JDEC Directed Energy Counter-UAS Prototypes (DEcUAS)

Executive Summary

The Joint Directed Energy Consortium is preparing to fund prototypes that defeat drones with directed energy: high energy lasers (1 to 70 kW), high power microwave and airborne systems. Subsystem and software solutions are welcome. The Request for Solutions has not been released, so no deadline is set yet.

Book a Free Fit Call

Awards will be Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreements. Because the solicitation is still coming soon, companies that line up their approach, membership and partners now will be best placed when the Request for Solutions drops.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)), Critical Technologies, Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE) Office
• Opportunity: Directed Energy Counter Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (DEcUAS)
• Consortium: Joint Directed Energy Consortium (JDEC), managed by NSTXL
• Award Vehicle: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype systems and key partial solutions
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released (coming soon notice posted August 18, 2026)

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

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is DEcUAS?

DEcUAS is a coming soon prototype opportunity from JDEC for directed energy systems that counter uncrewed aircraft. It seeks multi-domain, adaptable, scalable and energy-efficient systems built on modular architectures.

What Problem Is SCADE Trying to Solve?

SCADE wants to advance directed energy defense and force protection against uncrewed aircraft threats. It is looking for adaptable, scalable and energy-efficient prototype systems and key partial solutions, built on modular architectures that work across domains.

Priority Capability Areas: What SCADE Is Looking For

• High-Energy Laser (HEL) prototypes: robust continuous wave lasers in the 1 kW to 70 kW average power class; pulsed lasers will also be considered
• High-Power Microwave (HPM) prototypes: high-gain, full sky dome, fast-steering beam with effective ranges of a kilometer or more
• Directed energy airborne prototypes: modular, lightweight airborne systems, podded or integrated into airframes
• Enablers: critical subsystem and software integration solutions that support the three pillars

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards
• Period of performance: finalized after the Request for Solutions, based on the proposed technical approach and performer timelines
• Amounts: not yet published

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• Company name and CAGE code: the company name you submit under must match the CAGE code on file; parent and subsidiary organizations must have aligned membership status and dates
• Consortium membership: submissions go through JDEC; contact membership@nstxl.org about membership
• Documents: the full coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Check membership and CAGE: make sure your JDEC membership and CAGE code line up under the same company name
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the DEcUAS page
• Join the teaming list: find partners for subsystems or software you do not cover
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: JDEC will release the RFS with submission details
• Evaluation: solutions are categorized under the three prototype pillars plus subsystem and software enablers
• Award: selected performers receive OTA prototype agreements with periods of performance based on their timelines

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits laser and HPM developers, power and thermal subsystem makers, beam control and tracking companies, airborne pod integrators, and software teams for detection, tracking and fire control. Partial solutions are in scope, so component specialists can compete.

How BW&CO Can Help

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

• Pick the pillar: match your technology to HEL, HPM, airborne or an enabler
• Get ready early: membership, CAGE alignment and partners sorted before the RFS
• Write the solution: a clear prototype plan with performance, SWaP and integration detail
• Frame the OTA: scope, milestones and price that fit a prototype agreement
• Plan the follow-on: show how the prototype can transition to fielding

Plan Your DEcUAS Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DEcUAS open now?

Not yet. The coming soon notice was posted August 18, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

Who is the government customer?

The OUSW(R&E) Critical Technologies Scaled Directed Energy (SCADE) Office, supported by JDEC.

What laser power is in scope?

Continuous wave lasers in the 1 kW to 70 kW average power class. Pulsed lasers will also be considered.

Is high power microwave in scope?

Yes. HPM prototypes with high gain, full sky dome coverage, a fast-steering beam and kilometer-class effective range.

Can I propose only a subsystem or software?

Yes. The notice includes critical subsystem and software integration enablers and key partial solutions.

What award type is planned?

Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype awards.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding amounts.

Does my company name have to match my CAGE code?

Yes. The company name you submit under must match the CAGE code on file, for both parent and subsidiary organizations.

Can BW&CO help with a DEcUAS submission?

Yes. We help teams pick a pillar, get ready before the RFS, and write the solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: DEcUAS on NSTXL

JDEC DE Enhancement SWaP ISV: 30kW HEL Prototypes

Executive Summary

The Joint Directed Energy Consortium is preparing to fund prototypes that reduce size, weight and power for a 30kW-class high energy laser on the Infantry Squad Vehicle. The Request for Solutions is not out yet. Industry Day is October 27, 2026; register by October 22. JDEC members only.

Book a Free Fit Call

This is a coming soon notice, so now is the time to position. Solutions will be evaluated under twelve prototype pillars, from a full HEL system down to single subsystems such as power, thermal storage or beam control, which opens the door to component companies and not only laser integrators.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Fires, Portfolio Management Executive Defensive Fires (PME DF), Project Manager for Advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Effects (PM ACE)
• Opportunity: Directed Energy (DE) Enhancement Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) for the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)
• Consortium: Joint Directed Energy Consortium (JDEC), managed by NSTXL
• Award Vehicle: Prototype opportunity through JDEC; terms will be set in the Request for Solutions
• Funding: not yet published
• Technology Maturity: Prototype systems, subsystems and components for the Enduring HEL (E-HEL) production effort
• Due Date: Request for Solutions not yet released. Industry Day: October 27, 2026, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM CT (registration deadline October 22, 2026).

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

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is DE Enhancement SWaP ISV?

DE Enhancement SWaP ISV is a coming soon prototype opportunity from JDEC. It seeks prototype systems, subsystems and components that reduce size, weight and power for High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems, using the Enduring HEL Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) so improvements can be integrated during E-HEL production.

What Problem Is the Army Trying to Solve?

The Army needs a 30kW-class HEL weapon that fits on an Infantry Squad Vehicle - Utility (ISV-U). That requires major cuts in size, weight and power while keeping reliability, maintainability, producibility and performance. The work supports the Army's acquisition decision in Fiscal Year 2031.

Priority Capability Areas: What the Army Is Looking For

• Full system: HEL prototype on an ISV-U based, 30kW-class platform
• Power and energy: power generation, energy storage and thermal energy storage subsystems
• Structure: structural subsystems that save weight and space
• Software and sensors: software algorithms, sensors and network and communications subsystems
• Laser and beam control: DE source, beam director, beam combiner and beam transport subsystems

Funding and Award Terms

• Instrument: prototype awards through JDEC; details will come with the Request for Solutions
• Amounts: not yet published
• Path: solutions may go into a new system or future insertions into the E-HEL production effort

Eligibility Requirements and Participation

• JDEC membership: Industry Day attendance is limited to JDEC members who register in advance. Contact membership@nstxl.org to join.
• Documents: the full coming soon notice is released through the key document request form on the NSTXL page
• Teaming: an opt-in teaming list is available on the NSTXL page

How to Apply

• Join JDEC: contact membership@nstxl.org if you are not already a member
• Register for Industry Day: October 27, 2026, in Huntsville, AL or virtually; register by October 22, 2026
• Request the full notice: use the key document request form on the NSTXL page
• Pick your pillar: decide whether you bid a full system or one of the eleven subsystem pillars, and line up partners
• Watch for the RFS: the submission format and deadline will be in the Request for Solutions

What Happens After You Submit?

• Request for Solutions: JDEC will release the RFS with the submission requirements and deadline
• Evaluation: solutions will be categorized and evaluated under the twelve prototype pillars
• Transition: selected work may feed the E-HEL production effort ahead of the Army's FY2031 acquisition decision

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits laser and photonics companies, power electronics and battery makers, thermal management and energy storage firms, lightweight structures, beam control optics, and sensor and software teams with directed energy experience. Subsystem specialists can compete on a single pillar instead of building a full weapon.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For JDEC prototype opportunities like DE Enhancement SWaP ISV, we help you:

• Choose the right pillar: match your technology to the system or subsystem where you can win
• Prepare before the RFS: get the story, data and partners ready so you can move fast when it drops
• Make the most of Industry Day: know what to ask and who to meet
• Write the solution: clear SWaP gains, MOSA alignment and a credible prototype plan
• Plan the transition: show how your work fits E-HEL production

Plan Your DE Enhancement Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the solicitation open?

Not yet. This is a coming soon notice posted October 8, 2026. The Request for Solutions will set the deadline.

When is the Industry Day?

Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM CT, in Huntsville, AL or virtually. Register by October 22, 2026.

Who can attend the Industry Day?

Only JDEC members who register in advance. Contact membership@nstxl.org to join.

What platform is the laser for?

An Infantry Squad Vehicle - Utility (ISV-U) based, 30kW-class HEL weapon system.

Can I bid just a subsystem?

Yes. Eleven of the twelve pillars are subsystems, including power generation, energy storage, sensors, beam director and thermal energy storage.

How much funding is available?

The public notice does not list funding. Expect details in the Request for Solutions.

Who is the customer?

PAE Fires, PME Defensive Fires, and the Project Manager for Advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Effects (PM ACE).

What is MOSA?

The Modular Open Systems Approach. Solutions should follow the Enduring HEL MOSA strategy so they can be inserted during production.

Can BW&CO help with a DE Enhancement SWaP ISV submission?

Yes. We help teams pick a pillar, prepare before the RFS, and write a strong solution. Book a call with our team.

Source: DE Enhancement SWaP ISV on NSTXL

NIWC Atlantic Airborne Laser Comms Turret (AOI 27-A001)

Executive Summary

NIWC Atlantic wants a flight-certified laser communications and optical timing turret for NASA's PC-12 research aircraft, plus a compact C-band transceiver telescope that fits inside it. Best fit: teams with TRL 6/7 airborne optics. Solution briefs are due October 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT on Vulcan.

Book a Free Fit Call

This is Area of Interest 27-A001 under the NIWC Atlantic Rapid Capabilities Cell Commercial Solutions Opening (N65236-26-S-0001). Awards are prototype other transaction agreements for a 16-month, single-phase effort, and a winning prototype may lead directly to a follow-on production agreement without further competition. Every brief must show how the CSO's nontraditional participation requirement is met.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic, Rapid Capabilities Cell, with NASA Glenn Research Center as a partner
• Solicitation: Commercial Solutions Opening N65236-26-S-0001
• Area of Interest: 27-A001, Resilient Airborne Free-Space Optical Communications Turret
• Command Focus Area: Battlespace Connectivity
• Award Vehicle: Prototype other transaction (OT) agreement, with possible follow-on production without further competition
• Funding: Not published in the AOI
• Period of Performance: 16 months, single phase; prototype deliverables at month 12, flight-test support months 12 to 16
• Technology Maturity: Preference may be given to TRL 6/7
• Security: Must be able to receive and store CUI; no facility clearance required
• Due Date: October 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT (solution brief on Vulcan)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the October 15 deadline.

Book a Free Fit Call

What Is AOI 27-A001?

AOI 27-A001 is a prototype call from NIWC Atlantic's Rapid Capabilities Cell. It asks industry for a flight-certified, aero-optically resilient, dual-turret system that carries both free-space optical communications (FSOC) and optical time transfer. The system must work across ground, littoral and multi-altitude airborne conditions. NIWC Atlantic will run the work with NASA Glenn Research Center and a nontraditional defense contractor, using iterative sprints and bi-weekly syncs with government partners.

What Problem Is NIWC Atlantic Trying to Solve?

Electronic warfare and GPS-denied or RF-denied environments put Navy, Marine Corps and joint air and maritime operations at risk. Concepts such as Distributed Maritime Operations and JADC2 need very high-bandwidth links and precise timing between moving nodes without relying on RF or satellite navigation. Optical links and optical clock synchronization can provide that, but they have mostly worked in calm ground labs. In flight, boundary layers, transonic shocks, aero-optical aberrations, airframe vibration and tight size, weight, power and drag limits break beam coherence and tracking. The AOI notes that commercial optical gimbals also lack the airworthiness certification, shock resilience and fine pointing, acquisition and tracking (PAT) performance needed for aircraft integration.

Priority Capability Areas: What NIWC Atlantic Is Looking For

You can propose to one line of effort or both. The brief must say clearly which.

• Line of Effort 1, Airborne Optical Terminal and Gimbal System: an FAA-certified, ruggedized turret gimbal designed, machined and assembled for NASA Glenn's Pilatus PC-12 research aircraft.
• PAT control and jitter suppression: transition and implement government-off-the-shelf PAT software, embedded sensors and closed-loop motor drivers that reject vibration, angular base motion and high-frequency aero-optical jitter.
• Aero-optical modeling: CFD (RANS/LES), boundary layer wake evaluations and flat versus conformal window trade studies, validated by wind tunnel testing up to transonic speeds.
• Airworthiness: structural FEA under static and dynamic limit loads, drag, lift and moment at never-exceed airspeed (V_NE), window destructive pressure evaluations, and documentation that meets NASA Airworthiness Review Board standards.
• Validation: link acquisition and optical time transfer on 650 m to 2 km laser test range baselines, ground-to-vehicle links at 0 to 30 mph in GPS/RF-denied conditions, 1.6 km over-water links, and multi-altitude flights.
• Adaptive optics: multi-spectral adaptive optics for simultaneous multi-wavelength propagation in turbulence, with hardware plus modeling and simulation for air-to-air and ground-to-air profiles.
• Line of Effort 2, Air-qualified optical transceiver telescope: a self-contained monostatic transceiver that drops into the Line 1 turret. Optical C-band, 5 W maximum transmit power, single-mode fiber interface, 80 to 125 mm clear aperture sized for links up to 30 km, and a volume of 145 mm x 145 mm x 254 mm.
• Fine tracking: a multi-axis fast steering mirror with a 1 kHz threshold and 10 kHz objective bandwidth, a feedback loop for alignment in turbulence, and well-defined interfaces to the Line 1 coarse tracking system and government command and control software.
• Environment: survive commercial PC-12 flight inside a sealed turret whose internal air sees thermal and pressure changes; show MIL-STD certifications where applicable.

Highly desired attributes include flight-proven aero-optic testing, wind tunnel capability in a 3 ft x 3 ft cross-section up to transonic speeds, direct NASA or DoD airworthiness flight release experience, a turret that supports both classical high-bandwidth data and precision optical time transfer, and stable link acquisition without GPS or RF positioning. Secondary attributes are conformal window readiness, low SWaP-C power and battery backup, and 6-DOF maritime motion testing for sea states 1 through 6.

Funding and Award Terms

• Funding: The AOI does not publish a dollar amount.
• Agreement type: Prototype other transaction agreement under the CSO.
• Schedule: One 16-month phase. Prototypes are due at month 12, with flight-test support from month 12 to month 16.
• Follow-on: Any prototype OT awarded under this AOI may result in a direct follow-on production agreement without further competitive procedures.

Eligibility and Participation

• Nontraditional participation: The brief must explain how the nontraditional business participation requirement in CSO paragraph 6.2 is met. If a teaming partner meets it, name that partner and give its CAGE code. If you meet it through cost share, say so explicitly.
• Maturity: Preference may be given to mature optical tracking, gimbal control and aero-optical mitigation at TRL 6/7.
• Experience to highlight: airborne instrumentation design, finite element flight load analysis, high-speed optical beam steering and outdoor laser range testing.
• Security: You must be able to receive and store CUI. No facility clearance is required.

How to Apply

• Register on Vulcan (vulcan-sof.com) and open the AOI 27-A001 call. Briefs emailed to the contracting officer are not accepted.
• Write a solution brief of up to 15 PowerPoint slides or 5 pages that meets CSO N65236-26-S-0001 paragraph 7.2.
• Name your line of effort, Line 1, Line 2 or both, and articulate each clearly.
• Show nontraditional participation per CSO paragraph 6.2, including any teaming partner's name and CAGE code or an explicit cost-share statement.
• Keep CUI out of the brief.
• Submit by October 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT. Late submissions will not be considered.
• Send questions to Jessie Rehwoldt at jessie.m.rehwoldt.civ@us.navy.mil.

What Happens After You Submit?

• Down-select: The Government may limit how many companies it invites to pitch, based on the evaluation considerations in CSO paragraph 7.2.2. Selected companies are notified in writing.
• Virtual pitches, tentatively October 29 and 30, 2026: open with a bottom-line-up-front solution overview, the collaborative division of labor and a top-level cost breakdown.
• Technical briefing: show your hardware and software running a representative tracking, PAT stabilization or aero-optic data scenario, including real-time telemetry, line-of-sight stabilization under simulated disturbance and physical proof of core capabilities.
• Execution roadmap: present a complete solution and a credible path to full flight demonstration.
• Quiet period: no press releases or public announcements about AOI 27-A001 before the Government's down-select notice for pitches, or you risk exclusion.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits companies that already fly or flight-test optical terminals, gimbals, fast steering mirrors or adaptive optics, and that can show TRL 6/7 hardware. Laser communications, optical time transfer and aero-optics teams that can work with NASA and DoD airworthiness boards are the core audience. A Line 2 brief suits a company with a compact C-band transceiver that meets the size, aperture and steering bandwidth limits.

It fits less well if your technology is still at lab scale, if you cannot hold CUI, or if you cannot pull together a pitch-ready demonstration by late October. Those teams can partner with a turret or terminal provider on one line of effort, or look for SBIR topics in laser communications and PNT.

How BW&CO Can Help

BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For CSO prototype calls like AOI 27-A001, we help you:

• Decide quickly whether to bid Line 1, Line 2 or both.
• Build a 15-slide or 5-page solution brief around the AOI's stated attributes.
• Structure nontraditional participation, teaming and cost share to meet the CSO.
• Prepare the pitch overview, technical demonstration and flight roadmap.
• Plan the path from prototype OT to follow-on production.

Plan Your AOI 27-A001 Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AOI 27-A001?

A NIWC Atlantic Rapid Capabilities Cell area of interest seeking a flight-certified airborne free-space optical communications and optical time-transfer turret, plus a matching transceiver telescope, under CSO N65236-26-S-0001.

When is the deadline?

Solution briefs are due on Vulcan by 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 15, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

How much funding is available?

The AOI does not publish a dollar amount. Pitches must include a top-level cost breakdown.

What kind of award is it?

A prototype other transaction agreement for a 16-month, single-phase effort. It may lead to a follow-on production agreement without further competition.

Can I propose to only one line of effort?

Yes. You can propose to Line 1, Line 2 or both, as long as the brief clearly states which.

Do I need to be a nontraditional defense contractor?

The brief must show how the CSO's nontraditional business participation requirement (paragraph 6.2) is met. You can meet it yourself, through a named teaming partner with a CAGE code, or through an explicitly stated cost share.

Do I need a security clearance?

No facility clearance is required, but you must be able to receive and store CUI. The brief itself must not contain CUI.

What aircraft will the system fly on?

NASA Glenn Research Center's Pilatus PC-12 research aircraft.

When are the pitches?

The Government anticipates virtual pitches, tentatively on October 29 and 30, 2026.

Can BW&CO help with an AOI 27-A001 submission?

Yes. We help teams decide fit, write the solution brief, structure nontraditional participation and prepare the pitch. Book a call with our team.

Source: AOI 27-A001 Resilient Airborne Free-Space Optical Communications Turret (SAM.gov)

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV006: High Speed, Low Temperature Hyperspectral Imager for High Enthalpy Ground Testing

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV006 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a hyperspectral imager that resolves surface temperature and emissivity of test articles at high speed and low temperature in AEDC high enthalpy ground test facilities. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Threshold specs are 0 to 1500 F (2000 F objective), 4000 Hz (5000 Hz objective), a pixel footprint of 0.1 inch or less (0.05 inch objective), and accuracy of plus or minus 10 F (5 F objective).

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV006
• Title: High Speed, Low Temperature Hyperspectral Imager for High Enthalpy Ground Testing
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: 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 Materials; Hypersonics; Nuclear
• Keywords: temperature measurement, emissivity, hyperspectral imager, high enthalpy ground testing, hypersonics, materials
• 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

AEDC needs a high-speed, low-temperature measurement capability that overlaps with its existing higher-temperature instruments, so material response can be tracked across the full test range.

Threshold and objective requirements

• Temperature range: 0 to 1500 F threshold, 2000 F objective.
• Sampling rate: 4000 Hz threshold, 5000 Hz objective.
• Pixel footprint: 0.1 inch or less threshold, 0.05 inch objective.
• Accuracy: plus or minus 10 F threshold, plus or minus 5 F objective.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I compiles feasibility research on a low-temperature, high sampling rate hyperspectral imager against the threshold requirements and delivers a feasibility report describing a benchtop proof of concept that will guide Phase II fabrication.

Phase II fabricates a well-defined prototype that meets the objectives and can become operationally viable.

Phase III deploys the hyperspectral imager.

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the Phase I research or analytical work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic rather than several variations.

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Infrared and hyperspectral camera developers, thermography specialists, and photonics firms with fast detector readout experience are the best fit. Note the ITAR restriction when planning your team.

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-NV006?

DAF27BZ01-NV006 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a high-speed, low-temperature hyperspectral imager to measure surface temperature and emissivity in high enthalpy ground testing.

How much funding is available?

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

When is the deadline?

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

How long can the technical volume be?

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

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR. You must disclose any proposed foreign nationals, and their participation 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, technical questions must go through DSIP Topic Q&A.

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV002: Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV002 (OPALS) is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a ruggedized, compactly packaged optical beam control system for airborne high energy lasers, replacing the flat optical bench approach. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The Phase II prototype targets a government-furnished laser up to about 20 kW, while the concept must scale to an operational system of at least 300 kW.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV002
• Title: Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Directed Energy
• Keywords: beam control, high energy laser, opto-mechanical packaging
• 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

Airborne laser systems face vibration, shock, temperature, and pressure swings that degrade conventional optics. A beam control system must sense and correct platform disturbances, acquire and track targets, and compensate for atmospheric and aero-optical effects, all with demanding pointing and line-of-sight stabilization.

This topic is about the internal optical system, not new turrets or outer moldlines. The Government expects designs to perform all functions in its canonical beam control layout (Reference 1 on DSIP) or to justify any deviations, and to prioritize ease of alignment, line replaceable units, beam path conditioning, and non-shedding materials that avoid foreign object damage.

Areas the Government anticipates include ruggedized optical design and materials, robust packaging and assembly, novel vibration-tolerant architectures, advanced thermo-mechanical materials, additive manufacturing and precision micro-assembly, and passive and active athermalization.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I develops the basic concept for the beam control mounting structure, models initial performance, and estimates size and weight. Expect numerous trade studies and design excursions. Concepts should be as platform agnostic as feasible, and the Government will provide representative vibration spectra.

Phase II develops, integrates, and tests the packaged beam control prototype with a government-furnished laser up to 20 kW in ground and airborne laboratory tests, working with AFRL on interfaces and requirements. AFRL's Airborne Laser System Integration Laboratory may host a demonstration.

Phase III scales the design to a beam control subsystem for a large, operationally relevant aircraft with a transition partner and a laser of at least 300 kW.

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

• You must be a U.S. small business concern that meets SBIR ownership and size rules at the time of award.
• Your firm must perform at least two-thirds of the Phase I research or analytical work.
• Firms majority owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity funds are eligible to propose to DAF topics.
• DoW now limits proposals on a per-topic basis, so plan on one strong proposal for this topic rather than several variations.

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Opto-mechanical engineering firms with space, airborne ISR, or precision instrument packaging experience are the strongest fit. Directed energy component suppliers looking to move up to subsystem level should also take a look.

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-NV002?

DAF27BZ01-NV002, Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS), is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a ruggedized, compact beam control optical system for airborne high energy lasers.

How much funding is available?

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

When is the deadline?

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

How long can the technical volume be?

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

Does this topic fund new turret designs?

No. The topic focuses on optimizing the packaging and performance of the internal beam control optics, not new outer moldlines or turrets.

Can I talk to the topic author?

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

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV010: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV010 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air Force wants a rugged, kilowatt-class 2-micron fiber amplifier module that matches the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of today's state-of-the-art 1-micron systems, to move laboratory technology toward directed energy programs. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Phase II must deliver physical hardware verified at more than 1 kW output, beam quality M2 below 1.2, linewidth under 5 GHz, and electro-optical efficiency above 25 percent.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV010
• Title: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Directed Energy
• Keywords: directed energy, laser weapon system, low SWaP, electro-optical efficiency, power scaling, 2 micron high-power fiber amplifier
• 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

High-power fiber lasers in the 2-micron band offer eye-safer directed energy, advanced sensing, and precision materials processing. Kilowatt-class narrow-linewidth thulium-doped fiber amplifiers have been demonstrated, but they are not yet as compact as mature 1-micron amplifiers.

The Air Force wants to leverage existing laboratory architectures to prime industry for production of robust 2-micron fiber amplifiers and to pave the way for transition into active directed energy programs.

Phase II verification targets

• Output power greater than 1 kW.
• Beam quality M2 less than 1.2.
• Narrow linewidth less than 5 GHz, with spectral stability.
• Electro-optical efficiency greater than 25 percent.
• Low SWaP consistent with state-of-the-art 1-micron fiber amplifiers.
• Deliverables: the physical prototype, complete electrical and optical schematics, and a full test and characterization report.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic asks for documentation of high-power 2-micron amplifier design, thermal management in constrained spaces, and ruggedized packaging. Qualifying Phase I type work includes prior design, development, and demonstration of low SWaP, kilowatt-class 1-micron fiber amplifier modules.

Phase II builds, verifies in the lab, and delivers the 2-micron prototype against the metrics above.

Phase III moves the design into full-rate production, opens commercial markets, and integrates the amplifier into a deployable multi-kW laser defense system for environmental validation.

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?

Fiber laser companies already shipping compact kilowatt-class 1-micron modules are the clearest fit, along with thulium fiber specialists who have solved packaging and thermal problems. Medical and industrial 2-micron laser makers can also use this as a defense on-ramp.

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-DV010?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to develop a rugged, kilowatt-class 2-micron fiber amplifier with SWaP comparable to state-of-the-art 1-micron systems for directed energy.

How much funding is available?

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

What performance must the prototype meet?

Output above 1 kW, M2 below 1.2, linewidth under 5 GHz with spectral stability, and electro-optical efficiency above 25 percent, verified in the lab.

Does 1-micron experience count as feasibility?

Yes. The topic says qualifying Phase I type efforts include prior design, development, and demonstration of low SWaP, kilowatt-class 1-micron fiber amplifier modules.

When is the deadline?

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

DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition

Overview

The DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition (DE-FOA-0003657) is a $215 million milestone-based program from the Department of Energy Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR). Its goal is to develop and deploy the world's first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computing (SRQC) capability for research and development.

DOE defines a first-generation SRQC as a system with at least a hundred logical qubits that can perform thousands of hard fault-tolerant operations in service of a scientific workflow. DOE describes these metrics as illustrative and recognizes that milestones may vary by technology.

Awards are made as Other Transaction Agreements. Payments are tied to verified milestones, with DOE National Laboratory staff given physical and virtual access to each performer's quantum computer to validate performance.

Key dates and funding

• Application deadline: October 19, 2026
• Questions deadline: October 6, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (qcompetition@doe.gov)
• Initial selections: no earlier than November 13, 2026
• Total funding: $215 million over the first 30 months
• Expected selections: at least three and up to ten
• Phase I: $250,000 upon DOE approval of the technical plan, plus $1,250,000 for a validated prototype milestone about one year after project start
• Phase II: a $100 million general incentive pool split evenly among performers who achieve a first-generation SRQC
• Bonus pools: $50 million split among awardees reaching 150 or more logical qubits, and another $50 million split among awardees reaching 200 or more logical qubits
• Final evaluation: September 2028
• Cost share: waived

Who is eligible

Only for-profit domestic entities may apply. The applicant must be legally formed in the United States and have a physical business location in the United States.

• Applicants must show a history of successfully creating and demonstrating multi-qubit quantum computers.
• All work must be performed in the United States, though partial waivers may be requested.
• Foreign entities may participate only with an explicit written waiver.
• Malign foreign talent recruitment program prohibitions and foreign connection disclosures apply.
• An organization may participate in multiple proposals, but DOE does not intend to fund multiple applicants relying on substantively similar qubit technologies from a single provider.

Focus areas

The competition is open to any qubit modality. DOE is looking for a full-stack, fault-tolerant quantum computing solution that scales through three illustrative stages.

Prototype

Roughly 10 logical qubits and about 1,000 hard operations, demonstrating a scientific subroutine with basic hardware and software modules within about one year.

First-generation SRQC

At least a hundred logical qubits and thousands of hard fault-tolerant operations running a scientific workflow, evaluated in September 2028.

Scientific relevance

Applicants must identify a demonstrator problem and key subroutines, explain why the problem matters to the DOE mission, and estimate the quantum operations and wall-clock time required.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov and then processed in DOE's Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS). Pre-applications are not accepted.

• Register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier. DOE notes SAM registration can take several weeks.
• Register in FedConnect, which can take 48 to 72 hours.
• Create a Grants.gov account and submit the application.
• Register in PAMS to track the application after submission.
• Prepare a Project Narrative of no more than 50 pages covering current quantum capabilities, a phased scaling plan, a scientific relevance plan, team structure and partnerships, and quantum ecosystem impacts.

Is this a fit for your company?

Genesis Q suits U.S. quantum hardware companies that already have working multi-qubit systems and a credible roadmap to fault tolerance. If your team is weighing whether to compete, or needs help shaping a scaling plan and scientific relevance story before October 19, book a call with BW&CO.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition?

It is a $215 million DOE Office of Science program (DE-FOA-0003657) to develop the world's first fault-tolerant, scientifically relevant quantum computing capability, funded through milestone-based Other Transaction Agreements.

When is the Genesis Q application deadline?

Applications are due October 19, 2026. Questions must be sent to qcompetition@doe.gov by October 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.

How much funding can a Genesis Q performer receive?

Phase I pays up to $1.5 million per performer. Performers that achieve a first-generation SRQC share a $100 million incentive pool, plus two $50 million bonus pools for reaching 150 and 200 logical qubits.

Who is eligible to apply for Genesis Q?

Only U.S. for-profit companies with a physical U.S. business location may apply, and they must have a history of creating and demonstrating multi-qubit quantum computers.

Is Genesis Q limited to one qubit technology?

No. The solicitation does not restrict qubit modality, but DOE does not intend to fund multiple applicants that rely on substantively similar qubit technologies from a single provider.

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

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

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

Why This Opportunity Matters

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

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

Key Facts at a Glance

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

What UNIQUE Funds

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

Technical Area 1: Imaging Core

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

Technical Area 2: Quantum AI Interpretation and Fusion

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

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

Is Your Company a Fit?

UNIQUE is a strong fit for companies working in:

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

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

How to Apply

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

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

How BW&CO Helps

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H UNIQUE program?

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

When is the UNIQUE deadline?

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

How much funding does UNIQUE provide?

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

Can small businesses apply to UNIQUE?

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

Do I need to address both technical areas?

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

Does UNIQUE involve human subjects research?

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

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

Executive Summary

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

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

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

DARPA APM at a Glance

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

What DARPA Wants to Fund

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

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

What Is Out of Scope

The solicitation is explicit about what it will not fund:

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

How the Two-Phase Program Works

Phase 1: New Chemistries (12 months)

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

Phase 2: Materials and Devices (24 months)

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

Who Should Apply

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

How to Apply

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

Funding and Award Terms

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

Controlled Unclassified Information

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

How to Prepare Now

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources

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

Get Your APM Abstract Ready

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

DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026: What Startups Need to Know

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

Quick Answer

DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026 Program Announcement, DARPA-PA-26-02, is not a standard solicitation you propose directly against. It is an umbrella announcement that opens the door for individual QBI Topic (QBIT) calls, which is where the actual proposal opportunities, funding details, and deadlines will live. The program's mission is to independently verify and validate whether any approach to quantum computing can reach utility scale by 2033. DARPA is looking for revolutionary, high risk, high reward paths to a utility scale quantum computer (USQC), not incremental improvements to existing systems. The overarching PA closes December 30, 2026, following a July 29, 2026 amendment that also moved oversight from the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) to the newly formed Multi X Office (MXO) and named a new Program Manager, Dr. Micah Stoutimore.

What Is QBI, in Plain Terms

QBI exists because nobody actually knows if or when a fault tolerant, utility scale quantum computer can be built. DARPA defines "utility scale" as a machine whose computational value exceeds its cost. Rather than betting on one architecture, DARPA created QBI as a rigorous, third party verification and validation program. If a company claims it has a credible path to utility scale quantum computing, QBI is how DARPA tests that claim, helps the company identify and burn down real risks, and then communicates validated results to other government stakeholders who might want to acquire or use the technology.

QBI 2026 is the newest on-ramp into that program. It builds on the original Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing program (US2QC, DARPA-PS-22-04) and the first QBI solicitation from August 2024 (DARPA-PS-24-26). The 2026 PA exists specifically to bring in new entrants that DARPA has not yet evaluated. If your company was already selected under a prior QBI or US2QC award, DARPA does not expect you to apply again under this PA, though you are not barred from doing so if your approach is genuinely new or distinct.

What DARPA Is Actually Looking For

DARPA is explicit that this program excludes evolutionary improvements to the current state of the art in quantum computing. They want proposals that describe a credible, near term path to a USQC, not incremental qubit count increases or modest error rate improvements on familiar architectures.

Every QBIT will fall somewhere within three verification and validation stages:

Stage A asks a company to describe a USQC concept with a plausible path to realization in the near term.

Stage B asks a company to lay out the research and development plan for realizing that USQC, including the technical risks involved, how those risks will be mitigated, and what prototypes are needed to prove the concept works.

Stage C is where DARPA and the performer work together to actually verify and validate that the USQC can be built as designed and will operate as intended.

Beyond describing a hardware concept, DARPA is also interested in companies that can build the verification tools themselves, meaning testing and evaluation methods or concepts that strengthen DARPA's own Independent Verification and Validation team.

How the Program Is Structured

This is the part that trips people up. DARPA-PA-26-02 is not something you submit a proposal against directly. It is a standing program announcement under which DARPA will issue individual QBIT calls over time. Each QBIT will define its own:

Technical focus area within the broader QBI mission

Proposal process, which may include an abstract phase, a written proposal, an oral presentation, or some combination

Submission instructions and deadlines

Evaluation criteria

Eligibility requirements

Funding amount and award instrument details

Proposals submitted directly to the PA itself, rather than to a specific QBIT, will be disregarded. If you are interested in QBI, the move is to monitor for QBIT announcements at darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities rather than trying to respond to the PA itself.

Funding and Award Structure

The PA specifies the funding category as 6.2, which is applied research funding under the DoD's research classification system. Multiple awards are anticipated across the program.

Awards will be made using Other Transaction (OT) authority, either an OT for Research agreement or an OT for Prototype agreement, with the exact instrument specified in each QBIT. OTs matter here because they let DARPA and the performer negotiate terms outside the standard Federal Acquisition Regulation process. In practice, that means fewer compliance burdens, milestone based payments instead of rigid cost reporting, and more flexibility to structure the deal around commercial transition goals.

The PA itself does not publish a dollar ceiling, per award funding range, or period of performance. Those figures are set at the individual QBIT level. Any company evaluating fit should treat the PA as a signal of direction and intent, and wait for a specific QBIT before building a budget.

Timeline

Original posting date: November 14, 2025

Original closing date: November 14, 2026

Amendment 01 posted: July 29, 2026

Current closing date, as amended: December 30, 2026

Amendment 01 also changed the responsible office from the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) to the Multi X Office (MXO), and replaced the Program Manager, moving from Dr. Joseph Altepeter to Dr. Micah Stoutimore. Individual QBIT due dates will be specified within each topic call and have not yet been published as part of the base PA.

Eligibility

Eligibility is not defined at the PA level. Each QBIT will specify its own eligibility criteria. What is defined at the PA level are the baseline requirements every awardee must meet regardless of QBIT:

Active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of proposal submission, maintained through the life of any award

Registration in Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) for electronic invoicing prior to award

A finding of responsibility from the DARPA Agreements Officer, and no suspension, debarment, or legal prohibition from receiving a federal award

DARPA also enforces an organizational conflict of interest policy. A company cannot simultaneously provide Scientific Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) or Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) support to the government and act as a technical performer on the same effort.

Security and Data Handling

DARPA expects most QBI submissions to be unclassified but potentially Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). All CUI must be handled in accordance with DoD Instruction 5200.48 and NIST Special Publication 800-171. A signed CUI Guide is attached to the PA as Attachment A. If a company believes its submission involves classified information, it must notify the MXO Program Security Officer by unclassified email before submitting anything classified.

Why This Matters for Startups

QBI is one of the few DoD funding mechanisms built specifically around unproven, high risk quantum computing architectures rather than incremental hardware improvement. If your company has a genuinely novel path to utility scale quantum computing, whether that is an unconventional qubit modality, a new error correction approach, or a fundamentally different system architecture, QBI is designed to fund exactly that kind of bet. It is also relevant if your core capability is testing, verification, or benchmarking methodology rather than building the quantum computer itself.

Because the PA has no fixed dollar amount, no single deadline for proposals, and no single eligibility standard, companies should treat this announcement as a heads up rather than an action item. The real opportunity, and the real deadline pressure, will show up when a specific QBIT drops.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DARPA-PA-26-02? It is the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) 2026 Program Announcement, an umbrella solicitation from DARPA that governs future QBI Topic (QBIT) calls focused on verifying whether any quantum computing approach can reach utility scale by 2033.

Can I submit a proposal directly to this PA? No. Proposals may only be submitted in response to a specific QBIT. Any proposal submitted directly against the PA will be disregarded.

When does DARPA-PA-26-02 close? The amended closing date is December 30, 2026. The original closing date was November 14, 2026 before Amendment 01 extended it.

Who runs the QBI program now? The Multi X Office (MXO), following Amendment 01's transfer of the program from the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). The Program Manager is Dr. Micah Stoutimore.

How much funding is available? The PA does not specify a dollar amount. Funding levels, award sizes, and periods of performance are defined separately within each individual QBIT.

What type of award will this be? Other Transaction (OT) agreements, either for Research or for Prototype work, with the specific type determined by each QBIT.

Is this a competition between companies? Not in the traditional sense. While each QBIT call is competitive, DARPA has stated it wants to fund all viable approaches for which funding is available, rather than picking a single winner across the program.

Can companies already in QBI or US2QC apply again? DARPA does not intend this PA to solicit proposals from performers already selected under prior QBI or US2QC awards, but it does not prohibit them from applying if their new approach is genuinely distinct.

What kind of quantum computing approaches is DARPA interested in? Revolutionary, high risk, high reward approaches with a plausible near term path to utility scale operation. Evolutionary or incremental improvements to existing quantum computing approaches are explicitly excluded.

Does my company need to be registered anywhere before applying? Yes. Active SAM.gov registration is required at the time of proposal submission, and WAWF registration is required before any award can be made.

What if my technology involves classified information? You must notify the MXO Program Security Officer by unclassified email before submitting classified material. Security classification guidance will be issued by DARPA only if the award is determined to require it.

Where do I find the actual proposal opportunities? Monitor darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities for individual QBIT announcements, which will each carry their own deadlines, templates, and submission instructions.

DOE DE-FOA-0003634: Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery ($81.9M NOFO)

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

Quick Answer

The U.S. Department of Energy's Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) issued Notice of Funding Opportunity DE-FOA-0003634, "Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery," on July 22, 2026. The opportunity makes up to $81,875,000 available ($65,500,000 in federal funding plus a required 20% cost share) across four topic areas addressing natural gas flaring reduction, sour gas treatment, infrastructure resilience, and AI-enabled digital transformation of upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. Applications are due September 22, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. ET, submitted through DOE's NETL eXCHANGE portal. The NOFO uses cooperative agreements or Other Transaction Agreements and may remain open for up to 72 months with annual review cycles.

What Is DE-FOA-0003634?

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DE-FOA-0003634 is a Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity issued by DOE's Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Division of Transport and Storage. It funds research, development, and field validation of technologies that improve the efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the U.S. oil and natural gas supply chain, spanning extraction through processing, transport, and delivery.

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The program specifically targets three long-standing problems in the sector: natural gas that is flared or vented instead of captured, aging infrastructure prone to corrosion and unplanned downtime, and slow adoption of digital technologies such as AI, machine learning, digital twins, IoT, and edge computing in upstream and midstream operations.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for DE-FOA-0003634?

Eligible applicants are domestic entities, including:

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• Institutions of higher education

• For-profit organizations

• Nonprofit organizations

• State and local government entities

• Indian Tribes, as defined under 25 U.S.C. § 5304

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To qualify, an entity must be organized or incorporated under U.S. or state law, be majority domestically owned and controlled, and maintain a physical place of business in the United States.

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Important eligibility limitations:

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• DOE and non-DOE Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may participate only as subrecipients, not as the prime recipient, and FFRDC effort cannot exceed 20% of total project cost.

• The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is not eligible as a recipient or subrecipient. Including NETL in either role makes an application non-responsive.

• Foreign entities are generally ineligible but may apply with an approved written waiver.

• All project work must be performed in the United States unless a waiver is granted.

• Entities debarred or suspended from federal programs, those on the OFAC Specially Designated Nationals list, and 501(c)(4) nonprofits that lobbied after 1995 are ineligible.

• Entities of Concern are prohibited from participating.

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Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each describes a scientifically distinct project.

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How Much Funding Is Available, by Topic Area?

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DOE structured DE-FOA-0003634 around four topic areas, each with its own funding pool, award size, and project period.

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Topic Area 1a: Laboratory Validation of Catalysts and Unit Operations

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• Federal funding available: $7,500,000

• Anticipated number of awards: 5

• Typical award size: $1,500,000 federal (plus 20% cost share)

• Project period: approximately 24 months

• Starting TRL: 3 | Ending TRL: 5

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Topic Area 1b: Field Validation of Full System Prototypes

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• Federal funding available: $18,000,000

• Anticipated number of awards: 3

• Typical award size: $6,000,000 federal

• Project period: approximately 48 months

• Starting TRL: 5 | Ending TRL: 7

• Requires a letter of intent from an industry partner providing field site access, and a project team member committed to commercialization

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Topic Area 2: Resilient Infrastructure Technologies Enhancement (RITE)

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• Federal funding available: $12,000,000

• Anticipated number of awards: 4

• Typical award size: $3,000,000 federal

• Project period: approximately 48 months

• Starting TRL: 5 | Ending TRL: 7

• Also requires an industry field-site letter of intent and a commercialization-focused team member

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Topic Area 3: Hydrocarbon Infrastructure Test Sites (HITS)

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• Federal funding available: $28,000,000

• Anticipated number of awards: 4

• Typical award size: $7,000,000 federal

• Project period: approximately 60 months

• Requires a defined physical field test site and an industry letter of intent providing site access

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All topic areas require a minimum 20% cost share from nonfederal sources.

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What Technologies Is DOE Looking to Fund?

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Topic Area 1: Enhanced Resource Utilization and Production Technologies (ERUPT)

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This topic area targets the roughly $15 billion in natural gas value lost to flaring and venting over the past decade, along with stranded sour gas and stranded natural gas liquids (NGLs). DOE is interested in:

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• AI- and quantum-scale simulation-driven catalyst and reactor design to convert associated gas and NGLs into valuable products

• Modular, low-cost sour gas treatment systems capable of handling hydrogen sulfide (H2S) concentrations found across the Permian Basin, where more than 85% of gas contains some H2S and over 40% contains up to 10,000 ppm

• Novel separation technologies and chemical pathways that improve the economics of NGL recovery

• Sub-topic 1a covers laboratory-to-prototype-scale validation (TRL 3 to 5); sub-topic 1b covers field validation of full system prototypes (TRL 5 to 7) and requires an industry field-testing partner

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Topic Area 2: Resilient Infrastructure Technologies Enhancement (RITE)

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This topic area addresses the roughly $875 million in annual product losses and $1.37 billion in annual corrosion-related costs facing U.S. oil and gas infrastructure. Areas of interest include:

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• High-efficiency engines and compressors, including retrofit solutions, targeting a 10% increase in compressor performance and 25% increase in engine thermal efficiency

• AI/ML-driven, digital-twin-enabled real-time optimization of legacy compressor and engine performance, targeting a 20% reduction in maintenance costs

• Corrosion- and friction-resistant materials such as advanced coatings, composites, and alloys, targeting a 2 to 3% increase in pipeline deliverability

• Requires field testing and an industry partner letter of intent

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Topic Area 3: Hydrocarbon Infrastructure Test Sites (HITS)

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Modeled on the successful Hydraulic Fracture Test Sites (HFTS) program, HITS funds the establishment of physical field test sites, at existing operator assets, university facilities, private consortium facilities, national labs, or public-private partnerships, where applicants validate:

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• Digital twin development for surface production, processing, and transportation assets

• Predictive analytics for anomaly detection, remaining useful life prediction, and production forecasting

• Edge computing and cybersecurity for the edge-to-cloud continuum

• Autonomous and robotic inspection and maintenance systems

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Target outcomes include a 10 to 20% increase in hydrocarbon throughput, a 20% reduction in pipeline and facility downtime, and a 15% reduction in operating costs. Applications must include both a defined physical test site and an industry letter of intent providing site access.

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What Are DOE's Expected Performance Outcomes for This Program?

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DOE has set specific, quantifiable targets applicants should address in their technical volumes:

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• Increase natural gas utilization to 80% by 2035

• Reduce annual flaring losses by approximately $1.5 billion

• Unlock production from an estimated 7,500 remaining wells in the eastern Delaware Basin currently limited by sour gas

• Reduce sour gas treatment costs by more than 20%

• Increase U.S. natural gas delivery system efficiency from 92% to 94% by 2030

• Increase pipeline deliverability by 2 to 3%

• Reduce operational disruptions and maintenance costs by at least 20%

• Increase saleable hydrocarbon throughput by 10 to 20% and reduce OPEX by 15% or more through digital and physical optimization

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What Applications Will DOE Not Consider?

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DOE will not review applications that:

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• Fall outside the technical scope defined in the Topic Areas

• Rely on approaches inconsistent with established scientific principles

• Fail to articulate impact on U.S. energy security, economic competitiveness, domestic manufacturing, or job creation

• Lack cost share commitment letters at submission

• Propose technologies that are already commercially mature and widely deployed without demonstrating a genuine advancement

• Propose chemical conversion to fuels such as gasoline or diesel (Topic Area 1)

• Propose traditional, centralized amine treatment or cryogenic NGL recovery without a novel, modular, or cost-reducing angle (Topic Area 1)

• Focus solely on sensor hardware without system-level integration (Topic Areas 2 and 3)

• Fall outside the specified beginning or ending TRL range for the topic area

• Omit a required industry letter of intent for field site access (Topic Areas 1b, 2, and 3)

What Does an Application Require?

Applications are submitted as a single phase through NETL eXCHANGE. Core components include:

• Technical Volume (20-page limit): covers project objectives, Buy America/Buy America (BABA) applicability, discussion of each technical review criterion, relevance and expected outcomes, participant roles, facilities, and equipment

• Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO): 8-page limit, Word format

• Project Management Plan (PMP): 8-page limit

• SF-424 and SF-424A: standard federal assistance and budget forms

• Budget Justification Workbook and, if applicable, Subrecipient Budget Justification

• Letters of Commitment/Intent: 1 page each, required for Topic Areas 1b, 2, and 3 to demonstrate field site access

• Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support for every Covered Individual, produced via SciENcv, consistent with NSPM-33 disclosure requirements

• Impacted Indian Tribes Documentation, where applicable

• Locations of Work, Environmental Questionnaire, Summary for Public Release, and Summary Slide

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit at least 48 hours before the deadline. DOE does not extend deadlines for server or connectivity issues.

How Will DOE Evaluate Applications?

Applications are scored against three weighted technical review criteria:

1. Scientific and Technical Merit, 45%: technical soundness, degree of advancement over baseline technologies, and alignment with topic area performance targets

2. Technical Approach and Understanding, 25%: quality of the Statement of Project Objectives, completeness of the Project Management Plan, and financial viability of the proposed budget

3. Technical and Management Capabilities, 30%: organizational structure, relevant corporate experience, key personnel qualifications, and adequacy of facilities and field sites

DOE may also weigh other selection factors, including technological diversity relative to its existing portfolio, industry involvement and commercialization potential, domestic manufacturing and job creation impact, and geographic distribution of upstream and midstream assets.

Why This Matters for Deep-Tech and Energy Innovators

DE-FOA-0003634 is one of the larger non-dilutive funding opportunities currently open for hydrocarbon-adjacent technology developers, and it explicitly rewards teams that pair strong science with a credible path to commercialization. Every topic area beyond 1a requires DOE's Technology Maturation Plan, Techno-Economic Analysis, and Adoption Readiness Level framework, meaning applicants need to show DOE not just that a technology works, but that it can be adopted and scaled by small and mid-size operators.

For companies working in catalysis, separations, sour gas treatment, corrosion-resistant materials, industrial AI/ML, digital twins, or autonomous field robotics, this NOFO represents a substantial, multi-year funding pathway, with the caveat that Topic Areas 1b, 2, and 3 all require a committed industry partner willing to provide field site access before an application can even be considered responsive.

Need Help With Your DE-FOA-0003634 Application?

BW&CO Consulting helps deep-tech, energy, and infrastructure companies secure non-dilutive federal funding through programs like this one. If your team is evaluating a Topic Area 1, 2, or 3 submission, including securing an industry field-site partner or building out your Technology Maturation Plan, contact BW&CO to discuss fit and strategy before the September 22, 2026 deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DE-FOA-0003634? DE-FOA-0003634 is a DOE Notice of Funding Opportunity titled "Advancing Oil and Natural Gas Production and Delivery," issued by the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office to fund technologies that improve efficiency, reliability, and digital transformation across the U.S. oil and gas supply chain.

How much funding is available under DE-FOA-0003634? Up to $81,875,000 total, made up of $65,500,000 in federal funding and $16,375,000 in required cost share, spread across four topic areas.

When is the DE-FOA-0003634 application deadline? Applications are due September 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET, submitted through DOE's NETL eXCHANGE portal.

Who can apply for DE-FOA-0003634? Domestic institutions of higher education, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, and Indian Tribes. FFRDCs may only participate as subrecipients, and NETL is barred from participating in any role.

Is cost share required? Yes. A minimum 20% cost share of total project costs is required from nonfederal sources, and applications without a cost share commitment letter at submission will not be reviewed.

Does this NOFO require an industry partner? Yes, for Topic Areas 1b, 2, and 3. Each requires a letter of intent from an industry partner providing access to a field test site, and a project team member committed to pursuing commercialization.

When will DOE announce selections and make awards? DOE anticipates notifying selected applicants by December 11, 2026, with an anticipated award date of March 1, 2027.

Chain Reaction Innovations 2027 Cohort: DOE-Funded Entrepreneurship Program at Argonne National Laboratory

Quick Answer

Chain Reaction Innovations (CRI) is a Department of Energy entrepreneurship program at Argonne National Laboratory that embeds individual innovators in physical science and energy technology fields for up to two years. Selected innovators receive a personal stipend, travel allowance, and health benefits through an ORISE fellowship, along with lab space, technical collaboration, and structured mentorship at Argonne. The program is open to individuals, not companies, and applicants must have at least five years of technology R&D experience and be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Applications are submitted through the CRI online portal at chainreaction.anl.gov.

What Is Chain Reaction Innovations?

Chain Reaction Innovations was created at Argonne National Laboratory to accelerate the applied research, development, and deployment of physical science-based technologies, including materials and manufacturing innovations, capable of transforming the nation's energy systems. The program addresses a specific gap in the innovation pipeline: early-stage technologies that are too scientifically or technically uncertain for venture capital funding, but that hold significant potential for energy and manufacturing impact.

Rather than funding a company or research proposal directly, CRI funds the innovator. The program embeds selected entrepreneurial researchers within Argonne National Laboratory, pairing them with scientific and technical mentorship, unique R&D assets, and national laboratory expertise. The goal is to help innovators move their technology from proof-of-concept to proof-of-product within a defined period, while simultaneously developing the entrepreneurial skills needed to commercialize it.

CRI is a Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP), a DOE Office of Technology Transitions initiative that places entrepreneurs inside national laboratories. Argonne is currently recruiting its 2027 cohort through this solicitation.

Program Benefits

Selected innovators may receive up to 24 months of program resources, subject to performance reviews and availability of funding. Benefits include:

A personal stipend, travel allowance, and health benefits through an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellowship for up to 24 months

Lab space and technical collaboration support from Argonne National Laboratory for up to 24 months

Structured Chain Reaction Innovations programming and mentorship

Participation is governed by a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Argonne and the innovator's company. Either party may terminate the CRADA with sixty days written notice. All benefits are contingent on funding availability, negotiation of a mutually agreeable scope of work, innovator performance, DOE selection and site access approval, and CRADA approval by DOE, including any required reviews under DOE O 142.3 (Unclassified Foreign National Access Program) and DOE P 485.1 (Foreign Engagements with DOE National Laboratories).

At the end of the first year, innovators undergo a midpoint review to confirm their performance and progress meet the minimum criteria to continue into the second year of the CRADA period.

Program Structure: Two Budget Periods

Scope and Planning Phase (Budget Period 1): Typically lasting less than six months, this phase involves paper-based analysis such as market studies, refinement of the research scope alongside Argonne personnel, and a survey of the intellectual property landscape surrounding the innovator's technology. During this phase, innovators must develop an Intellectual Property (IP) Management Plan, which requires approval from the DOE Technology Manager with concurrence from DOE Patent Counsel before the project can proceed. Innovators must obtain a license or option to license any necessary background IP no later than the one-year review, or risk termination from the program. In some cases, this phase may be shortened or skipped entirely.

Research and Development Phase (Budget Period 2): Once the Scope and Planning phase is complete, or deemed unnecessary, the R&D phase proceeds subject to DOE approval. This is the core technical development period of the CRADA.

Who Is Eligible

Eligibility for the CRI 2027 cohort is specific and individual-based:

Applicants apply as individuals, not as companies or organizations, although a CRADA will ultimately be established between Argonne and the selected innovator's company

Technical leads must have a minimum of five years of technology R&D experience

Technical leads must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident at the time of initial application submission

The proposed work must have the potential for broad impact aligned with DOE's mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States

Only individuals may apply; incorporated entities may not apply, though applicants may have an incorporated entity associated with their work

Innovators who have raised more than $2 million in private-sector equity at the time of application are not eligible

Current Argonne National Laboratory employees are not eligible to participate while directly employed by the Laboratory; Argonne employees may apply but must take Entrepreneurial Leave or terminate their employment with the Laboratory to participate if selected

What CRI Looks For: Selection Criteria

Argonne evaluates applicants across three core dimensions:

Project Leader. Reviewers look for outcome-oriented, entrepreneurial technical innovators capable of building a foundational technology vision and leading a team. Ideal candidates demonstrate technical strength (detailed knowledge and conceptual depth), outcome orientation (systems-level thinking, risk evaluation, commercial awareness), and personal excellence (drive, resourcefulness, communication skills, integrity, and adaptability).

Project Concept. While concepts may evolve over the course of the program, the initial idea should be technically sound, reasonably differentiated, and framed around a well-defined problem with significant long-term impact potential. Reviewers assess economic impact potential, technical merit and differentiation, business idea maturity (market research, IP position, understanding of barriers to entry and incumbents), and CRI fit, meaning how much the program's support would change the innovator's timeline or probability of success.

Technology Fit. Proposed innovations must align with the technology mission space of the CRI program sponsors. Additional detail is available through the DOE Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) website and the Chain Reaction Innovations application page.

All applicants are reviewed by Argonne National Laboratory and must ultimately be selected by a Federal Official from the Department of Energy.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following through the CRI online portal at chainreaction.anl.gov:

1. Innovator narrative: Background on the applicant and their project, including the origin of the idea, current status of the technology and team, and the applicant's motivation and qualifications

2. Innovator's vision: A description of the technology concept, with commentary on its potential impact on U.S. energy and manufacturing competitiveness

3. Why Chain Reaction Innovations: An explanation of what attracts the applicant to the program specifically, why CRI is the ideal home for the project compared to alternative paths, and which Argonne people or facilities would be most valuable to the work

4. Business idea: A description of how the applicant envisions commercializing the technology, including target market, customers, potential suppliers and distributors, relevant intellectual property status, barriers to entry, and market incumbents

5. Argonne affiliation disclosure: A statement identifying any affiliation with Argonne National Laboratory, UChicago Argonne LLC, or the University of Chicago, or confirmation that no affiliation exists

6. Optional additional materials: Anything else the applicant chooses to include

7. One-page resume for the innovator

8. Technical deck: A five-page high-level overview of the proposed innovation's technical components

Intellectual Property Considerations

Argonne makes no claim to any background intellectual property an innovator brings into the program. Under the CRADA, selected innovators may copyright and publish materials developed during the program, subject to national security considerations and a royalty-free license retained by the government. Innovators generally retain principal worldwide patent rights to inventions they develop under the CRADA, subject to a reserved government use license and the limitations set out in 37 CFR 401.

For inventions developed by Argonne itself under the CRADA, the innovator does not own the invention but receives an option for up to an exclusive license for the term of the CRADA plus six months.

Every participant is required to establish an IP Management Plan that sets clear, mutual expectations for handling both background IP and any IP developed during the program.

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Notes

Work conducted through CRI must comply with Argonne's Prime Contract and its conflict of interest policies. Innovators affiliated with Argonne, UChicago Argonne LLC, or the University of Chicago are subject to an organizational conflict of interest management plan.

Applicants should also be aware that the CRI application review involves independent advisors external to Argonne and DOE, and that CRI finals and related events are open to the public. No proprietary information should be included in any application, since submitted information is treated as non-proprietary and not subject to any obligation of disclosure.

How BW&CO Consulting Can Help

Navigating a program like Chain Reaction Innovations involves more than a strong technology story. It requires positioning an individual innovator's narrative, business case, and technical deck to meet DOE's mission alignment criteria, structuring an IP Management Plan that will satisfy DOE Patent Counsel, and understanding how a CRADA fits alongside other non-dilutive funding sources like SBIR and STTR. BW&CO Consulting helps deep-tech and energy technology innovators build application materials that speak the language federal reviewers are looking for, and helps applicants understand how a lab-embedded entrepreneurship award like CRI can complement a broader federal funding strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chain Reaction Innovations a grant to my company? No. Innovators apply as individuals, not as companies or organizations. Once selected, Argonne establishes a CRADA with the innovator's company, but the initial application and eligibility criteria apply to the individual.

Can I apply if I already have a company? Yes. Individuals with an incorporated entity may apply, but the incorporated entity itself cannot be the applicant. However, innovators who have raised more than $2 million in private-sector equity at the time of application are not eligible.

How much funding does CRI provide? CRI does not provide a lump-sum grant. Instead, selected innovators receive up to 24 months of an ORISE fellowship stipend, travel allowance, and health benefits, plus Argonne lab space, technical collaboration, and mentorship, contingent on funding availability and performance.

Can current Argonne employees apply? Yes, but they cannot participate while directly employed by Argonne. Selected Argonne employees must take Entrepreneurial Leave or terminate their employment with the Laboratory to participate in the program.

What happens after the first year? Innovators undergo a midpoint review at the end of year one to confirm their progress meets the minimum criteria required to continue into the second year of the CRADA period.

Who owns the intellectual property I develop at Argonne? Innovators generally retain principal worldwide patent rights to inventions they personally develop under the CRADA, subject to a reserved government use license. If Argonne itself develops an invention under the CRADA, the innovator instead receives an option for up to an exclusive license for the CRADA term plus six months.

Where do I apply? Applications are submitted through the online portal at chainreaction.anl.gov.

DOE Genesis Mission | SBIR/STTR Phase I Funding Opportunity

Updated October 2026: This opportunity is closed. DOE says a broader SBIR/STTR Phase I is expected later this fall but has not given a date yet. Browse currently open opportunities in our funding database.

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

Quick Answer:

DOE's Office of Technology Commercialization, working through ConnectWerx, is opening the first Phase I SBIR/STTR opportunity under its new Genesis Mission umbrella. The opportunity targets four AI-driven topic areas: biotechnology, quantum computing, materials design, and autonomous laboratories. DOE intends to make approximately 40 awards totaling $10,000,000, representing up to $44,000,000 in cumulative funding across the projects' full lifecycles. Unlike a standard SBIR proposal, this program requires a short Pitch application first; only companies invited after Pitch review can submit a full application.

Pitch applications are due September 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET.

What Topics Does This Opportunity Cover?

Four topic areas are open under this Genesis Mission Phase I opportunity:

• Scaling the Biotechnology Revolution — AI tools for biomolecular design, genotype-phenotype relationships, predictive microbiome engineering, and accelerated bioreactor design and biomanufacturing.

• Realizing Quantum Systems for Discovery — AI for qubit decoherence characterization, quantum error correction, quantum processing unit control, resource estimation, and hybrid classical-quantum-AI workflow management.

• Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality — AI frameworks enabling inverse design, where materials are engineered from the start to meet specific property requirements.

• Achieving AI-Driven Autonomous Laboratories — AI integrated directly into experimental workflows, including advanced robotics, remote handling, diagnostics, and neuromorphic computing circuit primitives.

What Is the Pitch-First Process?

All applicants must first submit a short Pitch application before gaining access to the full application. Only Pitch applications selected in review are invited to submit a full proposal. The Pitch consists of four open-text questions, each with strict word-count limits, plus an optional bibliography. DOE recommends drafting responses outside the application portal before pasting them in.

How Is a Pitch Evaluated?

Pitch applications are scored across four equally weighted areas:

• Summary, Topic, and Mission Alignment — fit with the chosen topic and DOE's mission priorities.

• Technical Promise — significance of the problem, novelty of the approach, and feasibility within the proposed timeline and budget.

• Commercialization Potential — value proposition, competitive landscape, and go-to-market strategy including supply chain and sales channels.

• Team Qualifications — relevant company experience, strength of partnerships, and a credible plan for follow-on funding.

Beyond reviewer scores, the DOE Selection Official retains discretion to weigh additional program policy factors in final funding decisions.

[Complimentary Assessment]

What Is the Funding Amount and Timeline?

DOE intends to make approximately 40 awards from a combined $10,000,000 Phase I budget, representing up to $44,000,000 in potential cumulative funding across Phase I, Phase II, Phase II.2, and Strategic Breakthrough Awards over each project's lifecycle. Selection for award negotiations is not a funding commitment; DOE may cancel negotiations at any point before an award is issued. Later-phase awards depend on milestone performance and future funding availability.

What Is the Application Timeline?

• July 22, 2026 — Opportunity announced; Acquisition Management Portal (AMP) access requests open.

• Mid-August 2026 — AMP applications open; two virtual Office Hours sessions with DOE and ConnectWerx.

• September 10, 2026, 2:00 PM ET — Pitch application deadline. Late submissions are not accepted, though submitted Pitches can be updated up to the deadline.

How Do I Submit a Pitch?

Pitches are submitted through the Acquisition Management Portal (AMP). Applicants download the Pitch Development Guide, answer four questions within the specified word limits, optionally attach a bibliography, and submit through AMP. All files must be print-ready PDFs under 5MB, without passwords, and free of special characters in filenames.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility follows standard SBIR/STTR Phase I requirements. Applicants should confirm specific criteria on DOE's eligibility page before applying.

Key Dates

Pitch due date: September 10, 2026, 2:00 PM ET

Anticipated AMP access requests open: July 22, 2026

Office Hours sessions: Mid-August 2026

How Can BW&CO Help With a Genesis Mission Pitch?

This will be a competitive opportunity. Our “Back Door” approach will help you understand what DOE is really looking for and how to frame your project to give you a competitive edge.

Contact BW&CO Consulting to discuss DOE Genesis Mission SBIR/STTR Phase I eligibility and Pitch strategy.

NASA ROSES | C.4 Planetary Science Enabling Facilities

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

Quick Answer:

NASA's Planetary Science Enabling Facilities (PSEF) program element, amended July 21, 2026, funds experimental and analytical research facilities that support the planetary science community. This is a new addition to ROSES-2025, previously listed as not solicited for the year. Proposals are due November 10, 2026, and unlike prior PSEF cycles, no Step-1 submission or Notice of Intent is required this year. Proposals will be evaluated for the first time under NASA's dual-anonymous peer review process. The program expects to fund about 2 to 8 new awards from an annual budget of roughly 5 million dollars, with awards running up to 4 years.

What Is a Planetary Science Enabling Facility?

NASA defines a Planetary Science Enabling Facility as a combination of equipment, instrumentation, infrastructure, and staff, typically supporting complex or challenging experiments or measurements, that is not otherwise widely available to the research community. Facilities must enable or enhance research funded under Solar System Science, Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research, the Exoplanets Research Program, or the Planetary Science Internal Scientist Funding Model.

What Types of Facilities Can Be Proposed?

Eligible facilities must be dedicated to one or more of four activities: characterization of chemical, isotopic, or physical properties of materials; experimentation on materials under defined environmental conditions; synthesis of new materials under defined conditions; or sample preparation, which must also pair with one of the other three activities. Proposed activities can include acquiring instruments or equipment, supporting technicians and operational personnel, developing new laboratory instruments or analytical methods and standards, and supporting instrument maintenance.

What Is Excluded From This Program?

PSEF does not fund scientific research itself, reference dataset acquisition, development of new flight instruments, facilities primarily supporting mission development rather than fundamental research, computing facilities, astronomical or observing facilities, data archiving facilities, laboratory construction and outfitting, or sample curation and repository facilities.

What Priorities Does NASA Emphasize This Year?

Three priority areas are specifically emphasized for ROSES-2025: facilities enhancing lunar science in the Artemis era, with particular encouragement for proposals pushing technology limits such as quantum sensors, artificial intelligence, integrated systems, parallel sensing, robotics and automation, and cold or cryogenic analysis capabilities; facilities enhancing Mars science aligned with Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group goals; and facilities enhancing astrobiology and planetary protection research, including bioburden detection, terrestrial microbe classification, and contaminant transport studies.

Who Is Eligible?

Proposals are welcomed from all research institutions, including emerging research institutions, institutions that have rarely or never received Planetary Science Division funding, and Primarily Undergraduate Institutions and Community Colleges. Institution type may be considered as a programmatic factor in selection. Institutions may participate as proposing organizations, sub-awardees, or unfunded partners.

How Are Proposals Structured and Formatted?

This year's PSEF uses a single-step submission process with one deadline, replacing the two-step process used in PSEF22 and PSEF24. The anonymized Science/Technical/Management section is capped at 13 pages total, made up of Technical Capabilities (up to 12 pages), Anticipated Userbase (up to 1 page), and an optional Facility-Relevant Training Opportunities section (up to 2 pages). Proposals requesting equipment or instrumentation over 50,000 dollars must include a descope plan showing how the facility would operate without that equipment if it is not funded. An anonymized Open Science and Data Management Plan of up to 2 pages and an anonymized Table of Work Effort are also required, followed by references with no page limit.

What Goes in the Non-Anonymized Expertise and Resources Document?

A separate Expertise and Resources document includes a Facility Management Plan of up to 2 pages covering user access priority, access procedures, costs, and safety practices; a non-anonymized Table of Personnel and Work Effort; Biographical Sketches and Current and Pending Support in SciENcv format for all PIs and Co-Is spending 10 percent or more time on the project; facilities and equipment descriptions; and, if applicable, a High-End Computing request.

Is Research Security Training Required?

Yes. Any PI or Co-I dedicating 10 percent or more time to a proposed award must certify completion of research security training, satisfied by either the four NSF Research Security Training modules or the SECURE Center's condensed equivalent, effective August 5, 2026.

How Are Proposals Evaluated?

NASA evaluates PSEF proposals on three criteria: scientific and technical merit of the proposed facility, including the Open Science and Data Management Plan, appropriateness of equipment and staff, facility uniqueness, and expected volume of use; relevance to Planetary Science Division research priorities; and cost reasonableness, covering both proposed work effort and other direct costs such as supplies, equipment, travel, and anticipated tariff costs. The Facility Management Plan is also assessed for whether it ensures adequate community access and sound user request procedures. Cost sharing is not required or scored but may be a tiebreaker between proposals of otherwise equal merit.

What Is the Funding Amount and Timeline?

NASA expects to fund approximately 2 to 8 new awards from an annual budget of about 5 million dollars. There is no explicit cap on individual award size. Awards run up to 4 years, with funding expected to begin about 9 months after the proposal due date.

How Do I Submit a Proposal?

Proposals are submitted electronically through NSPIRES at nspires.nasaprs.com. No hard copies are accepted. Applicants who need to submit through Grants.gov must request access at least 30 days before the due date from the point of contact below, copying sara@nasa.gov. The Grants.gov funding opportunity number is NNH25ZDA001N-PSEF.

Key Dates

Proposal due date: November 10, 2026 No Step-1 or Notice of Intent required this year Anticipated funding start: approximately 9 months after the proposal due date

Program Contact

Michael Lienhard Email: HQ-PSEF@mail.nasa.gov

How Can BW&CO Help With a PSEF Proposal?

BW&CO Consulting helps research teams position competitive facility proposals for ROSES, including dual-anonymous peer review compliance, facility scope and userbase justification, cost reasonableness narrative, and NSPIRES submission logistics, so applicants can meet the November 10, 2026 deadline with a complete, evaluation-ready package.

Contact BW&CO Consulting to discuss NASA ROSES C.4 Planetary Science Enabling Facilities eligibility and proposal strategy.

NASA SBIR/STTR Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP), Program Year 2026

Updated October 2026: This opportunity is closed. The window ran June 24 to August 19, 2026, and selections are expected in December 2026. 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 NASA Civilian Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program (CCRPP) is a post-Phase II opportunity that matches private or non-SBIR government investment with additional SBIR/STTR program funds to accelerate a technology's transition to commercial or mission use. Eligible small businesses must have a completed, ongoing, or sequential NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II award and must secure an external investor willing to co-fund the maturation effort. NASA matches investor funds dollar-for-dollar, up to $2.5 million in SBIR/STTR funds against $2.5 million in outside investment, for a total award of up to $5 million.

Applications close August 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.

This is a matching-funds pilot program requiring a secured external investor, a Letter of Commitment, and a 30-page technical application submitted through ProSAMS.

How much funding would I receive?

NASA matches SBIR/STTR program funds between $500,000 and $2.5 million per award, matched 1:1 by external investment, for a combined award of up to $5 million.

Eligibility Pathways (must meet one):

A completed NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II award (issued from NASA solicitations in approximately the last 10 years) with the Phase II period of performance complete by August 19, 2026

NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II-E options resulting from Phase I awards starting in Program Year 2014 or later, regardless of when their period of performance ends

An ongoing or completed NASA SBIR/STTR Phase II Sequential award

Investor Requirement:

Must secure one or more investors external to the SBIR/STTR program (a company, VC firm, individual investor, or non-SBIR government program)

Owners, family members, and affiliates of the small business do not qualify as external investors

A signed Letter of Commitment from each investor is required at application, with matching funds transferred within 45 calendar days of selection notification

Other Key Requirements:

Small business must have 500 or fewer employees, combined with affiliates

Businesses majority-owned by multiple VC firms, hedge funds, or private equity firms are not eligible

Principal Investigator must be primarily employed by the small business; co-PIs are not allowed

NAICS code must be 541713 or 541715 at time of award

Active SAM.gov registration required at submission and award

Are there any additional benefits I would receive? Yes, non-dilutive and strategic benefits include:

Equity-free matching funds to accelerate commercialization beyond Phase II

Access to NASA's Technology Available (TAV) patent and software portfolio for use in the project

Optional participation in the NSF I-Corps™ program, with up to $30,000 in additional support

External validation of commercial potential through a qualified third-party investor

What is the timeline to apply and when would I receive funding? Application deadline: August 19, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, submitted via ProSAMS

Anticipated period of performance: 24 months (may not exceed 30 months)

Investor funds must be transferred within 45 calendar days of selection notification; NASA does not accept investments obligated more than 60 days (non-government) or 90 days (federal/state government) prior to selection notification

No formal timeline for award and disbursement is specified in the solicitation beyond the negotiation process following selection

Where does this funding come from?

NASA SBIR/STTR Program, matched with funds from an external, non-SBIR/STTR investor

Applications processed by the NASA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office (NASA Ames) with contracting through the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC)

Who is eligible to apply?

U.S.-based small business concerns with a qualifying NASA Phase II history, as described above

Must register with the SBA Company Registry and SAM.gov, and submit via ProSAMS at https://prosams.nasa.gov/

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Applications are evaluated across four factors:

Scientific/Technical Merit and Feasibility — originality and feasibility of the proposed R&D, plus a review of prior Phase II results and objectives met

Experience, Qualifications, and Facilities — technical capability of the PI, key personnel, and any subcontractors, plus adequacy of instrumentation and facilities

Effectiveness of the Proposed Work Plan — comprehensiveness of the maturation strategy, schedule, resource allocation, and path beyond CCRPP toward NASA mission infusion

Commercial Potential and Feasibility — market segmentation, competitive landscape, commercialization plan, IP protection strategy, and prior commercialization track record

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

CCRPP funds may only be used to build on the firm's Phase II work; duplicative or unrelated effort is not eligible

Firms may not have already received a CCRPP or equivalent award (e.g., Commercialization Readiness Program) for the same Phase II technology

Subcontracting, including consultants, may not exceed 50 percent of the research effort

Technical application is capped at 30 pages, 1-inch margins, 10-point type minimum

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The application requires a 30-page technical application (Customer Objectives, Additional Commercialization Information, and Implementation Approach), a detailed budget covering both SBIR/STTR and investor funds, a Briefing Chart, and a signed Letter of Commitment from each investor. Firms without an already-committed investor should expect the investor search and commitment process to be the longest lead item.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can support:

Identifying and vetting appropriate external investors and structuring compliant Letters of Commitment

Translating your Phase II results into a Commercialization Plan aligned to the four-factor evaluation rubric

Building a credible budget and maturation schedule that satisfies NASA's matching-fund timing rules

Positioning past performance and IP strategy for NASA evaluators

Review solicitation here.

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

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.

DARPA | RF Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR)

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:

Application Deadline: August 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

DARPA is seeking proposals for the Radiofrequency Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) program to develop next-generation radiofrequency (RF) system architectures that use optical timing technologies to improve performance on compact mobile defense platforms. The program focuses on vibration-hardened photonic microwave oscillators, supporting analog and mixed-signal components, and RF system architectures that can maintain ultra-low phase noise and timing precision in demanding military environments.

DARPA anticipates investing $58,000,000 through three to five Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022. The program is structured as a 42-month effort consisting of a 24-month component development phase followed by an 18-month system integration and demonstration phase.

This opportunity is intended for organizations capable of developing breakthrough RF and photonic technologies rather than incremental improvements. DARPA specifically excludes research that advances non-optical methods of microwave generation or produces only evolutionary improvements to existing technologies.

Companies interested in applying should begin preparing immediately. Before submitting a full proposal, applicants must complete several required pre-proposal steps, including requesting the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Addendum, submitting a required abstract, and providing a Notification of Intent to Propose.

Key dates include:

• CUI Addendum Request Deadline: July 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

• Required Abstract Due Date: July 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

• Notification of Intent to Propose: August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

• Question and Answer Deadline: August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

• Proposal Due Date: August 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

• Estimated Period of Performance Start: December 1, 2026.

How much funding would I receive?

DARPA anticipates providing:

• Total anticipated funding: $58,000,000

• Anticipated number of awards: Three to five individual awards

• Award instrument: Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022

The solicitation does not specify:

• Individual award sizes

• Minimum or maximum award amounts

• Expected funding by performer

• Funding allocations by technical area

Because DARPA expects only three to five awards across the full program budget, award values are expected to vary based on each selected proposal's scope of work and negotiated budget. The solicitation does not provide additional detail.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding is intended to support the development of RF system architectures that use an optical timing backbone to improve RF performance on compact mobile defense platforms.

DARPA is seeking work in several areas, including:

Develop vibration-hardened photonic microwave oscillators

Projects may focus on technologies capable of maintaining ultra-low phase noise and precise timing under challenging environmental conditions encountered by mobile military platforms.

Target component metrics include:

• Phase noise less than -120 dBc/Hz at 100 Hz offset

• Phase noise less than -150 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset

• Relative timing error less than 1 picosecond for 1–100 second intervals

• Oscillator volume less than 300 cc

Develop supporting RF components

Funding may support development of vibration-hardened ancillary analog and mixed-signal components needed to preserve optical timing performance throughout an RF system, including examples such as:

• RF mixers

• Amplifiers

• Digitizers

Design complete RF architectures

DARPA is seeking architectures that use optical technologies throughout the RF system rather than simply replacing an oscillator.

Potential capabilities include:

• Optical timing backbones

• Low-noise frequency synthesis

• Stable clock distribution

• Time and frequency synchronization

• High-bandwidth optical data transfer

• Digital signal processing architectures that exploit optical timing and data movement

Demonstrate defense-relevant use cases

Proposers are expected to identify defense applications for their architectures. The solicitation identifies examples including:

• Radar

• Signal direction finding

• Communications

• Electronic warfare (EW)

Build and demonstrate integrated prototypes

The program concludes with integration of developed technologies into a brassboard prototype for testing under relevant environmental conditions on a Government-furnished airborne platform.

DARPA states that proposals should pursue revolutionary advances rather than incremental improvements to current RF technologies. Research that advances non-optical microwave generation methods or produces only evolutionary improvements is specifically excluded.

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.

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

Key dates include:

• CUI Addendum Request Deadline: July 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

• Required Abstract Due Date: July 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

• Notification of Intent to Propose: August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

• Question and Answer Deadline: August 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

• Proposal Due Date: August 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

• Estimated Period of Performance Start: December 1, 2026.

The solicitation states that the RAAPTR program is planned as a 42-month effort, consisting of:

Phase 1 (24 months)

• Component development

• RF architecture design

• Breadboard prototype development

• Environmental testing

Phase 2 (18 months)

• Brassboard integration

• Environmental testing

• Flight testing on a Government-furnished airborne platform

The solicitation does not specify exactly when individual award agreements will be executed or when awardees will receive funding. It states only that the Estimated Period of Performance Start is December 1, 2026.

Proposal Deadline: August 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Where does this funding come from?

This funding opportunity is offered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) through the Multi X Office (MXO).

The program is titled Radiofrequency Architectures Applying Photonic Timing and Routing (RAAPTR) and is intended to advance radiofrequency (RF) system architectures that employ optical timing technologies for defense applications.

DARPA plans to award funding through Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022.

According to the solicitation, the program is intended to support technologies that contribute to DARPA's mission of making "pivotal early technology investments that create or prevent technological surprise." Proposed efforts are evaluated in part on their potential contribution to the national security technology base.

Who is eligible to apply?

DARPA states that all responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit proposals.

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. organizations

• Non-U.S. organizations

• U.S. and non-U.S. individuals, provided they comply with applicable security regulations, export control laws, nondisclosure agreements, and other governing statutes

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

• Small Businesses

• Small Disadvantaged Businesses

• Minority Institutions

Foreign participants must comply with:

• International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), if applicable

• Export Administration Regulations (EAR), if applicable

To be eligible for consideration, organizations must also satisfy several solicitation-specific requirements.

Applicants must:

• Request and receive the RAAPTR Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Addendum using the procedures described in the solicitation.

• Submit a timely, compliant required abstract.

• Submit a proposal under the same organization identified by a unique CAGE code.

• Meet the required Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 (Self-Assessment) requirements before award eligibility.

• Submit proposals through DARPA's Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT).

Submission of the required abstract is mandatory. The solicitation states that only organizations that submit a timely, compliant abstract will be eligible to submit a full proposal.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation identifies several organizations and situations that are not eligible.

Organizations that are not eligible

The following organizations are not eligible to propose:

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs)

• University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs)

• Government Entities, including National Laboratories

Organizations that will not be considered

DARPA states that proposals will not be considered if the organization:

• Did not request and receive the RAAPTR CUI Addendum.

• Did not submit a timely, compliant required abstract.

• Does not meet the required CMMC Level 2 eligibility requirements before award.

• Submits through a different CAGE code than the one authorized for the CUI Addendum.

Contractor conflicts

DARPA also states that contractors or performers are prohibited from concurrently:

• Providing Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA),

• Providing Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), or

• Providing similar support services to DARPA,

while also serving as a technical performer on the program, unless a written waiver is granted by the DARPA Deputy Director.

The solicitation does not identify any additional eligibility exclusions.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

DARPA evaluates proposals using three criteria, listed in descending order of importance:

1. Overall Scientific and Technical Merit

2. Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission

3. Budget and Price

Based on these evaluation criteria, the strongest proposals are likely to:

Offer innovative technical approaches

DARPA states the proposed approach should be:

• Innovative

• Feasible

• Achievable

• Complete

Address the full technical challenge

Competitive projects will present a logical technical plan with clearly defined tasks, deliverables, milestones, and risk mitigation strategies.

Demonstrate strong technical teams

DARPA expects teams to possess the expertise and experience needed to complete the proposed work and to have clearly defined management structures, responsibilities, communication pathways, and decision-making authority.

Support DARPA's mission

Projects should demonstrate how they strengthen the national security technology base and create capabilities relevant to future defense systems.

Enable technology transition

DARPA will evaluate whether proposed intellectual property restrictions could significantly affect the Government's ability to transition the resulting technology.

Present realistic budgets

Budgets should:

• Reflect the proposed technical approach.

• Demonstrate an appropriate level of effort.

• Align milestone payments with the solicitation's milestone schedule.

For projects with commercial application, the solicitation states that appropriate direct cost sharing may be a positive factor in the evaluation.

The solicitation also states that DARPA is seeking revolutionary advances in photonic RF technologies and specifically excludes research that advances non-optical microwave generation methods or results only in evolutionary improvements to the current state of practice.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation does not specify an expected number of proposals or anticipated success rate.

However, several factors indicate that this opportunity is likely to be highly competitive.

DARPA anticipates:

• $58,000,000 in total funding.

• Three to five individual awards.

The program also includes multiple mandatory pre-proposal requirements, including:

• Requesting the RAAPTR CUI Addendum.

• Submitting a required abstract.

• Submitting a Notification of Intent to Propose.

• Participating in oral presentations if invited.

Additionally, proposals are evaluated on scientific merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and budget, with technical merit receiving the greatest weight.

The solicitation also requires applicants to demonstrate capabilities across multiple disciplines, including photonic technologies, RF systems, analog and mixed-signal components, digital architectures, system integration, environmental hardening, and platform demonstration.

The solicitation does not provide historical award rates, anticipated proposal volume, or estimated funding rate.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Yes. This solicitation includes several technical, security, submission, and eligibility requirements that applicants should understand before investing time in preparing a proposal.

Certain research is specifically excluded

DARPA states that the following work is not responsive to this solicitation:

• Research that advances non-optical methods of microwave generation

• Research that results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice

The program is intended to support revolutionary advances in photonic RF technologies.

Submission of an abstract is mandatory

Organizations must submit a timely, compliant abstract to be eligible to submit a full proposal.

The required abstract is due:

July 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Organizations that do not submit a compliant abstract will not be considered.

Organizations must receive the RAAPTR CUI Addendum

Only organizations that:

• Request the RAAPTR CUI Addendum, and

• Are provided access to it

may submit proposals.

The CUI Addendum request deadline is:

July 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Organizations that do not receive the CUI Addendum will not be considered.

CMMC requirements apply

The required cybersecurity level is:

CMMC Level 2 (Self-Assessment) – Broad Protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

To be eligible for award, the proposer's CAGE code must have:

• A valid, unexpired Final Level 2 CMMC status recorded in SPRS.

• A current annual CMMC affirmation recorded in SPRS.

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

The program operates under Controlled Unclassified Information requirements.

Applicants handling CUI must comply with:

• DoD Instruction 5200.48

• NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2

The solicitation also notes that portions of the program may involve classified information, although classified proposals are not required.

AI disclosure requirement

DARPA asks proposers to disclose whether artificial intelligence tools were used to prepare Volume 1 of the proposal.

If AI tools were used:

• The proposal must identify the tools used.

• AI-generated or AI-assisted technical content must include citations describing the tool, the content, and the purpose.

The solicitation states that this information will not be used for evaluation purposes.

Proposal submission restrictions

Applicants must:

• Submit proposals through the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT).

• Submit before the deadline.

• Email submissions will not be accepted.

• Late submissions will not be accepted.

DARPA encourages applicants to submit at least 48 hours before the deadline.

Other restrictions

Additional restrictions include:

• Pre-recorded oral presentations are not permitted.

• Contractors performing SETA, Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), or similar support services to DARPA may not simultaneously serve as technical performers without a written waiver.

• Some awards may include publication restrictions depending on whether the research is determined to be fundamental or non-fundamental research.

• The Government requires no less than Government Purpose Rights (GPR) to data developed under the program. Proposers must identify any pre-existing intellectual property restrictions that could affect technology transition.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

Applicants should plan for a substantial proposal preparation effort.

The solicitation requires several activities before a full proposal can be submitted, including:

• Requesting access to the RAAPTR CUI Addendum.

• Preparing and submitting a required abstract.

• Submitting a Notification of Intent to Propose.

• Preparing a full technical proposal using multiple required templates and attachments.

• Preparing pricing documentation.

• Completing milestone schedules.

• Preparing for a potential oral presentation.

The solicitation also requires applicants to submit:

• Proposal Summary Slide

• Technical and Management Volume

• Price Volume

• DARPA Price Summary Spreadsheet

• Other Transaction Certification

• Task Description Document

• Schedule of Milestones and Payments

Organizations must also satisfy applicable cybersecurity, CUI handling, and security screening requirements.

Because of these requirements, along with the technical complexity of the RAAPTR program, applicants should allow significant time to coordinate technical contributors, subcontractors, budgets, compliance documentation, and proposal development.

The solicitation does not specify how long proposal preparation is expected to take.

How can BW&CO help?

Applying to DARPA programs requires more than writing a compelling technical narrative. Successful proposals also require a compliant submission, a clear commercialization and transition strategy where applicable, disciplined program management, and careful coordination across technical teams.

BW&CO can support applicants by:

• Determining whether the RAAPTR program aligns with your technology and business objectives.

• Developing a compliant proposal package aligned with DARPA's solicitation requirements.

• Coordinating technical writing across multiple contributors.

• Preparing milestone-based project plans and budgets.

• Reviewing proposal compliance before submission.

• Helping position your technical approach around the evaluation criteria described in the solicitation.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

Farseer: Quantum Sensing for ISR - HQ0034-20-9-DIU

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 Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking mature quantum sensing and timing technologies through its Farseer program to rapidly transition commercial quantum capabilities into operational Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications for the Department of War (DoW). The program focuses on four Lines of Effort (LoEs): magnetometers, gravimeters, portable clocks, and enabling component technologies. Solutions must demonstrate prototype readiness, a clear transition path to operational deployment, and a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4. Vendors may submit one solution brief per LoE and may apply to multiple LoEs. Responses are due by 2026-07-10 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time. Companies with mature quantum technologies that can be demonstrated in operational environments within three to nine months of award should strongly consider applying.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify award amounts but typically awards from DIU range from $500,000 to about $5 million.

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may support prototype projects related to:

• Quantum magnetometers for ISR applications.

• Scalar absolute gravimeters and single-component gravity gradiometers.

• Portable quantum clocks for Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), resilient communications, and coherent sensor networks.

• Component technologies that reduce Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) or improve manufacturability of quantum sensing and timing systems.

• Prototyping, manufacturing, integration, field testing, ruggedization, and operational demonstrations of qualifying technologies.

• Agile development activities and iterative technology insertions throughout the program lifecycle.

Lines of Efforts (LoE):

LoE 1: Magnetometers

The DoW seeks commercial solutions to prototype magnetometers for strategic ISR needs. Magnetometers detecting signals above 100 Hz are of potential interest, with solutions expected to operate in specific frequency ranges that are relevant to targeted DoW and commercial applications.

LoE 2: Gravimeters

The DoW seeks commercial solutions to prototype scalar absolute gravimeters and single-component gravity gradiometers for warfighter needs suitable for static, low-dynamics (e.g., maritime), or high-dynamics (e.g., airborne) contexts. Representative operational metrics are provided in Tables 2-4 based on potential applications in each context. Submissions should specify expected sensor performance in targeted DoW and commercial applications. Example commercial applications include mineral surveying, oil & gas field monitoring, and detection of sink holes or underground voids.

LoE 3: Portable Clocks

The DoW seeks commercial solutions that progress prototyping, manufacturing, integration, and field testing of portable clocks for warfighter needs that achieve the operational metrics given in Table 3. Submissions may propose solutions focused on (a) scaling clock manufacturing, or (b) integration of existing prototypes into new and legacy platforms. Platforms of relevance include Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities, resilient communications, as well as coherent sensor network applications. For the latter category of submissions, solutions may optionally focus on ruggedization of existing prototypes to military specifications and hardware/software interfaces that enable fusion of portable clock outputs with existing timing infrastructure on DoW platforms. System integration submitters can assume tactical clock RF outputs of 10 MHz, 100 MHz and 1 PPS, with the SWaP metrics indicated in Table 5.

LoE 4: Component Technologies

The DoW seeks commercial solutions to reduce the SWaP and improve the manufacturability of the current generation of quantum platforms described in LoEs 1-3 or less mature but relevant quantum sensors for ISR applications such as Rydberg electric field sensors. Maturation of components such as chip-scale lasers, micro-optics, photonic integrated circuits, cryogenics, and vapor cells that are necessary to enable operational utility of quantum sensors and clocks.

Compelling solutions will have one or more of the following characteristics:

• Clear insertion pathway to quantum sensor or clock technical solutions, which may occur in mid-course development spirals. 

• Modular and broad applicability to multiple types of quantum platforms.

• Production that can scale to mature manufacturing/microfabrication processes involving trusted manufacturers/foundries, if they are not already mature.

• Contributes to quantum supply chain robustness.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Potential benefits include:

• Opportunity to demonstrate technology in operational military environments.

• Participation in a multi-phase program that includes functional and operational demonstrations.

• Potential integration with Department of War mission partners.

• Eligibility for award through an Other Transaction (OT) agreement under 10 U.S.C. 4022.

• Potential direct award of follow-on production contracts or transactions without further competition upon successful completion of a prototype effort.

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

Application deadline: 2026-07-10 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time.

The solicitation follows a three-phase process:

1. Solution Brief submission.

2. Pitch session for selected companies.

3. Full proposal submission for companies invited to continue.

DIU states it will strive to notify companies within approximately 30 days if it is interested in learning more through a pitch. The solicitation does not specify award dates, contracting timelines, or funding disbursement dates. Prototype periods of performance may not exceed 24 months.

Where does this funding come from?

The opportunity is offered by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) on behalf of the Department of War through the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process. Any resulting agreements will be awarded under Other Transactions Authority (OTA) pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. vendors.

• International vendors.

• Vendors applying independently or collaboratively.

• Vendors that currently have or previously had contracts with DIU.

• Traditional defense contractors.

• Nontraditional defense contractors.

• Nonprofit research institutions, where otherwise eligible under OTA requirements.

• Companies proposing solutions with a minimum current TRL of 4.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation states that:

• Solutions below TRL 4 are not eligible.

• Projects with periods of performance longer than 24 months are not eligible.

• Respondents must be eligible to receive an award under 10 U.S.C. 4022.

• Companies that are suspended, debarred, prohibited by law, or otherwise determined ineligible for federal award may not receive an agreement.

No additional eligibility exclusions are explicitly specified.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on the stated evaluation criteria and desired solution attributes, competitive projects are likely to demonstrate:

• Mature prototypes ready for operational testing within three to nine months after award.

• Clear transition pathways to operational deployment within two to three years.

• Improvements in sensitivity and SWaP beyond current state-of-the-art solutions.

• Strong technical merit and feasibility.

• Open Systems Architecture and Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) alignment where applicable.

• Evidence of manufacturability, scalability, and supply chain robustness.

• Previous laboratory, field, defense, or commercial testing results.

• Dual-use commercial market potential.

• Clear insertion pathways into military ISR applications.

• Unique, innovative, or underutilized technologies relevant to the stated mission needs.How competitive will this solicitation be?

ONR plans to fund approximately five to six awards, indicating a limited number of available selections.

The solicitation does not specify the expected number of applicants, historical success rates, or anticipated competition levels.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation is expected to be competitive.

DIU states that it routinely receives more solution briefs than it has resources to award and that only a select group of submissions will be invited to pitch. Solution briefs are evaluated on relevance to the Area of Interest, technical merit, feasibility, innovation, and company viability.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Key restrictions include:

• Vendors may submit no more than one solution brief per Line of Effort.

• Solutions must have a minimum current TRL of 4.

• Periods of performance may not exceed 24 months.

• Solution briefs must be submitted through the DIU website.

• Late submissions will not be reviewed.

• Submissions must be unclassified.

• Respondents must be eligible for award under OTA authority.

• Technical data with military applications may require export approvals or licenses.

• Companies must register in SAM prior to award.

• Any awarded agreement will require compliance with Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation requests a solution brief that is approximately:

• Five written pages or fewer, or

• Fifteen slides or fewer.

Applicants must provide technical, business, prototype readiness, transition readiness, ruggedness, and commercialization information. The solicitation does not estimate preparation time.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help your team:

• Determine the most appropriate Line of Effort.

• Assess alignment with DIU evaluation criteria.

• Position your technology around prototype readiness, transition readiness, and dual-use value.

• Develop a compliant solution brief and supporting materials.

• Prepare for DIU pitch sessions.

• Structure technical narratives around operational military outcomes and commercialization potential.

• Support proposal development if invited to Phase 3.

Review the solicitation here.