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).

Book a Free Fit Call

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.

Book a Free Fit Call

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

AFRL STAR-FISH Call 017: Secure by Design Space Vehicle

Executive Summary

AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate wants white papers for a Secure by Design Space Vehicle: a flat-sat and cyber range, cyber-hardened flight software testing, ground demonstrations and an on-orbit demo. Estimated funding is $14 million in total. White papers are due November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MST.

Book a Free Fit Call

The deciding factor is readiness to perform classified, cost-type work. AFRL plans Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts, requires an approved accounting system, and expects work from CUI up to Secret. Space vehicle builders and integrators with cleared staff and flat-sat experience are the natural fit.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site, Kirtland AFB, NM
• Opportunity: STAR-FISH (Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware) Call 017, Secure by Design Space Vehicle
• Number: Advanced Research Announcement FA9453-21-S-0001, Call 017 (SAM.gov notice FA945326XA001)
• Authority and Award Vehicle: 10 U.S.C. 4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes; Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts with a base period and two options
• Funding: About $14 million estimated for the whole Call (FY2027 $5M, FY2028 $2M, FY2029 $2M, FY2030 $5M), not per award
• Technology Maturity: Ground demonstration through on-orbit demonstration
• Due Date: White papers due November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MST

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 13, 2026 deadline.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is STAR-FISH?

STAR-FISH is AFRL's standing Advanced Research Announcement for experimentation with spaceflight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies. AFRL posts specific Calls under it. Call 017 asks for a full Secure by Design Space Vehicle effort, run as a two-step process: white paper first, then a proposal for selected offerors.

What Problem Is AFRL Trying to Solve?

Cyber threats put national critical space missions at risk, including Position, Navigation, and Timing; Missile Warning and Missile Tracking; Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; and Satellite Communications. AFRL wants a space vehicle designed, tested and demonstrated with cyber protection built in from the start.

Priority Capability Areas: What AFRL Is Looking For

• Design and build: a space vehicle flat-sat and a matching space vehicle cyber range, integrated and verified.
• Cyber-hardened flight software: integrate the Government's Cyber-Hardened Satellite Software (CHSS); MIT Lincoln Laboratory performs the hardening and the Government provides interfaces and drivers.
• Test and evaluation: functional, performance and cyber-effectiveness testing against a non-hardened baseline, including cyber-attack scenarios.
• Operations: CONOPs and courses of action for cyber detection, protection and recovery, plus a user interface.
• Demonstration: ground experimentation, then on-orbit experimentation and a live demonstration.

Funding and Award Terms

• Total estimate: about $14 million for the Call across FY2027 to FY2030. Funding is an estimate and depends on future budgets.
• Contract type: Cost Plus Fixed Fee with a base period and two options, though AFRL may use another instrument.
• Number of awards: multiple awards are anticipated, but AFRL may make one or none.
• Cost share: not required.
• Data rights: the Government seeks unlimited rights and may accept Government Purpose Rights.

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• Size standard: NAICS 541715, 1,000 employees.
• Approved accounting system: required for cost-type awards, along with other approved business systems.
• Security: work is expected from unclassified and CUI up to Secret. Staff must be U.S. citizens with the needed clearance; a DD Form 254 applies and your facility clearance must be current with DCSA.
• Foreign ownership: foreign-owned offerors cannot propose as prime. The technology is ITAR or EAR controlled, and any foreign nationals must be disclosed.

How to Apply

• Attend the Q&A: an online question and answer session is set for 9:00 AM on October 22, 2026.
• Download the current template: use the STAR-FISH White Paper Template (Attachment 2) from valideval.com/star_documents. Old versions are rejected.
• Request a DoD SAFE drop-off: email the Contracting Officer at least three workdays before the deadline. Drop-off links last 14 days.
• Submit the white paper and ROM cost: unclassified PDF with your UEI, uploaded through DoD SAFE by November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM MST. You cannot receive an award without a white paper.

What Happens After You Submit?

• White paper review: rated Highly Recommended, Selectable, or Not Selectable. AFRL aims to notify offerors within 30 days.
• Request for Proposal: selected offerors receive an RFP letter with the proposal due date.
• Evaluation: relevance to AFRL needs, scientific and engineering viability, and the project plan rank first; problem definition and benefit versus funding rank second; proposal quality ranks last.
• Feedback: unsuccessful offerors are notified in writing and can request feedback.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits small satellite and space vehicle builders, flight software and avionics teams, and space cyber companies that can carry cleared, cost-type work through an on-orbit demonstration. If you lack an approved accounting system or cleared facility, consider joining a prime's team instead of bidding alone.

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 announcements like STAR-FISH, we help you:

• Decide prime or partner: check accounting, clearance and teaming readiness before you invest in a bid.
• Map to the objectives: align your approach with each phase of the Statement of Objectives.
• Write the white paper: use the required template and keep it tight on problem, product and plan.
• Build the ROM cost: a realistic Cost Plus Fixed Fee estimate across the base and options.
• Prepare for the RFP: be ready to turn a selected white paper into a full proposal quickly.

Plan Your STAR-FISH White Paper

Frequently Asked Questions

When are white papers due?

November 13, 2026, 4:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, through DoD SAFE. One section of the notice lists an earlier date, so confirm with the Contracting Officer.

How much funding is available?

About $14 million is estimated for the whole Call from FY2027 to FY2030. That total covers all awards, not each one.

What kind of contract will be awarded?

AFRL anticipates Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts with a base period and two options, but may choose another instrument.

Do I need a security clearance?

Work is expected up to the Secret level. Staff must be U.S. citizens with the right clearance, and a DD Form 254 applies.

Is cost share required?

No. Cost share is not required for this Call.

Do I have to build the cyber-hardened software?

No. MIT Lincoln Laboratory performs the hardening. The Government provides the CHSS interfaces, drivers and flat-sat requirements, and you integrate them.

Can a small business apply?

Yes, under the 1,000-employee size standard for NAICS 541715, but you need an approved accounting system for a cost-type contract.

Can foreign-owned companies participate?

Foreign-owned offerors cannot propose as prime. The technology is export controlled.

Can BW&CO help with a STAR-FISH white paper?

Yes. We help teams decide prime or partner, write the white paper and ROM cost, and prepare for the RFP. Book a call with our team.

Source: STAR-FISH Call 017, Secure by Design, on SAM.gov

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.

Navy SBIR DON27BZ01-NV004: Input-Output Unit (IOU) for Secure Processing and Routing of Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical (HM&E) and Navigation Signals

Quick Answer

DON27BZ01-NV004 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for an IP54-rated Input-Output Unit (IOU) that interfaces legacy and modern shipboard equipment and routes steering, machinery control, damage control, alarm, synchro, and navigation signals over redundant Ethernet. Phase I is up to $315,000 including the option, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Navy wants a simpler, more open and modular design built from commercially available components to cut lifecycle cost and end reliance on proprietary legacy hardware.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DON27BZ01-NV004
• Title: Input-Output Unit (IOU) for Secure Processing and Routing of Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical (HM&E) and Navigation Signals
• Component: Department of the Navy
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $315,000
• Period of performance: 6 month base plus 6 month option
• Technical volume limit: 10 pages
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: 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; Microelectronics; Sustainment and Logistics
• Keywords: Ethernet networks, input output unit, Parallel Redundancy Protocol, PRP, dust-protected, water splash-resistant
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Navy Is Looking For

IOUs are used on all DDG 51 ships, LHA(R) ships, Aegis Ashore, and Foreign Military Sales cases to translate non-Ethernet traffic such as synchro and serial data for Ethernet users. The Navy's move from Halon to water mist fire suppression makes splash resistance essential, and today's many circuit card types complicate support.

The base technology exists in industry. The topic asks you to integrate it into one product.

Selected requirements

• IEC 60529 IP54 enclosure with adequate internal cooling, RoHS compliant, and 50 percent spare capacity for growth.
• Interfaces: RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, NTDS-E, fiber and Cat 5 Ethernet (unicast, multicast), analog synchro (60 and 400 Hz), and analog AC and DC voltage, with triaxial, 42-pin, 92-pin, and fiber connectors.
• Maximum 188 lb and 17 x 26 x 27 inches, mountable from rear or bottom.
• Dual 120V 60Hz power, under 600 W fully loaded, MIL-STD-1399-300 Type I and II, MIL-STD-461 EMI/EMC, restart within 30 seconds after power restoration.
• MIL-STD-810, MIL-DTL-901, MIL-STD-167, and MIL-HDBK-2164 environmental compliance; MTBF above 10,000 hours for all components.
• IPv4, IPv6, IP multicast, and Parallel Redundancy Protocol (IEC 62439-3); repair possible while energized.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops a concept that meets the requirements and demonstrates its efficacy through modeling, simulation, and supporting documentation. The Option covers initial prototype design specifications.

Phase II builds, tests, and delivers a prototype for a network lab to verify continuity and throughput of all signal types with legacy connections, including cooling under sustained heavy load and IP54 verification per IEC 60529 and MIL-STD-1399.

Phase III supports fleet-wide transition, with commercial uses in maritime systems, offshore extraction, and industrial networks.

Funding and Proposal Limits

• Phase I Base: up to $200,000 over 6 months.
• Phase I Option: up to $115,000 over 6 months, so the Phase I total is up to $315,000. Base and Option costs must be separated in Volume 3.
• Phase II: up to $2,000,000 including all options and TABA, with structure provided to Phase I awardees.
• Technical Volume (Volume 2) limit: 10 pages, 10-point minimum font, and the Option tasks must be inside the 10 pages.
• TABA: up to $6,500 for Phase I, in addition to the Phase I amount. Cost sharing is not accepted on Navy Phase I proposals.

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the work in both the Phase I Base and the Option. The Navy does not accept deviations from this rule for Phase I.
• Firms more than 50 percent owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms are eligible to propose to Navy topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic.

Key Dates and How to Apply

• Now through October 28, 2026: pre-release. Topic authors are listed on the DSIP Topics and Topic Q&A page and you can call or email them directly with technical questions. This is the only window for direct contact.
• October 28, 2026: the topic opens for proposals in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). After this date, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A only.
• November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET: complete proposals must be certified and submitted in DSIP. A proposal still marked In Progress or Ready to Certify is not considered submitted.
• Before you submit, confirm an active SAM.gov registration, a DSIP account, completed Volume 6 Fraud, Waste, and Abuse training, and the Volume 7 foreign affiliation disclosure webform.

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Rugged industrial networking, shipboard electronics, and protocol gateway companies are the right fit. Firms with MIL-STD-901 and 461 test experience will move faster. Plan for the ITAR restriction.

BW&CO has helped deep tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding. If you want a second opinion on fit, feasibility documentation, or a proposal plan before the deadline, book a call with our team below.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Navy SBIR topic DON27BZ01-NV004?

DON27BZ01-NV004 is a Navy SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a dust-protected, splash-resistant Input-Output Unit that processes and routes hull, mechanical, electrical, and navigation signals on Navy ships.

How much funding is available?

Phase I has a Base of up to $200,000 over 6 months and an Option of up to $115,000 over 6 months, for up to $315,000 total. Phase II can be up to $2,000,000 including options and TABA.

When is the deadline?

The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

How long can the technical volume be?

Navy Phase I technical volumes are limited to 10 pages, with a 10-point minimum font, and the Phase I Option tasks must fit inside those 10 pages.

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 talk to the topic author?

Yes, during pre-release only, from October 7 until the topic opens on October 28, 2026. After that, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A.

DAF STTR DAF27TZ01-DV002: Cyber Resiliency for Fog and Edge Computing Devices

Quick Answer

DAF27TZ01-DV002 is a Department of the Air Force STTR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW STTR 2027 BAA Release 1 to prevent and mitigate cyber attacks on fog and edge computing (FEC) devices and their networks so missions can continue in highly contested environments. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Your feasibility package must include an approach, an architecture, and a prior demonstration of a limited-scope prototype that prevents or mitigates at least one class of attack on an edge node or embedded device and can scale to many nodes with autonomous detection and response.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27TZ01-DV002
• Title: Cyber Resiliency for Fog and Edge Computing Devices
• 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: Advanced Computing and Software
• Keywords: cyber resiliency, cyber security, fog and edge computing, Internet of Things, avionics systems, space systems
• 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

Edge and embedded devices increasingly carry mission functions in avionics and space systems, and they are exposed to supply chain and remote exploit attacks. The Air Force wants protections that scale across large numbers of edge nodes and autonomously detect and respond to attacks.

The Direct to Phase II effort should broaden the classes of threats covered, improve detection and response, and show that FEC devices can fight through a supply chain or remote exploit attack and still accomplish mission objectives.

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. The feasibility study should include the approach, architecture, and the limited-scope prototype demonstration described above.

Phase II expands robustness and threat coverage, improves detection and response, and demonstrates fight-through capability against supply chain or remote exploit attacks.

Phase III targets military and commercial avionics and space systems plus commercial IoT, Internet of Battle Things, and Internet of Space Things markets.

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?

Embedded security, firmware integrity, and runtime attestation companies with a working edge prototype fit this topic. Pair with a university cyber lab to meet the STTR research institution requirement, and check ITAR constraints on your staff.

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-DV002?

It is a Department of the Air Force STTR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW STTR 2027 BAA Release 1 to prevent and mitigate cyber attacks on fog and edge computing devices and networks for mission assurance in contested environments.

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 feasibility evidence is required?

An approach, an architecture, and a prior demonstration of a limited-scope prototype that prevents or mitigates a single class of cyber attack on an edge node, embedded device, or similar device, with a path to scale and autonomous detection and response.

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.

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.

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

Executive Summary

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

Solicitation at a Glance

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

Full title: Broad Agency Announcement, Aviation Research 2025

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

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

Latest amendment: Amendment 012, September 29, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

NAICS code: 5417, Scientific Research and Development Services

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

What Is the FAA Aviation Research Division?

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

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

How This BAA Differs From SBIR and STTR

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

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

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

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

Airport Pavements (ARAP)

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

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

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

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

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

Airport Safety (ARAS)

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

Structures and Materials (ARSM)

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

Structures and Propulsion (ARSP)

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

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

Software and Systems (ARSS)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Funding Allowance: What Startups Should Expect

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

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

Timeline and Key Dates

December 5, 2024: BAA opened for white papers.

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

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

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

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

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

How to Apply

Step 1: Contact the Contracting Officer

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

Step 2: Submit a White Paper

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

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

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

Step 3: Submit a Full Proposal (By Invitation)

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

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

Proposals should remain valid for at least 180 days.

How Proposals Are Evaluated

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

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

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

Registration Requirements

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

A Note on Intellectual Property

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

Is This BAA a Good Fit for Your Startup?

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

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

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

Strategic Tips for Startup Applicants

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA Aviation Research BAA 2025?

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

What is the deadline for the FAA Aviation Research BAA?

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

How much funding is available?

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

What topics were added in Amendment 012?

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

Can startups and small businesses apply?

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

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

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

How long can a white paper be?

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

How do I submit a white paper?

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

How long does it take to hear back?

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

How are proposals evaluated?

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

What type of award will the FAA make?

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

What registrations are required?

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

Get Help With Your FAA White Paper

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

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

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

Executive Summary

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

Solicitation at a Glance

• Solicitation number: N39430-26-S-5000

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

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

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

• Published: June 15, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

• NAICS code: 5417, Scientific Research and Development Services

• Submission method: Email to both points of contact

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

What Is NAVFAC EXWC?

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

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

How This BAA Differs From SBIR and STTR

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

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

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

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

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

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

Funding Allowance: What Startups Should Expect

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

In practice, this means:

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

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

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

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

Timeline and Key Dates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Technology Maturity Requirements

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

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

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

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

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

The 13 Topic Areas: What NAVFAC EXWC Is Looking For

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

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

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

Topic 2: Logistics Over the Shore Technologies

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

Topic 3: Waterfront Facilities and Systems

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

Topic 4: Undersea Facilities and Systems

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

Topic 5: Shore Facilities, Equipment, and Systems

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

Topic 6: Facilities Inspections

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

Topic 7: Shore Energy Technology

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

Topic 8: Facilities Related Control Systems Cybersecurity and Cyber Warfare

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

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

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

Topic 10: Installation Compliance and Water Resource Management

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

Topic 11: Living Marine Resources

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

Topic 12: Marine Energy Development

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

Topic 13: Physical Security, Locks, and Barriers

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

Topic 11 Deep Dive: Living Marine Resources Program

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

LMR Investment Areas

The LMR program makes its primary investments in five areas:

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

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

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

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

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

Check the LMR Proposals Page First

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

Topic 11 Format Rules

• No specific template is required.

• Submit a single consolidated PDF file.

• The abstract may not exceed 10 pages.

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

Required First Page Information for Topic 11

• Submittal date

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

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

• Solicitation number: N39430-26-S-5000

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

• Project title

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

Required Project Management Costs for Topic 11

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

• Developing a project fact sheet

• Submitting quarterly status reports

• Managing budget and invoicing

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

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

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

Required Content for the Remaining Pages of a Topic 11 Abstract

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Abstracts Are Evaluated

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Submit

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

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

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

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

Registration Requirements

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

A Note on Sensitive Information

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

Is This BAA a Good Fit for Your Startup?

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Operational technology and industrial control system cybersecurity

• Environmental remediation, groundwater characterization, and water treatment

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

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

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

Strategic Tips for Startup Applicants

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

When is the deadline for the NAVFAC EXWC BAA?

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

How much funding is available under the NAVFAC EXWC BAA?

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

Can startups and small businesses apply?

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

Is the NAVFAC EXWC BAA an SBIR or STTR program?

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

What technology readiness level is required?

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

What topics does the NAVFAC EXWC BAA cover?

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

What is Topic 11 Living Marine Resources looking for?

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

How long can a Topic 11 abstract be?

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

What costs must a Topic 11 budget include?

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

How do I submit an abstract?

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

How are abstracts evaluated?

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

How long does it take to hear back?

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

What registrations are required?

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

Will my abstract be kept confidential?

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

What happens after an abstract is accepted?

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

Get Help With Your NAVFAC EXWC Abstract

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

DCSA Innovation Gateway (HS0021-26-CSO-DCSA): The Complete Guide for Startups

Executive Summary

The DCSA Innovation Gateway is a five-year commercial solicitation from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) that awards Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) for prototype projects under 10 U.S.C. 4022. It is DCSA's front door for commercial innovators, and it is built specifically so that small businesses and companies with no prior defense contracting history can compete. Companies do not submit against the Gateway itself. They respond to individual Innovation Calls published on SAM.gov under the Gateway, starting with a 6-page Solution Concept Paper rather than a full proposal.

Solicitation number HS0021-26-CSO-DCSA. Open period: June 23, 2026 through June 22, 2031. NAICS code 541512, Computer Systems Design Services.

DCSA Innovation Gateway at a Glance

• Agency: Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), Department of Defense

• Solicitation number: HS0021-26-CSO-DCSA

• Solicitation type: Commercial Solutions Opening style announcement resulting in prototype OTAs

• Award instrument: Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for prototypes, 10 U.S.C. 4022

• Open period: June 23, 2026 to June 22, 2031

• First submission: 6-page Solution Concept Paper using the required template (Attachment 1)

• Where opportunities are posted: SAM.gov, as Innovation Calls referencing the DCSA Innovation Gateway

• Unsolicited proposals: Not accepted and not reviewed

• Cost share: Not required for most small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors

• Follow-on: Successful prototypes can move to a production contract or transaction without further competition

• Technical focus: Digital transformation, data and AI, cyber and industrial security, digital workforce and IT governance

What Is DCSA and Why Does This Solicitation Exist?

DCSA is the Department of Defense agency responsible for personnel vetting and background investigations, industrial security oversight of cleared contractor facilities, counterintelligence, insider threat detection, and security training across the National Industrial Security Program. It touches millions of security clearance records and thousands of cleared facilities, which makes it one of the most data-intensive agencies in the federal government.

The Innovation Gateway exists because DCSA wants commercial technology, not custom-built government software. The agency describes the Gateway as its commercially focused front door for innovators, with the goal of partnering with creative companies to solve its most critical mission challenges. Practically, that means DCSA is willing to skip the traditional FAR-based procurement path and use OTA authority to get prototypes on contract faster, with negotiable terms, negotiable intellectual property rights, and a direct path to production if the prototype works.

For a venture-backed startup or a small commercial software company, this is one of the more accessible defense entry points available, because the first submission is a short concept paper rather than a 50-page proposal with a full cost volume.

What DCSA Is Looking For: The Four Technical Priorities

The Gateway publishes four broad technical priority areas. Individual Innovation Calls narrow these into specific problem statements, but every concept must map back to one or more of these areas.

1. Digital Transformation Enablement

DCSA is seeking prototypes that accelerate agency-wide digital transformation by improving how digital capabilities are designed, delivered, governed, and sustained. The strong preference is for solutions that are reusable across multiple mission and business areas, reduce delivery timelines, improve user experience, and increase operational resilience and security. Enterprise applicability is the theme. A tool that solves one system's problem is far less compelling than a pattern that can be adopted across many systems.

• Digital Service Delivery Acceleration: Prototypes that shorten time-to-capability through repeatable delivery patterns such as standardized environments, automated pipelines, release orchestration, and operational readiness practices that work across diverse systems.

• Cloud and Infrastructure Modernization as an Enabler: Solutions that simplify adoption and operation of modern hosting through automation, resilience, performance optimization, and cost transparency, with a focus on enterprise applicability rather than single-system optimization.

• Modular Architecture and Incremental Modernization: Prototypes aligned with MOSA principles that promote modular, replaceable components, enable stepwise modernization, reduce vendor lock-in, and integrate with existing systems.

• Operational Excellence and Continuous Compliance: Efforts that build in observability, configuration management, incident readiness, and continuous compliance so modernized capabilities operate securely and reliably at scale.

2. Data Integration and Advanced Analytics

This priority sits at the center of DCSA's mission, because personnel vetting and industrial security are fundamentally data and risk problems.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Enhancing data understanding, delivery, and management so DCSA can make faster and more accurate risk determinations in personnel and industrial security.

• AI and Machine Learning: Implementing AI capabilities that analyze large volumes of data, identify anomalies, and calculate potential risk, while keeping human judgment at the center of trust decisions. That last phrase matters. Concepts that fully automate a trust or clearance decision will not land well. Concepts that surface, rank, and explain risk for a human adjudicator will.

• Automated Data Ingestion: Tools that automatically ingest data to improve the speed and quality of background investigations.

3. Cyber and Industrial Security

• Securing the Defense Industrial Base: Protecting cleared facilities and IT systems from cyber attacks, foreign insider threats, and vulnerabilities.

• Behavioral Threat Analysis Capability (BTAC): Enhancing the ability to detect insider threats through advanced behavioral monitoring.

• Zero Trust Architecture: Strengthening cyber posture through modern, secure IT solutions that protect sensitive national security information.

4. Digital Workforce and Governance

• Digital Skills Training: Building a skilled digital workforce, including expanded AI experience and cybersecurity awareness.

• IT Governance: Establishing enterprise-wide IT, data, and cybersecurity governance to ensure compliance and efficiency.

What Counts as a Prototype Project

Under 10 U.S.C. 4022, a prototype project is defined broadly, which is helpful for software and services companies. It includes a proof of concept, model, or process (including a business process), reverse engineering to address obsolescence, a pilot or novel application of commercial technology for defense purposes, agile development activity, the creation, design, development, or demonstration of operational utility, or any combination of these. Adapting an existing commercial product to a DCSA use case qualifies. You do not need to invent something new from scratch.

Who Is Eligible: OTA Eligibility Rules Explained

Prototype OTAs have statutory eligibility conditions. Under 10 U.S.C. 4022, the awardee must meet at least one of the following three conditions.

• (A) Nontraditional participation: At least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participates to a significant extent in the prototype project.

• (B) All small or nontraditional team: All significant participants other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses in a program under section 9 of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 638) or nontraditional defense contractors.

• (C) One-third cost share: At least one third of total project cost is paid from non-federal sources.

What Is a Nontraditional Defense Contractor?

A nontraditional defense contractor is an entity that is not currently performing, and has not performed for at least one year prior to the solicitation, any DoD contract or subcontract subject to full coverage under the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). In plain terms, most commercial startups, most venture-backed companies, and most small businesses qualify automatically. If your company has never held a large cost-type DoD contract with full CAS coverage, you are almost certainly nontraditional, and condition (A) or (B) is satisfied without any cost share.

Security Requirements and Foreign Participation

Each Innovation Call specifies whether non-U.S. organizations or individuals may participate and what controls or security regulations apply. Some calls will require a facility clearance or cleared personnel, and some will not. If foreign participation is allowed under a given call, all forms of it must be clearly and fully disclosed in the proposal. For controlled unclassified information (CUI) and classified submissions, that includes disclosing and mitigating any Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) issues before the submission is transmitted to DCSA. Foreign investors on your cap table are not automatically disqualifying, but they must be disclosed and mitigated, and they should be addressed early rather than discovered during negotiation.

Administrative Requirements Before Award

These are checked before an agreement can be executed, not at concept paper stage, but you should start them now because they take time.

• Active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

• A CAGE code

• Any facility or personnel security clearances required by the specific Innovation Call

• Registration and active status in the prescribed government invoicing system, such as the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE)

• Not suspended or debarred, and not prohibited by law or Executive Order from receiving an award

• A responsibility determination by the Agreements Officer

• Any Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) addressed and mitigated

Funding Allowance, Cost Share, and What to Put in Your ROM

The Innovation Gateway itself does not publish a dollar ceiling or a fixed award size. This is intentional. Award value is established through your Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) and then negotiated during Phase 3, and individual Innovation Calls may state their own funding parameters or target ranges.

• You set the number. The Solution Concept Paper requires a total ROM plus a high-level cost estimate broken into major phases where applicable, showing project phase, estimated duration, and estimated cost range.

• Affordability is a scored criterion. DCSA evaluates whether the ROM is within an acceptable range for a prototype effort. A ROM that is too high for the scope described is a real rejection risk, and so is one that is obviously too low to deliver what you promised.

• Cost share is generally not required. Cost sharing is not required as a rule. OTs for prototypes require cost share only if the team fails the nontraditional or all-small-business conditions. If the proposing team does not meet those conditions, it must provide at least one third of total cost from its own funds unless a waiver is granted, and waivers are not common and require significant justification.

• Voluntary cost share is encouraged where there is commercial upside. DCSA encourages cost sharing where there is a reasonable probability of commercial application related to the effort. Any cost sharing arrangement should be noted in both the Solution Concept Paper and the Full Project Proposal.

• The real money is often downstream. Under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), a successful prototype can transition to a follow-on production contract or transaction without further competition, covering additional units, scaling of the prototype technology, or implementation of the solution.

Scope your ROM to what can credibly be demonstrated as a prototype, phase it, and treat the prototype as the on-ramp to the production OTA rather than the end state.

How the Process Works: Three Phases

Phase 1: Solution Concept Paper

Vendors submit a 6-page Solution Concept Paper in response to a specific Innovation Call. DCSA reviews every concept paper submitted. Important nuance: this initial review may serve as the sole and entire evaluation. After review, the Government may select the most promising vendors and go straight to Phase 3, invite a limited number of vendors into Phase 2, or decide that no submission is suitable and make no selections.

Phase 2: Full Project Proposal (Optional, Invitation Only)

Selected vendors may receive an official invitation to a second evaluation phase. The invitation defines what is required, and it could be a Full Project Proposal, a technical demonstration, an oral presentation, or some combination. This phase is optional and is conducted only if the Government deems it necessary. Plan for the possibility that your 6 pages are the only thing DCSA ever reads.

Phase 3: Negotiation and Award

Vendors selected from either Phase 1 or Phase 2 proceed to collaborative negotiation. The goal is to jointly establish the framework for the prototype project, which includes refining the technical approach, developing a detailed Statement of Work, establishing well-defined milestones and deliverables, establishing a fair and reasonable price, and agreeing on mutual terms and conditions. The Agreements Officer is the only individual with authority to enter into, modify, or execute a binding agreement on behalf of the Government. Selection does not guarantee an award, and the Government may cancel at any point prior to execution.

Timeline and Key Dates

• June 23, 2026: DCSA Innovation Gateway published. The Gateway is the umbrella announcement, not a submission deadline.

• Ongoing through June 22, 2031: Individual Innovation Calls are published on SAM.gov at various times during the open period, each referencing the Gateway. Each call carries its own problem statement, submission email, deadline, security requirements, and timelines.

• Concept paper window: Set by each Innovation Call. These windows are typically short, which is why preparation before a call drops matters more than reaction speed after it.

• Within 24 hours of submission: All submissions are acknowledged with an email confirmation.

• At 48 hours: If you have not received confirmation, follow up to confirm delivery. DCSA is not responsible for email malfunctions or undeliverable email.

• After Phase 1 review: DCSA notifies vendors of results, including a Phase 2 invitation if applicable. No debriefs or feedback are provided on Phase 1 submissions.

• Phase 3: Negotiation timing varies with scope and complexity, and award occurs when collaborative and administrative activities are complete and funds are available.

The single most useful planning move is to monitor SAM.gov for Innovation Calls referencing HS0021-26-CSO-DCSA, and to have your company information, OTA eligibility certification, IP posture, and ROM structure drafted in advance so that only the problem-specific content needs to be written when a call opens.

What Goes in the 6-Page Solution Concept Paper

Proposers must use the Solution Concept Paper Template (Attachment 1). Any concept paper that does not use the required template will not be considered for review.

Format Rules You Cannot Change

• Page size 8.5 x 11 inches, 1 inch margins, single spacing

• Calibri Light, 11 point, black font in the final document

• Sections 1 through 6 are limited to 6 pages total

• Graphics and illustrations are allowed and are not subject to the format restrictions

• Tables are allowed but are subject to the format restrictions

• An acronym list or glossary is allowed outside the page count

• All grey instruction text in the template must be replaced or deleted before submission

• Altering template settings such as font, font size, line spacing, or margins is prohibited

• Do not include detailed project plans, formal quotes, or team resumes. The concept paper is not a full proposal, and the focus is meant to be exclusively on the quality of the concept.

• Email subject line format: DCSA - Innovation Call [insert #] - Concept Paper [insert Company Name]

Cover Page Contents (Outside the 6-Page Limit)

• Gateway number HS0021-26-CSO-DCSA, Innovation Call number and title

• A descriptive Solution Concept Paper title. Do not simply copy the Innovation Call title.

• Lead organization name, organization type, address, TIN or EIN, UEI, CAGE code, and NAICS code

• Subcontractors with name, email, business type, and CAGE code

• Technical POC (program manager or principal investigator) and administrative POC with full contact details

• Total ROM

• OTA eligibility certification under 10 U.S.C. 4022, with initials next to each applicable condition

• Proprietary data statement and page markings, if you are restricting data

• A table of contents

The Six Required Sections

• 1. Problem Understanding. Clearly describe your understanding of DCSA's operational problem and the desired end state for the user. This is where most commercial companies lose. Generic mission language reads as unfamiliarity. Name the workflow, the user, and the consequence of the status quo.

• 2. Proposed Concept and Vision. A one-page narrative describing your big idea, focused on the unique approach, the user experience, and the strategic value delivered. A simple concept diagram is encouraged, and since graphics are exempt from format restrictions, a strong visual buys you page space.

• 3. High-Level Technical Approach. Briefly outline your technical philosophy and explain why you recommend a particular technology stack, architectural style such as modular or open source, or development methodology such as Agile or DevSecOps for this specific problem. The emphasis is on rationale, not specifications.

• 4. Intellectual Property and Data Rights. State your data rights and licensing posture across three categories. Background IP: identify pre-existing software or algorithms delivered as proprietary background IP and state the specific license terms and user rights granted to the Government to run, integrate, and maintain it. Foreground IP: list proposed rights and license terms for custom software, code adapters, interfaces, or configurations developed under the effort. Dependencies: disclose third-party software, libraries, or data feeds required to sustain the prototype. This section is scored under Concept Viability, so a vague IP answer is a scored weakness, not a formality.

• 5. Risk and Opportunity Spotlight. Identify the single biggest technical or programmatic risk that could jeopardize the project, and the single biggest opportunity the Government might be overlooking. Answer both honestly. A paper that claims no meaningful risk reads as inexperienced.

• 6. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM). A high-level cost estimate broken into major phases where applicable, with project phase, estimated duration, and estimated cost range, plus any cost share discussion.

How DCSA Evaluates Concept Papers

Concept papers are evaluated on their own merit against the Innovation Call and the criteria below, not against other concept papers submitted to the same call. This is a meaningful advantage. You are not fighting for a fixed number of slots against incumbents. You are clearing a bar.

• Concept Viability: Is the idea innovative, technically sound, and compelling? Are the proposed data rights and licensing viable for long-term integration?

• Mission Alignment: Does the vendor deeply understand the problem and its operational impact?

• Affordability: Is the ROM within an acceptable range for a prototype effort?

Note the phrase in Concept Viability about data rights being viable for long-term integration. DCSA is explicitly screening for lock-in risk. A restrictive license that leaves the Government unable to run, integrate, or maintain the capability can sink an otherwise strong technical concept.

Restrictive Markings, Proprietary Data, and FOIA

Data subject to use restrictions may be included in concept papers but must be clearly marked. You must identify and mark proprietary data intended for Government use only, and identify any technical data or computer software provided with use restrictions. In the absence of that identification, the Government will assume unlimited rights to all technical data and computer software in the concept paper. DCSA intends to treat concept papers as procurement sensitive before award and to disclose contents only to Government employees or designated support contractors for procurement related activities. Classified, sensitive, or critical technology information should not be included in a concept paper. Proposers are cautioned that portions may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

Non-Government advisors under signed NDAs may participate in evaluation of concept papers, full proposals, and negotiations. Submitting an offer constitutes a grant of authority for their use in all phases.

After Award: How Prototype OTAs Actually Run

• Iterative by design. Gateway OTAs are awarded with the intent to use an iterative development approach. The Government and the vendor may mutually agree to modify scope, objectives, and technical requirements during performance.

• Scope can expand without recompete. The agreement allows adapting the prototype based on technical discoveries and test results, expanding scope to address new or refined operational requirements, and implementing those changes within the existing OT without a new competitive action.

• Multiple paths to success. A prototype is successfully completed upon written determination that it met at least one of the following: fulfilled the key technical goals in the Statement of Work, satisfied the objective success metrics in the OT agreement, or achieved a favorable or unexpected result that provides significant operational utility and justifies transition to production.

• Partial completion is allowed. DCSA may declare a specific component successfully completed before the full effort concludes, which lets the Government transition valuable capabilities into production while other parts are still in development.

• Follow-on production without recompete. Under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), a follow-on production contract or transaction may be awarded to prototype participants without further competition, contingent on successful completion to the Government's satisfaction.

Is the DCSA Innovation Gateway Right for Your Startup?

Strong fit signals:

• You sell commercial software, data infrastructure, AI and analytics, identity, or cybersecurity capability that can be adapted to a vetting, insider threat, or industrial security workflow

• You are a small business or nontraditional defense contractor, so no cost share is triggered

• Your architecture is modular and integrates with existing systems rather than requiring a rip and replace

• You can offer the Government license terms that support long-term integration and sustainment

• You want a path into DoD that does not require winning a full FAR-based competition first

Weaker fit signals:

• Hardware-heavy concepts with no clear digital or data integration tie to the four priority areas

• Fully automated trust or adjudication decisions that remove the human from the loop

• Highly proprietary, closed licensing that creates vendor lock-in

• Concepts that solve a single system's problem with no reuse potential across the enterprise

• Companies that cannot meet a clearance requirement if a specific Innovation Call imposes one

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DCSA Innovation Gateway?

The DCSA Innovation Gateway (HS0021-26-CSO-DCSA) is a five-year competitive solicitation from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency that results in the award of prototype projects through Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022. It announces DCSA's general areas of interest and the criteria for selecting Solution Concept Papers. Specific requirements are issued separately through Innovation Calls published on SAM.gov.

How do I apply to the DCSA Innovation Gateway?

You do not apply to the Gateway directly. You respond to a specific Innovation Call published on SAM.gov under the Gateway by emailing a 6-page Solution Concept Paper, using the required template, to the address named in that call, with the subject line format DCSA - Innovation Call [number] - Concept Paper [company name].

Can I submit an unsolicited proposal to DCSA under the Gateway?

No. The Government will only accept proposals submitted in response to an Innovation Call. Unsolicited proposals that are not in response to an Innovation Call will not be reviewed.

How much funding can I receive through a DCSA prototype OTA?

The Gateway does not publish a fixed award ceiling. You propose a total Rough Order of Magnitude cost in the concept paper, broken into phases with estimated durations and cost ranges, and the final value is negotiated during Phase 3. Affordability is an evaluation criterion, so the ROM must be defensible for a prototype effort. Individual Innovation Calls may specify their own funding parameters.

Is cost sharing required for a DCSA prototype OTA?

Cost sharing is not required in most cases. Prototype OTs require cost share only when the team does not include a significantly involved nontraditional defense contractor and is not composed entirely of small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors. In that case, at least one third of total cost must come from non-federal funds unless a waiver is granted, and waivers are uncommon and require significant justification. Voluntary cost share is encouraged where commercial application is likely.

Can a startup with no prior DoD contracts qualify?

Yes, and that is the intent. A nontraditional defense contractor is an entity that is not currently performing, and has not performed for at least one year prior to the solicitation, any DoD contract or subcontract subject to full Cost Accounting Standards coverage. Most commercial startups and small businesses meet that definition, which satisfies OTA eligibility without any cost share.

Do I need a security clearance to submit a concept paper?

It depends on the Innovation Call. Each call specifies its own security requirements, including whether facility or personnel clearances are required and whether non-U.S. organizations or individuals may participate. Clearance requirements are verified before award, so read the specific call carefully before investing in a submission.

Can a foreign-owned or foreign-invested company participate?

Each Innovation Call states whether non-U.S. organizations or individuals may participate. Where participation is allowed, all forms of foreign participation must be clearly and fully disclosed in the proposal, and for CUI or classified submissions any Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence issues must be disclosed and mitigated before the submission is transmitted to DCSA.

How long is the Solution Concept Paper and what format is required?

Sections 1 through 6 are limited to 6 pages, in Calibri Light 11 point, single spaced, with 1 inch margins on 8.5 x 11 inch pages. The required template (Attachment 1) must be used, and a concept paper that does not use the template will not be considered for review. Graphics are exempt from format restrictions, and an acronym list or glossary does not count against the page limit.

What are the evaluation criteria for a Solution Concept Paper?

Three criteria: Concept Viability, meaning whether the idea is innovative, technically sound, and compelling, and whether the proposed data rights and licensing are viable for long-term integration; Mission Alignment, meaning whether the vendor deeply understands the problem and its operational impact; and Affordability, meaning whether the ROM is within an acceptable range for a prototype effort. Papers are judged on their own merit, not against competing submissions.

Will DCSA give me feedback if my concept paper is not selected?

No. DCSA notifies vendors of concept paper evaluation results, but debriefs and feedback on Phase 1 submissions are not provided.

Is Phase 2 guaranteed if my concept paper is strong?

No. The Phase 1 review may serve as the sole and entire evaluation. DCSA may select the most promising vendors and proceed directly to Phase 3 negotiation and award, invite a limited number of vendors to Phase 2, or make no selections at all. Phase 2 is optional and occurs only if the Government deems it necessary.

What happens after a successful prototype project?

Under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), a follow-on production contract or transaction may be awarded to prototype participants without further competition, contingent on successful completion to the Government's satisfaction. Follow-on production may include procurement of additional units, scaling of the prototype technology, or implementation of the solution.

How is this different from SBIR or STTR?

SBIR and STTR are structured research programs with fixed phase sizes, set topic cycles, and statutory small business eligibility. The Innovation Gateway is an Other Transaction vehicle with negotiated scope, negotiated price, negotiated terms, no fixed award size, and a non-competitive path to production. The trade-off is that terms and IP are negotiated rather than standardized, so preparation on data rights matters more. Many companies pursue both, using SBIR for technology maturation and an OTA for mission integration.

What administrative registrations do I need before award?

An active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity Identifier, a CAGE code, registration in the prescribed Government invoicing system such as PIEE, any clearances required by the Innovation Call, no suspension or debarment, a favorable responsibility determination by the Agreements Officer, and mitigation of any organizational conflicts of interest.

How BW&CO Helps Companies Win DCSA Prototype OTAs

BW&CO is a non-dilutive funding advisory firm that has helped clients secure more than $350M in government funding. For the DCSA Innovation Gateway, the work starts well before an Innovation Call is published: positioning your technology against the four technical priority areas, confirming your OTA eligibility path, building a defensible ROM and phasing structure, and settling your background and foreground IP posture so that the data rights section strengthens your score instead of weakening it. When a call drops, the window is short, and companies that prepared in advance are the ones that submit something worth reading.

Innovation Funding Simplified. If you are evaluating the DCSA Innovation Gateway or any other defense prototype pathway, contact BW&CO for a funding fit assessment.

ERDC Broad Agency Announcement (W912HZ26S0001): The Complete Guide for Startups and Small Businesses

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

Quick Answer

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Broad Agency Announcement, solicitation number W912HZ26S0001, is a continuously open funding pathway that lets startups, small businesses, universities, and nonprofits propose basic and applied research across seven ERDC laboratories. It covers a wide range of technical areas including AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, high performance computing, advanced manufacturing, sensing and instrumentation, autonomous systems, materials and structures, infrastructure, environmental technologies, and geospatial technologies. There is no fixed submission deadline and no set per-award dollar ceiling. You start with a short five-page pre-proposal, and ERDC responds within 60 days on whether to invite a full proposal. Awards can take the form of a procurement contract, a grant, or a cooperative agreement.

What is the ERDC Broad Agency Announcement?

The ERDC Broad Agency Announcement is a standing solicitation issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center under the authority of FAR 35.016. A Broad Agency Announcement, or BAA, is a mechanism the government uses to solicit proposals for basic and applied research, and for that part of development not tied to a specific system or hardware procurement. In plain terms, ERDC is inviting outside organizations to bring forward research ideas that advance the state of the art or increase scientific and technical knowledge in the areas ERDC cares about.

To be eligible for award, your proposed work needs to fall into one of these categories: basic research, applied research, advanced technology development not tied to a specific system or hardware, or demonstration and validation. Work aimed at building a specific product or piece of hardware for direct government use generally does not fit the BAA and would belong on a different acquisition pathway.

This is a science and research vehicle, not a services or product procurement, and understanding that distinction is the single most important thing to get right before you invest time in a submission.

Who is the ERDC BAA for?

ERDC explicitly encourages small business participation. The solicitation specifically invites small business concerns, women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone small businesses, firms in the SBA 8(a) program, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to submit research proposals. It also encourages proposals from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Institutions.

In practice the applicant pool skews roughly half universities and half small businesses. Some research areas lean toward earlier-stage work that naturally draws academic teams, but there is substantial room for commercial small businesses, especially those with genuine research and development depth and a technology that maps cleanly to an ERDC mission area.

Federal facilities and organizations cannot compete. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers and other government entities face direct competition limitations and must clear a high bar to be eligible, with the burden of proving eligibility resting entirely on them.

If your company is doing real R&D in a field ERDC works in, you are very likely in the intended audience.

What research areas does the ERDC BAA cover?

ERDC organizes its research interests across seven laboratories, each with its own set of numbered topic areas. When you submit, you reference the specific topic number, for example CHL-1, CRREL-10, or CERL-15.

Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) covers coastal and inland hydraulics, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, dredging, navigation channels, groundwater, hydrology, coastal structures, nature-based coastal resilience, and marine transportation technologies.

Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) covers soil and rock mechanics, pavements, vehicle mobility, earthquake engineering, geophysics, protective and survivable structures, concrete and construction materials, projectile penetration, bridge and railroad technology, computational structural mechanics, and advanced maneuver technologies.

Environmental Laboratory (EL) covers environmental sensing, hazardous waste characterization and treatment, water quality and contaminant modeling, emerging contaminants, dredged material management, wetlands and ecological restoration, invasive and endangered species management, systems biology and bioinformatics, ecological modeling, and decision analysis.

Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) covers computational science and engineering, software engineering and informatics, high performance computing, cybersecurity, high performance data analytics, additive manufacturing enabled by HPC, artificial intelligence and machine learning for materials discovery, and edge computing.

Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) covers additive construction, critical infrastructure protection, innovative construction materials, energy efficiency and energy security, water resilience, autonomous robotic solutions for engineer operations, geopolymers, fiber reinforced polymers, structural health monitoring, and installation infrastructure management.

Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) covers signature physics, terrestrial and cryospheric science, biogeochemical processes, environmental fate and transport, force projection and sustainment, cold regions infrastructure, geospatial water resources applications, and hydrology and hydraulics.

Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL) covers photon-counting LIDAR, photogrammetry, intelligent spatiotemporal analytics, assured position, navigation and timing in GPS-denied environments, advanced terrain analytics, and cyber geospatial science.

Across all seven labs there are well over one hundred specific topic areas, so the practical first step is identifying which single topic your technology best fits.

How much funding can you get through the ERDC BAA?

The ERDC BAA does not publish a fixed per-award dollar ceiling. This is a meaningful difference from SBIR and STTR, which cap awards at set phase amounts. Under the BAA, the size of an award is scoped to the proposed effort and is constrained by the funding ERDC has available for that research area at the time.

There are two dollar thresholds worth knowing. First, for proposed awards exceeding $900,000, large businesses and nonprofits (including educational institutions) must submit a formal small business subcontracting plan. Small businesses are exempt from that requirement. Second, when the proposed value exceeds $100,000, an SF-LLL disclosure of lobbying activities is required.

The type of award affects fee. Procurement contracts can include a proposed fee or profit. Grants and cooperative agreements do not allow any fee or profit. Cost realism and the availability of funds are part of how proposals are evaluated, so your budget needs to be detailed, defensible, and proportionate to the work.

What is the ERDC BAA timeline and deadline?

There is no single deadline. This BAA is open on a rolling basis and remains in effect until it is superseded by a newer edition. The current edition is dated April 2026 and supersedes all previous editions. You can submit a pre-proposal at any time.

After you submit a pre-proposal, ERDC will respond within 60 days of receipt. The response either encourages you to submit a full proposal or advises you that the pre-proposal did not receive a favorable review. Pre-proposals that lack sufficient scientific merit, that are not relevant to Army needs, or that fall in areas where funds are not expected to be available may be declined.

If you are proposing support for a conference or symposium rather than research, that proposal should be submitted at least six months before the event.

The rolling nature is an advantage. You are not racing a fixed clock, and you can time your submission around your own readiness and around informal conversations with ERDC about fit.

How do you apply to the ERDC BAA?

The process has two stages: a pre-proposal first, then a full proposal by invitation only.

Before you submit anything, your organization must be registered and active in the System for Award Management at sam.gov. This is a prerequisite, and it can take time, so start it early if you are not already registered.

Stage one is the pre-proposal, which ERDC treats as a white paper. Every initial submission under this BAA is considered a pre-proposal. You submit it electronically through the ERDCWERX portal at erdcwerx.org. ERDC reviews it and, if the concept is promising, invites a full proposal.

Stage two is the full proposal, which you only prepare after receiving an invitation directly from the ERDC Contracting Office. Full proposals are submitted by email to the specific laboratory your topic falls under, using the contact and address provided in your invitation. Proposals should never be sent directly to technical or lab personnel.

What goes in an ERDC BAA pre-proposal?

The pre-proposal has a firm five-page limit, and it may only be submitted under one specific topic area. It must reference the topic number for that research area. The pre-proposal should include a descriptive title, the submitting organization's name and address including email, the principal investigator's name and phone number, the project duration, a statement of objectives or the working hypothesis, one or more paragraphs on the technical approach, one or more paragraphs on the potential military or civil payoffs to the Corps of Engineers, and a one-page curriculum vitae for the principal investigator.

Separately, you include a one-page executive summary that describes the background, scope of work, deliverables, and total proposed price. No cost breakdown is required in this summary, and the summary must not contain any sensitive or proprietary data. Importantly, this one-page executive summary does not count against the five-page limit.

If you intend to seek a grant or cooperative agreement rather than a contract, you also describe how the research supports or stimulates a public purpose.

What goes in an ERDC BAA full proposal?

A full proposal has a technical portion and a cost portion.

The technical portion covers the background and objectives, the technical approach, the proposed level of effort, and the anticipated results and deliverables. It includes a recommended Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, biographical information and recent publications for key personnel, the names of any other agencies you have submitted the same proposal to, a description of your organization, and past performance information for at least three customers you have performed similar work for in the last three years. You also include a revised one-page executive summary. If you are pursuing a grant or cooperative agreement, you add a data management plan.

The cost portion is a detailed cost estimate broken out by element of cost and by task. It covers direct labor by discipline, fringe benefits, itemized equipment, expendable supplies, travel, subcontracts, other direct costs, and indirect cost rates and bases. Proposals should also address expected use of DoD High Performance Computing Center systems where relevant.

How are ERDC BAA proposals evaluated?

Pre-proposals get an initial technical review against three factors: the overall scientific and technical merit, the potential contribution to the ERDC mission, and available funding.

Full proposals go through scientific peer review against a broader set of criteria. Scientific and technical merit is the most important factor. The remaining factors are of equal importance to one another and, when combined, are significantly more important than cost. Those factors are the contribution to the ERDC and DoD mission, the offeror's capabilities and facilities, the qualifications of the principal investigator and key personnel, the reasonableness and realism of proposed costs along with the availability of funds, past performance, and a subcontracting plan where one is required.

A useful takeaway: this is a merit-driven, science-first evaluation, not a lowest-price competition. A strong technical concept from a credible team carries the most weight.

What types of awards can result from the ERDC BAA?

The BAA lets you propose one of three instruments, though the final instrument can change through negotiation based on the nature of the work.

A procurement contract is used when the principal purpose is to acquire research services for the direct benefit of the government. Contracts can be cost-reimbursable, which suits research where direction may shift as results come in, or fixed-price, which suits well-defined efforts with predictable costs. Contracts can include a fee.

A grant is used when the principal purpose is to transfer value to support or stimulate a public purpose, with no substantial government involvement expected and no fee or profit allowed.

A cooperative agreement is similar to a grant but anticipates substantial involvement between the government and the recipient, and it also allows no fee or profit.

How is the ERDC BAA different from SBIR and STTR?

If you have looked at SBIR or STTR, the ERDC BAA will feel both familiar and different. Both are non-dilutive federal funding, but the BAA is continuously open rather than tied to solicitation cycles, it has no phase-based dollar caps, and it is evaluated as basic and applied research rather than as a commercialization-staged program. It rewards genuine research depth and a clear tie to an ERDC mission area. For many deep-tech companies, the two pathways are complementary, and the right move is to map your technology against both.

How BW&CO helps you pursue the ERDC BAA

BW&CO works with deep-tech, defense, and dual-use founders to identify the right non-dilutive funding pathways and to build competitive submissions. For the ERDC BAA that means pinpointing the single best-fit topic area across the seven laboratories, pressure-testing whether your work reads as fundable research rather than product development, shaping the pre-proposal and executive summary, and preparing you for the full proposal stage if you are invited. If the ERDC BAA looks like a potential fit for your technology, contact BW&CO to talk through it.

FAQ SECTION WITH SCHEMA

Is the ERDC BAA open to small businesses and startups?
Yes. ERDC explicitly encourages small businesses, women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone firms, 8(a) participants, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to submit research proposals. The applicant pool is roughly half small businesses and half universities.

Is there a deadline for the ERDC BAA?
No. The BAA is continuously open and remains in effect until superseded. The current edition is dated April 2026. You can submit a pre-proposal at any time, and ERDC responds within 60 days.

How much money can you receive through the ERDC BAA?
There is no published per-award dollar ceiling. Award size is scoped to the proposed research effort and depends on available funding. Awards above $900,000 require a subcontracting plan from large businesses and nonprofits, while small businesses are exempt.

What is the ERDC BAA solicitation number?
The solicitation number is W912HZ26S0001.

How do you apply to the ERDC BAA?
You must be registered and active in SAM at sam.gov, then submit a five-page pre-proposal electronically through erdcwerx.org under one specific topic area. If ERDC invites you, you submit a full proposal to the relevant laboratory by email.

How long can an ERDC BAA pre-proposal be?
The pre-proposal is limited to five pages under a single topic area, plus a separate one-page executive summary that does not count against the five-page limit.

What types of awards can the ERDC BAA result in?
A procurement contract, a grant, or a cooperative agreement. Grants and cooperative agreements do not allow fee or profit, while procurement contracts can include a fee.

How are ERDC BAA proposals scored?
Scientific and technical merit is the most important factor, followed by mission contribution, offeror capabilities, personnel qualifications, cost realism and fund availability, and past performance. All non-cost factors combined outweigh cost.

ERDC BOTAA 25-01: The Army's Continuously Open Prototype Funding Path for Deep-Tech Startups

Status: Open (updated October 18, 2026). On October 15, 2026, SAM.gov set a December 31, 2026 response date for W912HZ25BOTAA. The BOTAA and ERDCWERX still say the announcement is continuously open. Plan for December 31.

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

Quick Answer

ERDC BOTAA 25-01 is a Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement issued in October 2024 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). It uses Other Transaction (OT) authority under 10 U.S.C. 4022 to fund prototype projects in two broad domains: Military Engineering and Engineered Resilient Systems. It is continuously open, meaning there is no fixed deadline. Companies submit a short white paper (three pages or less) against any focus area through ERDCWERX, and the government typically responds with a selection decision within 60 to 90 days. Selected companies may be invited to pitch, demonstrate, or submit a full proposal through a Request for Prototype Proposal. There is no published dollar ceiling, and successful prototypes can lead directly to a noncompetitive follow-on production award. This mechanism is especially attractive to nontraditional defense contractors and small businesses, because it sits outside the Federal Acquisition Regulation and moves faster than a traditional contract.

What Is ERDC BOTAA 25-01?

ERDC BOTAA 25-01 is the current Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center. ERDC is the Army's premier engineering and environmental sciences research organization and is an integral component of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. The BOTAA is the standing vehicle ERDC uses to solicit prototype concept white papers from industry and academia, review them, and fund the ones that address a real government capability gap.

Unlike a traditional grant or contract solicitation with a hard due date, this announcement is open on a rolling basis. A company can submit whenever it has a concept that fits, and the government evaluates each white paper on its own merit against the criteria in the announcement, not against other submissions. All white papers are submitted electronically through ERDCWERX, the innovation hub that administers the announcement, at the ERDC BOTAA page on erdcwerx.org.

What Is a BOTAA and Why Does It Matter for Startups?

A BOTAA is a Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement. It relies on Other Transaction authority, a flexible acquisition tool Congress gave the Department of Defense under 10 U.S.C. 4022 specifically to fund prototype projects. The key thing for a startup to understand is that Other Transactions are generally not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or its supplements. That means the terms are negotiated between the company and the government rather than dictated by the full weight of federal procurement law, which usually translates into a faster and more collaborative path than a standard contract.

Other Transactions were designed to bring in companies that do not normally work with the Department of Defense. The technology can be a proof of concept, a model or process, a novel application of commercial technology for defense purposes, an agile development effort, or a demonstration of operational utility. If your company is building something with a plausible defense application in engineering, computing, sensing, materials, or infrastructure, a BOTAA is often the lowest-friction way to get in front of a government customer.

What Is ERDC Looking For? The Two Focus Areas in Detail

ERDC BOTAA 25-01 solicits prototype concepts across two business areas. Each contains several focus areas, and a company may submit against any of them.

Military Engineering (ME)

The Military Engineering business area is about giving the warfighter technologies and capabilities that enable force protection and maneuver. It contains ten focus areas:

Protective Structures and Systems. Technologies, materials, and processes that reduce manpower, logistics, or equipment hours while improving the survivability of individuals, small units, fighting positions, semi-fixed assets, outposts, and contingency bases. This includes planning tools and tactics that speed up force protection setup, reuse, and retrograde, as well as capabilities for overwatch, perimeter, port, and border security, surveillance, and warning.

Protection and Survivability. Unit-level and system-level technologies that detect, disable, survive, or defeat enemy weapon systems and characterize the threat they pose. This covers infrastructure hardening and retrofit, camouflage, reducing detectability and vulnerability, recoverability, and protection of personnel, critical assets, and facilities against conventional, unconventional, and advanced threats.

Geophysical Sensors and Data Fusion. Sensors, sensor systems, and unmanned systems that detect, assess, and persistently monitor threats and critical infrastructure across urban, subterranean, and complex terrain. The goal is automated fusion that builds an in-depth Common Operating Picture for surface and subsurface movement, maneuver, and force protection planning.

Vulnerability Assessment, Detection, and Analytics. Technology and processes that support strategic, operational, and tactical analysis of anti-terrorism and force protection posture, and of population and infrastructure disruption from combat, humanitarian, and disaster situations. Prototypes support assessment of mission assurance, population vulnerability, and resilience.

Geoscience, Environmental, Geospatial, and Material Modeling and Simulation. Computational methods and materials-by-design capabilities that predict system performance, environmental impact on sensors, structural response to weapons effects, and level of protection. This includes simulating detection of above-ground, below-ground, and maritime avenues of approach.

Enhance and Assess Mobility of Manned and Unmanned Systems. Technologies that accelerate platform development, integrate autonomous systems, and improve mobility across complex terrain. This covers obstacle and gap crossing, vehicle and soil interaction, mobility hazard detection, and modeling and simulation tools that predict ground vehicle and watercraft performance in varied weather and terrain.

Engineering and Engineering Enabling Technologies. A broad category covering combat engineering, mobility and counter-mobility, explosive effects, breaching, materials, manufacturing and process technologies, modeling and simulation, virtual prototyping, operational energy, autonomous systems, prime power, and engineer-related environmental technologies.

Global Access Engineering. Technologies, materials, and planning tools for technical reconnaissance, construction, maintenance, repair, and upgrade of infrastructure critical to force projection and theater access. This includes remote sensing and field methods for assessing soils, ice and snow, pavements, matting, terrain, bathymetry, river currents, port depths, airfields, roads, rail, and bridges.

Infrastructure Maintenance, Repair, and Reconstruction Technologies. Materials and equipment that rapidly assess, repair, and reconstruct pavements, bridges, railways, ports, and airfields. Prototypes include physics-based tools for measuring layer thickness and strength, rail and pier capacity, and bridge structural capacity, plus new repair equipment and field kits.

Engineering Analysis Tools and Decision Aid Prototype Software. Software that integrates advanced engineering algorithms for evaluating, designing, repairing, and operating critical infrastructure in support of force projection and maneuver planning.

Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS)

The Engineered Resilient Systems business area combines advanced engineering with high-performance computing to amplify the design options examined early in the acquisition process. It contains seven focus areas:

Cybersecurity. Techniques, software, hardware, and tools that protect critical infrastructure and advanced manufacturing control systems, including industrial control systems, SCADA systems, programmable logic controllers, and networks, against adaptive cyber adversaries. ERDC is interested in networked, host-based, and behavior-based approaches that deliver holistic defense and cyber situational awareness.

High Performance Computing Enabled Advanced Manufacturing. Tools and systems that support advanced manufacturing, including 3-D printing, and that bring HPC resources to the point of manufacture. Areas of interest include multi-physics and multi-scale approaches, optimization, trade-space analytics, uncertainty quantification, data-driven and machine learning methods, virtual testing, AI-enabled certification, and the ability to design, fabricate, and test large-scale components more than a meter in length for uses such as armor, aerospace and marine substructures, blast and ballistic protection, and rotorcraft components.

High Performance Data Analytics. Techniques and tools that examine data sets too large or complex for traditional processing to uncover hidden patterns, correlations, and multidimensional trends, using HPC, heterogeneous computing, and next-generation algorithms.

System Engineering Techniques. Advanced system engineering methods that address acquisition and readiness challenges through design trade-space development, analysis of many candidate designs, and condition-based maintenance driven by sensor and maintenance data, often using artificial intelligence and machine learning at massive data volume.

HPC Enabled Development of Surrogate Models and Data Analytics. Computationally efficient and accurate surrogate models for full-order systems, with application areas including blast effects, flight envelope simulation, turbulent rotor dynamics, fluid-structure-thermal interaction, and physics-informed machine learning.

Leveraging HPC Capabilities for On-the-Edge Computing. Tools that deliver high-performance computing at the point of need to improve soldier situational awareness, including electro-optical, thermal, radar, and acoustic sensor data processing, terrain characterization and mapping, sensor fusion, anomaly detection, and local maneuver planning.

Computational Material Testing and Validation. Computational processes for testing and validating components produced through advanced manufacturing, connecting standard manufacturing procedures to engineering mechanics simulation and reducing uncertainty in additively manufactured parts.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

ERDC awards Other Transactions to nontraditional defense contractors, traditional defense contractors, and nonprofit research institutions. To actually receive an award, at least one of the following conditions must be met:

There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project, or

All significant participants in the transaction other than the federal government are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors, or

At least one-third of the total cost of the prototype project is paid out of funds provided by parties other than the federal government.

A nontraditional defense contractor is an entity that has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the announcement, any DoD contract or subcontract subject to full coverage under the Cost Accounting Standards. Most commercial technology companies and venture-backed startups qualify as nontraditional, which is exactly why this vehicle fits them so well. A nontraditional partner can sit at the prime level, as a team member, as a subcontractor, or as a lower-tier vendor, as long as it is a key participant supplying a meaningful technology, doing a significant share of the work, or materially improving cost, schedule, or performance.

Prospective awardees must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before award, so companies that are not yet registered should start that process early. Work under any resulting agreement is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and each offeror is responsible for compliance.

How Much Funding Is Available?

This is one of the most important differences between a BOTAA and a program like SBIR. There is no published dollar ceiling for ERDC BOTAA 25-01. Funding is scoped to the prototype concept itself.

At the white paper stage, a company provides a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) price, which is an estimate of what the prototype would cost, along with any anticipated cost share. The government evaluates whether that ROM is commensurate with the proposed solution. If the concept advances to a full proposal, pricing is submitted on a firm fixed price basis and structured as a milestone payment schedule, where each milestone has a description, a price, and a target completion date. Payments are tied to completed events rather than reimbursed as incurred costs.

Cost share is directly connected to eligibility. If your project qualifies through significant nontraditional or small business participation, cost share is generally not required. If you instead rely on the third eligibility path, at least one-third of total project cost must come from non-federal sources. Cost share can be cash or in-kind, where in-kind means non-financial resources such as wear and tear on capital equipment, the prorated value of facility space, or the fair market value of materials used on the project.

The government does not reimburse the cost of preparing white papers or proposals, and no costs incurred before the effective date of an agreement are recoverable.

What Is the Timeline and How Does the Process Work?

Because the announcement is continuously open, the timeline is driven by review cycles rather than a due date. The process runs as follows:

First, the company submits a white paper against any focus area through ERDCWERX. The white paper is the technical concept and rough pricing, limited to three pages plus a cover page.

Second, the government reviews the white paper against the evaluation criteria in the announcement. White papers judged advantageous are selected for further consideration.

Third, the company is notified of selection or non-selection, typically within 60 to 90 days of submission.

Fourth, if a white paper is selected and funding is available, the government may request a solution pitch or technical demonstration and may issue a Request for Prototype Proposal (RFPP). If a white paper is selected but funding is not currently available, the government may keep it in an electronic library for consideration and possible funding for up to three years after submission.

Fifth, once an RFPP is issued, the company collaborates with the government to develop the Statement of Work, then submits a full proposal within the time stated in the RFPP.

Sixth, the government evaluates the proposal, negotiates as needed, and makes an award once terms and conditions are agreed upon.

A significant advantage sits at the end of this path. Under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), a company that successfully completes a prototype Other Transaction can receive a follow-on production award on a noncompetitive basis. In other words, a well-executed prototype can open the door to production work without having to re-compete.

What Does the White Paper Require?

The white paper is short and focused. It runs no more than three pages, not counting the cover page, and includes the following.

A cover page, generated from the submission form, capturing the point of contact, the submitting business and its Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, business status (nontraditional, traditional, or nonprofit research institution), the focus areas addressed, a project title, a prototype description, the DoD purpose, and the ROM price.

Technical requirements, covering the background and benefits of the proposed solution, the technical approach with a clearly defined prototype, and anticipated data rights assertions if applicable.

A Rough Order of Magnitude price, including anticipated cost share if applicable and any supporting documentation.

Formatting requirements are specific. Pages are 8.5 by 11 inches, numbered X of Y. Margins are at least one inch on all sides. The font is 12 point Times New Roman, single spaced. All acronyms are spelled out on first use. The language is English. The file must be a PDF compatible with Adobe Acrobat Reader 11.0 and under 20 MB. Classified information must not be included, and generic capability brochures are not accepted in place of a white paper.

How Are White Papers Evaluated?

White papers are assessed on an integrated basis against four considerations: the degree to which the solution meets a government problem, need, or capability gap within an identified focus area; whether the ROM price is commensurate with the proposed solution; government funding availability; and whether the submission sufficiently demonstrates one of the eligibility conditions, meaning significant nontraditional participation, significant nonprofit research institution participation, an all small business or nontraditional participant pool, or at least one-third non-federal cost share.

If the project advances to a full proposal, evaluation broadens to scientific and technical merit, the qualifications of the program manager and key personnel, the significance of any nontraditional or nonprofit participation, and whether the budget is realistic, reasonable, and fully justified.

Why This Opportunity Deserves Attention

The BOTAA is one of the most accessible defense funding mechanisms available to a company that is not already embedded in the defense industrial base, and it is not widely tracked by commercially focused firms. Recent activity suggests the odds are reasonable for a well-targeted concept. Based on figures reflecting the current fiscal year, an estimated 20 to 25 of roughly 200 submissions advanced to the proposal stage or received funding, which points to an advancement rate above 10 percent. That is broadly comparable to what strong applicants see in competitive SBIR programs, and it is achieved with a much shorter initial submission.

The breadth of the focus areas is the other reason to pay attention. Companies working in cybersecurity, high-performance computing and data analytics, advanced and additive manufacturing, edge computing, modeling and simulation, autonomous systems, sensors, advanced materials, and infrastructure technologies all have a natural home under Military Engineering or Engineered Resilient Systems. If your technology has any of those characteristics and a plausible defense application, the three-page white paper is a low-cost way to test government interest.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO Consulting helps deep-tech, biotech, medtech, and defense-adjacent founders win non-dilutive federal funding, including Other Transaction opportunities like ERDC BOTAA 25-01. We help you determine whether your technology fits a Military Engineering or Engineered Resilient Systems focus area, position the concept against a specific government capability gap, structure eligibility and any cost share, and build a white paper that survives evaluation. If you want to know whether this vehicle is a fit for your company, reach out and we will assess it with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ERDC BOTAA 25-01?

ERDC BOTAA 25-01 is a Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement issued in October 2024 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center. It uses Other Transaction authority under 10 U.S.C. 4022 to fund prototype projects in Military Engineering and Engineered Resilient Systems, and it is continuously open with no fixed deadline.

Who can apply to the ERDC BOTAA?

Nontraditional defense contractors, traditional defense contractors, and nonprofit research institutions can apply. To receive an award, the project must include significant nontraditional or nonprofit participation, consist of only small business and nontraditional participants, or include at least one-third non-federal cost share.

What is the deadline for the ERDC BOTAA?

There is no deadline. The announcement is continuously open, so white papers can be submitted at any time and are evaluated as they arrive.

How much funding can I receive through the BOTAA?

There is no published dollar ceiling. Funding is scoped to the prototype concept. Companies provide a Rough Order of Magnitude price at the white paper stage, and full proposals are priced on a firm fixed price basis with milestone payments.

Is cost share required?

Cost share is not automatically required. If your project qualifies through significant nontraditional or small business participation, you generally do not need cost share. If you qualify through the third eligibility path, at least one-third of total project cost must come from non-federal sources, and that share can be cash or in-kind.

What are the focus areas of ERDC BOTAA 25-01?

There are two business areas. Military Engineering covers protective structures, protection and survivability, geophysical sensors and data fusion, vulnerability analytics, geoscience and material modeling, mobility of manned and unmanned systems, engineering enabling technologies, global access engineering, infrastructure repair, and decision-aid software. Engineered Resilient Systems covers cybersecurity, HPC-enabled advanced manufacturing, high performance data analytics, system engineering techniques, surrogate model development, edge computing, and computational material testing.

What is a nontraditional defense contractor?

A nontraditional defense contractor is an entity that has not performed a DoD contract or subcontract subject to full Cost Accounting Standards coverage for at least the one-year period preceding the announcement. Most commercial and venture-backed technology companies qualify.

What is an Other Transaction?

An Other Transaction is a flexible award instrument authorized under 10 U.S.C. 4022 for prototype projects. Other Transactions are generally not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which allows terms to be negotiated and typically enables a faster, more collaborative process than a traditional contract.

How long is the white paper?

The white paper is three pages or fewer, not counting the cover page. It must be a PDF under 20 MB, formatted in 12 point Times New Roman, single spaced, with one-inch margins and numbered pages.

How long does the review take?

Companies are typically notified of selection or non-selection within 60 to 90 days of submitting a white paper.

Can a prototype lead to a production contract?

Yes. Under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f), a company that successfully completes a prototype Other Transaction can receive a follow-on production award on a noncompetitive basis.

How do I submit a white paper?

White papers are submitted electronically through ERDCWERX at the Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement page on erdcwerx.org. Do not include classified information, and do not submit generic capability brochures in place of a white paper.

How is a BOTAA different from SBIR?

A BOTAA has no fixed deadline, no published funding ceiling, and a much shorter initial submission (a three-page white paper rather than a full proposal). It uses Other Transaction authority outside the Federal Acquisition Regulation and can lead directly to noncompetitive production, whereas SBIR follows fixed phases, set award amounts, and periodic solicitation windows.

DARPA IPTO Office-Wide BAA: HR001126S0011

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

Quick Answer

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) has issued an office-wide Broad Agency Announcement, HR001126S0011, to fund revolutionary information science and technology research across three thrust areas: AI Innovation and Execution, Inherent Security and Privacy, and Resilient Megasystems. This is a standing, rolling opportunity. Abstracts are due by June 22, 2027, at 2:00 PM ET, and full proposals are by invitation only following abstract review. DARPA anticipates multiple awards through Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Other Transaction (OT) Agreements for both prototypes and research. This BAA is best suited for organizations proposing unconventional, high-risk, high-reward approaches that go well beyond incremental improvements to the current state of the art.

What Is the DARPA IPTO Office-Wide BAA?

This solicitation is IPTO's standing mechanism for soliciting concepts that create technological surprise through groundbreaking information science and new information capabilities for national security. Rather than targeting a single narrow topic, it spans IPTO's full portfolio and welcomes proposals that fall outside its named thrust areas as long as they promise a decisive information or computational advantage for the United States and its allies. DARPA is explicit that it wants unconventional approaches that challenge accepted assumptions, and that research resulting only in evolutionary improvements to existing capability is out of scope.

A recurring theme throughout the BAA is software resilience. DARPA's preferred path to delivering secure, high-quality software is through formal methods, mathematically rigorous techniques that produce machine-checkable evidence that software does what it is supposed to do and does not do what it is not supposed to do. Proposers should expect this expectation to surface directly in proposal evaluation.

The Three IPTO Thrust Areas

AI Innovation and Execution focuses on energy-efficient, assured artificial intelligence systems that deliver trustworthy, understandable AI to warfighters at the edge of the network, along with work to mitigate risks of misalignment between machine actions and human interests.

Inherent Security and Privacy targets a new generation of systems that are inherently secure and inherently private by design, paired with security and privacy tools that are more adaptable than current solutions in both moving-target and reactive contexts, with the goal of creating an asymmetric cyberspace advantage.

Resilient Megasystems seeks machine-derived abstractions and models that expose the governing principles of highly complex, interconnected systems such as supply chains and power grids, in order to identify hidden systemic risk and enable precise, proactive intervention.

Key Dates:

Key Dates Posting date: June 22, 2026

Abstract due date: June 22, 2027, at 2:00 PM ET

Question submittal closes: June 22, 2027, at 2:00 PM ET

Proposal due date: By invitation only, following abstract review

Award Instruments and Cost Sharing

DARPA anticipates multiple awards under this BAA using Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, OT for Prototype Agreements, and OT for Research Agreements. Cost sharing may be required for OT for Prototype or OT for Research Agreements under 10 U.S.C. § 4022. The relevant NAICS code is 541715.

Two-Step Abstract and Proposal Review

Abstracts are required before any full proposal and go through a two-step review. Step 1 is a mandatory technical conformance check for scientific and technological originality, depth of mission understanding, and operational realism; generic or boilerplate abstracts are found non-conforming at this stage. Step 2 evaluates conforming abstracts on Technical Comprehension, Technical Ability, and Cost Considerations, in that order of importance.

Full proposals, submitted by invitation only, follow the same two-step structure. Step 2 evaluation criteria, in descending order of importance, are Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission, Plans to Implement Resilient Software, and Cost Realism.

Security and Compliance Considerations

Proposers anticipating classified work must include a security plan and cannot generate classified material until DARPA issues a solicitation-specific DD Form 254. Unclassified submissions go through the DARPA BAAT tool or Grants.gov, and any Controlled Unclassified Information must be handled on systems meeting CMMC Level 2 requirements. CMMC Level 1 certification is required at proposal submission for awards structured as procurement contracts, with the government designating the applicable level at award. Proposers requesting a Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or OT Agreement for fundamental research must also complete DARPA's Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security (FRRBS) forms, including a Common Form Biographical Sketch and Common Form Current and Pending Support, for all proposed key personnel.

Who Should Apply

This BAA fits organizations, including small businesses, universities, and non-U.S. entities complying with applicable export control and security requirements, that can propose revolutionary rather than incremental advances in AI, cybersecurity, or complex systems modeling. It is not the right mechanism for teams whose approach amounts to an incremental improvement on existing capability, or who cannot support the security, CMMC, and FRRBS documentation requirements that come with DARPA-funded research. FFRDCs, UARCs, and government entities such as national laboratories may participate but must submit detailed eligibility documentation at the abstract stage.

FAQs

What is the DARPA IPTO Office-Wide BAA HR001126S0011?

It is a standing Broad Agency Announcement from DARPA's Information Processing Techniques Office funding revolutionary research in AI, cybersecurity and privacy, and resilient complex systems, with multiple awards anticipated across several instrument types.

When is the abstract due?

Abstracts are due June 22, 2027, at 2:00 PM ET. Questions must also be submitted by that date and time.

When can a full proposal be submitted?

Full proposals are by invitation only. DARPA will provide a due date in the Invitation to Proceed after reviewing a proposer's abstract.

What types of awards can result from this BAA?

Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, OT for Prototype Agreements, and OT for Research Agreements. Cost sharing may apply to OT Agreements under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

What are IPTO's three thrust areas?

AI Innovation and Execution, Inherent Security and Privacy, and Resilient Megasystems. Proposals outside these areas are still eligible if they offer a decisive information or computational advantage.

Does DARPA fund incremental improvements under this BAA?

No. DARPA specifically excludes research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of the art, and abstracts or proposals judged generic or boilerplate will be found non-conforming.

Is classified work allowed under this BAA?

Yes, but proposers must first receive a solicitation-specific DD Form 254 before generating any classified material, and must include a security plan addressing facilities, clearances, and related requirements.

Is CMMC certification required?

Yes, for awards that will result in procurement contracts. CMMC Level 1 is required at proposal submission, with the government designating the required level, 1, 2, or 3, in the resulting contract.

Are FFRDCs, UARCs, or government laboratories eligible to participate?

Yes, but each must submit specific eligibility documentation, such as sponsor letters or statutory authority citations, at the time of abstract submission, or their submission may be deemed non-conforming.

Where can proposers get more information?

Questions should be directed to HR001126S0011@darpa.mil. Proposers are also encouraged to contact DARPA Program Managers before submitting an abstract to confirm alignment with IPTO priorities.

Navy ManTech sBAA N0001426SB002: What Startups Need to Know Before Applying

Updated October 2026: This opportunity is closed. The deadline for this opportunity has passed. Browse currently open opportunities in our funding database.

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

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has released Special Broad Agency Announcement N0001426SB002, "Accelerating Maritime Modernization: Innovation in Naval Manufacturing, Sustainment, and Industrial Base Capability." This is a contract vehicle, not a grant, run through the Navy Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program, and it directly supports the Navy's Golden Fleet Initiative to build ships faster, repair them faster, and strengthen the naval industrial base.

For deep-tech, robotics, and dual-use startups, this is a rare non-dilutive funding opportunity with a clear commercialization thesis: the Navy wants technology that is close to production-ready and can transition into an actual shipyard or maintenance depot within a defined timeline.

What Is This Opportunity?

This sBAA funds two categories of work:

• 6.2 Applied Research: proof-of-concept development bridging science and defense application. ONR expects to fund 3 to 5 awards valued at $500K to $3M.

• 6.3 Advanced Technology Development: maturing and demonstrating technology in operationally relevant environments, targeting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 6 to 7. ONR expects to fund 5 to 10 awards valued at $1.5M to $5M.

Periods of performance run 1 to 2 years. Awards are procurement contracts, not grants or cooperative agreements.

Technology Areas ONR Wants

ONR is prioritizing innovations that support the Golden Fleet Initiative across five priority areas: speed/throughput/availability, advanced manufacturing, sustainment and repair, industrial base modernization, and supply chain capacity and logistics. Named priority platforms include the new BBG(X)/BBGN battleship, the FF(X) next-generation frigate, and unmanned surface vessels, though other Navy platforms may also be considered.

Specific technical focus areas span:

• Novel materials, non-metallic materials, and materials scale-up

• Advanced sensor integration and structural health monitoring

• Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing (including cobots and human augmentation)

• Digital tools, model-based engineering, and digital twins

• AI/ML for shipbuilding decision-making and predictive maintenance

• Autonomous systems for inspection and maintenance

• Advanced electronics, SOSA/MOSA modular design

• Non-destructive testing and advanced inspection

• Supply chain and logistics platforms, including additive manufacturing digital part libraries

• Cybersecurity for industrial control systems and operational technology

Two-Phase Structure and Key Dates

This sBAA runs on two tracks:

• Phase I: White papers are due 60 days after publication of the sBAA. Selected offerors submit a full proposal within 45 days of notification. Award decisions follow roughly 60 days after full proposal submission.

• Phase II: Opens the day after Phase I closes and stays open for one year from publication, so companies that miss the Phase I window still have a path in. Phase II full proposals follow the same 45-day submission clock after notification, with award decisions targeted in 45 days.

Missing the Phase I white paper deadline does not eliminate a startup from this opportunity. It shifts the company to the Phase II track, which is a meaningful difference from most SBIR-style solicitations with a single hard close.

Who Can Apply

All responsible sources from industry and academia are eligible, including both small and large businesses. There is no dollar amount set aside specifically for small business or socioeconomic categories, so startups compete on technical merit rather than in a reserved lane. Navy laboratories, warfare centers, and FFRDCs cannot apply directly, though teaming with them is allowed.

Before submitting, a company must be registered in SAM.gov with an active Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE code, and that registration must stay current through the life of any award.

What Gets Evaluated

Four criteria carry equal weight:

1. Scientific and technical merit: ManTech appropriateness and soundness of the technical approach

2. Naval relevance and contribution: how clearly the proposal defines the Navy need, quantifies impact and ROI, and lays out a credible transition plan to a named platform or facility

3. Organizational capability and teaming: this section explicitly weighs whether the team holds an active DD-2345 Joint Certification Program certification and the appropriate CMMC cybersecurity level

4. Financial and schedule feasibility: whether the proposed cost and milestones are realistic for the scope of work

Two details deserve early attention. First, for 6.3 Advanced Technology Development efforts, evaluators require a strict transition path to TRL/MRL 6 through 7, so proposals pitched at an earlier maturity level should target the 6.2 Applied Research category instead. Second, Intellectual Property and Data Rights assertions are evaluated directly, since ONR is checking whether the proposed rights (for example, Government Purpose Rights) support scaling across the naval industrial base without creating vendor lock. This is worth deciding deliberately, not defaulting to whatever a template suggests.

Cybersecurity Requirements to Plan For Early

This sBAA requires CMMC Level 2 (Self) status entered in the Supplier Performance Risk System for any contractor information system that will process, store, or transmit Federal Contract Information or Controlled Unclassified Information. Companies that have not started a CMMC self-assessment should begin that process well before a white paper is due, since award cannot proceed without a current CMMC status and affirmation of continuous compliance in SPRS.

White Paper Requirements

Phase I and Phase II both start with a 5-page white paper (12-point Times New Roman, one-inch margins) plus a one-page Project Lead resume. The white paper must cover, in this order: project classification and Golden Fleet alignment, organization background and teaming strategy, technical concept and appropriateness, Navy need and impact, path to transition (including IP and data rights posture), and a rough order of magnitude cost and schedule estimate.

Because ONR reviews white papers on a rolling basis rather than against each other in a single competition, a well-scoped white paper submitted early in the Phase II window is not disadvantaged relative to one submitted near the one-year close.

How BW&CO Consulting Helps

BW&CO Consulting helps deep-tech, robotics, and dual-use companies position competitive Navy ManTech proposals, including:

• Determining whether a technology fits the 6.2 Applied Research or 6.3 Advanced Technology Development category based on current TRL/MRL

• Mapping a company's technology to a specific Golden Fleet platform or industrial facility for a credible transition narrative

• Structuring IP and Data Rights assertions that satisfy ONR's transition and anti-vendor-lock evaluation criteria

• Coordinating CMMC and SAM.gov readiness ahead of submission

• Drafting the white paper and full proposal package, including the Statement of Work and cost proposal

Contact BW&CO Consulting to discuss Navy ManTech sBAA N0001426SB002 eligibility and proposal strategy.

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Enterprise Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) - FA8652-26-S-C003

Last updated: July 12, 2026. Verify current status of any referenced Spiral on SAM.gov before submitting — Spirals open, close, and are added on a rolling basis.

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

Quick Answer

The AFRL Enterprise CSO is a standing, indefinite-duration umbrella announcement that the Air Force Research Laboratory uses to launch specific competitive solicitations, called Spirals, across nearly 100 technology Areas of Interest spanning air, space, cyber/electronic warfare, cross-domain, and basic research. Companies don't apply to the Enterprise CSO directly; they respond to an individual Spiral issued under it, using either a one-step process (Commercial Solutions Proposal) or a two-step process (Commercial Solutions Brief, followed by an invited Commercial Solutions Proposal). Awards can be FAR Part 12 commercial contracts or Other Transaction Prototype agreements.

Unlike many CSOs, foreign participation here is prohibited outright — this is not a "restricted but possible" eligibility gate.

Key Facts at a Glance

•     Administering agency: Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

•     Solicitation number: FA8652-26-S-C003 (Amendment 01, 8 July 2026)

•     Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 3458; R-DFARS Subpart 212.70; NDAA FY22 § 803

•     Opportunity type: Enterprise-level CSO umbrella — actual competitions occur under individual Spirals

•     Duration: Active indefinitely; updated annually until terminated

•     Areas of Interest: Approximately 94 sub-areas across five domains (Air, Space, Cyber/Electronic Warfare, Cross-Domain, Basic Research)

•     Application format: One-Step: Commercial Solutions Proposal (CSP). Two-Step: Commercial Solutions Brief (CSB) — PowerPoint plus white paper — then an invited CSP

•     Award mechanisms: FAR Part 12 fixed-price contract, or Other Transaction for Prototype (OTP) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, including follow-on production

•     Typical award size: Not specified in the solicitation. Awards under comparable DoD CSO/OTP mechanisms have ranged from roughly $100,000 for early feasibility efforts to $10 million or more for larger prototype demonstrations — actual amounts depend entirely on the Spiral and funding available

•     Who can apply: U.S. commercial companies, small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors, nonprofit research institutions

•     Who cannot apply: Foreign persons and FOCI (foreign-owned, controlled, or influenced) entities — prohibited outright, no exceptions stated

•     Security requirement: NIST SP 800-171 compliance for Covered Defense Information; a Science and Technology Protection Initial Risk Review for selectable proposals

How This CSO Actually Works: Enterprise CSO + Spirals

This is the single most important structural fact to understand before pursuing this opportunity: FA8652-26-S-C003 is not itself a solicitation you submit against. It's a framework document that authorizes AFRL Mission Organizations (its internal directorates) to issue individual Spirals — the actual competitive solicitations — at any time, tied to specific Areas of Interest.

Each Spiral specifies its own Areas of Interest in scope, submission format, dates, and evaluation criteria, and states whether it's Open (accepts submissions on a rolling basis) or Closed (narrows scope, hard deadline — late submissions are handled per FAR 52.212-1(c) and generally not considered). It will also state whether it uses a One-Step or Two-Step process.

One-Step Spiral (Commercial Solutions Proposal): Submit a complete CSP directly — technical proposal, price proposal, and Statement of Work. Evaluated once, then categorized as Selectable, Selectable/Insufficient Funding, or Not Selectable.

Two-Step Spiral (Commercial Solutions Brief, then Commercial Solutions Proposal): Step 1 is a CSB — a PowerPoint briefing plus a white paper (the Government may substitute a Pitch instead). It's evaluated on Technical Merit/Applicability and Funding Availability, weighted equally. If categorized Selectable, you're invited to Step 2: a full CSP (technical proposal, price proposal, SOW), evaluated on Technical Merit/Applicability, Importance to Agency Programs, Price, and Funding Availability, all weighted equally.

Because new Spirals can be issued at any time against any of the roughly 94 Areas of Interest, companies with relevant dual-use technology should monitor SAM.gov regularly rather than treating this as a one-time application.

Active Spiral as of This Writing

As of mid-2026, AFRL has an active Centralized, Open Two-Step Spiral (FA8652-26-S-C005) accepting Commercial Solutions Briefs, currently scoped to the Foundational Technologies (AFRL/RE) mission organization, open April 30, 2026 through April 30, 2027. This is a live, actionable entry point today — but confirm current scope and status on SAM.gov, since additional Spirals may have opened, or this one may have been amended, since this page was last updated.

Areas of Interest

Solution Briefs and Proposals must map to one or more of the Areas of Interest below. Each AOI sits within one of five domains; the specific Spiral you respond to will define which AOIs are currently in scope.

1. Air Domain Technologies

•     Human Performance Optimization — physical, cognitive, and human-machine interface techniques that enhance warfighter capability and resilience.

•     Aerospace Medicine and Operational Health — physiological monitoring, environmental protection, and medical support for air, space, and cyber operations.

•     Warfighter Survivability and Protection — personal protective equipment, threat detection, casualty care, and directed-energy protection.

•     Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences — perception, decision-making, and human-system interaction in complex environments.

•     Advanced Air Vehicles — next-generation aircraft: high-speed flight, maneuverability, stealth, optionally-manned configurations.

•     Air Propulsion Systems — turbine engines, scramjets and ramjets, and advanced powerplants.

•     Aerodynamics and Flight Sciences — flight control, stability, and performance research for maneuverability and endurance.

•     Hypersonics — materials, propulsion, guidance, and control for Mach 5+ flight.

•     Advanced Weapons Technologies — smart munitions, precision-guided munitions, novel warhead designs.

•     Energetics and Propellants — advanced energetic materials, propellants, and explosives with improved safety and performance.

•     Guidance Navigation and Control — accuracy, maneuverability, and target discrimination systems.

•     Munitions Survivability and Countermeasures — munition robustness against countermeasures and hostile environments.

•     Rocket Systems — solid, liquid, and hybrid rocket motors, propellants, thrust vector control, and tactical missile integration.

•     Nuclear Deterrence Technologies — strategic delivery platform modernization, NC3 systems, and fuzing/guidance for deterrence.

2. Space Domain Technologies

•     Space Access and Orbital Systems — launch vehicles, space propulsion, and maneuvering systems for reliable access to space.

•     Spacecraft and Satellite Technologies — satellite bus design, payloads, communications, and on-orbit servicing.

•     Space Power and Propulsion — solar arrays, energy storage, and electric propulsion for satellite life and maneuverability.

•     On-Orbit Operations and Autonomy — autonomous spacecraft operations, rendezvous and proximity operations, and debris mitigation.

•     Space Domain Awareness — sensors and analytics to detect, track, and characterize space objects and threats.

•     Resilient and Survivable Space Architecture — distributed constellations and hardened systems for contested environments.

•     Space Environment and Effects — space weather and radiation effects mitigation for space assets.

•     Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) From and For Space — space-based positioning, navigation, and timing systems.

•     Satellite Assembly, Integration & Testing — processes and facilities for spacecraft integration and environmental test/verification.

3. Cyberspace / Electronic Warfare Domain Technologies

•     Cyber Operations and Cybersecurity — offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, threat intelligence, and incident response.

•     Communications and Networks — software-defined radios, dynamic spectrum management, and resilient tactical networks.

•     Electronic Warfare and Spectrum Operations — electromagnetic spectrum dominance: signal processing, electronic attack and protection.

•     Quantum Technologies — quantum computing, communication, and sensing; algorithms for intractable problems.

•     Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensors — imaging and sensing across visible, infrared, and ultraviolet spectra for detection and tracking.

•     Radar and Radio Frequency Sensors — AESA, synthetic aperture radar, and low-probability-of-intercept/detection radar for target tracking.

•     Multispectral and Hyperspectral Sensing — multi-band sensors for material discrimination and camouflage detection.

•     Signal Processing and Sensor Fusion — multi-sensor integration for target recognition and situational awareness.

•     Quantum Sensing and Advanced Properties — photonic and quantum devices for sensitivity, resolution, and miniaturization.

•     Directed Energy Sensing and Countermeasures — sensors detecting and characterizing directed-energy threats.

•     High-Energy Laser Systems — scalable high-power lasers (solid-state, fiber) and beam control for weaponization.

•     Photonics — light-based capabilities for sensing, quantum information science, and directed energy.

•     High-Power Electromagnetic Technologies — high-power microwave sources, pulse power, and antennas for non-kinetic disable/disrupt effects.

•     High Power Electromagnetic Effects — physics-level and system-level testing of high-power microwave and particle-beam effects.

•     High Power Electromagnetic Applications — end-to-end high-power electromagnetic system design, build, integration, and field testing.

•     Beam Control and Adaptive Optics — beam steering and atmospheric compensation for laser accuracy.

•     Directed Energy Effects and Countermeasures — physical and operational effects of directed-energy weapons and defensive countermeasures.

•     Cybersecurity for Digital Environments — threat detection, vulnerability assessment, and resilient digital architectures.

•     Navigation Warfare and Counter PNT — disrupting adversary PNT and protecting friendly PNT in GPS-denied environments.

4. Cross-Domain Technologies

•     Human Systems Integration — human factors engineering, user interface design, and cognitive support for system usability.

•     Human-Machine Teaming and Interfaces — improving interaction between humans and AI-enabled systems.

•     Training and Simulation Technologies — virtual reality, augmented reality, serious gaming, and adaptive learning for readiness and mission rehearsal.

•     Rapid Multi-Domain Integration — interoperable, networked systems combining air, space, cyber, EW, and ground capabilities.

•     Advanced Systems Engineering — requirements engineering, architecture, modeling and simulation, and verification/validation.

•     Integrated Vehicle Health Management — real-time platform monitoring and diagnostics for safety and readiness.

•     Power and Thermal Management — power generation, storage, distribution, and thermal dissipation technologies.

•     Advanced Materials Development — high-temperature ceramics, lightweight composites, metamaterials, and bio-inspired materials.

•     Additive Manufacturing — on-demand production of complex geometries and multi-material components.

•     Materials Processing and Fabrication — nanomanufacturing, advanced joining, surface engineering, and coatings.

•     Materials Characterization and Testing — experimental and computational methods to understand material performance.

•     Environmentally Responsive and Smart Materials — adaptive, sensing, and self-healing materials.

•     Microelectronics — micro-scale electronics and integrated circuits for defense and aerospace systems.

•     Model-Based Systems Engineering, Digital Engineering, and Digital Thread — digital twins and virtual prototypes across the system lifecycle.

•     Advanced Simulation and Virtual Prototyping — computer-aided engineering simulation and testing before physical creation.

•     Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence — machine learning and AI for predictive analytics, pattern recognition, and automated reasoning.

•     Additive Manufacturing Digital Integration — generative design, topology optimization, and in-situ additive manufacturing process monitoring.

•     Low C-SWAP Alternative PNT for Attritable Systems — affordable, expendable PNT for disposable unmanned aircraft in GPS-denied environments.

•     Modular Open Architecture for Resilient PNT — standardized-interface PNT systems enabling rapid upgrades.

•     Robotics Technologies — autonomous and semi-autonomous robots for logistics, maintenance, and hazardous-environment tasks.

•     Software Systems Development — DevSecOps, modular open architecture, and AI/ML/autonomy software.

•     Physiological Operations — systems exploiting human cognition to influence adversary decision-making.

•     Runtime Assurance (RTA) for AI — real-time safety monitoring that reverts AI systems to a trusted backup controller.

•     Autonomy (for Airborne Platforms) — uncrewed aerial systems that navigate and execute missions with minimal human input.

5. Basic Research Technologies (AFOSR-Aligned)

•     Energetic Solid-State Physics and Mechanochemistry — chemistry and physics of solid-state energetic materials under extreme conditions.

•     Energy, Combustion, and Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics — chemical energy conversion for propulsion, electricity, and directed energy.

•     Aerodynamic Sciences — fundamental flowfield physics across internal and external configurations.

•     High-Speed Aerodynamics — high-speed, high-temperature non-equilibrium flow physics.

•     Aerospace Composite Materials — chemistry, physics, and mechanics of novel composite materials.

•     Aerospace Structures — emerging structural materials, meta-architectures, and intelligent subsystems.

•     Propulsion and Power — fundamental discovery to enable enhanced maneuver and power capabilities.

•     Agile Science for Test and Evaluation (T&E) — metrology and test methods across autonomy, hypersonics, and cyber/microelectronics.

•     Computational Cognition and Machine Intelligence — mathematical and computational foundations of machine intelligence and human-machine alignment.

•     Computational Mathematics — algorithms for large-scale engineering, design, and predictive simulation.

•     Dynamical Systems and Control Theory — mathematics of analysis and control for complex dynamical systems.

•     Dynamic Data and Information Processing — real-time model refinement using measured or simulated data.

•     Information Assurance and Cybersecurity — securing distributed systems, nanoscale devices, and quantum information.

•     Mathematical Optimization — theory and algorithms for allocation, planning, logistics, and scheduling problems.

•     Science of Information, Computation, Learning, and Fusion — extracting information from large, heterogeneous, multi-modal data.

•     Trust and Influence — social and cognitive principles of trust between humans and intelligent agents.

•     Complex Networks — structural analysis of large, dynamic, interdependent network systems.

•     Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience — neural mechanisms of perception, cognition, and behavior; brain-inspired computing.

•     Atomic and Molecular Physics — cold and ultra-cold quantum gases, precision measurement, and matter-wave optics.

•     Electromagnetics — linear and nonlinear electromagnetics and signal processing.

•     Optoelectronics and Photonics — light-matter interaction at the nanoscale for communications and computation.

•     High-Energy Radiation-Matter Systems — interaction of electromagnetic energy and matter for directed-energy weapons and sensors.

•     Quantum Information Sciences — non-classical phenomena for information analysis, storage, and protection.

•     Physics of Sensing — fundamental physics of remote detection and object characterization.

•     Space Physics — solar-terrestrial environment effects on tracking, communications, and navigation.

•     Ultrashort Pulse Laser-Matter Interactions — physical phenomena from ultrashort-pulse laser interactions with matter.

•     Condensed Matter Physics — new quantum phases and macroscopic properties in solid-state materials.

•     Astrodynamics — physics of motion and control of natural and artificial objects in Earth/Moon/Sun gravity fields.

Which AFRL Directorate Owns Which Domain

Every Area of Interest is mapped to one or more AFRL Mission Organizations in Attachment 1 — this determines who within AFRL actually reviews your submission. At a domain level:

•     Air Warfare (AFRL/RA): concentrated in Air Domain Technologies, plus select Cross-Domain and Basic Research areas

•     Foundational Technologies / AFOSR (AFRL/RE): the dominant directorate across nearly all of Basic Research Technologies, plus broad Cross-Domain coverage

•     Information & Spectrum Warfare (AFRL/RF): heavy coverage across Air, Space, and especially Cyberspace/Electronic Warfare Domain Technologies

•     Space Warfare (AFRL/RJ): broad coverage across Air, Space, Cyber/EW, Cross-Domain, and Basic Research

•     Digital Capabilities (AFRL/IZ): narrower, concentrated in select Cyber/EW and Cross-Domain digital topics

•     711th Human Performance Wing (711HPW): Air Domain human performance and medicine topics, plus human-machine teaming and physiological operations

•     Technology Transition (AFRL/RR) and Systems Technology Office (AFRL/STO): not mapped to specific Areas of Interest in the alignment table; these function as cross-cutting/transition support rather than topic owners

Because a single Area of Interest can map to multiple directorates, and because the specific Spiral, not the Enterprise CSO, determines which directorate actually evaluates your submission, confirming the right directorate fit before drafting is worth doing early. This is exactly the kind of fit assessment BW&CO does at kickoff.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify award amounts — funding is set at the individual Spiral level and depends on availability. Awards may be structured as FAR Part 12 fixed-price contracts or as Other Transactions for Prototype (OTP) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, including follow-on production agreements. Based on comparable DoD CSO/OTP mechanisms, awards have ranged from roughly $100,000 for early feasibility or component-level efforts up to $10 million or more for larger prototype and production-representative demonstrations. The Government may incrementally fund any award and reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of a proposal, including funding only part of a submission it deems Selectable.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding supports "innovative" solutions as legally defined: technology, processes, or methods (or new applications of existing ones) that are new as of your proposal's submission date. This spans advanced component development through full operational systems development, and can include prototype projects under OTP authority. A narrower category, Studies and Analysis funded with Operations and Maintenance appropriations, covers short-term (generally one year or less), non-developmental investigative work addressing urgent, near-term Air Force and Space Force needs.

What is the actual timeline to apply?

There is no single application deadline. You apply by responding to an individual Spiral, and each Spiral sets its own timeline. Open Spirals accept submissions on a rolling basis; Closed Spirals set a hard deadline, after which late submissions are handled under FAR 52.212-1(c) and generally not considered for award. The Enterprise CSO itself remains active indefinitely, refreshed annually until terminated, with new Spirals issued at any time. As of mid-2026, an active Centralized, Open Two-Step Spiral (FA8652-26-S-C005) covering the Foundational Technologies mission organization is open through April 30, 2027 — verify current status and scope on SAM.gov.

Who is eligible to apply?

U.S. commercial companies, small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors, and nonprofit research institutions registered in SAM.gov and determined "responsible" under FAR Subpart 9.1 are eligible. For awards structured as OTPs specifically, at least one of the following must also be true: a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participates significantly; all significant non-government participants are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors; at least one-third of total project cost comes from non-federal sources; or the agency's Senior Procurement Executive documents exceptional circumstances justifying the transaction.

Who is NOT eligible to apply?

Foreign persons and foreign-owned, controlled, or influenced (FOCI) entities are prohibited from participating in awards under this announcement — full stop, with no stated exception. This is a meaningfully harder line than many other DoD CSOs, including some Army CSOs, which permit foreign-owned businesses to compete subject to review and approval. Companies should also expect exclusion if suspended or debarred from federal contracting, prohibited by law from receiving federal awards, or unable to meet required security clearances for a given effort.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Companies with technology that's genuinely new as of the proposal date, not incremental refinement of an existing government-known capability, and that map cleanly to a specific, currently-open Spiral's Areas of Interest are best positioned. CSB submissions are weighed equally on Technical Merit/Applicability and Funding Availability; CSP submissions add Importance to Agency Programs and Price to that mix, still weighted equally. Because the Government can categorize a submission "Selectable" yet unfundable, technical merit alone doesn't guarantee an award — timing against available budget matters just as much.

How competitive will this be?

The solicitation doesn't disclose award volume or success rates, and competitiveness will vary enormously by Spiral and Area of Interest. With roughly 94 Areas of Interest spanning basic research through operational systems, and eight separate mission organizations issuing their own Spirals independently, this functions less like a single competition and more like dozens of parallel, narrower competitions, each with its own funding pool and evaluation timeline.

What restrictions should I know about?

Key constraints beyond eligibility: submissions containing Controlled Unclassified Information must go through DoD SAFE, not standard email; awards involving military-critical technical data may require a certified DD Form 2345 and Defense Logistics Agency registration under ITAR/EAR; awarded efforts are subject to NIST SP 800-171 safeguarding requirements for Covered Defense Information; and non-government advisors (FFRDCs, SETA, and A&AS contractors) under signed NDAs may review your proposal on the Government's behalf.

How long will it take to prepare an application?

Preparation time isn't specified and depends on the Spiral, but the barrier to entry is intentionally low for Step 1. A Two-Step CSB is a PowerPoint briefing plus a white paper (or a Pitch, if the Spiral requires one), not a full proposal. Only companies invited to Step 2, or those responding to a One-Step Spiral, need to prepare a complete Commercial Solutions Proposal with a technical volume, price volume, and Statement of Work.

How BW&CO Can Help

The AFRL Enterprise CSO's structure — an indefinite umbrella document with dozens of independently-issued Spirals across eight mission organizations — makes "which opportunity should I actually respond to" a harder question than it looks. BW&CO helps companies:

•     Fit assessment — Identify which currently-open Spiral, and which of the roughly 94 Areas of Interest, fits your technology

•     Mechanism strategy — Determine whether your submission is better positioned as a FAR Part 12 contract or an OTP, and confirm OTP eligibility criteria are met

•     Proposal development — Draft compelling Commercial Solutions Briefs and Proposals within the required page and slide limits

•     Compliance — Navigate NIST SP 800-171, export control, and Science and Technology Protection review requirements before they become a late-stage surprise

•     Monitoring — Track SAM.gov for new and amended Spirals aligned to your capabilities

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here: SAM.gov — FA8652-26-S-C003

United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)

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

Executive Summary:

The U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) is an ongoing solicitation designed to help the Army rapidly identify and acquire innovative commercial technologies that support the modernization of military ground vehicle capabilities. Unlike a traditional grant or procurement with a single application deadline, this CSO contains multiple Areas of Interest (AoIs) covering a wide range of technologies including robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, power systems, vehicle survivability, software engineering, modeling and simulation, and next-generation vehicle electronics.

Most Areas of Interest accept solution briefs on a rolling basis while the CSO remains open. However, individual AoIs may establish their own submission deadlines, which take precedence over the general solicitation timeline. Companies should carefully review the specific AoI before preparing a submission.

Unlike many Department of Defense opportunities that seek early-stage research, this CSO emphasizes innovative commercial technologies that can be demonstrated, adapted, integrated, or rapidly transitioned into Army applications through commercial contracts, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), Cooperative Agreements, or other acquisition mechanisms. Awards may support commercially available products, prototype demonstrations, pilot programs, technology maturation, and other activities that improve Army ground vehicle capabilities.

Companies may submit solution briefs for any open Area of Interest. The Government may evaluate submissions through a multi-phase process consisting of a written Solution Brief, an optional presentation or demonstration, and an invitation to submit a Commercial Solution Proposal (CSP). The Government also reserves the right to skip phases or move directly to a proposal request when appropriate.

Because new Areas of Interest may be added throughout the life of the solicitation and existing topics may be amended, companies with dual-use technologies should periodically monitor the CSO for new opportunities that align with their capabilities.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify award amounts, funding ranges, or the number of anticipated awards. Most awards coming from these CSOs range from the $500,000 to $5 million range.

Award values will depend on the individual Area of Interest, available funding, and the proposed commercial solution. The Government states that Requests for Commercial Solution Proposals (CSPs) are subject to the availability of funds, and that no specific dollars have been reserved for awards under the CSO.

Areas of Interest:

The following technology areas are currently included within the DEVCOM GVSC Commercial Solutions Opening. Unless otherwise stated within an individual Area of Interest, solution briefs may be submitted while the CSO remains open. Certain topics include separate submission deadlines, which take precedence over the general solicitation timeline.

GROUND VEHICLE ADVANCED POWER SYSTEMS:

This effort focuses on advancing electrical power systems up to 1.5MW of power for use on Military ground vehicles. The goal of this campaign is to meet the Army’s increasing electrical power needs while improving vehicle efficiency and the power density of power electronics. This will be made possible by exploiting the gains made in emerging power electronic designs and the use of cutting-edge electrical components. These advances will significantly impact future Army vehicle design and will enable the Army to have a decisive overmatch to near peer adversaries.

a. Power System Architecture up to 1.5MW: The objective of power system architecture topic develop architectures that are suitable for delivery of up to 1.5MW of power to vehicle systems and mission payloads. These architectures need to account for hybrid electric or all electric powertrains, high energy loads like cooling system, energy weapons, power export, and legacy 28Vdc/600Vdc power systems. There are three (3) key areas of investigation for this effort: 1) what safety features are needed to make the architecture a viable product; 2) is a voltage greater than 600Vdc needed; and 3) are electric components available at these voltage/power levels.

b. Advance Power Electronic Design: This topic focuses on taking advantage of cutting-edge power electronic design to significantly increase power density and power efficiency which will result in smaller devices that require less cooling and are easier to package. This topic includes, but is not limited to, advanced designs such as wideband gap semiconductors, soft switch, zero-volt switching, zero-current switch, modular multi-level converter, active filtering, and all other techniques to meet the focus of increased power density and power efficiency.

c. Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning (AI/ML) in Power Management Systems: This topic focuses on advancement in power management systems for ground vehicles as power management will enable more efficient vehicles. This topic incorporates advancements in AI/ML algorithms and knowledge base to adapt to how the vehicle is being used and learn the most efficient way to operate the vehicle. This topic also has two (2) key enablers in advancing AI/ML power system development: 1) power system modeling; and 2) hardware in-the loop software development.

d. Wireless Power Transfer: This topic focuses on wireless power transfer up to 1MW of power as there are two (2) target areas for wireless power transfer on Army ground vehicles. The first focus area is a safe, reliable way to recharge the vehicles through wireless recharge stations. The second focus area is wireless power transfer to transfer power between a hull and turret, bypassing the slipring.

e. Power System Physical Interfaces: Often when developing advance power electronics, the height and width of the design is dictated by the physical interface components, such as connectors, coolant fitting, and cabling. This topic focuses on the necessary advancement of interface components to reduce the physical size of the design. Also, these physical interface components often have very long lead times which can be problematic for procurement and integration, so advanced manufacturing approaches to reduce component lead time will also be explored under this topic.

f. Ground Vehicle MIL-Rugged Computing Architectures for Artificial Intelligence Applications: The US Army is interested in ruggedized computing architectures designed for running AI applications on military ground vehicles. In order to be considered rugged, the computers would need to meet ATPD-2404 requirements such as operating through pressure washing, submergence in 1 meter of water, gun shock, and operating in a 71C environment with little to no airflow. AI applications for mobility, autonomy, or target recognition largely depend on GPU or GPU-like processing ability with quick access to large amounts of memory. Utilizing MIL-STD-1275F or MIL-STD-3072 electrical power input, what products are available or could be developed to provide the most processing capability in a Standardized A-Kit Vehicle Envelope (SAVE) space claim or smaller and still meet the required environmental conditions?

g. Advanced Power Production and Storage: The US Army is interested in advanced power production and storage technologies, including novel batteries and fuel cells. Objectives include those that provide improved durability, reduced costs, and increased energy density, making them an attractive option for military vehicle applications. These technologies also include the ancillary enabling technologies, such as production of hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells. These may come from industries such as automotive, aerospace, and energy.

h. Prototype Vehicle Experimentation Technical Support. The US Army is seeking technical support for high voltage vehicles during soldier touchpoint and demonstration events. Objectives include CONUS and OCONUS field repair and component replacement for the high voltage vehicles and are required to include the following: provide safety and driver training to select Government and military personnel; provide onsite technical/repair support (as needed) during vehicle events; order and field receipt of repair parts and supplies; diagnose, develop and execute plans for field maintenance and repair; arrange vehicle transportation to and from experimentation sites or for major repairs or regular maintenance; conduct major repairs and regular maintenance (as required); provide reach back technical and engineering support (as required). Working knowledge of the specific vehicle is required.

GROUND VEHICLE ROBOTICS (GVR):

The GVR mission is to develop, experiment, demonstrate, test and transition autonomy enabled ground system capabilities and technologies to meet and shape Army requirements.

The U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) seeks innovative commercial solutions that advance Autonomous Multidomain Robotic Systems. As the Army accelerates modernization toward multi-domain operations (MDO), the integration of heterogeneous robotic and autonomous systems (RAS) operating cohesively across ground, air, and sea domains represents a critical capability gap and strategic priority. GVSC, in support of CPE Mission Autonomy's future efforts, is interested in technologies and approaches that enable unmanned systems to function as a unified, intelligent combat team to execute complex missions with minimal human intervention while preserving human decision authority where necessary.

a. Agile Development of Logistics Material and Technical Services. To rapidly demonstrate and test GVR vehicle autonomy system innovative commercially available solutions for logistics material development that leverage existing autonomy systems, documentation, software and displays. Reducing cost and delivery time is required across the full spectrum of logistics material development. Application of Agile Development Process for maintenance, operation, supply, training materials and services is desired. Leveraging innovative commercial technologies, capabilities, processes, and techniques along with demonstrating the benefits of continuous integration and delivery during the development of operator and maintainer training, technical manuals, publications, and field support is desired. Additionally, the Government seeks alternative methods of delivering the materials to the soldier and collecting feedback and validating the new methods as well as supporting the transition of the new processes to programs of record is desired.

b. Cybersecurity. Commercial software and hardware to address cyber threats, which are a threat in the battlespace. Of particular interest is commercial software that enables the Army and its ground vehicle fleet to adapt to this environment with advancing cybersecurity technologies to become resilient to such threats. This includes applications of AI and quantum decryption as part of cyber security.

c. C-UAS. Commercial technology to counter the threat of drone-based attacks on ground vehicles and their sustainment and command and control support systems. Counter UAS capabilities of particular interest include one or more of the following technologies:

1) Sensing, such as radar, lidar, acoustic detectors, and optical sensors, which can detect, identify, classify, and track drones in real-time.

2) Hostable Portable software suitable for Fire Control, Blue Force deconfliction, Threat Point Of Origin (POO) and Track Triangulation, Sensor Fusion, Protection Projection, threat intent classification, payload identification, and weapon system handoff ( on and off platform), crew notification and interaction

3) Effectors to include but not limited to Kinetic Hard Kill (to include purely kinetic, fragmentation, and blast warheads), Electronic Warfare, Directed Energy, High Power Microwave, Electro Magnetic Pulse, Laser Dazzlers, and permanent sensor induced damage / degradation.

4) The ability to host complimentary capabilities within the Modular APS Controller (MAC) level and Modular APS Framework (MAF).

Seeking whitepapers that clearly identify a near term pathway to capabilities that can be demonstrated via experimental soldier touchpoints within 6-12 months and subsequent expedited fielding via PdM VPS or equivalent.

e. Textile Based Camouflage System. Commercial textile-based technology that will reduce the probability of a vehicle being detected by sensors and detectors whether the vehicle is stationary or on the move. Of particular interest are commercial solutions that allow adequate air flow to prevent damage to the textile-based technology, and that do not impede driver vision.

f. Thermal and HD Pan Tilt Zoom (PTZ) Camera. Commercial technology that provides day / night, real-time surveillance, 24/7 observation through degraded environments that allows for response to threats. Of particular interest is commercial solutions that allow for 360 degree visibility and allow for rapid integration onto multiple platforms.

g. Multi-Payload Launcher. This topic focuses on a system that can rapidly deploy multiple drones/payloads, either simultaneously or in quick succession, with each drone/payload potentially equipped to perform a distinct task. This creates a coordinated, multi-faceted capability that can be managed by a single operator or an autonomous control system.

The key to the system's versatility lies in its ability to launch a variety of drones/payloads, each tailored for a specific function. This "flexible loadout" can include:

1. Loitering Munitions: Designed for precision strikes against targets, with some variants capable of defeating armored vehicles.

2. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Designed to provide real-time video, intelligence, and situational awareness for ground troops.

3. Electronic Warfare (EW): Designed to jam enemy communications or spoof their navigation systems.

4. Counter-Drone Systems: Designed to intercept and neutralize hostile drones.

h. Autonomous Commercial Vehicle (ACV). This topic focuses on the ACV capability which is a transformational unmanned ground platform designed to redefine maneuver warfare. Equipped with Modular Mission Payloads (MMPs), it provides Army units flexible options for reconnaissance, security, direct action, fires support, logistics, and deception. Leveraging mass-produced vehicle technologies, the ACV reduces cost, maintenance, and complexity while delivering lethal and non-lethal effects at the commander’s discretion.

Built for fast, distributed operating environments, the ACV enhances survivability and lethality through scalable production and vendor supply chains. It expands battlefield geometry, enabling commanders to shape engagements by employing Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) for time, space, and cross-domain maneuver advantage. At the point of need, it delivers advanced battlefield capabilities.

i. Aided Detection Target Recognition (AiDTR) System. This topic focuses on a sophisticated Artificial Intelligence (AI) that employs machine learning to autonomously identify and categorize threats from sensor data, such as enemy combatants or vehicles. The primary goal of AiDTR is to reduce the cognitive burden on soldiers while increasing probability of threat detection and lowering false alarm rates, enabling faster threat identification and superior situational awareness. It is engineered for seamless integration with vehicles and advanced sensor systems.

j. Modular Obscuration System. This topic focus is seeking a mature, production-ready technology for a modular obscuration system. The desired system will provide a non-lethal effect to degrade enemy reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) capabilities and defeat visually and infrared-guided weapon systems. The primary objective is to hamper battlespace visibility, thereby increasing warfighter and platform survivability. Desired specifications include:

1. Obscure wavelengths from the visual through the near-infrared (NIR) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

2. Generation of a visually impermeable screening effect in less than two minutes.

3. The obscuration effect should be sustained for more than 12 minutes from a single dissemination.

4. Man-portable and capable of being operated by a single soldier.

5. Support both dismounted and mounted operations.

6. Offers flexible control options: remotely via a wireless signal or directly through a wired connection.

k. Mission Autonomy Common Control Architecture Strategies, Prototypes & Solutions. Program Manager Robotic Command and Integration (PM RCI) seeks innovative commercial solutions and professional services to provide rapid, on demand technical expertise that accelerates Mission Autonomy (MA) development through advanced architecture maturation, mission engineering, modeling and simulation, cybersecurity analysis, and rapid acquisition and technical prototyping. Desired specialties also include multidisciplinary engineering and human factor analysis of MA systems and operations. Required capabilities include evolving the Mission Autonomy Common Control Architecture (MACCA); producing mission level modeling and architectural artifacts; conducting multidisciplinary engineering analysis; evaluation and verification (virtual and physical); system prototyping and integration; and delivering autonomy focused cybersecurity products such as threat models, attack surface assessments, survivability requirements, and adversarial testing strategies. PM RCI also requires commercial partners capable of shaping and executing sound acquisition strategies that shorten procurement timelines, drive faster prototype delivery, and apply innovative contracting methods aligned with DoW’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy to promote rapid, iterative development. Solutions should enable rapid task activation, scalable team deployment, and streamlined deliverables, while integrating commercial best practices that accelerate fielding and expand PM RCI’s ability to assess, secure, and integrate autonomous system technologies. This includes command and control, autonomy architecture, and tactical networking capabilities essential for synchronized air and ground robotic operations across Army missions.

l. Unified Command and Common Control (UC3) for Multi-Entity Mission Autonomy (MEMA) for Robotic Operations. The U.S. Army’s Capability Program Executive for Mission Autonomy (CPE MA), through PM RCI, seeks innovative solutions that advance architectures and technologies for Multi Entity Mission Autonomy (MEMA). The goal is to accelerate integration of autonomous capabilities across ground, air, maritime/surface, subsurface systems, payloads, and sensors. PM RCI requires scalable, modular hardware and software to support a Unified Command and Common Control (UC3) framework enabling and integrating coordinated operations among diverse autonomous systems. Solutions must provide safety assured control for crewed and uncrewed platforms operating in remote, supervised, or fully autonomous modes. Capabilities should reduce operator burden, enable one to many control, and adapt to varying supervision levels through independently verifiable, safety critical autonomy. Solutions should also address current UxS limitations, such as high operator to platform ratios, fragmented interfaces, stovepiped data, and challenges in Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, and Limited (DDIL) environments. PM RCI seeks prototype or mature product demonstrations of robust, interoperable UC3 frameworks using a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA). Desired elements include a mission level C2 Orchestrator and platform level Mission Autonomy Agents that enhance distributed processing, resilience in contested environments, and seamless data orchestration across tactical networks. Solutions should support development of Mission Autonomy Common Control Architecture (MACCA) to ensure interoperability across Army, Joint, and allied autonomous systems.

m. Unified Combat Teaming. GVSC is seeking the connective architecture, control, and integration capability that turns a diverse, multi-vendor mix of unmanned ground, air, and sea systems into a single, scalable, controllable combat team, not a proprietary autonomy stack or isolated platform. We invite architecture-led and tooling-led innovators to address one or more of six interlocking Technical Workstreams (TW#) and/or Enabling Workstream (EW#) areas: open, severable modular architectures that let one vendor's system be cleanly swapped for another's [EW1]; common control and data standards (e.g., JAUS, DDS, TAK, STANAG) proven by dissimilar systems sharing one operational picture in Electronic Warfare/GPS-contested conditions [EW2]; onboarding tooling and SDKs that make third-party integration repeatable, not bespoke [EW3]; dynamic, decentralized task allocation and mission planning that lets one Soldier direct a multi-vendor formation as one team [TW1]; human-machine teaming that grows the agents one Soldier commands without growing the workload [TW2]; and the experimentation and evaluation harness to measure, replay, and compare teaming across simulation and hardware [TW3].

We value capability that is demonstrated, not asserted, works with platforms you did not build, carries a clear MOSA underpinning, and proves itself through physical experimentation, with a credible simulation path to scale preferred over a large fleet. We invite you to propose your open, interoperable technology that can show real results on a few systems today and a defensible path to large multi-vendor formations tomorrow, evaluable in a Hardware In the Loop or live settings within 6 to 12 months of award, whether addressing a single area or spanning several.

Please see attachment, “Area of Interest - Unified Combat Teaming” for all additional information regarding this AoI.

Solution briefs may address one or more of the six workstreams described in the attachment. Multi-workstream and integrated system proposals spanning the full Unified Combat Teaming capability are strongly encouraged.

While this Area of Interest will remain open, the Army will make initial award(s) based on White Papers submitted by 01 August 2026.

FORCE PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY (FPT):

The FPT provides mission lifecycle engineering for Army Combat Support and Combat Service Support equipment for gap crossing, petroleum & water systems, combat engineering, material handling, and fluid and petroleum quality surveillance. Its laboratories facilitate research, development, and engineering services to support fuels, fluids, water, wastewater and military bridging systems to keep the US Army in motion anytime, anywhere.

a. Demand Reduction

i. Alternative Sources of Water / Atmospheric Water Extraction (AWE). The Army has gaps in the ability to supply potable water to distributed, semi-independent units conducting multi-domain operations in a contested logistics environment. Currently, Large Tactical Water Purification Units that must be stationary during operation are used to produce bulk drinking water, which is then stored, bottled, and distributed tethering units to long lines of resupply.

b. Predictive Logistics and Maintenance. GVSC is interested in commercial software and integrated hardware solutions that provide the Army, and joint and multinational partners where possible, with improved sustainment posture through improved precision and accuracy in sustainment operations, such as maintenance and equipment status, and tracking of classes of supply, such as major end items, fuel, water, and spare parts. Specific interests in this area follow.

i. Logistics Tracking and Planning. GVSC is pursuing improved tracking of classes of supply, to include through multinational partners and channels. The purpose is to provide improved status reports to facilitate rapid, accurate decision making. Ideal solutions will provide not only Army visibility, but compatibility or integration into joint and multinational partners. While envisioned as software, integrated software-hardware solutions will be considered. Training, modelling, and simulation software to facilitate improved understanding, tracking, and decision making may be applicable here as well. In general, ideal proposals will include or culminate in successful demonstrations and pilot implementations that show paths to transition.

ii. Smart Fuel Metering and Management. Provide near real-time understanding of fuel status, fuel (supply) availability/quantity, location, and supply actions. The objective is to extend the operational reach and readiness of the Warfighter by providing fuel awareness and fuel management decision support for commanders in Multi Domain Operations throughout the range of military operations.

Commercial sensors, software, or integrated hardware-software solutions to support this project will support the ability to collect fuel measurement data from collapsible bags at fuel points during field experiments with the Army and United States Marine Corps (USMC) operations. Additionally, commercial solutions to assist in the development of a fuel management system to enable commodity managers to track and account for material as it is received, stored, transported, issued, and consumed delivering end-to-end visibility shared across the enterprise. Selection will be made on the basis of enabling the warfighter to improve decisions, manage multiple fuel sources, reduce demand, balance loads, and improve efficiencies within contingency bases, optimizing fuel management in expeditionary environments.

c. Advanced Manufacturing. New and novel technologies in the realm of advanced manufacturing technologies to include innovative technologies and processes to produce high-quality products with increased efficiency and reduced waste. This includes the integration of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), to create smart factories that can adapt to changing production demands for supply of parts and services of interest to GVSC.

d. Autonomous Resupply. GVSC is interested in technologies that allow the Army to enhance multi domain distribution, extend reach, and increase the volume of supplies to dispersed formations through advanced platforms.

e. Advanced Power and Energy Solutions. GVSC is interested in technologies that allow the Army to field alternative energy solutions through advanced solutions such as fuel cells, advanced batteries, microgrids.

f. Bridging and Gap Defeat. Develop, test, experiment with, or demonstrate new innovative technology or mature existing technologies to defeat manmade or natural gaps found on the battlefield. Areas of interest include materiel solutions focused towards either wet or dry gaps and over a variety of defeat lengths, as well as the addition of AI/ML capabilities to new or existing materiel for both assault as well as logistical support missions. Efforts in this area support assured mobility in assault operations and the efficient execution of logistics in disbursed contested environments.

g. Fuel Handling Equipment. The Army is interested in advanced tactical fuel handling equipment. Areas of interest include but are not limited to fuel storage, distribution, filtration, and monitoring technologies and hardware. These efforts will increase fuel distribution capacity and tempo to extend operational reach, enable dispersion, and increase lethality as required for Joint All Domain Operations.

GROUND VEHICLE MATERIALS ENGINEERING (GVME)

The GVME mission is to provide materials technologies and engineering support to ground systems from cradle to grave to enhance warfighter readiness. GVME supports a diverse materials mission to include corrosion, coatings, joining, additive

manufacturing, and material and manufacturing applications, all supported by a characterization and failure analysis branch with in-house testing capabilities.

a. Ceramic Material Technologies. Ceramic materials for application in military parts to take advantage of properties such as exceptional hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and applicability for high temperature environments. Areas of particular interest include applications for lightweighting, non- conductive, and non-magnetic applications.

b. Composites. Applications for composite materials that offer enhanced strength-to-weight ratios, improved corrosion resistance and increased durability compared to traditional materials. Of particular

interest are applications for composite rubbers for tracks and wheeled vehicle systems and applications of advanced composites for protective systems.

c. Composite and Transparent Armor. Commercial armor and advanced armor technologies to include transparent armor, reactive armors, and advanced material solutions for enhanced survivability for vehicles, payloads, and personnel.

d. Coatings. Coatings provide means of enhancing the properties of existing materials and components beyond what they are typically capable of. Advanced coating technologies, such as nanocoatings and thin- film coatings, offer improved properties, such as self-cleaning, antimicrobial, and anti-reflective characteristics. Coatings are also used to reduce friction, improve fuel efficiency, and minimize waste. Overall, coating technologies play a critical role in enhancing the performance, reliability, and lifespan of materials and components, while also reducing maintenance and operational costs.

e. Castings and Forging. GVSC is interested in advanced technologies which can support low volume, flexible, and responsive production of castings and forgings. This includes additive technologies, which enable substitution of the additive manufactured parts; incremental forming technologies; enabling technologies for rapid production of molds and dies; and computational tools to accelerate design and qualification of large castings and forgings with location-specific property prediction.

f. Tooling. GVSC is interested in advanced technologies which can support low volume, flexible, and responsive production of tooling. This includes technologies for rapid production of low volume tooling for composites, plastics, and other techniques suitable for low to medium volume production.

GROUND VEHICLE SURVIVABILITY AND PROTECTION:

Focuses on advancing vehicle and crew survivability for tracked and wheeled tactical and combat ground vehicles. The goal is to meet the Army’s increasing goal for higher mobility while maintaining or improving the survivability of the combat fleet. This will be made possible by exploiting increased computer power and implementation of AI in emerging active protection systems as well as innovative passive material solutions.

a. Next-Generation Vehicle Protection Systems Base Kit. Seeking innovative partners to deliver a critical technology for our next-generation vehicle protection strategy: the Vehicle Protection Systems Base Kit (VBK). This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a revolutionary, Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA)-based Active Protection System (APS) framework designed to dramatically enhance soldier survivability and reduce lifecycle costs.

The VBK: A Foundation for Adaptable Protection

The VBK program is focused on creating a flexible, scalable, and rapidly adaptable APS framework – instantiated by the VBK Controller – that can be seamlessly integrated with a wide range of APS subsystems across diverse missions and platforms. We are partnering with industry leaders to build the core components of this framework, including the Modular Active Controller (MAC), Safety Control Interface Panel (SCIP)/User Interface Control Panel (UICP) and the optional Power Management Distribution System (PMDS).

Seeking a partner to build and deliver production-intent VBK prototypes based on Government-provided Technical Data Packages (TDPs).

The MAC, the main component of the VBK control system, is a high-performance 3U VPX chassis featuring:

• SOSA-Compliant Architecture: Ensuring interoperability and future-proofing.

• Powerful Compute Capabilities: Supporting advanced algorithms with multiple compute-intensive payload slots (3-5) and options for Intel Xeon or NVIDIA Jetson AGX (Orin or Thor) based processing.

• Versatile I/O Connectivity: A cutting-edge FPGA I/O card enabling high-speed data transfer via 1/10 Gigabit TSN Ethernet, RS-422, CAN, SDI, DisplayPort, HDMI, and a comprehensive range of discrete signals.

Deliverables & Impact:

Seeking delivery of fully functional, production-ready VBK prototypes, including individual Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) based on the Government-provided Technical Data Packages (TDPs) for the MAC, SCIP, UICIP and PMDS plus all necessary support components (cables, breakout connectors, special tools, mounting hardware).

By responding to this area of interest, you will:

• Shape the Future: Contribute to a groundbreaking system that will enable vehicle protection for years to come.

• Leverage Government Investment: Utilize provided TDPs to accelerate development and reduce risk.

• Become a Key Partner: Establish a strong relationship with the GVSC and the U.S. Army.

We invite qualified organizations with expertise in hardware development, firmware integration, and MOSA principles to submit proposals for delivery of 10 VBK prototypes, with a follow-on option to deliver additional kits.

See attachment 0001 and 0002

Suspense date for submittal under this AOI is 01/30/2026.

b. Signature Management Technologies. Seeking innovative commercial solutions to mitigate ground vehicle and marine vehicle signatures. The signatures being requested include thermal, acoustic, and radio frequency, but others will also be considered. The technologies may be applique or coatings.

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CENTER (SEC):

SEC provides full software lifecycle management; to engineer, develop, integrate and field precise software solutions; to improve Current Force effectiveness; and to provide superior software capabilities for the Future Force.

a. Government-Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) Common Operating System. The Army seeks innovative support to advance its Government-Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) Operating System (OS) for ground vehicle platforms. This initiative aims to establish a common, government-owned software foundation to reduce costs associated with commercial licensing, maintenance, and complex systems integration. Leveraging a standardized GOTS OS promotes software reuse, enhances cybersecurity through a common security posture, and ensures long-term scalability and maintainability across the fleet. The goal is to accelerate fielding schedules and reduce duplicative engineering efforts by providing a pre-accredited, adaptable operating system architecture for all vehicle programs.

Closing date for submittal under this AoI is 05/15/2026.

b. Embedded Software Maintenance. SEC is focused on providing software maintenance and sustainment for multiple vehicle platforms including Bradley Fighting Vehicles. This includes specific software development, integration, testing, validation, and fielding. The goal is to understand and innovate software solutions to integrate emerging technology and capabilities as it relates to obsolescence issues with legacy vehicle systems and equipment.

• Focus will be on tactical code development with military approved software (VXWorks, GHS, AdaCore) and communication systems (MIL-STD-1553, RS232/RS422/RS485)

• Automated and hybrid testing methodologies include simulation conception, testing development linking requirements traceability, and lab hardware/vehicle platform test management.

• Innovative hardware solutions to support design and building testing platforms, experimental/prototype vehicle integration efforts, and support priority equipment needs for software testing and validation.

g. Software & Hardware Integration and Fielding Support for Ground Vehicle Platforms - Data Integration for Ground Systems (DIGS) & Digital Logbook (DLB). The Army seeks innovative support to advance the integration and sustainment of the DIGS Kit and DLB for ground vehicle platforms. This initiative aims to automate manual processes, enhance equipment readiness visibility, and improve sustainment operations by digitizing maintenance tasks, streamlining Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS), and error-proofing parts ordering. DIGS leverages vehicle sensors to capture usage and fault data, enabling the generation of accurate 5988-E forms and supporting commanders in making informed decisions.

The DLB, installed on the Operator Support Device (OSD), ensures vehicle configuration management, provides access to specific technical manuals based on vehicle configurations, restricts NSN ordering errors, and maintains updated Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs) via network architecture. DLB facilitates guided PMCS steps, fault recording, and requisition validation, seamlessly integrating with the Global Combat Support System - Army (GCSS-A) for fault and requisition communication. Additionally, DLB supports disconnected operations through QR code generation and network printing capabilities.

The SEC is focused on providing full software lifecycle management, including development, integration, testing, validation, and fielding of DIGS kits and DLB software. The goal is to innovate software solutions that integrate emerging technologies and address obsolescence issues in legacy vehicle systems and equipment, ensuring operational efficiency and readiness across multiple vehicle platforms.

h. Diagnostic Software (DS) for Vehicle Maintenance. The Army seeks innovative support to advance DS Viper, the latest generation of Army standard diagnostic software. DS Viper is designed to maintain Army Ground Combat Systems, Tactical Wheeled Vehicles, and Watercraft, providing a unified diagnostic solution to enhance maintenance operations across diverse platforms. DS Viper delivers decoupled diagnostics to support the Army’s transition to a single viewer, the Interactive Authoring and Display Software (IADS). As part of the Project Director Test, Measurement, and Diagnostic Equipment (PD TMDE) Maintenance Support Device (MSD) system image, DS Viper ensures seamless integration, cybersecurity compliance, and eliminates licensing fees. The software simplifies training requirements by offering a standardized look and feel across platforms, reducing complexity and improving operational efficiency.

The SEC is focused on providing full software lifecycle management, including development, software sustainment/maintenance, integration, testing, and validation of the DS Viper software. The goal is to innovate software solutions that integrate emerging technologies and address obsolescence issues in legacy vehicle systems and equipment, ensuring operational efficiency and readiness across multiple vehicle platforms. This government-owned diagnostic solution underscores the Army’s commitment to delivering a cost-effective, scalable, and secure tool that enhances vehicle maintenance operations and supports readiness across the fleet.

i. Software Configuration Management (SCM). The SCM team is soliciting a user-friendly tool that can integrate with Source Management and code tools (Atlassian or GitLab) to track and manage final deliverables for all the projects we support. It needs to be able to establish what we expect to receive for each Release per Project and track if it was received, dates, from who, etc. with a hierarchy of deliverables and sub-components maintained. Store location information for both physical and electronic versions. Additionally, it needs to track physical and electronic receipt of information from external sources, who, what, where and their storage locations.

j. CI/CD Pipelines. The SEC is seeking an industry partner with GovCloud development experience to test and validate capabilities between our on-premise infrastructure and AWS cloud environment. Must have demonstrated experience in automation, responsible for developing Infrastructure as Code (IaC), with tools like Terraform or CloudFormation, and building CI/CD pipelines to ensure seamless building and integration of software source code and automated test. A strong background in AWS services, scripting (Python/Bash), and hybrid cloud security along with experience in the Army RMF process.

k. Artificial Intelligence in Software Engineering and Development. This topic focuses on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to assist software engineering professionals throughout the software development lifecycle—including requirements, architecture, design, implementation, and testing—to improve software quality and accelerate development.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Code generation models trained specifically for embedded, military, or safety-critical software development environments.

-AI-assisted expansion of unit testing in legacy code bases, including automated test generation and identification of gaps in test coverage.

-AI-assisted modernization of legacy software systems, including migration from legacy or military-centric programming languages to modern or general-purpose programming languages.

-AI-assisted acceleration of model-based software engineering, including generation of Unified Modeling Language (UML)/Systems Modeling Language (SysML) models from legacy documentation and/or source code.

- AI-assisted analysis of software engineering artifacts, including gap analysis and evaluation of design documentation and UML/SysML models.

-AI-assisted comprehension of legacy code bases, including extraction of architecture, interfaces, and system behavior from existing source code.

-AI-assisted refactoring and restructuring of software systems to improve maintainability, modularity, and performance.

-AI-assisted generation and maintenance of software documentation, including design descriptions, interface documentation, and developer guidance.

-AI-assisted traceability analysis across requirements, models, source code, and test artifacts.

-AI-assisted detection of software defects, vulnerabilities, and violations of safety or security coding standards.

-AI-powered developer assistants integrated into software development environments to support code generation, debugging, and refactoring.

l. Simulated/Emulated Hardware Targets for Automated Testing and Digital Twins. Provide subject matter expertise on the development of simulated/emulated hardware targets for embedded systems that can be used for automated testing and digital twin applications. The intent is to gain visibility on the state-of-the-art tools and practices for abstracting from hardware, understand in what situations to use specific tools, and potentially develop a reference architecture (e.g., a sample robot or vehicle) that can be used to assess capabilities and grow competency on how to build integrated pipelines and automation.

m. Multi-Tenant Cloud Solutions for Embedded Software Development. Provide subject matter expert support to bring industry best practices into the architectural design, implementation, and maintenance of a multi-tenant based cloud solution for hosting software development and test projects, with a primary focus on embedded software. This effort seeks experts to assist the government team in deploying concepts within government-owned cloud environments (e.g., SPDS, GDEV-C). The solution should provide projects with scalable, isolated cloud resources by default and include the ability for the defense industrial base to use the environment. A key focus is on automation, the adoption of AI (including pipeline development), and DevSecOps practices in alignment with DoW modernization goals. Subject matter experts will work with the government team and could form the basis of a persistent operations team or, at a minimum, inform the government on how best to organize such a team and identify the skills/resources needed to support the effort operationally.

n. Adoption and Use of Containerization in Embedded Systems. Provide subject matter expert support to bring industry best practices into the adoption and use of containerization within software development and test activities, including those with an embedded system focus. This effort seeks to leverage expert knowledge to address current gaps in security and utilization, and to discover more effective ways to use containerization to its fullest potential. A specific focus is desired on the hardening of containers and the enabling infrastructure, along with general supply chain management considerations. This includes various levels of usage for containers, from deploying enterprise solutions versus VMs, looking at how to do builds/tests for things like CIE, the possible application on actual embedded targets, and the general use of containers for tools and builds in general pipelines.

o. Software Test Automation. The SEC is advancing an enterprise Software Test Automation capability to modernize verification and validation across Army ground vehicle platforms. This initiative integrates automated and hybrid testing methodologies into the full software lifecycle, enabling continuous regression, requirements traceability, and objective digital evidence generation. Leveraging reusable automation frameworks (CATS), centralized orchestration platforms (CTAP), and Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) environments, SEC reduces manual regression cycles, improves defect detection, and accelerates software fielding. The capability supports tactical code validation across approved military software environments and communication interfaces (e.g., MIL-STD-1553, CAN, serial protocols), while enhancing cybersecurity validation and sustainment readiness. The objective is to convert repetitive manual testing effort into scalable, reusable infrastructure that improves quality, lowers lifecycle cost, and supports rapid capability integration across current and future vehicle platforms.

p. Software Safety. The SEC provides comprehensive Software Safety engineering support across Army ground vehicle platforms to ensure safe, reliable, and mission-assured system operation. This capability includes support for Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA), system and software hazard tracking, enforcement of coding standards such as MISRA, and implementation of safety-critical test requirements including C/DC and MC/DC coverage. SEC conducts independent technical reviews of software design, code, and verification artifacts while maintaining bidirectional traceability from hazards through requirements, architecture, implementation, and test results. The objective is to reduce safety risk, ensure compliance with Army and DoD safety standards, and support safe integration of new capabilities into both legacy and future vehicle systems.

q. Digital Distribution. The SEC seeks innovative support to advance its Digital Distribution capability to modernize the delivery and sustainment of software for ground vehicle platforms. Digital Distribution provides a secure, centralized platform for the rapid deployment of software updates, patches, and new capabilities, eliminating the need for physical media. This approach ensures that all systems remain up-to-date with the latest approved software versions, reducing downtime and enhancing mission readiness. By leveraging encryption and authentication protocols, Digital Distribution protects against unauthorized access and tampering, ensuring the integrity of critical software. The objective is to streamline version control and ensures consistency across the fleet, enabling faster and more efficient software fielding.

r. Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). The SEC seeks to enhance its SBOM capability to improve transparency and security across the software lifecycle. SBOM provides a comprehensive inventory of all software components, libraries, and dependencies used in a system, enabling proactive management of vulnerabilities and compliance with government standards. By identifying and tracking software components, SBOM ensures rapid detection and mitigation of cybersecurity risks, reducing the potential for exploitation. It also facilitates lifecycle management by addressing obsolescence issues and ensuring long-term maintainability. This objective is to support the Army’s efforts to improve software quality, enhance cybersecurity, and ensure compliance with Executive Order 14028 on improving the nation’s cybersecurity.

s. Hardware Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) Simulation. The SEC seeks to advance its Hardware LRU Simulation capability to modernize its software development and testing processes. Hosted in the cloud, this simulation environment provides a scalable and cost-effective solution for testing and validating software without the need for physical hardware. Hardware LRU Simulation enables developers to replicate the behavior of hardware components and systems, allowing for early detection of defects and interoperability issues. This approach accelerates development timelines, reduces costs associated with hardware procurement and maintenance, and supports the integration of emerging technologies. The objective is to provide a virtual environment for testing and have Hardware LRU Simulations to ensures that software is thoroughly validated and ready for deployment, enhancing the reliability and performance of Army ground vehicle platforms.

GROUND VEHICLE POWER AND MOBILTIY (GVPM):

GVPM provides the Army with solutions in Ground Vehicle Mobility, Power, and Propulsion. GVPM has developed powertrains, power generation, power distribution and energy storage systems. GVPM facilities encompass labs in engine research, engine/electric machine testing and development, and vehicle performance testing under all climate conditions.

Priority is placed on near term solutions that have the potential for rapid transition to a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL). GVPM maintains interest in longer term technology that advances the performance or enables compact power generation and propulsion systems. In addition, GVPM has interest in emerging technologies for ground vehicle applications for high power, power dense generators, and advanced power electronics that have been integrated into demonstrations as part of a vehicle.

a. Durable Replacement Track System for M88A2 Vehicle. Seeking a drop-in replacement for the M88A2 vehicle existing track systems. The desired solution should require minimal changes to the vehicle, limited to components such as the sprocket and carrier. It is highly desirable to retain the current OEM roadwheels. The solution should leverage proven, commercially available technologies that balance performance and durability with affordability. The T107 track system is currently on the Readiness Driver List, which could inversely affect the vehicles’ availability. PM Mounted Armored Vehicles (MAV) seeks an optimized and modern track solution that can be integrated into the M88A2 platform with minimal modifications while providing better availability, durability and value for the Government.

Requirements

The replacement track system must meet the following preliminary requirements:

1) Compatibility: The track system must be compatible with the current M88A2 platform, requiring minimal modifications (e.g., sprocket and carrier changes). It is highly desirable to retain the current OEM roadwheels.

2) Durability: The track system must demonstrate significantly improved durability compared to the current system, with reduced failure rates while following current OMS/MP (20% Primary roads, 40% secondary and 40% Cross Country roads. 30% of each of these will be completed in “Towed” conditions).

a) Track Pads: 1,000 miles Threshold (T) 2,000 Objective (O)

b) Track Body: 2,000 miles Threshold (T) 3,000 Objective (O)

3) Size and Weight: The track system must conform to the size and weight constraints of the 70T M88A2 vehicle. There is not a specific requirement for a maximum allowed track weight, however track weight and its impact on vehicle performance and life-cycle cost could be used for rating purposes.

4) Performance: The track system must maintain or improve the vehicle's mobility, traction, and operational performance in diverse terrains. Improved tractive effort during towing operations on sloped surfaces is highly desirable.

5) Proven Solution: The track system should be an existing, commercially available product with a proven track record of performance. Solutions used in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or similar vehicles are encouraged.

6) Ease of Integration: The track system must be designed for straightforward integration into the M88A2 platform without requiring extensive modifications or redesign. Simplicity of integration is a key factor in reducing overall program cost.

7) Cost-Effectiveness: Solutions must demonstrate value through a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Respondents should describe how their solution minimizes costs over the entire life cycle, including acquisition, maintenance, and replacement.

Offeror must submit country of Origin for the proposed track system or percentage of the system that is made in the USA.

Suspense date for submittal under this AOI is 04/06/2026.

b. Vehicle Power Generation and Distribution. These systems or kits install a power generation capability to a vehicle at power levels 30kW to 350kW. Power dense packaging allows minimal engineering for installation in a vehicle with severe space availability. Utilize mechanical power takeoff interfaces from transmissions or engines. These solutions can include components that convert, condition, and provide connection for power to the common end user voltages (i.e. 600VDC, 440VAC 60hz, 208VAC 60hz, 110VAC 60hz, 24VDC, 12VDC, et. Al). Solutions showing previous demonstrations in a vehicle are of interest.

c. Components Required to Enable Vehicle Power Generation and Power Distribution. GVPM has interest in highly integrated electric machines/systems that are highly compact, nearing serial production, and installed on a vehicle system. Also, interest lies in innovative packaging of electric machines, power controllers and thermal management systems to allow complete compact packaging under space constrained conditions. Capabilities at power levels 30kW to 350kW demonstrated on a vehicle are of interest.

d. Propulsion Systems. Highly integrated power dense drive systems integrating electric machines, energy storage (regen and et. al), braking, and gear reduction. End system applications for 8000lbs to 75000lbs GVW. Any integrated combination of multiple component functions mentioned are also of interest. Solutions showing previous demonstrations in a vehicle are of great interest.

.MODELING AND SIMULATION (M&S)

The GVSC M&S mission is to accelerate innovation through rapid prototyping and experimentation, leveraging industry expertise and soldier feedback to quickly iterate and refine Army ground platform capabilities, optimize design and performance by reducing development time and costs to rapidly evaluate multiple design approaches and incorporate continuous soldier feedback for enhanced usability and operational effectiveness, and inform strategic decisions by maintaining a competitive advantage with data-driven insights by quantifying capabilities, identifying critical technology gaps, and illuminating capability investment opportunities. This effort focuses on advancing modeling and simulation tools and capabilities through industry partnerships and collaborations.

a. Innovative Training Aids and Simulators. With increases in onboard capabilities and increasing technical sophistication of ground vehicles, GVSC is interested in commercial solutions that can improve training, fielding, and maintenance of ground vehicles. This includes providing training and simulations using on- board computing capabilities but also includes standalone equipment.

b. Applying Artificial Intelligence Algorithms to Expedite the Platform Concepting Process for Early

Requirements Shaping and Trade Studies. GVSC M&S is looking to develop an on-premises, SME-credible AI-assisted ground-vehicle concepting demonstration that produces constraint-checked, auditable platform concepts suitable for early requirements shaping and trade studies. While the scope of this project includes expediting concept generation using a wide array of available AI methods, emphasis is placed on using LLM prompts to directly generate/expedite usable Computer-Aided Design (CAD) components. This work will be using decades worth of Government generated data and concepts and will not require additional contractor data. These AI methods must be usable within a U.S. government environment with expectations that the U.S. government will own rights to both the data being used as input but also for the resulting models.

c. Relocatable Facility Accreditation: Agile SCIF Security Oversight. The Government is executing a rapid prototyping effort to design, construct, build and deploy a relocatable facility, the Cybersecurity and Vehicle Cyber Center (CVCC), which requires accreditation for classified use up to the Top Secret level with eligibility for SCI access. This facility is being designed, constructed, built and deployed in the United States. Historically, applying the rigid Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 security standards to rapid, commercially modified prototyping programs has proven difficult to execute without causing significant schedule delays. This creates a critical need for a dedicated Site Security Manager (SSM) to bridge the gap between commercial manufacturing processes and strict government security oversight to include interactions with an Accrediting Official.

The Government seeks innovative commercial solutions to provide comprehensive security oversight. The traditional, sequential methodology for ICD 705 compliance is often incompatible with the speed of commercial prototyping. Therefore, the Government requires an "agile compliance process"—a solution that successfully integrates and enforces legacy ICD 705 government security oversight within a rapid, commercially driven prototyping program for a relocatable facility.

The Government is seeking industry partners capable of acting as the Site Security Manager (SSM) to ensure the aforementioned prototyping effort achieves full ICD 705 accreditation. The company shall have a Top Secret Facility Clearence Level. Submissions should demonstrate innovative methodologies for integrating security into the commercial prototyping lifecycle. Specific areas of interest include:

• Lifecycle Site Security Management (SSM) Oversight: This sub-topic seeks the provision of a qualified SSM to serve as the primary liaison between the commercial prototyping vendor, the Government Program Office, and the Accrediting Official (AO) / Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA). The SSM must provide continuous oversight of architectural designs, material procurement, and physical construction, ensuring all deviations or commercial modifications are evaluated for their impact on ICD 705 compliance. The person shall have a Top Secret clearance with eligibility for SCI access.

• Agile Construction Security Plan (CSP) Development and Execution: This sub-topic focuses on the development, approval, implementation, and management of a CSP that adapts to a rapid commercial build schedule. The solution must meet the stringent physical, acoustic, and technical (TEMPEST) requirements of ICD 705 and ICS 705-1. Desired outcomes include innovative approaches to conducting security inspections, documenting construction phases, performing construction surveillance duties, and managing secure supply chains without halting commercial manufacturing timelines.

• Accelerated Accreditation Documentation and Delivery: This sub-topic focuses on the streamlined generation and management of all required accreditation artifacts. The desired solution will enable the agile preparation of the Fixed Facility Checklist (FFC), TEMPEST addendums, acoustic testing reports, and the final accreditation package to ensure the facility is ready for immediate operational deployment and AO approval upon delivery.

Anticipated Schedule: four months design activities, followed by five months pre-construction activities, followed by 11 months on site construction work immediately after award.

Suspense date for submittal under this AOI is 06/19/2026

VEHICLE ELECTRONICS AND ARCHITECTURE (VEA):

The VEA mission is to design, integrate and deliver vehicle electronics systems by leveraging advanced technologies to provide enhanced capabilities for military ground vehicles.

a. High Performance Compute Solution: The US Army is actively researching and evaluating embedded high-performance computing solutions to support next-generation capabilities in challenging operational environments. We are particularly interested in MOSA-based platforms capable of seamlessly hosting and integrating emerging technologies, including AiTR (AI-enabled Targeting & Recognition), Anti-jamming, Automated Lethality, Survivability, Electronic Warfare (EW) and Defense. The goal is to take current algorithms for these technologies as well as Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities and evaluate them for true processing needs. We are interested in learning more about system architecture, processing power (specifically relating to AI/ML workloads), ruggedization, thermal cooling, security features, C-UAS, power efficiency, and demonstrated performance in similar applications.

DETROIT ARSENAL PROTOTYPE INTEGRATION FACILITY (DTA PIF):

The DTA PIF mission is to provide robust, innovative solutions to our customer requirements for our shared military missions.

a. Advance Vehicle Development - Rapid Response Hardware Solutions. To address emergent capability gaps, DTA-PIF is soliciting innovative commercial solution briefs targeting rapid response hardware solution focused on dual-use, modular, and easily deployable systems. The objective is to procure tangible hardware solutions capable of being manufactured, configured, and fielded in an expedited manner, rather than the months or years associated with traditional defense hardware programs. This initiative seeks industry partners to provide end-to-end development and delivery of turn-key hardware systems, from initial concept through low-volume manufacturing and sustainment.

What could I use the funding for?

Depending on the applicable Area of Interest, awards may support activities such as:

• Commercial technology adaptation

• Prototype development

• Pilot projects

• Demonstrations

• Agile software development

• Commercial integration

• Technology maturation

• Testing and validation

• Systems integration

• Sustainment activities

The Government also states that awards may support commercially available technologies, commercial technologies enhanced through strategic investment, existing government-owned capabilities, or concepts intended for broader defense applications.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to potential funding, selected companies may receive opportunities to:

• Demonstrate technology directly to Army subject matter experts.

• Participate in Army experimentation activities.

• Collaborate with Government technical experts.

• Mature commercial technologies for military applications.

• Potentially transition technologies into future Army programs.

The solicitation also provides flexibility to use several acquisition pathways, including commercial contracts under FAR Part 12, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and Cooperative Agreements, depending on the specific effort.

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

Most Areas of Interest remain open for solution brief submissions unless an individual AoI specifies its own submission deadline.

The solicitation states that awards may be made throughout 2029, and additional Areas of Interest may be added at any time during the life of the CSO. Companies are encouraged to regularly monitor SAM.gov for new or amended topics.

The general evaluation process consists of:

1. Phase 1 – Solution Brief

2. Phase 2 – Presentation or Demonstration (if requested)

3. Phase 3 – Invitation to submit a Commercial Solution Proposal (CSP)

The Government may bypass phases, request additional information, or accelerate evaluations based on program priorities and available funding. Funding timelines are not specified in the solicitation.

Where does this funding come from?

This Commercial Solutions Opening is administered by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) under the authority provided by 10 U.S.C. 3458 for Commercial Solutions Openings.

GVSC is the Army's research and development organization for advanced ground vehicle technologies and supports Army modernization priorities across numerous technical disciplines including autonomy, mobility, survivability, power systems, software engineering, cyber engineering, manufacturing, and modeling and simulation.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation is intended for companies and organizations with innovative commercial technologies that can help advance Army ground vehicle capabilities.

The solicitation specifically defines and references the following entity types:

• Commercial companies

• Small businesses

• Nontraditional Defense Contractors

• Nonprofit institutions

• Foreign-owned businesses (subject to applicable approvals and restrictions)

• Other organizations capable of providing innovative commercial products, technologies, or services

Companies must also satisfy standard federal contracting requirements before receiving an award, including obtaining a Unique Entity ID (UEI), maintaining an active SAM registration, registering in the required government invoicing system, and being determined responsible by the Contracting Officer.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not provide a general list of ineligible applicants.

However, organizations may be unable to receive an award if they:

• Are suspended or debarred from doing business with the Federal Government.

• Are prohibited by law or Executive Order from receiving federal awards.

• Cannot satisfy required registration requirements.

• Cannot obtain any required security approvals associated with a particular project.

Foreign-owned businesses may submit solution briefs independently or as part of a team. However, the solicitation notes that the ability to ultimately receive an award may depend upon obtaining the necessary clearances and approvals required for the proposed work.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The solicitation does not prescribe a preferred company size or business model. Instead, GVSC emphasizes commercially viable, innovative technologies that can rapidly address Army modernization needs.

During Phase 1, solution briefs are evaluated primarily on:

• Responsiveness to the Area of Interest.

• Technical merit.

• Innovation.

• Commercial applicability.

• Availability of funding.

Across later evaluation phases, the Government also considers:

• Technical feasibility.

• Technology maturity.

• Schedule realism.

• Price reasonableness.

• Business viability.

• Intellectual property considerations.

• Ability to support Army requirements with commercially available or rapidly adaptable technology.

Overall, companies with mature commercial technologies that require limited additional development before Army demonstration or transition are likely to be well aligned with this CSO.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation does not specify the expected number of awards or anticipated success rate.

Several factors suggest this opportunity will be highly competitive:

• It remains open across numerous technology areas.

• It is available to a broad range of commercial innovators.

• New Areas of Interest may be added throughout the life of the solicitation.

• Funding availability may vary by topic.

• The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the submitted solutions.

Because solution briefs are evaluated against the published criteria rather than directly against competing submissions, applicants should focus on demonstrating clear alignment with the specific Area of Interest and providing a compelling commercial solution.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Important requirements include:

• Solution briefs, presentations, and proposals must be Unclassified.

• Individual solution briefs may address only one concept for a given Area of Interest.

• Companies may submit multiple solution briefs if each represents a separate concept.

• The Government generally expects a period of performance of 12 months or less, unless otherwise specified within an Area of Interest.

• Technical data with military applications may require export approvals.

• Proposal preparation costs are not reimbursed unless specifically stated.

• Proprietary information should be properly marked.

• Additional submission instructions may vary by Area of Interest.

Applicants should always review the individual AoI before preparing a submission, as additional technical requirements or deadlines may apply.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify how long applicants should expect to prepare a submission.

The initial Phase 1 submission is intentionally brief.

Unless otherwise stated by the applicable Area of Interest, Phase 1 consists of either:

• A written solution brief of no more than five single-sided pages, or

• A presentation deck of no more than fifteen slides.

Companies invited to later phases should expect additional preparation for presentations and Commercial Solution Proposals.

How can BW&CO help?

The DEVCOM GVSC CSO is significantly different from a traditional federal grant competition. Rather than preparing a lengthy proposal upfront, companies typically begin with a concise Solution Brief that must quickly demonstrate technical merit, commercial innovation, and alignment with the Army's Area of Interest.

BW&CO helps companies:

• Determine which Area(s) of Interest best align with their technology.

• Develop compelling Phase 1 Solution Briefs.

• Position commercial technologies for defense applications.

• Strengthen commercialization and transition strategies.

• Prepare presentation materials for later evaluation phases.

• Develop Commercial Solution Proposals (CSPs) when invited.

• Navigate the unique requirements of Commercial Solutions Openings, OTAs, and Army acquisition pathways.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

DIU: Specular MIST Prize Challenge

Updated October 2026: This opportunity is closed. The deadline for this opportunity has passed. Browse currently open opportunities in our funding database.

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

Executive Summary:

The DIU Specular MIST Prize Challenge is a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) prize competition seeking commercial technologies that improve maritime electronic warfare, electronic surveillance, and radar training capabilities for crewed and autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). The challenge is conducted in collaboration with the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.

The solicitation is focused on accelerating the development, prototyping, and production of modular payloads that can be integrated onto manned and autonomous surface vessels. Companies compete through a three-phase process consisting of a written proposal, an at-sea demonstration, and a potential post-demonstration pathway that may include additional prize funding and eligibility for follow-on prototype or production opportunities.

Applications are accepted under three Lines of Effort (LOEs):

• LOE 1 – Threat Radar Simulators

• LOE 2 – Active Electronic Attack (EA)

• LOE 3 – Passive Electronic Surveillance

The solicitation emphasizes modular open-system architectures, software-defined capabilities, scalability, production readiness, and solutions designed for maritime environments.

The Phase 1 submission deadline is July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time. Companies interested in participating should begin preparing their White Paper and Pitch Deck immediately because selected vendors may be invited to demonstrate their technology less than two months later during the live at-sea event.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation states there is a total cash prize pool of $5,000,000, distributed across multiple phases of the challenge.

Funding opportunities include:

Phase 1

• Vendors selected to advance from the written proposal evaluation receive up to $250,000 to fund participation in the live demonstration.

Phase 2

• Companies selected following the At-Sea Challenge may receive up to $1,000,000 per selected company.

Phase 3

• Additional prize funding may be awarded as companies continue supporting operational units and iterative product development. The solicitation does not specify individual Phase 3 award amounts.

What could I use the funding for?

The funding supports development, demonstration, maturation, and potential fielding of technologies that address maritime sensing, electronic warfare, and training challenges.

Projects must align with one of three Lines of Effort.

LOE 1 – Threat Radar Simulators

Develop maritime-compatible radar simulators that:

• Emit complex S-band signals

• Operate from moving vessels

• Operate remotely

• Support future integration onto autonomous USVs

• Meet the technical specifications outlined in the solicitation.

LOE 2 – Active Electronic Attack

Develop systems capable of:

• Autonomous electronic warfare

• Detecting multiple RF signals

• Adaptive real-time jamming

• Operating without operator intervention

• Integration onboard autonomous USVs.

LOE 3 – Passive Electronic Surveillance

Develop remotely operated RF surveillance systems capable of:

• Monitoring the RF environment

• Supporting VHF and UHF bands

• Operating with multiple layers of encryption

• Hosting government-provided software

• Supporting Navy cybersecurity requirements.

Across all applicable LOEs, solutions should address:

• Modular open-system architectures

• Software-defined capabilities

• SWaP optimization

• Maritime environmental resilience

• Remote command and control

• Production scalability

• Cost-effective manufacturing.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond prize funding, the solicitation identifies several potential benefits.

These include:

• Direct operational engagement with leaders across multiple branches of the U.S. Department of Defense.

• Live operational testing with military end users during the At-Sea Challenge.

• Eligibility for potential follow-on Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements under 10 USC 4022.

• Eligibility for prize awards under 10 USC 4025.

• Potential system procurement for extended testing.

• Opportunity for continued operational feedback and iterative product development during Phase 3.

The solicitation also states that there is no guarantee that follow-on awards or contracts will be awarded.

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

Challenge Timeline

• July 8, 2026: Challenge opens and solicitation is released.

• July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time: Phase 1 submission deadline for the White Paper and Pitch Deck.

• July 29, 2026: Companies selected to advance to Phase 2 are announced.

• August 5, 2026: Virtual Q&A session for selected Phase 2 participants.

• September 10, 2026: At-Sea Challenge live demonstration begins in Southern California.

• September 25, 2026: At-Sea Challenge live demonstration concludes.

• October 23, 2026: Prize Challenge Board completes deliberations.

• October 30, 2026: Prize Challenge winners are announced.

Funding is distributed across the challenge phases.

• Phase 1 participants selected to advance receive up to $250,000.

• Phase 2 down-selected companies may receive up to $1,000,000.

• Phase 3 participants may receive additional prize funding, although specific amounts are not specified.

The solicitation does not specify when individual prize payments will be disbursed after each phase.

Where does this funding come from?

The Specular MIST Prize Challenge is sponsored by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in collaboration with the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.

The challenge is intended to accelerate the development, prototyping, and fielding of commercial technologies that address maritime training and operational needs for the Department of Defense. According to the solicitation, DIU uses the challenge to identify innovative, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that can be rapidly transitioned into operational use.

The solicitation states that high-performing participants may become eligible for:

• Prize awards under 10 USC 4025

• Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements under 10 USC 4022

• Potential system procurement for extended testing

The solicitation also states that there is no guarantee that follow-on awards or contracts will be made.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation is an open call to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors developing innovative commercial technologies that address one or more of the three Lines of Effort.

Companies may:

• Submit separate proposals for LOE 1, LOE 2, and/or LOE 3.

• Submit a combined proposal covering LOE 1 and LOE 2.

• Submit teaming proposals if multiple organizations are needed to deliver the required capabilities.

For Phase 1, the solicitation states:

• An active Facility Clearance (FCL) is not required to submit a proposal.

• All Phase 1 work will be conducted in unclassified environments.

• Applications must be fully unclassified.

To participate in Phase 2, applicants must meet additional security requirements, including:

• Contractor personnel requiring classified access must possess and maintain a final U.S. Government SECRET security clearance or higher. Interim clearances are acceptable for initial performance.

• Compliance with applicable SIPRNet or JWICS access requirements.

• Compliance with DD Form 254 requirements for classified work.

• If classified material will be stored at the contractor's facility, possession of a DCSA-approved classified storage capability at the SECRET level or higher.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not provide a standalone list of ineligible applicants, but it identifies several situations that would prevent participation or make a submission noncompetitive.

Examples include:

• Companies proposing solutions that do not address one of the three specified Lines of Effort.

• Proprietary solutions that are "walled off" or require extensive integration effort for third-party technologies.

• Applicants unable to satisfy the security requirements necessary for Phase 2 participation.

• Applications that are not submitted through the official DIU portal before the submission deadline.

• Classified submissions, since Phase 1 applications must be fully unclassified.

The solicitation also states that companies with ideas outside the scope of the solicitation should not submit them.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The solicitation describes the characteristics evaluators will use when selecting companies throughout each phase of the competition.

Competitive projects are expected to demonstrate:

• Strong alignment with the technical requirements of the selected Line of Effort.

• Technical viability and a clear approach to solving the identified capability gap.

• Modular, open-system architectures.

• Software-defined capabilities where applicable.

• Optimization for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP).

• Ability to operate in maritime environments.

• Scalability for production at increasing unit quantities.

• Realistic pricing and lifecycle maintenance planning.

• Demonstrated production capability and corporate expertise.

• Clear operational value for Department of Defense users.

During the live demonstration, evaluators will also consider:

• Operational performance under realistic maritime and electromagnetic conditions.

• Ease of use by military operators.

• Training documentation provided by the company.

• Quality of the company presentation and value proposition.

• Potential commercial viability outside the defense market.

For Phase 3, evaluators additionally consider:

• Ability to rapidly manufacture operational systems.

• Positive impact on military tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation does not specify the number of expected applications or the number of Phase 1 awards.

However, the challenge is structured as a multi-phase competitive down-selection process, with companies advancing through progressively more rigorous evaluations.

Participants compete through:

• Phase 1 written proposal evaluation.

• Phase 2 live operational demonstration.

• Phase 3 operational assessment and user-driven iteration.

Throughout the competition, proposals are evaluated on technical performance, company capability, production scalability, pricing, operational effectiveness, and end-user feedback. Only selected companies advance between phases.

Because the solicitation includes live demonstrations, military operator evaluations, and multiple down-selection stages, applicants should expect a highly competitive process. The solicitation does not specify anticipated success rates or award percentages.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

The solicitation includes several important requirements and limitations applicants should consider before applying.

Submission requirements

• Applications must be fully unclassified.

• Proposals must be submitted through the official DIU portal before the submission deadline.

• Companies may submit separate proposals for LOE 1, LOE 2, and LOE 3. LOE 1 and LOE 2 may also be combined into a single proposal, while LOE 3 requires a separate submission.

White Paper requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A White Paper of no more than 6 pages.

• Font size 11 or 12.

• 1-point line spacing.

• 1-inch margins.

• The White Paper must state the current Technology Readiness Level (TRL), with TRL 6+ preferred for the sensor package, identify the applicable Line of Effort, and include a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for cost and schedule.

Pitch Deck requirements

Applicants must also submit:

• A PDF presentation in 16:9 (1920 × 1080) format.

• A maximum of 8 slides, plus one additional slide for each Line of Effort included in the proposal.

Technical expectations

For applicable Lines of Effort, solutions should address:

• Modular, open-system architectures.

• Software-defined capabilities.

• Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) optimization.

• Maritime environmental resilience.

• Production scalability.

• Remote command and control capabilities.

• Technical requirements specific to the selected Line of Effort.

Security requirements

While Phase 1 is entirely unclassified, companies advancing to Phase 2 must satisfy the personnel clearance, network access, and classified safeguarding requirements described in the solicitation.

Intellectual Property

Applicants retain ownership of their existing intellectual property. By submitting, applicants grant DIU a limited license to use submitted intellectual property for testing and evaluation related to the challenge. Any additional use, integration, or development would be negotiated separately.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify how long applicants should expect to spend preparing a submission.

However, applicants must prepare both:

• A technical White Paper meeting the solicitation's formatting and content requirements.

• A Pitch Deck describing the proposed operational solution.

Applicants should also be prepared to document:

• Technical capabilities.

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL).

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost and schedule.

• Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C).

• Production scalability.

• Delivery timelines.

• Training plans.

• Technical performance and ruggedness.

• Relevance to the selected Line of Effort.

Because the Phase 1 submission deadline is July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time, companies should begin preparing their submissions as soon as possible.

How can BW&CO help?

Preparing a competitive submission requires more than simply responding to the solicitation requirements. BW&CO works with technology companies to develop proposals that clearly communicate technical capabilities, commercialization potential, and alignment with Department of Defense priorities.

For the Specular MIST Prize Challenge, BW&CO can help your team:

• Determine the most appropriate Line of Effort for your technology.

• Develop a compliant White Paper that addresses the evaluation criteria.

• Prepare a compelling Pitch Deck for the Phase 1 review.

• Clearly communicate your technology's operational value, production readiness, and scalability.

• Position your company for potential follow-on opportunities, including Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements, if selected.

With the July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time submission deadline, companies should begin preparing application materials immediately.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for NSWC Crane - N0016424SNB35

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

Executive Summary:

The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is an always-open opportunity for companies, universities, nonprofits, and research organizations developing innovative defense technologies that support U.S. national security. Rather than focusing on a single topic, this BAA accepts revolutionary research ideas and technology demonstrations across ten broad technical capability areas, allowing organizations to submit proposals when they have a compelling solution.

Proposals and abstracts may be submitted on a rolling basis. The current response deadline is July 7, 2027, at 4:00 PM EDT. Multiple awards are anticipated, and selected projects may be funded through procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions depending on the nature of the work. Organizations with technologies aligned to NSWC Crane's mission should engage early, as proposals are evaluated as they are received and funding availability varies by project.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify award amounts.

The BAA states:

• Multiple awards are anticipated.

• Individual award values will vary depending on the technology area and the proposed technical approach.

• Periods of performance will also vary by project.

• Awards may be made as:

  • Procurement contracts

  • Grants

  • Cooperative agreements

  • Technology Investment Agreements (TIAs)

  • Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs)

What could I use the funding for?

Funding is intended to support innovative research, development, prototyping, technology demonstrations, and related activities that advance NSWC Crane's mission.

The BAA seeks projects supporting one or more of the following technical capability areas:

• Electronic Warfare

• Infrared and Pyrotechnic Countermeasures

• Strategic Systems Hardware

• Expeditionary Warfare and Systems

• Advanced Electronics

• Sensors and Surveillance Systems

• Hypersonic Weapon Systems

• Power and Energy Systems

• Electro-optic and Infrared Technologies

• Force Level Electronic Warfare Mission Analysis, Advanced Concepts and Technologies

Within these areas, NSWC Crane is interested in technologies including (but not limited to):

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning

• Trusted microelectronics

• Radar and RF systems

• EO/IR sensors

• Quantum technologies

• Power and energy storage

• Advanced batteries

• Directed energy enabling technologies

• Cybersecurity

• Counter-UAS technologies

• Modeling and simulation

• Autonomous systems

• Advanced manufacturing

• Digital engineering

• Hypersonic technologies

• Sensor fusion

• Radio frequency-enabled cyber capabilities

Projects supporting multiple technical capability areas are encouraged but are not required.

Topic Areas:

• 1. Electronic Warfare (EW)

  Research and development for materials, material processing, microelectronics, radio frequency (RF), electro-optic infrared (EOIR) and other hardware that improves the efficiency, capability and responsiveness of EW systems used in all warfighting domains (land, sea, air, space, and cyber). Algorithms, digital signal processing techniques and photonics approaches that improves EW system responsiveness and accuracy. Hardware and software-based solutions focused on manipulation of electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) signatures or emissions to include signature management. Material and non-material solutions that improve sustainability and affordability of EW systems and their components. Novel and low-cost approaches to EW test and evaluation (T&E) supporting fast-to-field initiatives. Technology demonstrations that include prototypes of component or system level solutions to EW problems. EW mission analysis that may include a combination of live, virtual or constructive representations of EW systems, platforms or unique capabilities in single or multiple engagements and campaign simulations. Research and development that enable improvements in EW component or EW system Size, Weight and Power (SWAP). Research and development that support the integration of EW capability into unmanned systems. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) approaches with emphasis on accuracy, generalizability, and tactical employment of AI and ML in support of all EW functions.

• 2. Infrared and Pyrotechnic Countermeasures

  Research, design, development, prototyping, and demonstration of safe, reliable, and effective infrared (IR) and electro-optic (EO) countermeasures, countermeasure systems, and pyrotechnics for platform protection, target enhancement, counterintelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C-ISR), illumination, and signaling and marking. Seeking innovative approaches to Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force platform protection through design, development, modeling and simulation (M&S), integration, test and evaluation (T&E), and fielding of camouflage, concealment, and deception devices, countermeasures, threat warning, and dispensing systems. Unique solutions that improve current capabilities in M&S, T&E, simulators, and all infrared countermeasure and pyrotechnic solutions, especially those that also incorporate RF with EO/IR are encouraged.

• 3. Strategic Systems Hardware

  Research and development, prototyping, technology demonstration, and test & evaluation of safe, reliable, secure and effective hardware that supports the Department of Navy and DoD nuclear deterrence community. Innovation around Strategic Systems Hardware design starting at the physics level for materials and devices including quantum, mechanics, thermodynamics, electronics and electromagnetism. Application to specific systems and subsystems such as acoustic sensors, navigation, fire control, launch, flight, guidance, onboard & pier side mechanical & electrical support systems, as well as modeling & simulation and integrated verification & validation of those systems. Approaches that facilitate strategic hardware reliability through design, manufacturing and assessment of radiation hardened microelectronics for space missions, nuclear modernization, and missile defense are desired. Special emphasis is placed on research that enables secure, robust, and resilient microelectronics, sensors and embedded systems for military applications in severe environments. Other areas of interest include digital engineering and system modeling of requirements, interface management, system level architecture integration with model-based systems engineering. Data analytics, intelligent design with artificial intelligence and machine learning, configuration and data management, and improved procedures and trainings with augmented and virtual reality will be beneficial.

• 4. Expeditionary Warfare and Systems (ExWar)

  Research, development, prototyping, and demonstration of technology associated with Expeditionary Warfare, commonly considered mission sets executed by the USMC, NAVSPECWAR & SOF, NECC, and other maritime & land-based forces. ExWar technologies can include sensor systems, battle management systems, communications and command & control systems, and kinetic & non-kinetic effectors. Unmanned (UxS) and Counter-Unmanned (C-UxS) systems technologies are of particular interest to this area of research. Novel, end-to-end capability development and demonstration via rapid prototyping and fleet experimentation is a goal for the ExWar area of research. Areas of concentration at NSWC Crane in support of ExWar capabilities include EO/IR Sensor Systems, Radar Sensor Systems, Command & Control Systems, Cyber Security, Weapon Systems & Munitions, Power & Energy, Mobility Systems, and Electronic Warfare Systems. Capabilities that enable Naval expeditionary strategies and concepts, such as Distributed Maritime Operations, Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, and force modernization are a focus for NSWC Crane.

• 5. Advanced Electronics

  Research, development, prototyping, and demonstration of affordable, sustainable microelectronics solutions that provide asymmetric capability for the Department of Navy and the DoD Enterprise in support of the following platforms but not limited to hypersonic weapon systems and their platforms, ballistic missile defense systems, electronic warfare systems, command; control; communications; computing; intelligence; surveillance; and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, cyber-physical systems, space surveillance systems, maritime and undersea autonomous systems. Areas of interest but not limited to basic and applied trusted microelectronics research & development (including design, development, acquisition, test and evaluation, advanced prototyping, technology maturation and technology demonstration) in support of security systems engineering to integrate advanced electronics within complex systems satisfying security and resilience objectives. Microelectronics technology areas of interests include but are not limited to active and passive electronic devices, circuit cards, advanced Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) logic for ASICs and programmable logic, volatile and nonvolatile memory, radiation hardened technologies, advance packaging to include heterogeneous integration, advanced interconnect technologies, electronic controls, solid state transmit/receive modules, digital receiver exciters, digital beamforming electronics, DC to DC converters, microwave tubes, other radio frequency and optoelectronics technologies. Microelectronics technology test and evaluation areas of interests include but are not limited to model and simulation at the board, component, and circuit level, as well as operational environments to include radiation, cyber, electronic warfare across all identified microelectronics technologies. Additionally, solutions in development and demonstration of tools, techniques, and technologies for evaluation of microelectronics devices to support the confidentiality and integrity objectives of the DoD are desired.

• 6. Sensors and Surveillance Systems

  Basic research; applied research; advanced technology development; and advanced component development and prototypes that facilitate the maturation of Sensors and Surveillance System technologies and manufacturing capabilities. Sensors and Surveillance Systems include multi-domain sensors and systems supporting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Counter-Uncrewed Systems (C-UxS); Radar; Electromagnetic Warfare (EW); Signals Intelligence (SIGINT); Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), and Communications missions and activities. Solutions of interest target improvements to sensor size, weight, power, cost, and/or performance. Research and development areas of interest to demonstrate include innovations associated with metamaterials, microelectronics, 2.5- and 3-Dimensional packaging, advanced sensor architectures, power systems, thermal management solutions, mechanical technologies, networking solutions, processing systems, modeling and simulation capabilities, sensor fusion, and algorithms.

• 7. Hypersonic Weapon Systems (HWS)

  Research and development of technologies that support the development, integration, test and evaluation of HWS to include aerodynamics, aerothermal prediction and analysis, guidance, navigation and control, high temperature materials, thermal management, sensors and supporting algorithms. Any approach including materials and manufacturing processes that improve HWS performance, lethality, survivability, lowers costs or improves HWS and HWS component manufacturability (cost and capacity) is strongly desired. Innovative approaches and prototypes that lower the cost or increase the cadence of HWS testing and evaluation are also strongly desired. M&S of HWS components, subsystems and systems at all M&S levels (Engineering, Engagement, Mission and Campaign). Power and Energy solutions for HWS that reduce Size, Weight and Power (SWAP), improve power density or lower costs are welcome. Solutions that enhance microelectronics and HWS component, subsystem and system reliability and survivability in natural and prompt radiation environments are desired.

• 8. Power and Energy Systems

  Research, development, prototyping, test and evaluation, materials analysis, safety analysis, modeling, digital engineering, data analytics, data management, specification development, and production and demonstration of advanced battery technologies, advanced high energy density storage systems, high power energy storage systems, hybrid and all-electric propulsion systems, energy transfer systems, alternative and renewable energy systems, and battery management systems. Applications include space, airborne, missile, surface, land, undersea, manned, and unmanned platforms, hybrid and all-electric vehicles, human portable energy storage systems, and portable energy storage and energy conversion systems. Desired outcomes are as follows: (1) Improvements in battery power density in support of directed energy systems. (2) Improvements in battery energy density in support of extended mission endurance for space, airborne, missile, surface, land, undersea, manned, and unmanned applications. (3) Improvements in battery cycle life in support of aerospace applications and austere mission environments. (4) Enable integration onto high value surface, air, and undersea platforms by mitigating safety risks associated with lithium chemistry batteries. This includes advancements in battery casualty containment and early failure detection. This also includes advancements of battery technologies utilizing nonflammable electrolyte and solid-state electrolyte batteries. (5) Improvements of lithium chemistry battery performance in extreme cold weather environments. (6) Improvements in power management and distribution systems efficiency. (7) Improvements of solar array technology efficiency to support expeditionary mission sets. (8) Supply chain risk mitigations associated with power and energy technologies. This includes advancement of technologies, methodologies, and materials that increase availability of domestic raw materials, address obsolescence issues, enable processing of raw materials, and reduce dependence of rare earth metals. This also includes development and advancement of batteries and electric motors that utilize alternative materials. (9) Development of cost effective and supportable high voltage and high-power battery test systems.

• 9. Electro-optic and Infrared Technologies

  The objective of the Electro-Optic and Infrared (EO/IR) is to develop high-performance, low-cost, next generation EO/IR sensors, devices and autonomous processing to provide real-time detection, tracking, classification, and identification of air, sea-surface, and ground targets in all weather conditions. The primary interest is for systems working in the visible and infrared (near, short-wave, mid-wave, and long-wave) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is typically considered to be 0.4 um to 15 um in wavelength. Beyond imaging and detection, this area also includes supported EO/IR technologies and sub-systems such as optics, software, targeting and tracking, sensor protection, visual augmentation systems (VAS), laser pointers, free space optics (FSO), laser markers, and laser designators. Approaches and technologies that offer improvements or improved understanding in of these areas is of interest. Additionally, innovative approaches, prototypes, and tools that benefit modeling and simulation (M&S), test and evaluation (T&E), systems installation, logistics, or other approaches that reduced cost or benefit to the management of the entire EO/IR lifecycle are of interest.

• 10. Force Level EW Mission Analysis, Advanced Concepts and Technologies

  Research and development of technologies and capabilities that support development, integration, modeling and simulation, test and evaluation of distributed and integrated electromagnetic warfare mission capabilities to support joint and naval kinetic and non-kinetic operations delivering lethal and non-lethal effects in the air, surface, ground, space and cyber domains of the electromagnetic spectrum. Seeking innovative approaches to provide a comprehensive modeling and simulation and analytical foundation to represent non-kinetic effects and complex electromagnetic environments for evaluation at the engineering, engagement, mission and campaign levels of modeling to facilitate rapid evaluation of current and emerging electromagnetic systems and system of systems capabilities. Seeking novel model-based systems engineering approaches, non-kinetic models, and visualization of non-kinetic effects in a modeling and simulation environment. Solutions and prototypes that are focused on advancing radio frequency enabled cyber, hardware agnostic electromagnetic spectrum capabilities, advanced electromagnetic sensors and systems, decision-making aids, many on many threat simulators, and advanced countermeasures are welcome. Innovative approaches and prototypes that benefit modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, and development and evaluation of integrated and distributed system of systems capabilities to help reduce cost and enable rapid analysis and evaluation are of interest.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential benefits include:

• Opportunity to receive funding through multiple award mechanisms depending on project needs.

• Ability to submit proposals on a rolling basis.

• Opportunity for follow-on work where appropriate under applicable contracting authorities.

• Access to collaboration with NSWC Crane technical subject matter experts throughout project execution when appropriate for the selected award instrument.

The solicitation also notes that awardees may be eligible to use Department of Defense High Performance Computing Program resources with appropriate approvals.

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

Key dates include:

• Abstracts: Accepted on a rolling basis.

• Proposals: Accepted on a rolling basis.

• Response deadline: July 7, 2027, at 4:00 PM EDT.

• Project start dates are unique to each individual award.

The solicitation does not specify how long proposal evaluations or award negotiations will take before funding is issued.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided by:

Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane)

within the

U.S. Department of the Navy

The BAA supports research across funding categories 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 and is intended to advance technologies supporting U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, and broader national security missions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

Businesses of any size

Startups

Small businesses

Large businesses

Universities

University Affiliated Research Centers (unless prohibited by their UARC agreements)

Nonprofit research organizations

Other responsible research organizations

Teams and consortia

The BAA also encourages participation from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), although no funding is specifically set aside for these organizations.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation states that the following organizations are not eligible to receive awards directly:

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), although they may participate through eligible teaming arrangements where permitted.

• Department of Defense laboratories.

• Navy laboratories.

• Military universities.

• Warfare centers.

• Other federal civilian agency laboratories.

Additional eligibility restrictions may apply depending on the selected award instrument.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

NSWC Crane evaluates proposals using three equally weighted criteria:

• Overall scientific and technical merit.

• Potential military relevance and contribution to NSWC Crane and Department of the Navy missions.

• Availability of funding.

Strong proposals will generally demonstrate:

• Innovative technical approaches.

• Clear understanding of the state of the art.

• Qualified technical personnel.

• Strong technical capabilities and facilities.

• Meaningful relevance to one or more NSWC Crane technical capability areas.

• Potential impact on national security missions.

The solicitation also notes that proposals supporting multiple technical capability areas are highly desired, although not required.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

This opportunity is expected to be highly competitive.

The solicitation:

• Accepts proposals from all responsible sources.

• Anticipates multiple awards.

• Does not reserve funding for any specific business category.

• Evaluates proposals solely on technical merit, military relevance, and funding availability.

Because the BAA remains open for an extended period and accepts rolling submissions, organizations are competing against a continually evolving pool of innovative technologies rather than against a single submission deadline. The solicitation does not specify anticipated success rates or award percentages.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Applicants should be aware that:

• Proposal preparation costs are not reimbursed.

• Award amounts are not guaranteed.

• NSWC Crane may fund all, some, or none of the proposals received.

• Applicants must maintain an active SAM registration before award.

• Export control requirements may apply.

• Classified proposals are permitted under specified submission procedures, but resulting awards may remain unclassified depending on the effort.

• Cost sharing is generally not required and is not evaluated, although voluntary cost sharing may be considered.

• Certain award types prohibit profit or fee.

• Intellectual property, security, reporting, and other compliance requirements vary depending on the award instrument selected.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify the expected preparation time.

However, applicants should plan sufficient time to:

• Engage the appropriate NSWC Crane technical point of contact when appropriate.

• Develop either a white paper or full proposal.

• Prepare technical and cost information.

• Complete required registrations (including SAM if not already active).

• Assemble any required compliance documentation associated with the proposed award instrument.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps defense technology companies maximize their chances of success by:

• Determining whether your technology aligns with one or more NSWC Crane technical capability areas.

• Positioning your innovation around the evaluation criteria used by NSWC Crane.

• Developing compelling white papers and full proposals.

• Preparing compliant technical, management, and budget documentation.

• Managing proposal development from kickoff through submission.

• Supporting commercialization and follow-on defense funding strategy.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

FA9453-21-S-0001-Call016 - Space Strategic Technology Institute (SSTI) - Space Cyber-Cognitive Overmatch (SCCO)

Updated October 2026: This opportunity is closed. The deadline for this opportunity has passed. Browse currently open opportunities in our funding database.

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

Executive Summary:

The U.S. Space Force, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is seeking university-led teams to establish a Space Strategic Technology Institute (SSTI) focused on Space Cyber-Cognitive Overmatch (SCCO). This funding opportunity supports transformational research intended to produce disruptive technologies that improve the cyber resilience, autonomy, and operational effectiveness of future U.S. space capabilities.

White Papers are due no later than (NLT) 13 August 2026, 1100 Mountain Daylight Saving Time (MDT). Only offerors whose white papers are selected will be invited to submit a full proposal. The proposal deadline has not yet been specified and will be provided in Requests for Proposals (RFPs) issued to selected teams.

Unlike many traditional research programs that emphasize incremental advances, this solicitation specifically seeks technologies capable of fundamentally changing how military space systems detect threats, defend themselves, collaborate with human operators, and operate in contested environments. The Government is particularly interested in research that progresses beyond theoretical concepts toward testbeds, demonstrations, prototypes, high-fidelity modeling, and technologies capable of transitioning into government programs or industry applications.

The lead applicant must be a university that manages a consortium consisting of at least three universities, including itself. The lead institution will receive the award and distribute funding to collaborating institutions through subawards. The solicitation requires that at least 50% of awarded funds be allocated to supporting institutions. Additional collaborations with industry, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and other eligible organizations are encouraged.

The Government anticipates providing up to $25 million in total Federal funding under this CALL. Individual awards may vary in value but are expected not to exceed $25 million and may last for up to 60 months, subject to available funding and successful Go/No-Go performance reviews throughout the project.

Projects should address one or more aspects of cyber resilience, artificial intelligence, distributed computing, quantum technologies, cognitive electronic warfare, human-machine teaming, digital engineering, or related capabilities that improve U.S. military space operations. The technical areas listed in the solicitation are intended as guidance rather than limitations, and applicants may propose additional technologies that support Department of Defense needs while increasing technology maturity and commercialization readiness.

Because this is a two-step competitive process, organizations interested in participating should begin assembling university partnerships, defining research objectives, identifying transition pathways, and preparing their white papers well before the 13 August 2026, 1100 Mountain Daylight Saving Time (MDT) submission deadline.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation states:

• The Government anticipates $25,000,000 in total Federal funding under this CALL.

• Individual awards may vary depending on the proposed effort.

• Estimated individual award values are not to exceed $25,000,000, although the Government reserves the right to modify, reduce, or exceed this amount if necessary.

• The Government reserves the right to fund all, some, or none of the proposals received.

• Funding remains subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Awards are expected to support projects lasting up to 60 months, consisting of multiple budget periods.

Continuation funding is contingent upon:

• satisfactory technical performance,

• schedule adherence,

• milestone completion,

• reporting compliance,

• Go/No-Go decision reviews, and

• continued availability of Federal funding.

What could I use the funding for?

The solicitation supports research intended to create transformative capabilities for future military space operations rather than incremental improvements.

The Government states that successful projects should advance technologies capable of transitioning beyond laboratory research into operational government programs or commercial applications. Highly desired outcomes include:

• Testbeds

• High-fidelity modeling and simulation

• Demonstrations

• Prototypes

• Increased technology readiness over the period of performance

The Statement of Objectives identifies numerous technical focus areas, including:

Threat sensing, detection, and adaptive response

Projects may include:

• Advanced cyber sensing

• Threat detection metrics

• Trusted telemetry

• Data authentication

• Data provenance

• Fraud and spoofing detection

• Vulnerability mitigation

• AI-driven autonomous response

• Real-time cyber remediation across space, ground, and communications segments.

Cyber hardening and supply chain security

Examples include:

• Zero-trust architectures

• Secure satellite flight software

• Cyber-hardened satellite architectures

• Hardware and software supply chain security

• Software isolation

• Red teaming

• Quantifiable cyber-hardening metrics.

Artificial intelligence, autonomy, and cognitive execution

Potential projects include:

• Autonomous mission planning

• Dynamic satellite operations

• AI-enabled decision making

• Edge data processing

• Knowledge extraction

• AI model resilience

• Protection against adversarial AI attacks.

Human-machine teaming

Research may address:

• Advanced operator interfaces

• Decision-support systems

• Cognitive workload reduction

• Human trust in autonomous systems

• Consequence modeling for automated decision-making.

Distributed computing and quantum technologies

Examples include:

• Space-based data centers

• Cloud, fog, and edge computing

• Distributed computing architectures

• Quantum information systems

• Quantum sensing

• Post-quantum cryptography

• Quantum-secure communications.

Cognitive electronic warfare

The solicitation also encourages research involving:

• Adaptive electronic warfare

• Electromagnetic spectrum operations

• Combined cyber-electronic warfare resilience

• Space-enabled cyber effects

• Reconfigurable RF spectrum technologies.

Digital engineering and testing

Potential activities include:

• Flexible cyber testbeds

• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

• System-of-systems integration

• High-fidelity disruption modeling

• Uncertainty quantification

• Developmental and operational testing environments.

The Government also explicitly allows applicants to propose additional technologies beyond the listed examples if they strengthen DoD research and development, improve technology maturity, support technology transition, or increase commercialization readiness while meeting Department of Defense needs.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to potential funding, selected performers may receive several forms of Government support during the program.

Government technical support

DARPA anticipates support from:

• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

• NIST's Precision Photonic Synthesis Group within the Time and Frequency Division

The Government expects to provide information, analysis, and support related to vibration-hardened optical reference cavities and photonic microwave generation techniques.

Government-furnished information

By Month 6, DARPA anticipates providing performers with:

• A Government reference design for a vibration-hardened chip-scale optical reference cavity

• Associated design details

• Test data

Government-furnished testing

At the end of Phase 2:

• Final noise-performance testing will occur at a Government test facility.

• Testing will use a Government-furnished airborne platform.

• The Government will coordinate and execute the testing.

• The Government will collect and post-process test data.

Potential follow-on opportunities

The solicitation states that:

• Follow-on production contracts or transactions may be awarded pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

• During the transition between Phase 1 and Phase 2, DARPA intends to finalize technology application areas and notes there is potential for additional work based on architectural designs developed during Phase 1.

The solicitation does not guarantee any follow-on funding or production awards.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond funding, the solicitation is designed to establish a long-term research ecosystem centered on transformational space technologies.

The Space Strategic Technology Institute (SSTI) model is intended to create enduring university partnerships focused on solving critical U.S. Space Force science and technology challenges. Rather than funding isolated research projects, the Government is investing in multidisciplinary research teams capable of developing technologies that transition into operational military capabilities.

Potential benefits identified in the solicitation include:

• Participation in a university-led Space Strategic Technology Institute.

• Opportunities to collaborate with multiple universities under a single research program.

• Collaboration with industry partners.

• Development of testbeds, demonstrations, prototypes, and high-fidelity modeling capabilities.

• Advancement of technologies to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) throughout the period of performance.

• Opportunities for future technology transition into U.S. Space Force and other U.S. Government programs.

The Statement of Objectives also notes that, in later phases, the research ecosystem may expand to include additional:

• universities,

• industry leaders,

• international allies, and

• U.S. Government organizations including AFRL, DARPA, and other DoD laboratories.

The solicitation explains that these organizations may provide operational context, transition pathways, and end-user requirements that help mature successful technologies.

The Government also notes that continuation funding will be based on performance reviews and successful progression toward technology transition rather than simply completing research activities.

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

This is a two-step solicitation.

Step 1 – White Paper

White Papers are due no later than (NLT) 13 August 2026, 1100 Mountain Daylight Saving Time (MDT). White Papers received after this deadline will not be accepted.

Offerors must submit:

• a White Paper,

• a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate, and

• all required supporting information using the prescribed template.

Organizations cannot submit a full proposal without first submitting a White Paper.

Step 2 – Full Proposal

Only offerors whose White Papers are selected will receive a Request for Proposal (RFP).

The solicitation states that the:

Proposal Due Date and Time – To be provided in "Requests for Proposals (RFP)" sent to offerors whose white papers are selected.

Questions

Written questions are due:

10 July 2026

The Government states that questions submitted after this date may not allow sufficient time for responses.

Webinar

A Questions and Answers webinar will be held on:

• 15 July 2026

• 0900 MDT

The Government encourages organizations interested in submitting White Papers to attend.

Award timing

The solicitation does not specify a fixed award date.

Instead, it states:

The anticipated award date will be determined through dialogue between prospective Offerors and Government representatives and specified in each individual award.

Period of Performance

Successful projects may run for:

• up to 57 months of technical effort,

• plus 3 months for the final report,

• for a total period of performance of 60 months.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided through the:

• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles Directorate

• in partnership with the United States Space Force (USSF)

under:

• Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) FA9453-21-S-0001

• Space Technology Advanced Research – Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH)

• CALL 016

• Topic Area 5 – Space Strategic Technology Institute (SSTI): Space Cyber-Cognitive Overmatch (SCCO)

The solicitation states that the purpose of this CALL is to support experimentation and research involving:

• spaceflight technologies,

• space-related signal technologies,

• energy technologies,

• transportation technologies,

with this particular CALL focused on transformational cyber and cognitive capabilities for military space operations.

Who is eligible to apply?

This solicitation is structured around university-led teams.

The lead offeror is expected to be:

• one university serving as the lead institution.

The lead university is expected to partner with:

• at least two additional universities, resulting in a minimum team of three universities.

The lead university receives the award directly and is responsible for managing the consortium and issuing subawards.

The solicitation requires that:

At least 50% of awarded funds are required to go to the supporting institutions.

Additional collaborators may include:

• universities,

• for-profit entities,

• nonprofit organizations,

• state governments,

• local governments,

• tribal governments,

• small businesses.

These organizations may participate as offerors or subrecipients, consistent with the consortium structure described in the solicitation.

Other eligibility requirements include:

• registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before award,

• compliance with applicable Federal cost principles,

• adherence to Gold Standard Science requirements,

• compliance with applicable export control requirements,

• submission of required White Papers before invitation to submit a proposal.

The solicitation also states:

• Cost sharing is not required.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation specifically excludes several categories of organizations.

These include:

• Large businesses as defined under NAICS 541715 (over 1,000 employees).

• Federal Government agencies.

• Foreign-owned organizations, which are not authorized to participate in this CALL in any capacity.

The solicitation also establishes restrictions regarding foreign nationals.

Unless an approved waiver is granted by the Contracting/Agreements Officer:

• non-U.S. citizens may not work within AFRL facilities,

• non-U.S. citizens may not access U.S. Government IT networks associated with the project.

The solicitation notes that permanent resident ("Green Card") status does not satisfy the U.S. citizenship requirement for these access purposes. Certain exceptions apply for approved international exchange personnel and dual U.S. citizens, as explicitly described in the solicitation.

Additionally:

• organizations that do not first submit a White Paper are not eligible to receive an award under this CALL.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The solicitation does not identify preferred companies or organizations. Instead, it describes the characteristics of proposals that are expected to be the most competitive.

Successful projects are likely to demonstrate a combination of technical innovation, transition potential, and practical applicability to U.S. Space Force missions.

According to the Statement of Objectives, competitive proposals should:

• Deliver transformative rather than incremental advances.

• Create technologies capable of fundamentally changing military space operations.

• Improve cyber resilience while maintaining mission performance.

• Optimize size, weight, and power (SWaP).

• Enable entirely new operational concepts.

• Demonstrate realistic pathways for transitioning technology beyond the laboratory into government programs or industry applications.

• Include testbeds, demonstrations, prototypes, or high-fidelity modeling whenever appropriate.

• Progress technologies to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) during the period of performance.

The Government also encourages applicants to:

• Clearly define the current state of the art.

• Explain why the proposed approach is superior.

• Identify known limitations and risks.

• Describe how those risks will be mitigated.

• Incorporate horizon scanning and assessments of future adversarial threats.

• Build multidisciplinary teams spanning multiple technical and non-technical disciplines.

The technical areas identified by the Government include projects involving:

• Threat sensing and adaptive cyber response

• AI-enabled autonomous operations

• Cyber-hardening for space systems

• Zero-trust architectures

• Human-machine teaming

• Distributed computing

• Space-based data centers

• Quantum information systems

• Quantum-secure networking

• Cognitive electronic warfare

• Digital engineering

• Flexible cyber testbeds

• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)

• High-fidelity disruption modeling

The solicitation states that these areas are guidance rather than restrictions, and applicants may propose additional technologies that support Department of Defense needs while increasing technology maturity and commercialization readiness.

During evaluation, White Papers and proposals must also satisfy the Government's Go/No-Go screening criteria.

Among other things, the Government states that successful submissions should:

• Demonstrate implementation of Gold Standard Science.

• Produce immediately demonstrable results.

• Include meaningful milestones.

• Establish clear benchmarks for measuring success.

• Accelerate delivery of emerging technologies to the warfighter.

• Demonstrably advance the President's policy priorities.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation does not specify an expected number of White Paper submissions or an anticipated success rate.

However, several features indicate that this is expected to be a highly competitive opportunity.

First, the Government anticipates making one or more awards, while reserving the right to make one award, multiple awards, or no awards at all.

Second, participation requires a university-led consortium consisting of at least three universities, creating a higher organizational threshold than many standard research solicitations.

Third, the two-step process means that only White Papers selected by the Government will be invited to submit full proposals. Organizations that do not submit a White Paper are not eligible to receive an award.

The evaluation process also emphasizes:

• transformational research,

• technology transition,

• measurable progress,

• interdisciplinary collaboration,

• operational relevance,

• demonstration of immediate and longer-term impact,

• compliance with Gold Standard Science requirements.

For university teams with strong space cybersecurity, AI, autonomy, quantum, or digital engineering capabilities—and a clear transition strategy—this CALL provides a significant opportunity. At the same time, applicants should expect substantial competition given the size of the anticipated funding and the strategic importance of the research area.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. The solicitation includes several important restrictions and administrative requirements.

Consortium structure

The lead offeror must be a university leading a team of at least three universities.

The lead institution is responsible for managing subawards, and at least 50% of awarded funds must be distributed to supporting institutions.

Two-step submission process

Applicants must submit a White Paper before they can be invited to submit a full proposal.

Organizations that do not submit a White Paper are not eligible for award consideration.

Foreign participation

Foreign-owned organizations are not authorized to participate in this CALL in any capacity.

Export control

The solicitation states that technologies supported under this CALL are subject to:

• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and/or

• Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Applicants proposing the use of foreign nationals must provide required disclosures, and additional Government review may be required.

Security

The effort is anticipated to be performed at the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) level.

Classified work is not anticipated at the beginning of the award, although security requirements may evolve during performance if approved by the Government.

Gold Standard Science

Applicants must commit to complying with the Government's Gold Standard Science requirements, including:

• reproducibility,

• transparency,

• communication of uncertainty,

• interdisciplinary collaboration,

• unbiased peer review,

• benchmarks for measuring success,

• adherence to applicable administration policies.

Cost sharing

Cost sharing or matching funds are not required.

Foreign travel

Foreign travel costs are not allowable unless approved by the Program Manager.

Construction

Major construction projects generally will not be funded without prior written authorization.

Funding availability

All awards remain contingent upon:

• availability of appropriated funds,

• successful performance,

• Go/No-Go reviews,

• continued Government priorities.How long will it take me to prepare an application?

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify how long applicants should expect to prepare either a White Paper or a full proposal.

However, prospective applicants should account for the time needed to:

• assemble a university consortium,

• identify collaborating institutions,

• develop a multidisciplinary research strategy,

• prepare a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate,

• complete the required White Paper template,

• request DoD SAFE upload access before the submission deadline,

• coordinate any required export control or foreign national documentation,

• ensure compliance with Gold Standard Science requirements.

Because White Papers are due no later than (NLT) 13 August 2026, 1100 Mountain Daylight Saving Time (MDT), interested teams should begin consortium formation and proposal development as early as possible.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support university-led teams throughout the entire application process by helping organizations:

• Evaluate alignment with the solicitation objectives.

• Develop a competitive research strategy centered on technology transition.

• Position technical innovations against the current state of the art.

• Build compelling commercialization and transition narratives consistent with DoD expectations.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary university and industry partnerships.

• Prepare compliant White Papers and, if invited, full proposals.

• Develop project plans, milestones, budgets, and supporting documentation.

• Strengthen proposal messaging while ensuring alignment with the evaluation criteria and solicitation requirements.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Zero Trust Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Roadmap AOI 26-A006

Updated October 2026: This opportunity is closed. The deadline for this opportunity has passed. Browse currently open opportunities in our funding database.

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

Executive Summary:

The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Rapid Capabilities Office is seeking commercial technologies that can help the Department of the Navy automate its transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). This effort focuses on discovering, inventorying, and continuously monitoring cryptographic assets across Navy and Marine Corps networks to generate automated Cryptographic Bills of Materials (CBOMs) that support enterprise-wide risk management and PQC migration.

This is an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype opportunity intended for commercial technologies that can rapidly deploy, integrate across enterprise and tactical environments, and demonstrate mature capabilities. Companies selected for Phase 2 will participate in a live demonstration of their technology.

Solution Briefs must be submitted via the Vulcan platform no later than 2359 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 07 July 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify the prototype award amount, award range, or anticipated contract value. These initial contracts typically range from $500,000 to about $5 million.

What could I use the funding for?

The prototype is intended to develop and demonstrate an automated solution capable of:

• Discovering cryptographic algorithms, protocols, certificates, key lengths, and implementations across Department of the Navy environments.

• Supporting enterprise IT, cloud, mobile systems, operational technology (OT), and tactical or embedded platforms.

• Generating machine-readable Cryptographic Bills of Materials (CBOMs).

• Continuously monitoring cryptographic assets for changes.

• Supporting PQC migration planning, vulnerability assessments, and centralized risk reporting.

• Integrating with Navy authoritative data repositories.

• Operating across secure cloud environments and disconnected, intermittently connected, and low-bandwidth (DIL) environments.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential benefits include:

• Opportunity to participate in a Phase 2 live demonstration.

• Potential for a follow-on production agreement without further competitive procedures if a prototype agreement is awarded.

• Opportunity to demonstrate commercial technology directly to NIWC Atlantic and Department of the Navy stakeholders.

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

Key dates include:

• Opportunity opens: 29 June 2026.

• Solution Brief deadline: 2359 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 07 July 2026.

• Tentative Phase 2 Pitch: 20–21 July 2026 in Charleston, South Carolina.

• Companies selected for Phase 2 will be notified in writing as soon as practicable.

• The solicitation does not specify when prototype awards will be made or when funding will be received.

Solution Briefs must be submitted via the Vulcan platform no later than 2359 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) 07 July 2026.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding is provided through:

• Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Rapid Capabilities Office.

• Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) N65236-26-S-0001.

• Area of Interest 26-A006: Zero Trust Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Roadmap.

• Command Focus Area: Battlespace Connectivity.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation is seeking commercial vendors capable of delivering a prototype solution.

Offerors must:

• Submit a Solution Brief through the Vulcan platform.

• Demonstrate the required Secret Facility Clearance at the time of Solution Brief submission.

• Include the prime contractor's CAGE Code.

• Meet the nontraditional business participation requirements described in CSO N65236-26-S-0001 Paragraph 6.2 or explicitly state any proposed cost share.

• Demonstrate their solution in an unclassified environment during Phase 2 if invited.

• Preference may be given to companies with solutions at a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 and prior experience with automated asset discovery, code security analysis, or enterprise-scale vulnerability scanning.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The following will not be considered:

• Contractors that do not possess the required Secret Facility Clearance at the time of Solution Brief submission.

• Solution Briefs submitted after 2359 EDT on 07 July 2026.

• Solution Briefs emailed directly to the Government point of contact instead of submitted through the Vulcan platform.

The solicitation does not identify any additional eligibility exclusions.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The strongest proposals will offer a mature, integrated commercial solution that can:

• Automatically discover cryptographic assets across enterprise, cloud, endpoint, OT, and tactical environments.

• Support both passive and active scanning.

• Automatically generate machine-readable CBOMs.

• Continuously monitor cryptographic baselines.

• Meet applicable security and compliance requirements.

• Operate within cloud-native and scalable architectures.

• Identify legacy cryptography alongside FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and FIPS 205 implementations.

• Operate in DIL environments.

• Integrate with Department of the Navy centralized repositories.

Preference may also be given to companies that:

• Demonstrate a corporate PQC migration roadmap.

• Minimize operational overhead.

• Have solutions at TRL 7 or higher.

• Can demonstrate enterprise-scale deployments and rapid scalability.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

This opportunity is likely to be competitive because:

• The Government reserves the right to limit the number of companies invited to Phase 2.

• Selection is based on evaluation of the submitted Solution Briefs.

• Phase 2 requires a live demonstration of the proposed solution.

• Preference may be given to more mature technologies with demonstrated operational capability.

The solicitation does not specify the anticipated number of awards or invitees.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Applicants should be aware that:

• Solution Briefs must not contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• Solution Briefs must be submitted through the Vulcan platform.

• Submission as a Scout Card alone is not sufficient; the Solution Brief must also be uploaded as an attachment.

• A Secret Facility Clearance is required at submission.

• The prime contractor's CAGE Code must be included.

• Teaming partners must be identified if used to satisfy nontraditional participation requirements.

• Cost share must be explicitly stated if proposed.

• The Government requires a mandatory live, unclassified demonstration during Phase 2.

• Late submissions will not be considered.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify an expected preparation time.

However, companies should anticipate preparing:

• A compliant Solution Brief.

• Documentation supporting nontraditional business participation or cost share.

• Secret Facility Clearance information and CAGE Code.

• Materials necessary for a live technology demonstration if invited to Phase 2.How can BW&CO help?

Developing a competitive NIH cooperative agreement application requires more than a strong technical concept. Applicants must also demonstrate program alignment, a clear development strategy, meaningful collaboration, measurable milestones, and compliance with NIH requirements.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO helps technology companies compete for Department of Defense OTA opportunities by:

• Assessing solution alignment with the Area of Interest.

• Developing compliant, reviewer-focused Solution Briefs.

• Positioning commercial capabilities against Government evaluation criteria.

• Highlighting technical differentiators, maturity, and transition potential.

• Preparing companies for live Government pitch and demonstration sessions.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.