking electromagnetic spectrum operations solutions.

How do I apply?

Submit a white paper through the xTech competition site at xtech.army.mil/competitions by October 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET. xTech applications are not submitted through DSIP.

Who can submit a DSIP proposal?

Only finalists and final winners of the xTech competition. Proposals from anyone else will not be evaluated.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 for a 12 to 18 month Direct to Phase II, plus possible TABA of up to $50,000. Participants can also earn xTech prize money.

When is the DSIP window?

The DSIP proposal window for finalists and winners runs from April 19, 2027 to May 7, 2027.

What capability tracks are included?

Electromagnetic Support and Tactical Surveillance, Autonomous Network Management, and Electromagnetic Environment Visualization and Battle Damage Assessment Tools.

OSW SBIR OSW27BZ01-NV001: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Rapid Maturation

Quick Answer

OSW27BZ01-NV001 is an Office of the Secretary of War SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for counter-UAS technology that detects, tracks, identifies, or defeats small, low-flying Group 1 and Group 2 drones in hostile or contested areas. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months with no priced option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The technical volume is only 2 pages on a required template, and cost is not an evaluation criterion. The same scope is offered as a Direct to Phase II under OSW27BZ01-DV002.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: OSW27BZ01-NV001
• Title: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Rapid Maturation
• Component: Office of the Secretary of War (OSW)
• 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: 2 pages
• 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 Manufacturing; Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: counter-UAS, C-sUAS, Group 1 UAS, Group 2 UAS, autonomous threat detection, edge AI, multi-sensor fusion, denied environment
• 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 OSW Is Looking For

Cheap, maneuverable commercial drones threaten tactical forces, critical infrastructure, and installations, and current defenses are limited by cost, operator attention, and vulnerability to countermeasures. OSW wants mature or maturing technology anywhere in the counter-UAS kill chain against Group 1 and Group 2 UAS.

Three example areas are listed, and a proposal can address one, several, or a gap not listed. Detection and tracking: hold track on agile targets in cluttered low-altitude airspace with a modality you choose, preferably when the target is not emitting; fixed-site or mains-powered solutions are out of scope, since the system must move with the force. Identification and decision support: classify and identify unauthorized platforms on tactical computing carried or emplaced with the force, with a pathway to existing command and control. Mitigation and defeat: kinetic, non-kinetic, or cyber defeat in remote theaters and dense urban areas, with collateral effects addressed.

Four operating preferences every proposal must address

• (a) The system does not require the target to emit RF. Passive RF can be part of a solution, but track should hold when the target is silent.
• (b) The system does not radiate. Kinetic and cyber defeat are favored. Jamming, active illumination, and transmitting into a target's links are in scope but must be declared with their operational effect.
• (c) The system does not require cloud services or reachback and keeps working with all external network interfaces disabled.
• (d) The system does not require a dedicated operator whose only task is attending it. Human judgment over use of force is still expected.
• Out of scope: work requiring classified access or a facility clearance at award, and approaches that depend on cooperative identification such as Remote ID.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I determines technical, scientific, and commercial feasibility. Work may include a concept architecture, modeling critical software, or bench testing key hardware. Deliverables are a feasibility study, a technical report, and an initial system design package showing the path to a prototype. The report must state test conditions, dates, target or surrogate, and measured results, and where the approach stands on each operating preference.

Phase II follow-on depends on future-year funds and will be considered among Phase I awardees. It is scoped to 12 months to reach TRL 6 and a transition decision, and a Government showcase may be held about six months after award.

Phase III commercial markets are deploy-with-a-team uses: temporary airspace security for events, venues, construction, and energy sites; convoy and executive protection; wildfire, disaster, and infrastructure response; and mobile detection kits for law enforcement and allies. Defeat authority in the United States is limited by statute to covered federal entities, so defeat-focused proposals are not expected to show a near-term domestic market for that function. Military uses include point defense for tactical units, forward operating bases, and naval vessels.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I award maximum: $300,000, with no priced option.
• Maximum Phase I period of performance: 6 months.
• Cost is not an evaluation criterion under this topic.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 2 pages, prepared on the required OSW Phase I Technical Volume Template. Anything past two pages is not evaluated.
• TABA: Phase I awardees may request up to $6,500, in addition to the Phase I ceiling.
• Phase II follow-on depends on future-year funds and will be considered among Phase I awardees.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• The feasibility you rely on may not rest solely on prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work, must have been substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator, and you must own or license the related IP before submission.
• Work requiring classified access or a facility clearance at the time of award is out of scope.
• 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 good entry point for early counter-UAS teams with a credible approach and some bench or field data, particularly passive sensing, edge AI classification, or low-collateral defeat concepts. Writing a compelling 2 page volume takes discipline, so plan your argument around the evaluation rubric.

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 OSW SBIR topic OSW27BZ01-NV001?

It is an Office of the Secretary of War SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for counter-UAS technologies that detect, track, identify, or defeat Group 1 and Group 2 drones in contested areas.

How much funding is available?

Up to $300,000 for Phase I with a maximum 6 month period of performance and no priced option. Up to $6,500 in TABA may be requested.

How long is the technical volume?

Two pages, prepared on the required OSW Phase I Technical Volume Template. Pages beyond two are not evaluated.

Is cost evaluated?

No. Cost is not an evaluation criterion under this topic.

Is there a Direct to Phase II option?

Yes. OSW27BZ01-DV002 offers the same scope as a Direct to Phase II of up to $2,000,000 over 12 months for firms with documented test evidence.

When is the deadline?

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

OSW SBIR OSW27BZ01-DV002: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Rapid Maturation

Quick Answer

OSW27BZ01-DV002 is an Office of the Secretary of War SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to rapidly mature commercial and dual-use counter-UAS technology that detects, tracks, identifies, or defeats small, low-flying Group 1 and Group 2 drones in contested areas. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over a compressed 12 month period of performance, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The format is unusually tight: a 5 page technical volume on a required template plus 5 pages of feasibility evidence, which must include a documented test. A companion Phase I topic, OSW27BZ01-NV001, covers less mature approaches.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: OSW27BZ01-DV002
• Title: Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Rapid Maturation
• Component: Office of the Secretary of War (OSW)
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 12 months
• Technical volume limit: 5 pages
• 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 Manufacturing; Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: counter-UAS, C-sUAS, Group 1 UAS, Group 2 UAS, autonomous threat detection, edge AI, multi-sensor fusion, denied environment
• 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 OSW Is Looking For

Cheap, maneuverable commercial drones threaten tactical forces, critical infrastructure, and installations, and current defenses are limited by cost, operator attention, and vulnerability to countermeasures. OSW wants mature or maturing technology anywhere in the counter-UAS kill chain against Group 1 and Group 2 UAS.

Three example areas are listed, and a proposal can address one, several, or a gap not listed. Detection and tracking: hold track on agile targets in cluttered low-altitude airspace with a modality you choose, preferably when the target is not emitting; fixed-site or mains-powered solutions are out of scope, since the system must move with the force. Identification and decision support: classify and identify unauthorized platforms on tactical computing carried or emplaced with the force, with a pathway to existing command and control. Mitigation and defeat: kinetic, non-kinetic, or cyber defeat in remote theaters and dense urban areas, with collateral effects addressed.

Four operating preferences every proposal must address

• (a) The system does not require the target to emit RF. Passive RF can be part of a solution, but track should hold when the target is silent.
• (b) The system does not radiate. Kinetic and cyber defeat are favored. Jamming, active illumination, and transmitting into a target's links are in scope but must be declared with their operational effect.
• (c) The system does not require cloud services or reachback and keeps working with all external network interfaces disabled.
• (d) The system does not require a dedicated operator whose only task is attending it. Human judgment over use of force is still expected.
• Out of scope: work requiring classified access or a facility clearance at award, and approaches that depend on cooperative identification such as Remote ID.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. You must show Phase I equivalent feasibility achieved outside SBIR/STTR, with a written record of at least one test stating conditions, dates, target or surrogate, measured result, and how it was measured. Test data, technical reports, and third-party evaluations count. A design alone or a self-declared TRL does not. Direct to Phase II proposals first go through a feasibility determination using the Volume 5 evidence, and only those that pass are evaluated further.

Phase II refines the approach into an operational prototype ready for test and evaluation in a militarily relevant or simulated field environment, reaching TRL 6 in 12 months so the capability can reach a transition decision within a year. Budget for your own test authority, range access, spectrum authorization, threat surrogates, and facilities. A Government showcase may be held about six months after award, by invitation based on end user interest, but every performer must provide operational evidence to support follow-on funding.

Phase III commercial markets are deploy-with-a-team uses: temporary airspace security for events, venues, construction, and energy sites; convoy and executive protection; wildfire, disaster, and infrastructure response; and mobile detection kits for law enforcement and allies. Defeat authority in the United States is limited by statute to covered federal entities, so defeat-focused proposals are not expected to show a near-term domestic market for that function. Military uses include point defense for tactical units, forward operating bases, and naval vessels.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Direct to Phase II award maximum: $2,000,000.
• Period of performance: 12 months, not the 24 months the BAA otherwise allows.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 5 pages on the required Direct to Phase II template. Feasibility documentation goes in Volume 5, also limited to 5 pages.
• TABA: Phase II awardees may request up to $50,000 per project, in addition to the award ceiling.
• The Government may host a showcase about six months after award, by invitation based on end user interest.

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 show Phase I equivalent feasibility achieved outside SBIR/STTR: a written record of at least one test with conditions, dates, target or surrogate, measured result, and measurement method. A design alone or a self-declared TRL is not enough.
• You must own or license the associated IP before proposal submission.
• Work requiring classified access or a facility clearance at award is out of scope.

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?

Counter-UAS companies with fielded or field-tested hardware and documented test results fit this topic. If your test evidence is thin, the Phase I companion topic OSW27BZ01-NV001 may be a better use of this cycle.

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 OSW SBIR topic OSW27BZ01-DV002?

It is an Office of the Secretary of War SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to mature counter-UAS technologies that detect, track, identify, or defeat Group 1 and Group 2 drones in contested areas.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 with a 12 month period of performance. Phase II awardees may also request up to $50,000 in TABA.

What counts as feasibility?

A written record of at least one test of your approach with conditions, dates, target or surrogate, measured result, and measurement method. A system design alone or a self-declared TRL is not sufficient.

How long is the proposal?

The technical volume is limited to 5 pages on the required template, and the feasibility documentation in Volume 5 is also limited to 5 pages.

What are the operating preferences?

No requirement for the target to emit RF, no friendly emissions, no cloud or reachback dependence, and no dedicated operator. They are preferences, not eligibility rules, but every proposal must say where it stands on each.

When is the deadline?

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

DAF STTR DAF27TZ01-DV003: Fusion of Cooperative Information Sharing for Uncrewed Air Systems (FOCISAUS)

Quick Answer

DAF27TZ01-DV003 (FOCISAUS) is a Department of the Air Force STTR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW STTR 2027 BAA Release 1 for cooperative perception: letting multiple uncrewed and ground sensing nodes share, prioritize, and fuse mission-relevant data in near real time under tight bandwidth. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Data fusion is a core requirement, not an add-on. Proposals must show how fused outputs reach autonomy software, edge analytics, or operators, and how the system copes with degraded or intermittent links.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27TZ01-DV003
• Title: Fusion of Cooperative Information Sharing for Uncrewed Air Systems (FOCISAUS)
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW STTR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: STTR 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: Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: cooperative perception, sensor fusion, data fusion, uncrewed air systems, autonomy, adaptive transmission, compression, edge processing, distributed sensing
• 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

Distributed air operations need awareness beyond any single platform's field of view. Cooperative perception can extend coverage and reduce blind spots, but large sensor data, variable wireless links, and the challenge of combining different geometries and modalities limit it.

The Air Force wants prototype-ready solutions for distributed organization, discovery, and retrieval of sensor data; adaptive selection, fidelity control, compression, and transmission; near real-time fusion across platforms and sensor types (point cloud, image, radar, feature or object level, or track association); delivery of fused products to applications; and measurable gains in latency, bandwidth efficiency, blind-spot reduction, and detection or tracking.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. No Phase I proposals will be accepted. You must show Phase I type feasibility from prior research, lab validation, commercial development, or operational demonstrations performed outside the SBIR/STTR program. Your Phase I type effort should have identified operational needs and stakeholders, shown feasibility in distributed information exchange, compression, or adaptive transmission, established a credible fusion approach, produced evidence of prototype readiness, and laid out a clear path to Phase II.

Phase II builds and demonstrates an integrated prototype across multiple air and ground nodes, with performance results on latency, bandwidth, perception quality, and mission relevance, plus documentation and a transition plan.

Phase III targets counter-UAS, tactical reconnaissance, base and perimeter security, special operations, disaster response, and search and rescue, with commercial use in public safety, infrastructure inspection, autonomous delivery, and remote operations.

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 proposals will be accepted and 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. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR/STTR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• This is an STTR topic, so you need a formal partner research institution (a university, FFRDC, or qualifying nonprofit). At least 40 percent of the work must be done by your firm and at least 30 percent by a single research institution, measured by direct and indirect costs. Deviations are not allowed.
• You must document Phase I type feasibility completed outside the SBIR/STTR program, substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator.
• 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?

Autonomy, collaborative perception, and networked sensing companies, particularly those working on V2X style data sharing or multi-drone mapping, fit well. Universities with cooperative perception research are natural STTR partners.

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 STTR topic DAF27TZ01-DV003?

FOCISAUS is a Department of the Air Force STTR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW STTR 2027 BAA Release 1 for cooperative perception and sensor data fusion across distributed uncrewed and ground sensing nodes.

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.

Is data fusion required?

Yes. The topic says offerors should address data fusion as a core requirement, whether through point cloud fusion, image or radar correlation, feature or object fusion, track association, or another mission-appropriate method.

Do I need a research institution partner?

Yes. As an STTR, at least 40 percent of the work must be done by your firm and at least 30 percent by a single research institution.

When is the deadline?

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

DAF STTR DAF27TZ01-DV001: AI-Enabled Computed Vision Air-to-Air Refueling Performance Assessment and Automated Pilot Debrief System

Quick Answer

DAF27TZ01-DV001 is a Department of the Air Force STTR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW STTR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an AI computer vision system that analyzes tanker camera video (especially KC-46) after aerial refueling and produces objective pilot performance scores and automated debrief products. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Targets include debrief products within 15 minutes of video ingestion and at least 95 percent agreement with experienced instructors. As an STTR, you need a research institution partner performing at least 30 percent of the work.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27TZ01-DV001
• Title: AI-Enabled Computed Vision Air-to-Air Refueling Performance Assessment and Automated Pilot Debrief System
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW STTR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: STTR 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: Human-Machine Interfaces; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: AI, machine learning, computer vision, aerial refueling, pilot training, flight analytics, human machine interface, VR, AR, aviation safety, KC-46, KC-135
• 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

Aerial refueling is one of the most demanding and safety-critical tasks aircrews perform, yet assessment still relies on instructor observation, self-assessment, and manual video review. The Air Force wants to turn each refueling sortie into objective, data-driven feedback that improves proficiency, reduces mishaps and equipment damage, and raises readiness.

The system should detect and track the boom or hose and the receiver, measure relative position, closure rate, approach vector, stability, and envelope adherence, correlate with available aircraft data, score performance and trends, and generate visual debriefs such as overlays, heat maps, timelines, and VR or AR replays. It must also automatically protect sensitive video, including masking unauthorized aircraft and sensitive geography. The vendor may choose the first 3 to 5 receiver platforms with Government concurrence.

Phase II tasks

• Task 1: system architecture, data acquisition, and secure CUI processing.
• Task 2: computer vision model adaptation and performance analytics, demonstrated at TRL 6+.
• Task 3: automated performance assessment, pilot feedback, and an instructor or master debriefer review interface (stretch goal: detect bent or broken boom, probe, or hose and FOD).
• Task 4: automated data protection and video processing.
• Task 5: pilot debrief visualization and training integration, including a VR/AR trade study.
• Task 6: operational demonstration with at least one aerial refueling training organization and a Phase III transition plan.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. No Phase I proposals will be accepted. You must show Phase I type feasibility from prior research, lab validation, commercial development, or operational demonstrations performed outside the SBIR/STTR program. Offerors must show experience in at least half of the listed technical areas (computer vision on dynamic objects, high-speed motion imagery, tracking, aviation analytics, VR/AR and HMI, sensor and telemetry integration, controlled aviation data handling, automated video masking, and secure government software) and TRL 4 or greater at award.

Phase II executes the six tasks above and delivers an operational prototype.

Phase III transitions the capability to KC-46, KC-135, C-17, fighter, Navy, and Marine Corps refueling communities and autonomous refueling programs, with commercial aviation training as a dual-use market.

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 proposals will be accepted and 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. The detailed request must be in Volume 5.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR/STTR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• This is an STTR topic, so you need a formal partner research institution (a university, FFRDC, or qualifying nonprofit). At least 40 percent of the work must be done by your firm and at least 30 percent by a single research institution, measured by direct and indirect costs. Deviations are not allowed.
• You must document Phase I type feasibility completed outside the SBIR/STTR program, substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator.
• 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?

Computer vision and aviation analytics companies with tracking experience on fast-moving objects are the core fit, especially those with flight training or simulation products. Line up the university or research institution partner early, since the STTR 30 percent minimum cannot be waived.

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 STTR topic DAF27TZ01-DV001?

It is a Department of the Air Force STTR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW STTR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an AI computer vision system that assesses aerial refueling performance from tanker video and produces automated pilot debriefs.

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 in Volume 5.

Do I need a research institution partner?

Yes. As an STTR, at least 40 percent of the work must be performed by your small business and at least 30 percent by a single research institution.

What performance does the Air Force want?

Debrief products within 15 minutes of video ingestion, accurate tracking of position and refueling geometry, and at least 95 percent agreement with experienced instructors during validation.

Can I submit a Phase I proposal?

No. No Phase I proposals will be accepted. You must show Phase I type feasibility from work outside the SBIR/STTR program and TRL 4 or greater at award.

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-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-DV008: Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV008 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air and Space Force want a secure, scalable way to modernize Technical Data Packages (TDPs) for complex platforms: encrypted configuration management of the as-sustained state, web-based Model-Based Definition (MBD) visualization, automated information assurance compliance checks, and Zero Trust aligned data exchange. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, and the topic closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The topic expects a starting TRL of about 4 and a minimum of TRL 6 by the end of Phase II, validated in a relevant operational environment. No Phase I awards will be made.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV008
• Title: Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange
• 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; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Trusted AI and Autonomy; Sustainment and Logistics; Advanced Manufacturing
• Keywords: technical data packages, information assurance, secure data exchange, trusted AI, digital twin, model-based definition, configuration management, zero trust architecture
• 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

Current TDP systems often lack strong information assurance, tight integration with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environments, and secure ways to exchange data across operational networks. That weakens configuration control and data integrity and raises cyber risk, especially as platforms move to MBD and digital twins.

The Air Force wants a functional prototype that integrates advanced IA protocols, cryptographic protections, and encrypted exchange tools to manage the as-sustained configuration of critical assets, aligned with Trusted AI and Autonomy priorities and DoD Zero Trust Architecture. The topic ties the work to Operational Imperative 7, Readiness to Deploy and Fight.

Minimum deliverables named in the topic

• A secure web-based MBD visualization prototype that renders large-scale geometry and TDP datasets with sub-second response times and role-based access controls.
• Encrypted configuration management and secure as-sustained state maintenance tools integrated with PLM systems.
• An automated, rules-based framework for data quality checks and IA compliance validation of TDPs.
• A cryptographic data transfer and exchange framework with test results showing alignment with DoD security policy and successful inter-organizational exchange.
• AI/ML methods for secure damage detection, sustainment planning, and asset health insight.
• Technical documentation, a transition plan for Air and Space Force platforms, and a commercialization strategy.

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 lists acceptable evidence such as validated data, performance metrics, technical reports, prototype success, or demonstrated capability in relevant operational environments, along with alignment to Trusted AI and Zero Trust standards.

Phase II delivers the secure, scalable TDP modernization prototype at TRL 6 with validated performance in operational environments.

Phase III uses non-SBIR funds to reach TRL 8 and integrate with Air and Space Force systems. Commercial markets include aerospace, manufacturing, and defense industries that need data security and configuration management.

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?

Strong fits include PLM, digital thread, and secure engineering data companies that already handle large CAD and MBD datasets and can show encryption, access control, and Zero Trust patterns working at scale. Pure cybersecurity firms without engineering data experience, or PLM firms without IA depth, should consider teaming.

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-DV008?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to modernize Technical Data Packages with stronger information assurance, encrypted configuration management, MBD visualization, and Zero Trust aligned secure data exchange.

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 in Volume 5.

What TRL does the topic expect?

The project is anticipated to start around TRL 4 and reach at least TRL 6 by the end of Phase II, with core capabilities validated in a relevant operational environment.

When is the deadline?

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

Is this topic export controlled?

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

Can I use prior SBIR work as feasibility?

No. Feasibility documentation cannot be based on or logically extend from any prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.

IARPA Solutions Marketplace (IARPAOT26001): Video Pitch Pathway for AI, Cyber, and IC Solutions

What is the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

The IARPA Solutions Marketplace (Announcement IARPAOT26001) is a long-term open call where companies pitch Intelligence Community (IC) relevant solutions through a five-minute video. The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) runs it with its marketplace manager, The Applied Research Institute (ARI).

Solutions rated "awardable" by a peer panel are considered post-competitive. That means IC agencies, and federal agencies that share the relevant authorities, can view, negotiate, and award them without running a new competition.

For AI, cybersecurity, and dual-use founders, this is a low-cost way to get in front of IC customers. One video pitch can lead to multiple awards across multiple agencies for research, prototyping, test and evaluation, and even production.

Key dates and funding

• Open period: August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027
• Monthly cutoffs: submissions are collected each calendar month and close at 12:00 noon Eastern on the last day of the month. Late submissions roll into the next month.
• Next cutoff: October 31, 2026 at 12:00 noon Eastern
• Results: within 30 days after each monthly collection period closes (subject to submission volume)
• Funding: award amounts are not published. Payment, IP and data rights, schedule, milestones, and pricing are all negotiable, with flexible funding ceilings and durations.
• Marketplace listing: awardable solutions stay in the Marketplace for 24 months

IARPA recommends submitting at least three business days before a monthly cutoff so you have time to fix any compliance issues.

Who is eligible?

All US-based companies can participate, including small and large businesses, traditional and nontraditional contractors, and new entrants. Universities, nonprofits, and individuals are also eligible. Foreign universities, research institutions, and entities may submit if the submission complies with export laws in both their home country and the United States.

A SAM.gov registration is not required to submit. If you already have a Unique Entity ID (UEI), you enter it on the submission form, and your organization name should match your SAM.gov profile. Small businesses are automatically treated as nontraditional contractors.

What focus areas is IARPA looking for?

Pitches must fit at least one of IARPA's current strategic focus areas. Several are directly relevant to AI and machine learning companies.

1. Secure Communications

Non-attributable, secure, two-way communications built on commodity devices and infrastructure, with low probability of detection and the ability to work in many countries.

2. Cyber and Super Intelligence (SI) Security

Data poisoning detection, run-time evasion defense, protecting model weights from distillation or theft, agentic cyber defense, secure AI supply chains and compute clusters, federated learning, autonomous patch generation and verification, red teaming and benchmarking, and attribution of uncontrolled agentic systems.

3. Automating the Business of Research and Development

Tools that speed up federal R&D programs outside the research itself: generating and vetting program ideas, assessing technologies, accelerating contracting, automating test and evaluation, monitoring portfolio health, tracking impact, and automating declassification and sanitization.

4. Biometric Recognition and Multimodal Privacy Preservation

Recognizing individuals in unconstrained imagery, video, text, and audio, detecting spoofing, real-time speech anonymization, and generating text that cannot be traced to its author.

5. Economic Security

Automating review of foreign investment in US businesses, resolving ultimate beneficial ownership from noisy data, link analysis between entities, and finding chokepoints in the Intelligence Industrial Base.

6. Power and Energy Solutions

Novel batteries, energy harvesting, power for extreme environments, low-signature ruggedized energy systems, and resilient power in austere settings.

7. Agentic Super Intelligence Infrastructure, Integration, and Governance

Agentic control planes and orchestration, integration through Model Context Protocol (MCP), Agent-to-Agent (A2A), and APIs, identity and policy controls for agents, secure model gateways, agent memory and state across federated environments, audit and provenance capture, and agent red teaming, containment, and governance.

8. Other Intelligence Community Relevant Solutions

Any other solution with the potential to materially impact one or more IC mission areas.

How do you apply?

Submit through the IARPA Solutions Marketplace opportunity page at iarpa.gov/marketplace. Each submission covers one solution and includes three parts:

• A video pitch of five minutes or less (HD 1920x1080, .mp4 under 1.0 GB, Rec709 or sRGB color space) that covers the problem, technical approach, mission impact, and pricing model
• A submission form with company details, TRL, focus area, business size, FOCI status, FedRAMP, ATO, Impact Level, and facility clearance status where applicable, plus keywords and a 1,500-character abstract
• A five-slide package in the format IARPA prescribes: submission information, company introduction, solution overview, technical review criteria summary, and pricing model

Everything must be unclassified, with no proprietary, export-controlled, or CUI content and no restrictive markings other than a valid copyright notice. Do not include rates or other proprietary pricing.

A peer panel of government, industry, and academic experts scores each pitch on four criteria: Defining the Problem (15%), Overall Technical Merit (45%), Mission Impact (30%), and Pricing Model (10%). A Government Selecting Official makes the final awardable or non-awardable call.

Is this a fit for your company?

This is a strong fit for AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity companies with a product or prototype that solves a real intelligence problem, especially in AI security, agentic AI infrastructure and governance, R&D automation, biometrics, or economic security analytics. Because submissions are short videos and slides rather than full proposals, the cost to compete is low, but technical merit and mission impact make up 75% of the score. A clear story for IC customers matters. BW&CO helps founders shape that story and build a path into defense and intelligence funding. Book a free funding fit call to see if your technology is a match.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

It is an open call from IARPA, managed by The Applied Research Institute, where companies submit five-minute video pitches for Intelligence Community relevant solutions. Pitches rated awardable are placed in a marketplace where IC and federal agencies can negotiate and award them without further competition.

When is the deadline for the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

The Marketplace is open from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. Submissions are collected monthly and close at 12:00 noon Eastern on the last day of each month, and results come within 30 days after each monthly cutoff.

How much funding can an IARPA Solutions Marketplace award provide?

IARPA does not publish award amounts. Awardable solutions are eligible for research, prototyping, test and evaluation, and production awards, with negotiable terms, flexible funding ceilings, and the potential for multiple awards from a single video submission.

Who can submit to the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

All US-based companies of any size, traditional and nontraditional contractors, new entrants, universities, nonprofits, and individuals can submit. Foreign entities may submit if they comply with export laws in their country and the United States.

What do I need to submit?

Each submission includes a video of five minutes or less covering the problem, technical approach, mission impact, and pricing model, a completed submission form, and a five-slide package in IARPA's prescribed format. All materials must be unclassified and free of proprietary, export-controlled, or CUI information.

Can I resubmit if my solution is rated non-awardable?

Yes. Non-awardable solutions can be resubmitted in any later monthly collection period while the announcement is open. Every submitter receives ratings and assessor comments, and ARI offers weekly feedback sessions to help strengthen a resubmission.

NIH Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (PAR-27-039 / PAR-27-040): SBIR and STTR Funding for First-Time PIs

The NIH Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs funds small businesses that put a first-time Principal Investigator in charge of a research project, then pays for that person's mentorship and entrepreneurial training alongside the R&D. NIH and CDC have announced it is returning for fiscal year 2027 as PAR-27-039 (SBIR) and PAR-27-040 (STTR), and both versions will allow clinical trials.

Deadline: NIH expects to post the full solicitation around November 5, 2026, with applications due around January 5, 2027. These dates are NIH estimates, and applications are not being accepted yet, so now is the time to line up your PI and mentor.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Most SBIR and STTR reviewers want to see a PI with a track record of leading funded research. That puts many startups in a bind when their best technical person is a recent PhD, postdoc, clinician, or engineer who has never been an independent PI. This program flips that around: it is reserved for first-time PIs and rewards companies that commit to developing them.

It also pays for things a standard SBIR award usually does not emphasize, including the PI's salary, entrepreneurship courses, and a structured mentoring team. For a founder hiring their first scientist, or a company promoting an internal researcher, it can fund the R&D and the leadership development at the same time.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsors: National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with many participating Institutes and Centers
• Solicitations: PAR-27-039 (SBIR, R43/R44) and PAR-27-040 (STTR, R41/R42), both Clinical Trial Optional
• Status: Forecasted. NIH is not accepting applications yet
• Estimated posting date: November 5, 2026
• Estimated application due date: January 5, 2027
• Estimated award start: July 1, 2027
• Award types: Phase I and Fast-Track (CDC does not support Fast-Track). Direct to Phase II was not allowed in the prior cycle
• Award size: Not yet published. In the prior cycle, Phase I awards normally could not exceed $306,872 and Phase II $2,045,816 in total costs, with some Institutes allowing more on approved topics
• Cost share: Not required

What the Program Funds

Each award supports three things at once:

• Research and development: A Phase I feasibility project, or a Fast-Track project, that fits the mission of one of the participating Institutes or Centers and has clear commercial potential.
• Mentorship: At least one mentor with real entrepreneurial and mentoring experience must be on the team with measurable committed effort. The mentor can be a company founder or executive, but does not have to be.
• Entrepreneurial training: A career development plan for the PI built from courses, workshops, NIH entrepreneurship programs, or similar training.

In the prior cycle, every aim needed quantitative milestones for both the research and the PI's entrepreneurial development. Participating Institutes ranged from NHLBI, NIA, NIDDK, NIDA, NICHD, NEI, NHGRI, NIEHS and NLM to NCATS, NCCIH and CDC's NIOSH, so the program covers devices, diagnostics, digital health, data science, therapeutics, and occupational safety technologies. Some Institutes funded Phase I only.

Is Your Company a Fit?

This program is a strong fit if most of these are true:

• You are a U.S. small business with 500 or fewer employees that meets SBA ownership rules for SBIR or STTR.
• Your proposed PI has never been an independent PI on an NIH or CDC research grant, or a comparable peer-reviewed research grant elsewhere.
• Your PI is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Your PI has real research or technology development experience but limited entrepreneurial or independent leadership experience. Recent PhDs, postdocs, clinicians, engineers, and public health practitioners are typical.
• You can name a mentor with entrepreneurial experience who will commit measurable time to the project.
• Your technology fits the mission of at least one participating Institute or Center.

The program is not meant for experienced PIs or seasoned founders, who are steered to the standard NIH SBIR and STTR parent solicitations instead. Foreign organizations cannot apply.

How to Prepare Now

1. Pick your PI. Confirm they have never led an NIH or CDC research grant and meet the citizenship requirement. They can be a new hire or an existing employee stepping into a real leadership role.
2. Recruit your mentor. NIH is giving advance notice specifically so companies can line up industry mentors and training resources. Secure a commitment letter early.
3. Choose the right Institute. Match your project to a participating Institute or Center and contact its program officer before you write.
4. Get registered. SAM.gov, the SBA Company Registry, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons accounts for the company and the PI can take six weeks or more.
5. Watch for the November posting. When PAR-27-039 and PAR-27-040 are published, confirm the final due date, budget limits, and participating Institutes before you finalize your application.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps life science and health technology startups decide whether the Transition Grant or a standard NIH SBIR or STTR application is the better path, pick the right Institute, and build the mentorship and career development plan reviewers expect. We start early so your team is ready the day the solicitation posts. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we help first-time founders and first-time PIs compete for NIH funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NIH Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs?

It is an NIH and CDC SBIR and STTR program that funds small businesses led on a project by a first-time PI, combining research and development funding with mentorship and entrepreneurial training for that PI.

When is the deadline?

NIH estimates the solicitation will post around November 5, 2026, with applications due around January 5, 2027. Applications are not being accepted yet, and dates may change when the final solicitation is published.

Who can be the PI?

Someone who has never been an independent PI on an NIH or CDC research grant, or a comparable peer-reviewed research grant, and who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Early-career scientists, engineers, clinicians, and public health professionals are the intended applicants.

Is a mentor required?

Yes. Key personnel must include a mentor with entrepreneurial experience who commits measurable effort to the project.

How much funding is available?

NIH has not published amounts for the new cycle. In the prior cycle, Phase I awards normally could not exceed $306,872 in total costs and Phase II awards $2,045,816, with some Institutes allowing more for approved topics.

What happened to the previous version of this program?

The prior solicitations (PAR-24-131 through PAR-24-134) expired early on November 17, 2025, when SBIR and STTR authority lapsed. NIH has forecast the program's return as PAR-27-039 and PAR-27-040.

ARPA-H SPECTRA ARPA-H-SOL-26-163: Autism Technology and Research Funding Guide for Startups

ARPA-H's Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency (SPECTRA) program aims to understand how autism develops across the lifespan and to act on that knowledge earlier and more precisely. The first open call is for Technical Area 4: everyday technologies such as wearables, communication devices, eye tracking, and AI speech tools that people want to use, and that generate assessment data as they are used. Companies, universities, and nonprofits are eligible.

Deadline: TA4 Solution Summaries are due October 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. TA1 and TA2 summaries are expected December 2, 2026, and TA3 summaries January 18, 2027.

Why This Opportunity Matters

About 1 in 31 U.S. children is diagnosed with autism, and an estimated 25 to 30 percent of autistic people are minimally verbal or nonspeaking. Diagnosis often comes late, data sit in silos, and most assessments do not work well for the people with the highest support needs. SPECTRA is designed to change that by connecting biology, environment, real-world data, and targeted interventions into one program.

For health technology companies, TA4 is the immediate opening. It is one of the rare federal programs that funds consumer-grade tools built for real homes and classrooms, not just clinics, and it rewards products that families actually keep using.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Proactive Health Office
• Solicitation: ARPA-H-SOL-26-163, Innovative Solutions Opening
• Award type: Other Transaction (OT) agreements, with phased reviews and possible down-selects
• Award size: Not published. Proposers request funds across all phases on the Solution Summary cover page
• Program length: About four years, with TA4 gates at Months 12, 24, and 48
• TA4 Solution Summary due: October 18, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (portal open now)
• TA1 and TA2 Solution Summary due: December 2, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (details by amendment, expected late October)
• TA3 Solution Summary due: January 18, 2027, 5:00 PM ET (details by amendment, expected early December)
• Full proposals: Dates will be announced after Solution Summaries are reviewed
• Cost share: Resource sharing is encouraged but not required

What SPECTRA Funds

TA4: Technologies for Communication, Quality of Life, and Embedded Assessment (open now)

TA4 funds everyday tools that improve communication and daily function while collecting meaningful data in the background. ARPA-H names examples including wearables for sleep, movement, and autonomic state, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and speech interfaces, eye tracking on tablets and phones, low-channel EEG usable at home, camera-based analysis of movement and behavior, and immersive virtual environment tools. Multimodal combinations are encouraged.

Strong TA4 proposals personalize to each user on the device, adapt over a lifetime, keep users in control of their data, and share data through the program's common data model. A goal is to push validated early identification about ten months earlier than today's 16-month floor. An optional speech component calls for open-source, on-device speech recognition tuned for child and atypical speech. Tools that require users to perform an assessment task belong in TA1, not TA4, and closed ecosystems that cannot export data are out of scope.

TA1: Multi-Factor Analysis and Trajectory Identification (coming)

Multimodal analysis of genetic, biological, environmental, and medical factors to define autism trajectories. TA1 is analysis only and requires datasets and partners already in place.

TA2: Population-Scale Modeling and Data Integration (coming)

A federated, privacy-preserving national data network built on health data standards, with at least 10 live nodes and fast multisite queries.

TA3: Precision Intervention and Trajectory Testing (coming)

Adaptive platform trials stratified by trajectory, prioritizing sleep, seizures, GI issues, pain, anxiety, crisis, and regression.

Is Your Company a Fit?

TA4 is a strong fit for:

• Wearable and biosensing companies focused on sleep, autonomic state, or seizure and overload alerts
• AAC and communication device makers, especially for minimally verbal and nonspeaking users
• Speech AI teams willing to build open, on-device models
• Eye tracking, low-channel EEG, and computer vision companies with tools that run on common phones and tablets
• VR and immersive learning companies

ARPA-H asks for prior experience building technology for autistic people or comparable populations, plus pilot or usability data from the intended users, so teams with real-world deployments will be most competitive. Looking ahead, AI and multi-omics analytics companies fit TA1, federated data and privacy companies fit TA2, and clinical trial platforms and therapeutics companies fit TA3.

FFRDCs and government entities cannot participate, entities from covered foreign countries are excluded, and ARPA-H prioritizes work performed in the United States.

How to Apply

1. Register on the ARPA-H Solutions site. The TA4 portal is open now at solutions.arpa-h.gov. A UEI is not required for the Solution Summary but is required before award.
2. Submit a TA4 Solution Summary by October 18, 2026. Use the required Attachment A1 template, up to 7 pages for the concept, innovation and impact, proposed work, and team. The cover page, cost estimate, resource share strategy, and references do not count toward the limit.
3. Receive an encourage or discourage response. ARPA-H says its view should carry significant weight in your decision to continue.
4. Submit a full proposal. Requirements and deadlines will be released by amendment after summaries are reviewed.

You may submit to more than one technical area, but each must be a separate, standalone submission. Questions go through the Ask a Question page on the ARPA-H Solutions site.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps digital health, wearable, and AI companies decide which SPECTRA technical area fits, frame their real-world evidence for ARPA-H reviewers, and deliver a compliant Solution Summary on a tight timeline. We also track the TA1 through TA3 amendments so clients are ready the day each call opens. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we help health technology founders compete for ARPA-H programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H SPECTRA program?

SPECTRA (Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency) is an ARPA-H program to understand and act on autism trajectories across the lifespan through analysis, data integration, precision interventions, and everyday assistive technologies.

When is the SPECTRA deadline?

TA4 Solution Summaries are due October 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. TA1 and TA2 summaries are expected December 2, 2026, and TA3 summaries January 18, 2027. Full proposal dates will be announced later.

What does SPECTRA TA4 fund?

Everyday technologies such as wearables, AAC and speech interfaces, phone and tablet eye tracking, low-channel EEG, computer vision, and immersive tools that improve communication and quality of life while generating real-world assessment data.

Can startups apply to SPECTRA?

Yes. ARPA-H is primarily interested in proposals from commercial performers, academic institutions, and nonprofits. FFRDCs and government entities cannot participate.

How much funding does SPECTRA provide?

ARPA-H has not published award sizes. Awards are Other Transaction agreements, and proposers request total funds across all phases in their Solution Summary.

How long is the SPECTRA TA4 Solution Summary?

Up to 7 pages using the required Attachment A1 template. The cover page, cost estimate, resource share strategy, and references are not counted.

ARPA-H UNIQUE ARPA-H-SOL-26-162: Quantum Entanglement Imaging Program Guide for Startups

ARPA-H's UNifying Imaging with QUantum Entanglement (UNIQUE) program wants to expand what medical imaging can measure. It funds teams that capture quantum correlations in the 511 keV photon pairs produced in PET-style positron annihilation and use AI to turn those signals into new information about tissue health, such as metabolism, oxygenation, and microstructure. Small businesses, larger companies, universities, and nonprofits are all eligible, and early-career investigators are preferred.

Deadline: Solution Summaries are due October 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET through the ARPA-H Solutions site. Full proposals are due December 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

Why This Opportunity Matters

CT, MRI, and PET show anatomy and function, but they cannot fully characterize the tissue microenvironment where diseases like neurodegeneration, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and pancreatic cancer begin. By the time those diseases are visible, damage is often substantial. Recent research shows that photon pairs from positron annihilation can retain measurable quantum correlations, and those correlations may carry biological information that conventional contrast misses.

The field is still largely at the proof-of-concept stage. That is exactly where ARPA-H invests. UNIQUE is a short, focused 18-month program, which makes it a realistic way for a detector, photonics, or imaging AI company to build a position in quantum medical imaging before the field matures.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Health Science Futures Office
• Solicitation: ARPA-H-SOL-26-162, Innovative Solutions Opening (Amendment 01)
• Award type: Other Transaction (OT) agreements. Multiple awards are anticipated
• Award size: Not published. Proposers submit a rough order of magnitude cost with the Solution Summary
• Program length: 18 months in two 9-month phases, with Phase 2 continuation based on Phase 1 results
• Proposers' Day: October 16, 2026, 8:30 AM ET, with lightning talks and sidebars from 3:00 to 5:00 PM ET
• Solution Summary due: October 29, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (required)
• Full proposal due: December 15, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
• Cost share: Required only for for-profit companies with more than 1,000 employees
• Human subjects: Not anticipated. Work is done in phantoms and on the benchtop

What UNIQUE Funds

Every proposal must address both technical areas in a single integrated plan, so most competitive teams will combine hardware and AI expertise.

Technical Area 1: Imaging Core

Generate and measure quantum-derived contrast from entangled 511 keV photon pairs, positronium-sensitive interactions, and decoherence in controlled phantom and benchtop systems. Phase 1 targets include an entanglement witness above 1.6, coincidence timing resolution under 300 picoseconds (stretch goal under 150), entangled pair flux of 100,000 to 1,000,000 pairs per second, and measurable differences across at least 3 phantom states. Phase 2 moves to ghost image reconstruction in phantoms, higher usable coincidence rates, stronger signal to background, and repeatability within 10 percent.

Technical Area 2: Quantum AI Interpretation and Fusion

Build AI-driven reconstruction that fuses anatomical, functional, molecular, and quantum-derived signals into unified multidimensional images. Phase 1 calls for a simulation-to-reconstruction pipeline, prototype voxel-level quantum contrast maps, and statistically distinguishable clustering of at least 3 phantom states. Phase 2 calls for a preliminary quantum contrast atlas, datasets above 1,000,000 correlated events, and 3D localization of 2 to 3 millimeters or better.

An ARPA-H independent verification and validation team will supply benchmark phantoms and test results against these metrics.

Is Your Company a Fit?

UNIQUE is a strong fit for companies working in:

• PET, gamma, or Compton detectors, fast-timing scintillators, SiPM readout, or sub-300 picosecond coincidence electronics
• Positron sources, radioisotopes, or imaging phantoms
• Quantum photonics or ghost imaging, if the team can work at 511 keV
• Tomographic reconstruction, physics-informed AI, or multimodal image fusion for sparse, low-count data

Because one proposal must cover both technical areas, a small company will often lead or join a team with an academic PET physics or quantum lab. Each organization may lead only one proposal. Optical-only quantum imaging teams are a weaker fit unless they can adapt to annihilation photons. FFRDCs and government entities cannot participate except in rare, justified cases, and entities from covered foreign countries are excluded. Proposals that offer incremental improvements will not be funded.

How to Apply

1. Attend Proposers' Day on October 16, 2026. It is optional, but the lightning talk and sidebar sessions are the best place to find teaming partners.
2. Submit a Solution Summary by October 29, 2026. It is limited to 3 pages, plus a cover page, rough order of magnitude cost by phase, team qualifications, and references. It must answer what health problem you are solving, how it is done today, and what is new about your approach.
3. Receive an encourage or discourage response. You may still submit a full proposal either way.
4. Submit the full proposal by December 15, 2026. It includes a 12-page technical and management volume, a cost volume with no page limit, and an administrative and policy volume.

All submissions go through the ARPA-H Solutions site, and an active SAM.gov registration is required. Questions go to UNIQUE@arpa-h.gov.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps imaging, photonics, and AI companies decide whether UNIQUE fits their roadmap, assemble teams that cover both technical areas, and write Solution Summaries that make a clear case for disruptive impact. We also manage full proposal development, cost volumes, and OT negotiation support. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we help deep tech founders compete for programs like this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H UNIQUE program?

UNIQUE (UNifying Imaging with QUantum Entanglement) is an 18-month ARPA-H program that funds teams to measure quantum correlations in 511 keV photon pairs and use AI to turn them into new medical imaging contrast for tissue health.

When is the UNIQUE deadline?

Solution Summaries are due October 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, and full proposals are due December 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. A Solution Summary is required.

How much funding does UNIQUE provide?

ARPA-H has not published an award size or total budget. Awards are Other Transaction agreements, multiple awards are anticipated, and proposers estimate their own costs by phase.

Can small businesses apply to UNIQUE?

Yes. Small businesses, larger companies, universities, and nonprofits are all eligible, and early-career investigators are preferred. Companies with more than 1,000 employees must provide meaningful cost share.

Do I need to address both technical areas?

Yes. Every proposal must cover both the Imaging Core and the Quantum AI Interpretation and Fusion technical areas in one integrated plan, so teaming is common.

Does UNIQUE involve human subjects research?

No. Human subjects research is not anticipated. Work is done with phantoms and benchtop systems, using benchmark phantoms supplied by an ARPA-H independent verification and validation team.