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Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner

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

Deadline: September 16, 2026

Funding Award Size: Up to $5m

Description: ONR's Navy ManTech sBAA funds naval manufacturing, robotics, and industrial base innovation. Phase I white papers due 60 days from publication.

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

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

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

What Is This Opportunity?

This sBAA funds two categories of work:

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

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

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

Technology Areas ONR Wants

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

Specific technical focus areas span:

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

  • Advanced sensor integration and structural health monitoring

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

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

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

  • Autonomous systems for inspection and maintenance

  • Advanced electronics, SOSA/MOSA modular design

  • Non-destructive testing and advanced inspection

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

  • Cybersecurity for industrial control systems and operational technology

Two-Phase Structure and Key Dates

This sBAA runs on two tracks:

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

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

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

Who Can Apply

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

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

What Gets Evaluated

Four criteria carry equal weight:

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

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

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

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

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

Cybersecurity Requirements to Plan For Early

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

White Paper Requirements

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

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

How BW&CO Consulting Helps

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

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

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

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

  • Coordinating CMMC and SAM.gov readiness ahead of submission

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

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

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Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner

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

Deadline: September 22nd, 2026

Funding Award Size: $7.5m - $28m

Description: DOE's HGEO opened DE-FOA-0003634, an $81.9M NOFO funding oil and natural gas production, infrastructure, and digital transformation projects. Applications due September 22, 2026. BW&CO breaks down eligibility, topic areas, and award sizes.

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.

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Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner

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

Deadline: October 30th, 2026

Funding Award Size: TBD

Description: Chain Reaction Innovations 2027 cohort offers individual innovators up to 24 months of stipend, lab space, and mentorship at Argonne National Laboratory. Learn eligibility, benefits, and how to apply.

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.

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Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner

DOE Genesis Mission | SBIR/STTR Phase I Funding Opportunity

Deadline: September 10, 2026

Funding Award Size: $250k

Description: DOE's Genesis Mission SBIR/STTR Phase I offers ~40 awards, $10M total, for AI in biotech, quantum computing, materials design, and autonomous labs. Pitches due Sept 10, 2026.

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.

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Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner

NASA ROSES | C.4 Planetary Science Enabling Facilities

Deadline: November 10, 2026

Funding Award Size: Up to $5m

Description: NASA's ROSES C.4 Planetary Science Enabling Facilities program funds research facilities for lunar, Mars, and astrobiology science. Proposals due Nov 10, 2026.

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.

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Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner Inactive, Broad Topic Robert Wegner

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

Deadline: August 19th, 2026

Funding Award Size: Up to $5m

Description: NASA's CCRPP matches up to $5M for Phase II SBIR/STTR companies with an external investor. Applications due Aug 19, 2026. See if you qualify.

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.

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

Autonomous Eradication Technologies Challenge: $550K DoD Prize Competition for Guam's Brown Tree Snake

Deadline: December 1st, 2026

Funding Award Size: $550k

Description: DoD prize challenge offers $550K for autonomous drone, robotics, AI, and sensor tech to detect and control Guam's invasive brown tree snake.

Quick Answer

The Autonomous Eradication Technologies Challenge is a DoD-sponsored prize competition offering up to $550,000 in cash awards for autonomous detection, tracking, and control technologies to address Guam's invasive brown tree snake population, with potential Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pathways to direct procurement.

What is the Autonomous Eradication Technologies Challenge?

It is a recurring, rolling-cycle prize challenge sponsored by Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program / Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (SERDP/ESTCP), and DARPA. Central Florida Tech Grove administers the challenge and hosts the Virtual Demonstration Days where finalists present to government stakeholders. The same opportunity is also listed on InnoCentive under the title "Autonomous Eradication Technologies for Guam's Invasive Brown Tree Snakes."

What problem is this challenge trying to solve?

Guam's brown tree snake has caused decades of ecological and economic damage. The snake has driven the local extinction or decline of most native forest bird species on the island and causes roughly $4.5 million a year in economic losses through power outages from snakes contacting electrical infrastructure. It also poses a risk to military installations and personnel on Guam, a strategically critical U.S. Indo-Pacific location. Traditional control methods, including aerial delivery of acetaminophen-treated bait, have had limited success in Guam's dense forest canopy and rugged terrain. Island-wide eradication is considered nearly impossible without new technology.

What technologies are sponsors looking for?

The challenge is intentionally broad. Priority technology areas include:

  • Drones and unmanned systems

  • Autonomous robotics

  • Advanced sensors and detection systems

  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning

  • Predictive modeling and data analytics

  • Communications and decision-support tools

Solutions must be able to operate in dense forest canopy, rugged terrain, and night conditions, detect hidden targets, and support large-area autonomous surveillance missions.

How much prize money is available?

Up to $550,000 in total cash prizes. The listing does not publish a per-cycle or per-tier award breakdown. For comparison, other Central Florida Tech Grove and NavalX-funded DoD prize challenges have structured single-cycle awards at roughly $50,000 for first place, $30,000 for second, and $20,000 for third. Separately, federal Brown Tree Snake Control Program grant funding through the Department of the Interior has run between approximately $3.4 million and $4.1 million annually across multiple agencies, indicating a sustained, well-funded federal program behind this challenge rather than a one-off pilot.

Is this just a cash prize, or is there a path to a contract?

Both. Beyond the cash award, selected participants may qualify for Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pathways, direct procurement discussions, and field demonstration opportunities on Guam with U.S. military and federal agency stakeholders. The challenge is structured as a recurring feeder program, not a one-time grant.

Who is eligible to participate?

Participation is broad. Startups, universities, defense contractors, AI and drone teams, robotics developers, sensor engineers, and environmental technology innovators are all eligible. No prior experience with brown tree snakes, wildlife management, or Guam is required.

Do I need to submit by a single deadline?

No. This runs as a recurring, rolling-cycle prize challenge with monthly submission, evaluation, and virtual presentation windows. The current listed deadline is December 1, 2026 at 21:59 CST, but organizations may submit multiple solutions and resubmit in future cycles as their technology matures.

What happens after I submit?

Submissions are reviewed by a panel of government stakeholders. A limited number of organizations are selected for a Virtual Demonstration Day, where they present and demonstrate their capabilities directly to government end users. Selection can lead to prize awards and, potentially, follow-on opportunities to develop, transition, produce, and deploy the solution.

Do I keep ownership of my technology and IP?

Yes. Solvers retain all IP rights to their submissions. Submitting a solution does not transfer ownership or exclusive rights to the government or challenge sponsors. Only a non-exclusive, royalty-free license is requested, and solely for evaluation purposes.

Are there any restrictions on what I can propose or submit?

Yes, two worth noting. First, submissions must not contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Second, some brown tree snake control methods, notably acetaminophen-based toxicants, are restricted by the EPA to trained government personnel; any submission proposing a regulated intervention must describe a realistic compliance pathway.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

DLA SUBNET BAA (SP4701-26-B-0003):

Deadline: July 13th, 2030

Funding Award Size: $35m

Description: The DLA SUBNET BAA offers up to $35M through 2030 for small businesses in food tech, smart packaging, robotics, and AI. See eligibility, stages, and how to apply.

Quick Answer

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Subsistence Network (SUBNET) Broad Agency Announcement is a five-year, unrestricted BAA (posted July 14, 2026) offering up to $35 million through Fiscal Year 2030 for R&D that modernizes the military's food supply chain. Small businesses in food technology, smart packaging, robotics, AI, and autonomous logistics are strongly encouraged to apply. There are no set-asides, but no minimum size standard exclusions either: any responsible small business can compete directly against large primes, and the program is explicitly designed to reward innovation over incumbency.

What Is the SUBNET BAA?

SUBNET (BAA SP4701-26-B-0003) is a Defense Logistics Agency-sponsored Department of War Manufacturing Technology Program focused on Class I (Subsistence) supply chain modernization. It funds an initiative called ALICE, the Advanced Logistics Initiative for Contested Environments, which is shifting DLA away from pure "pull-based" resupply toward a hybrid push-pull model built on three pillars:

Agile & Predictive Acquisition — rapid acquisition pathways for shelf-stable, freeze-dried, vacuum-sealed, and UHT-processed rations with 5-7+ year shelf lives.

Smart Packaging & Strategic Pre-Positioning — packaging with embedded real-time tracking, environmental sensors, and chemical indicators for food safety and quality.

Autonomous & Resilient Distribution — unmanned ground vehicles, cargo drones, and robotics for last-tactical-mile delivery in contested environments.

Beyond these pillars, DLA lists 20 additional areas of interest, including AI-driven supply chain optimization, additive manufacturing (3D food printing), sustainable food production, robotics and automation for ration assembly, food safety and defense, and circular economy/waste reduction solutions.

Key Facts at a Glance

Solicitation Number: BAA SP4701-26-B-0003

Issuing Agency: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Troop Support

Posted: July 14, 2026

BAA Duration: 5 years (open through 2030/2031)

Total Program Ceiling: Up to $35 million, FY2026 to FY2030

Typical Award Duration: 6 to 36 months

Set-Asides: None (unrestricted, but small businesses are actively encouraged)

Small Business Size Standard: 1,000 employees

NAICS Code: 541715

Subcontracting Plan Trigger: Required for large businesses/non-profits on awards over $750,000

Certified Cost/Pricing Data Trigger: Required for proposals of $2 million or more

Who Should Apply?

This BAA is unusually broad and directly relevant to deep-tech and dual-use startups that may not think of themselves as "defense food" companies. If your company works in any of the following, SUBNET is worth a look:

Combat rations, shelf-stable food, or nutrition science

Smart packaging, IoT sensors, or cold-chain/condition monitoring

Robotics and automation (including ration assembly or warehouse automation)

Autonomous ground vehicles or cargo drones for last-mile logistics

AI/ML for supply chain and demand forecasting

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) applied to food or materials

Sustainable or alternative food production (vertical farming, plant-based protein, lab-grown nutrients)

Water security and hydration technology

Cybersecurity applied to supply chain condition monitoring (CMMC Level 1 relevant)

Teaming with established combat ration assemblers (such as AmeriQual, Baxters, or Sopakco) is encouraged but not required.

How the Two-Stage Process Works

SUBNET uses a staged, low-burden approach designed to reduce risk for both DLA and offerors.

Stage I: Feasibility Study (up to 12 months)

No prototype is required. Offerors deliver a feasibility study that includes a Concept of Operations (CONOPS), functional and system requirements, preliminary metrics (KPPs/KPIs/KSAs), and an estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL). DLA evaluates the study as Acceptable or Unacceptable and may invite the offeror to propose for Stage II.

Stage II: Prototype or Conceptual Solution Development (up to 24 months)

Offerors choose one of two paths:

COA A (Analytical Study or Conceptual Solution): in-depth modeling, simulation, or process recommendations ready for DLA to adopt.

COA B (Prototype Development): a physical prototype at a minimum of TRL 7, with formal test and evaluation.

Fast-track option:

Companies with a documented history of successful past SUBNET performance may skip Stage I entirely and propose directly for Stage II.

How to Apply: White Paper First

DLA does not accept unsolicited full proposals. The process starts with a White Paper, limited to 6 pages (cover sheet, 1-page executive summary, and up to 4 pages covering goals, technical plan, capabilities, and cost/schedule). The mandatory template is provided in Attachment A of the BAA.

The White Paper must answer four questions:

What is the proposed work attempting to accomplish?

How is it done today, and what are the limitations?

Who benefits, and what is the impact if successful?

How much will it cost, and how long will it take?

White papers are not scored competitively. DLA either responds that the concept is not of interest, or invites a full technical and cost proposal. Only proposals invited after a white paper will be evaluated.

Submit white papers by email to:

Andrea.Nicolucci@dla.mil

Lauren.Runowski@dla.mil

CC: RandD.DCSO@dla.mil

How Proposals Are Evaluated

If invited to submit a full proposal, technical proposals (20 pages max) are evaluated through a peer/scientific review process on four factors, each rated Highly Acceptable, Acceptable, or Not Acceptable:

Feasibility (Overall Scientific and Technical Merit): Is the technology real or realistically achievable? TRL 4+ approaches score highest.

Viability: Can DoW/DLA actually adopt this given policy, cybersecurity, and FedRAMP constraints?

Desirability: Will end users actually want and use it?

Past Performance: Relevant experience in the last three years. Companies without past performance are rated neutrally, not penalized.

Cost proposals are evaluated separately for cost realism and are not the controlling factor in award decisions.

Why This Matters for Small Businesses

Unlike many defense R&D vehicles, SUBNET carries no set-asides, which means there is no artificial ceiling on small business participation. It also has no dedicated small business allocation, so small businesses compete on technical merit alongside large primes. Combined with the low-burden Stage I feasibility study (no prototype required, no per-project page-heavy proposal until DLA is already interested), this is a comparatively accessible entry point into Department of War-adjacent funding for companies that have never held a defense contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DLA SUBNET BAA?

DLA SUBNET (BAA SP4701-26-B-0003) is a Broad Agency Announcement from the Defense Logistics Agency funding R&D that modernizes the military's Class I subsistence (food) supply chain, with up to $35 million available through Fiscal Year 2030.

Is SUBNET set aside for small businesses?

No. SUBNET is an unrestricted acquisition with no set-asides, because DLA determined the research areas could not practically be reserved. However, DLA actively encourages small businesses, including SDBs, WOSBs, HUBZone firms, VOSBs, and SDVOSBs, to submit white papers.

Do I need a prototype to apply?

No. Stage I is a feasibility study only, with no prototype development required. A physical prototype is only required in Stage II, and only if the offeror selects Course of Action B (Prototype Development).

How do I submit a proposal to SUBNET?

You cannot submit a full proposal directly. You must first submit a 6-page White Paper using the mandatory template in Attachment A. If DLA finds it of interest, the Contracting Officer will invite a full technical and cost proposal.

How long does SUBNET funding last?

Individual awards typically run 6 to 36 months. The BAA itself remains open for five years, from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030.

What technologies is DLA looking for under SUBNET?

Priority areas include shelf-stable and freeze-dried rations, smart packaging with embedded sensors, autonomous ground vehicles and cargo drones for last-mile delivery, AI-driven supply chain optimization, robotics for ration assembly, additive manufacturing (3D food printing), and sustainable food production methods.

Who is the point of contact for the SUBNET BAA?

White papers and questions should be directed to Andrea Nicolucci and Lauren Runowski at Andrea.Nicolucci@dla.mil and Lauren.Runowski@dla.mil, with a copy to RandD.DCSO@dla.mil.

How BW&CO Can Help

  • Assess whether your technology fits SUBNET's Areas of Interest and whether Stage I or a direct-to-Stage II path makes sense for you

  • Draft and refine your 6-page White Paper using DLA's mandatory template

  • Build out the CONOPS, functional requirements, and TRL positioning DLA evaluators expect

  • Prepare your technical and cost proposal if invited past the White Paper stage

  • Identify teaming partners, including combat ration assemblers, if a partnership strengthens your proposal

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here: Subnet BAA

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

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

Deadline: April 30th, 2030

Funding Award Size: $5m

Description: AFRL's Enterprise CSO funds commercial tech via rolling "Spirals" across 94 Areas of Interest, from hypersonics to quantum. See eligibility, funding, and how to apply.

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

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

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

Deadline: Rolling Deadline

Funding Award Size: $5m

Description: Learn how the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) funds innovative commercial technologies across robotics, AI, autonomy, power systems, software, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and defense applications.

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

Executive Summary:

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

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

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

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

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

How much funding would I receive?

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

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

Areas of Interest:

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

GROUND VEHICLE ADVANCED POWER SYSTEMS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GROUND VEHICLE ROBOTICS (GVR):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Support both dismounted and mounted operations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FORCE PROJECTION TECHNOLOGY (FPT):

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

a. Demand Reduction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GROUND VEHICLE MATERIALS ENGINEERING (GVME)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GROUND VEHICLE SURVIVABILITY AND PROTECTION:

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

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

The VBK: A Foundation for Adaptable Protection

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deliverables & Impact:

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

By responding to this area of interest, you will:

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

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

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

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

See attachment 0001 and 0002

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

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

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CENTER (SEC):

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

i. Software Configuration Management (SCM). The SCM team is soliciting a user-friendly tool that can integrate with Source Management and code tools (Atlassian or GitLab) to track and manage final deliverables for all the projects we support. It needs to be able to establish what we expect to receive for each Release per Project and track if it was received, dates, from who, etc. with a hierarchy of deliverables and sub-components maintained. Store location information for both physical and electronic versions. Additionally, it needs to track physical and electronic receipt of information from external sources, who, what, where and their storage locations.

j. CI/CD Pipelines. The SEC is seeking an industry partner with GovCloud development experience to test and validate capabilities between our on-premise infrastructure and AWS cloud environment. Must have demonstrated experience in automation, responsible for developing Infrastructure as Code (IaC), with tools like Terraform or CloudFormation, and building CI/CD pipelines to ensure seamless building and integration of software source code and automated test. A strong background in AWS services, scripting (Python/Bash), and hybrid cloud security along with experience in the Army RMF process.

k. Artificial Intelligence in Software Engineering and Development. This topic focuses on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to assist software engineering professionals throughout the software development lifecycle—including requirements, architecture, design, implementation, and testing—to improve software quality and accelerate development.

Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Code generation models trained specifically for embedded, military, or safety-critical software development environments.

-AI-assisted expansion of unit testing in legacy code bases, including automated test generation and identification of gaps in test coverage.

-AI-assisted modernization of legacy software systems, including migration from legacy or military-centric programming languages to modern or general-purpose programming languages.

-AI-assisted acceleration of model-based software engineering, including generation of Unified Modeling Language (UML)/Systems Modeling Language (SysML) models from legacy documentation and/or source code.

- AI-assisted analysis of software engineering artifacts, including gap analysis and evaluation of design documentation and UML/SysML models.

-AI-assisted comprehension of legacy code bases, including extraction of architecture, interfaces, and system behavior from existing source code.

-AI-assisted refactoring and restructuring of software systems to improve maintainability, modularity, and performance.

-AI-assisted generation and maintenance of software documentation, including design descriptions, interface documentation, and developer guidance.

-AI-assisted traceability analysis across requirements, models, source code, and test artifacts.

-AI-assisted detection of software defects, vulnerabilities, and violations of safety or security coding standards.

-AI-powered developer assistants integrated into software development environments to support code generation, debugging, and refactoring.

l. Simulated/Emulated Hardware Targets for Automated Testing and Digital Twins. Provide subject matter expertise on the development of simulated/emulated hardware targets for embedded systems that can be used for automated testing and digital twin applications. The intent is to gain visibility on the state-of-the-art tools and practices for abstracting from hardware, understand in what situations to use specific tools, and potentially develop a reference architecture (e.g., a sample robot or vehicle) that can be used to assess capabilities and grow competency on how to build integrated pipelines and automation.

m. Multi-Tenant Cloud Solutions for Embedded Software Development. Provide subject matter expert support to bring industry best practices into the architectural design, implementation, and maintenance of a multi-tenant based cloud solution for hosting software development and test projects, with a primary focus on embedded software. This effort seeks experts to assist the government team in deploying concepts within government-owned cloud environments (e.g., SPDS, GDEV-C). The solution should provide projects with scalable, isolated cloud resources by default and include the ability for the defense industrial base to use the environment. A key focus is on automation, the adoption of AI (including pipeline development), and DevSecOps practices in alignment with DoW modernization goals. Subject matter experts will work with the government team and could form the basis of a persistent operations team or, at a minimum, inform the government on how best to organize such a team and identify the skills/resources needed to support the effort operationally.

n. Adoption and Use of Containerization in Embedded Systems. Provide subject matter expert support to bring industry best practices into the adoption and use of containerization within software development and test activities, including those with an embedded system focus. This effort seeks to leverage expert knowledge to address current gaps in security and utilization, and to discover more effective ways to use containerization to its fullest potential. A specific focus is desired on the hardening of containers and the enabling infrastructure, along with general supply chain management considerations. This includes various levels of usage for containers, from deploying enterprise solutions versus VMs, looking at how to do builds/tests for things like CIE, the possible application on actual embedded targets, and the general use of containers for tools and builds in general pipelines.

o. Software Test Automation. The SEC is advancing an enterprise Software Test Automation capability to modernize verification and validation across Army ground vehicle platforms. This initiative integrates automated and hybrid testing methodologies into the full software lifecycle, enabling continuous regression, requirements traceability, and objective digital evidence generation. Leveraging reusable automation frameworks (CATS), centralized orchestration platforms (CTAP), and Software-in-the-Loop (SITL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) environments, SEC reduces manual regression cycles, improves defect detection, and accelerates software fielding. The capability supports tactical code validation across approved military software environments and communication interfaces (e.g., MIL-STD-1553, CAN, serial protocols), while enhancing cybersecurity validation and sustainment readiness. The objective is to convert repetitive manual testing effort into scalable, reusable infrastructure that improves quality, lowers lifecycle cost, and supports rapid capability integration across current and future vehicle platforms.

p. Software Safety. The SEC provides comprehensive Software Safety engineering support across Army ground vehicle platforms to ensure safe, reliable, and mission-assured system operation. This capability includes support for Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA), system and software hazard tracking, enforcement of coding standards such as MISRA, and implementation of safety-critical test requirements including C/DC and MC/DC coverage. SEC conducts independent technical reviews of software design, code, and verification artifacts while maintaining bidirectional traceability from hazards through requirements, architecture, implementation, and test results. The objective is to reduce safety risk, ensure compliance with Army and DoD safety standards, and support safe integration of new capabilities into both legacy and future vehicle systems.

q. Digital Distribution. The SEC seeks innovative support to advance its Digital Distribution capability to modernize the delivery and sustainment of software for ground vehicle platforms. Digital Distribution provides a secure, centralized platform for the rapid deployment of software updates, patches, and new capabilities, eliminating the need for physical media. This approach ensures that all systems remain up-to-date with the latest approved software versions, reducing downtime and enhancing mission readiness. By leveraging encryption and authentication protocols, Digital Distribution protects against unauthorized access and tampering, ensuring the integrity of critical software. The objective is to streamline version control and ensures consistency across the fleet, enabling faster and more efficient software fielding.

r. Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). The SEC seeks to enhance its SBOM capability to improve transparency and security across the software lifecycle. SBOM provides a comprehensive inventory of all software components, libraries, and dependencies used in a system, enabling proactive management of vulnerabilities and compliance with government standards. By identifying and tracking software components, SBOM ensures rapid detection and mitigation of cybersecurity risks, reducing the potential for exploitation. It also facilitates lifecycle management by addressing obsolescence issues and ensuring long-term maintainability. This objective is to support the Army’s efforts to improve software quality, enhance cybersecurity, and ensure compliance with Executive Order 14028 on improving the nation’s cybersecurity.

s. Hardware Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) Simulation. The SEC seeks to advance its Hardware LRU Simulation capability to modernize its software development and testing processes. Hosted in the cloud, this simulation environment provides a scalable and cost-effective solution for testing and validating software without the need for physical hardware. Hardware LRU Simulation enables developers to replicate the behavior of hardware components and systems, allowing for early detection of defects and interoperability issues. This approach accelerates development timelines, reduces costs associated with hardware procurement and maintenance, and supports the integration of emerging technologies. The objective is to provide a virtual environment for testing and have Hardware LRU Simulations to ensures that software is thoroughly validated and ready for deployment, enhancing the reliability and performance of Army ground vehicle platforms.

GROUND VEHICLE POWER AND MOBILTIY (GVPM):

GVPM provides the Army with solutions in Ground Vehicle Mobility, Power, and Propulsion. GVPM has developed powertrains, power generation, power distribution and energy storage systems. GVPM facilities encompass labs in engine research, engine/electric machine testing and development, and vehicle performance testing under all climate conditions.

Priority is placed on near term solutions that have the potential for rapid transition to a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL). GVPM maintains interest in longer term technology that advances the performance or enables compact power generation and propulsion systems. In addition, GVPM has interest in emerging technologies for ground vehicle applications for high power, power dense generators, and advanced power electronics that have been integrated into demonstrations as part of a vehicle.

a. Durable Replacement Track System for M88A2 Vehicle. Seeking a drop-in replacement for the M88A2 vehicle existing track systems. The desired solution should require minimal changes to the vehicle, limited to components such as the sprocket and carrier. It is highly desirable to retain the current OEM roadwheels. The solution should leverage proven, commercially available technologies that balance performance and durability with affordability. The T107 track system is currently on the Readiness Driver List, which could inversely affect the vehicles’ availability. PM Mounted Armored Vehicles (MAV) seeks an optimized and modern track solution that can be integrated into the M88A2 platform with minimal modifications while providing better availability, durability and value for the Government.

Requirements

The replacement track system must meet the following preliminary requirements:

1) Compatibility: The track system must be compatible with the current M88A2 platform, requiring minimal modifications (e.g., sprocket and carrier changes). It is highly desirable to retain the current OEM roadwheels.

2) Durability: The track system must demonstrate significantly improved durability compared to the current system, with reduced failure rates while following current OMS/MP (20% Primary roads, 40% secondary and 40% Cross Country roads. 30% of each of these will be completed in “Towed” conditions).

a) Track Pads: 1,000 miles Threshold (T) 2,000 Objective (O)

b) Track Body: 2,000 miles Threshold (T) 3,000 Objective (O)

3) Size and Weight: The track system must conform to the size and weight constraints of the 70T M88A2 vehicle. There is not a specific requirement for a maximum allowed track weight, however track weight and its impact on vehicle performance and life-cycle cost could be used for rating purposes.

4) Performance: The track system must maintain or improve the vehicle's mobility, traction, and operational performance in diverse terrains. Improved tractive effort during towing operations on sloped surfaces is highly desirable.

5) Proven Solution: The track system should be an existing, commercially available product with a proven track record of performance. Solutions used in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or similar vehicles are encouraged.

6) Ease of Integration: The track system must be designed for straightforward integration into the M88A2 platform without requiring extensive modifications or redesign. Simplicity of integration is a key factor in reducing overall program cost.

7) Cost-Effectiveness: Solutions must demonstrate value through a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Respondents should describe how their solution minimizes costs over the entire life cycle, including acquisition, maintenance, and replacement.

Offeror must submit country of Origin for the proposed track system or percentage of the system that is made in the USA.

Suspense date for submittal under this AOI is 04/06/2026.

b. Vehicle Power Generation and Distribution. These systems or kits install a power generation capability to a vehicle at power levels 30kW to 350kW. Power dense packaging allows minimal engineering for installation in a vehicle with severe space availability. Utilize mechanical power takeoff interfaces from transmissions or engines. These solutions can include components that convert, condition, and provide connection for power to the common end user voltages (i.e. 600VDC, 440VAC 60hz, 208VAC 60hz, 110VAC 60hz, 24VDC, 12VDC, et. Al). Solutions showing previous demonstrations in a vehicle are of interest.

c. Components Required to Enable Vehicle Power Generation and Power Distribution. GVPM has interest in highly integrated electric machines/systems that are highly compact, nearing serial production, and installed on a vehicle system. Also, interest lies in innovative packaging of electric machines, power controllers and thermal management systems to allow complete compact packaging under space constrained conditions. Capabilities at power levels 30kW to 350kW demonstrated on a vehicle are of interest.

d. Propulsion Systems. Highly integrated power dense drive systems integrating electric machines, energy storage (regen and et. al), braking, and gear reduction. End system applications for 8000lbs to 75000lbs GVW. Any integrated combination of multiple component functions mentioned are also of interest. Solutions showing previous demonstrations in a vehicle are of great interest.

.MODELING AND SIMULATION (M&S)

The GVSC M&S mission is to accelerate innovation through rapid prototyping and experimentation, leveraging industry expertise and soldier feedback to quickly iterate and refine Army ground platform capabilities, optimize design and performance by reducing development time and costs to rapidly evaluate multiple design approaches and incorporate continuous soldier feedback for enhanced usability and operational effectiveness, and inform strategic decisions by maintaining a competitive advantage with data-driven insights by quantifying capabilities, identifying critical technology gaps, and illuminating capability investment opportunities. This effort focuses on advancing modeling and simulation tools and capabilities through industry partnerships and collaborations.

a. Innovative Training Aids and Simulators. With increases in onboard capabilities and increasing technical sophistication of ground vehicles, GVSC is interested in commercial solutions that can improve training, fielding, and maintenance of ground vehicles. This includes providing training and simulations using on- board computing capabilities but also includes standalone equipment.

b. Applying Artificial Intelligence Algorithms to Expedite the Platform Concepting Process for Early

Requirements Shaping and Trade Studies. GVSC M&S is looking to develop an on-premises, SME-credible AI-assisted ground-vehicle concepting demonstration that produces constraint-checked, auditable platform concepts suitable for early requirements shaping and trade studies. While the scope of this project includes expediting concept generation using a wide array of available AI methods, emphasis is placed on using LLM prompts to directly generate/expedite usable Computer-Aided Design (CAD) components. This work will be using decades worth of Government generated data and concepts and will not require additional contractor data. These AI methods must be usable within a U.S. government environment with expectations that the U.S. government will own rights to both the data being used as input but also for the resulting models.

c. Relocatable Facility Accreditation: Agile SCIF Security Oversight. The Government is executing a rapid prototyping effort to design, construct, build and deploy a relocatable facility, the Cybersecurity and Vehicle Cyber Center (CVCC), which requires accreditation for classified use up to the Top Secret level with eligibility for SCI access. This facility is being designed, constructed, built and deployed in the United States. Historically, applying the rigid Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 security standards to rapid, commercially modified prototyping programs has proven difficult to execute without causing significant schedule delays. This creates a critical need for a dedicated Site Security Manager (SSM) to bridge the gap between commercial manufacturing processes and strict government security oversight to include interactions with an Accrediting Official.

The Government seeks innovative commercial solutions to provide comprehensive security oversight. The traditional, sequential methodology for ICD 705 compliance is often incompatible with the speed of commercial prototyping. Therefore, the Government requires an "agile compliance process"—a solution that successfully integrates and enforces legacy ICD 705 government security oversight within a rapid, commercially driven prototyping program for a relocatable facility.

The Government is seeking industry partners capable of acting as the Site Security Manager (SSM) to ensure the aforementioned prototyping effort achieves full ICD 705 accreditation. The company shall have a Top Secret Facility Clearence Level. Submissions should demonstrate innovative methodologies for integrating security into the commercial prototyping lifecycle. Specific areas of interest include:

• Lifecycle Site Security Management (SSM) Oversight: This sub-topic seeks the provision of a qualified SSM to serve as the primary liaison between the commercial prototyping vendor, the Government Program Office, and the Accrediting Official (AO) / Certified TEMPEST Technical Authority (CTTA). The SSM must provide continuous oversight of architectural designs, material procurement, and physical construction, ensuring all deviations or commercial modifications are evaluated for their impact on ICD 705 compliance. The person shall have a Top Secret clearance with eligibility for SCI access.

• Agile Construction Security Plan (CSP) Development and Execution: This sub-topic focuses on the development, approval, implementation, and management of a CSP that adapts to a rapid commercial build schedule. The solution must meet the stringent physical, acoustic, and technical (TEMPEST) requirements of ICD 705 and ICS 705-1. Desired outcomes include innovative approaches to conducting security inspections, documenting construction phases, performing construction surveillance duties, and managing secure supply chains without halting commercial manufacturing timelines.

• Accelerated Accreditation Documentation and Delivery: This sub-topic focuses on the streamlined generation and management of all required accreditation artifacts. The desired solution will enable the agile preparation of the Fixed Facility Checklist (FFC), TEMPEST addendums, acoustic testing reports, and the final accreditation package to ensure the facility is ready for immediate operational deployment and AO approval upon delivery.

Anticipated Schedule: four months design activities, followed by five months pre-construction activities, followed by 11 months on site construction work immediately after award.

Suspense date for submittal under this AOI is 06/19/2026

VEHICLE ELECTRONICS AND ARCHITECTURE (VEA):

The VEA mission is to design, integrate and deliver vehicle electronics systems by leveraging advanced technologies to provide enhanced capabilities for military ground vehicles.

a. High Performance Compute Solution: The US Army is actively researching and evaluating embedded high-performance computing solutions to support next-generation capabilities in challenging operational environments. We are particularly interested in MOSA-based platforms capable of seamlessly hosting and integrating emerging technologies, including AiTR (AI-enabled Targeting & Recognition), Anti-jamming, Automated Lethality, Survivability, Electronic Warfare (EW) and Defense. The goal is to take current algorithms for these technologies as well as Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities and evaluate them for true processing needs. We are interested in learning more about system architecture, processing power (specifically relating to AI/ML workloads), ruggedization, thermal cooling, security features, C-UAS, power efficiency, and demonstrated performance in similar applications.

DETROIT ARSENAL PROTOTYPE INTEGRATION FACILITY (DTA PIF):

The DTA PIF mission is to provide robust, innovative solutions to our customer requirements for our shared military missions.

a. Advance Vehicle Development - Rapid Response Hardware Solutions. To address emergent capability gaps, DTA-PIF is soliciting innovative commercial solution briefs targeting rapid response hardware solution focused on dual-use, modular, and easily deployable systems. The objective is to procure tangible hardware solutions capable of being manufactured, configured, and fielded in an expedited manner, rather than the months or years associated with traditional defense hardware programs. This initiative seeks industry partners to provide end-to-end development and delivery of turn-key hardware systems, from initial concept through low-volume manufacturing and sustainment.

What could I use the funding for?

Depending on the applicable Area of Interest, awards may support activities such as:

  • Commercial technology adaptation

  • Prototype development

  • Pilot projects

  • Demonstrations

  • Agile software development

  • Commercial integration

  • Technology maturation

  • Testing and validation

  • Systems integration

  • Sustainment activities

The Government also states that awards may support commercially available technologies, commercial technologies enhanced through strategic investment, existing government-owned capabilities, or concepts intended for broader defense applications.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

In addition to potential funding, selected companies may receive opportunities to:

  • Demonstrate technology directly to Army subject matter experts.

  • Participate in Army experimentation activities.

  • Collaborate with Government technical experts.

  • Mature commercial technologies for military applications.

  • Potentially transition technologies into future Army programs.

The solicitation also provides flexibility to use several acquisition pathways, including commercial contracts under FAR Part 12, Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), and Cooperative Agreements, depending on the specific effort.

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

Most Areas of Interest remain open for solution brief submissions unless an individual AoI specifies its own submission deadline.

The solicitation states that awards may be made throughout 2029, and additional Areas of Interest may be added at any time during the life of the CSO. Companies are encouraged to regularly monitor SAM.gov for new or amended topics.

The general evaluation process consists of:

  1. Phase 1 – Solution Brief

  2. Phase 2 – Presentation or Demonstration (if requested)

  3. Phase 3 – Invitation to submit a Commercial Solution Proposal (CSP)

The Government may bypass phases, request additional information, or accelerate evaluations based on program priorities and available funding. Funding timelines are not specified in the solicitation.

Where does this funding come from?

This Commercial Solutions Opening is administered by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) under the authority provided by 10 U.S.C. 3458 for Commercial Solutions Openings.

GVSC is the Army's research and development organization for advanced ground vehicle technologies and supports Army modernization priorities across numerous technical disciplines including autonomy, mobility, survivability, power systems, software engineering, cyber engineering, manufacturing, and modeling and simulation.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation is intended for companies and organizations with innovative commercial technologies that can help advance Army ground vehicle capabilities.

The solicitation specifically defines and references the following entity types:

  • Commercial companies

  • Small businesses

  • Nontraditional Defense Contractors

  • Nonprofit institutions

  • Foreign-owned businesses (subject to applicable approvals and restrictions)

  • Other organizations capable of providing innovative commercial products, technologies, or services

Companies must also satisfy standard federal contracting requirements before receiving an award, including obtaining a Unique Entity ID (UEI), maintaining an active SAM registration, registering in the required government invoicing system, and being determined responsible by the Contracting Officer.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not provide a general list of ineligible applicants.

However, organizations may be unable to receive an award if they:

  • Are suspended or debarred from doing business with the Federal Government.

  • Are prohibited by law or Executive Order from receiving federal awards.

  • Cannot satisfy required registration requirements.

  • Cannot obtain any required security approvals associated with a particular project.

Foreign-owned businesses may submit solution briefs independently or as part of a team. However, the solicitation notes that the ability to ultimately receive an award may depend upon obtaining the necessary clearances and approvals required for the proposed work.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The solicitation does not prescribe a preferred company size or business model. Instead, GVSC emphasizes commercially viable, innovative technologies that can rapidly address Army modernization needs.

During Phase 1, solution briefs are evaluated primarily on:

  • Responsiveness to the Area of Interest.

  • Technical merit.

  • Innovation.

  • Commercial applicability.

  • Availability of funding.

Across later evaluation phases, the Government also considers:

  • Technical feasibility.

  • Technology maturity.

  • Schedule realism.

  • Price reasonableness.

  • Business viability.

  • Intellectual property considerations.

  • Ability to support Army requirements with commercially available or rapidly adaptable technology.

Overall, companies with mature commercial technologies that require limited additional development before Army demonstration or transition are likely to be well aligned with this CSO.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation does not specify the expected number of awards or anticipated success rate.

Several factors suggest this opportunity will be highly competitive:

  • It remains open across numerous technology areas.

  • It is available to a broad range of commercial innovators.

  • New Areas of Interest may be added throughout the life of the solicitation.

  • Funding availability may vary by topic.

  • The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the submitted solutions.

Because solution briefs are evaluated against the published criteria rather than directly against competing submissions, applicants should focus on demonstrating clear alignment with the specific Area of Interest and providing a compelling commercial solution.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Important requirements include:

  • Solution briefs, presentations, and proposals must be Unclassified.

  • Individual solution briefs may address only one concept for a given Area of Interest.

  • Companies may submit multiple solution briefs if each represents a separate concept.

  • The Government generally expects a period of performance of 12 months or less, unless otherwise specified within an Area of Interest.

  • Technical data with military applications may require export approvals.

  • Proposal preparation costs are not reimbursed unless specifically stated.

  • Proprietary information should be properly marked.

  • Additional submission instructions may vary by Area of Interest.

Applicants should always review the individual AoI before preparing a submission, as additional technical requirements or deadlines may apply.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify how long applicants should expect to prepare a submission.

The initial Phase 1 submission is intentionally brief.

Unless otherwise stated by the applicable Area of Interest, Phase 1 consists of either:

  • A written solution brief of no more than five single-sided pages, or

  • A presentation deck of no more than fifteen slides.

Companies invited to later phases should expect additional preparation for presentations and Commercial Solution Proposals.

How can BW&CO help?

The DEVCOM GVSC CSO is significantly different from a traditional federal grant competition. Rather than preparing a lengthy proposal upfront, companies typically begin with a concise Solution Brief that must quickly demonstrate technical merit, commercial innovation, and alignment with the Army's Area of Interest.

BW&CO helps companies:

  • Determine which Area(s) of Interest best align with their technology.

  • Develop compelling Phase 1 Solution Briefs.

  • Position commercial technologies for defense applications.

  • Strengthen commercialization and transition strategies.

  • Prepare presentation materials for later evaluation phases.

  • Develop Commercial Solution Proposals (CSPs) when invited.

  • Navigate the unique requirements of Commercial Solutions Openings, OTAs, and Army acquisition pathways.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

DIU: Specular MIST Prize Challenge

Deadline: July 22, 2026

Funding Award Size: $5m

Description: Learn about the DIU Specular MIST Prize Challenge, offering a $5 million prize pool for commercial technologies supporting maritime electronic warfare, radar simulation, and electronic surveillance. Explore eligibility, funding, timelines, and how to apply before the July 22, 2026 deadline.

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

Executive Summary:

The DIU Specular MIST Prize Challenge is a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) prize competition seeking commercial technologies that improve maritime electronic warfare, electronic surveillance, and radar training capabilities for crewed and autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs). The challenge is conducted in collaboration with the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.

The solicitation is focused on accelerating the development, prototyping, and production of modular payloads that can be integrated onto manned and autonomous surface vessels. Companies compete through a three-phase process consisting of a written proposal, an at-sea demonstration, and a potential post-demonstration pathway that may include additional prize funding and eligibility for follow-on prototype or production opportunities.

Applications are accepted under three Lines of Effort (LOEs):

  • LOE 1 – Threat Radar Simulators

  • LOE 2 – Active Electronic Attack (EA)

  • LOE 3 – Passive Electronic Surveillance

The solicitation emphasizes modular open-system architectures, software-defined capabilities, scalability, production readiness, and solutions designed for maritime environments.

The Phase 1 submission deadline is July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time. Companies interested in participating should begin preparing their White Paper and Pitch Deck immediately because selected vendors may be invited to demonstrate their technology less than two months later during the live at-sea event.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation states there is a total cash prize pool of $5,000,000, distributed across multiple phases of the challenge.

Funding opportunities include:

Phase 1

  • Vendors selected to advance from the written proposal evaluation receive up to $250,000 to fund participation in the live demonstration.

Phase 2

  • Companies selected following the At-Sea Challenge may receive up to $1,000,000 per selected company.

Phase 3

  • Additional prize funding may be awarded as companies continue supporting operational units and iterative product development. The solicitation does not specify individual Phase 3 award amounts.

What could I use the funding for?

The funding supports development, demonstration, maturation, and potential fielding of technologies that address maritime sensing, electronic warfare, and training challenges.

Projects must align with one of three Lines of Effort.

LOE 1 – Threat Radar Simulators

Develop maritime-compatible radar simulators that:

  • Emit complex S-band signals

  • Operate from moving vessels

  • Operate remotely

  • Support future integration onto autonomous USVs

  • Meet the technical specifications outlined in the solicitation.

LOE 2 – Active Electronic Attack

Develop systems capable of:

  • Autonomous electronic warfare

  • Detecting multiple RF signals

  • Adaptive real-time jamming

  • Operating without operator intervention

  • Integration onboard autonomous USVs.

LOE 3 – Passive Electronic Surveillance

Develop remotely operated RF surveillance systems capable of:

  • Monitoring the RF environment

  • Supporting VHF and UHF bands

  • Operating with multiple layers of encryption

  • Hosting government-provided software

  • Supporting Navy cybersecurity requirements.

Across all applicable LOEs, solutions should address:

  • Modular open-system architectures

  • Software-defined capabilities

  • SWaP optimization

  • Maritime environmental resilience

  • Remote command and control

  • Production scalability

  • Cost-effective manufacturing.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

Beyond prize funding, the solicitation identifies several potential benefits.

These include:

  • Direct operational engagement with leaders across multiple branches of the U.S. Department of Defense.

  • Live operational testing with military end users during the At-Sea Challenge.

  • Eligibility for potential follow-on Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements under 10 USC 4022.

  • Eligibility for prize awards under 10 USC 4025.

  • Potential system procurement for extended testing.

  • Opportunity for continued operational feedback and iterative product development during Phase 3.

The solicitation also states that there is no guarantee that follow-on awards or contracts will be awarded.

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

Challenge Timeline

  • July 8, 2026: Challenge opens and solicitation is released.

  • July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time: Phase 1 submission deadline for the White Paper and Pitch Deck.

  • July 29, 2026: Companies selected to advance to Phase 2 are announced.

  • August 5, 2026: Virtual Q&A session for selected Phase 2 participants.

  • September 10, 2026: At-Sea Challenge live demonstration begins in Southern California.

  • September 25, 2026: At-Sea Challenge live demonstration concludes.

  • October 23, 2026: Prize Challenge Board completes deliberations.

  • October 30, 2026: Prize Challenge winners are announced.

Funding is distributed across the challenge phases.

  • Phase 1 participants selected to advance receive up to $250,000.

  • Phase 2 down-selected companies may receive up to $1,000,000.

  • Phase 3 participants may receive additional prize funding, although specific amounts are not specified.

The solicitation does not specify when individual prize payments will be disbursed after each phase.

Where does this funding come from?

The Specular MIST Prize Challenge is sponsored by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in collaboration with the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO) and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.

The challenge is intended to accelerate the development, prototyping, and fielding of commercial technologies that address maritime training and operational needs for the Department of Defense. According to the solicitation, DIU uses the challenge to identify innovative, scalable, and cost-effective solutions that can be rapidly transitioned into operational use.

The solicitation states that high-performing participants may become eligible for:

  • Prize awards under 10 USC 4025

  • Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements under 10 USC 4022

  • Potential system procurement for extended testing

The solicitation also states that there is no guarantee that follow-on awards or contracts will be made.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation is an open call to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors developing innovative commercial technologies that address one or more of the three Lines of Effort.

Companies may:

  • Submit separate proposals for LOE 1, LOE 2, and/or LOE 3.

  • Submit a combined proposal covering LOE 1 and LOE 2.

  • Submit teaming proposals if multiple organizations are needed to deliver the required capabilities.

For Phase 1, the solicitation states:

  • An active Facility Clearance (FCL) is not required to submit a proposal.

  • All Phase 1 work will be conducted in unclassified environments.

  • Applications must be fully unclassified.

To participate in Phase 2, applicants must meet additional security requirements, including:

  • Contractor personnel requiring classified access must possess and maintain a final U.S. Government SECRET security clearance or higher. Interim clearances are acceptable for initial performance.

  • Compliance with applicable SIPRNet or JWICS access requirements.

  • Compliance with DD Form 254 requirements for classified work.

  • If classified material will be stored at the contractor's facility, possession of a DCSA-approved classified storage capability at the SECRET level or higher.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not provide a standalone list of ineligible applicants, but it identifies several situations that would prevent participation or make a submission noncompetitive.

Examples include:

  • Companies proposing solutions that do not address one of the three specified Lines of Effort.

  • Proprietary solutions that are "walled off" or require extensive integration effort for third-party technologies.

  • Applicants unable to satisfy the security requirements necessary for Phase 2 participation.

  • Applications that are not submitted through the official DIU portal before the submission deadline.

  • Classified submissions, since Phase 1 applications must be fully unclassified.

The solicitation also states that companies with ideas outside the scope of the solicitation should not submit them.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

The solicitation describes the characteristics evaluators will use when selecting companies throughout each phase of the competition.

Competitive projects are expected to demonstrate:

  • Strong alignment with the technical requirements of the selected Line of Effort.

  • Technical viability and a clear approach to solving the identified capability gap.

  • Modular, open-system architectures.

  • Software-defined capabilities where applicable.

  • Optimization for Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP).

  • Ability to operate in maritime environments.

  • Scalability for production at increasing unit quantities.

  • Realistic pricing and lifecycle maintenance planning.

  • Demonstrated production capability and corporate expertise.

  • Clear operational value for Department of Defense users.

During the live demonstration, evaluators will also consider:

  • Operational performance under realistic maritime and electromagnetic conditions.

  • Ease of use by military operators.

  • Training documentation provided by the company.

  • Quality of the company presentation and value proposition.

  • Potential commercial viability outside the defense market.

For Phase 3, evaluators additionally consider:

  • Ability to rapidly manufacture operational systems.

  • Positive impact on military tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation does not specify the number of expected applications or the number of Phase 1 awards.

However, the challenge is structured as a multi-phase competitive down-selection process, with companies advancing through progressively more rigorous evaluations.

Participants compete through:

  • Phase 1 written proposal evaluation.

  • Phase 2 live operational demonstration.

  • Phase 3 operational assessment and user-driven iteration.

Throughout the competition, proposals are evaluated on technical performance, company capability, production scalability, pricing, operational effectiveness, and end-user feedback. Only selected companies advance between phases.

Because the solicitation includes live demonstrations, military operator evaluations, and multiple down-selection stages, applicants should expect a highly competitive process. The solicitation does not specify anticipated success rates or award percentages.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

The solicitation includes several important requirements and limitations applicants should consider before applying.

Submission requirements

  • Applications must be fully unclassified.

  • Proposals must be submitted through the official DIU portal before the submission deadline.

  • Companies may submit separate proposals for LOE 1, LOE 2, and LOE 3. LOE 1 and LOE 2 may also be combined into a single proposal, while LOE 3 requires a separate submission.

White Paper requirements

Applicants must submit:

  • A White Paper of no more than 6 pages.

  • Font size 11 or 12.

  • 1-point line spacing.

  • 1-inch margins.

  • The White Paper must state the current Technology Readiness Level (TRL), with TRL 6+ preferred for the sensor package, identify the applicable Line of Effort, and include a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for cost and schedule.

Pitch Deck requirements

Applicants must also submit:

  • A PDF presentation in 16:9 (1920 × 1080) format.

  • A maximum of 8 slides, plus one additional slide for each Line of Effort included in the proposal.

Technical expectations

For applicable Lines of Effort, solutions should address:

  • Modular, open-system architectures.

  • Software-defined capabilities.

  • Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) optimization.

  • Maritime environmental resilience.

  • Production scalability.

  • Remote command and control capabilities.

  • Technical requirements specific to the selected Line of Effort.

Security requirements

While Phase 1 is entirely unclassified, companies advancing to Phase 2 must satisfy the personnel clearance, network access, and classified safeguarding requirements described in the solicitation.

Intellectual Property

Applicants retain ownership of their existing intellectual property. By submitting, applicants grant DIU a limited license to use submitted intellectual property for testing and evaluation related to the challenge. Any additional use, integration, or development would be negotiated separately.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify how long applicants should expect to spend preparing a submission.

However, applicants must prepare both:

  • A technical White Paper meeting the solicitation's formatting and content requirements.

  • A Pitch Deck describing the proposed operational solution.

Applicants should also be prepared to document:

  • Technical capabilities.

  • Technology Readiness Level (TRL).

  • Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost and schedule.

  • Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C).

  • Production scalability.

  • Delivery timelines.

  • Training plans.

  • Technical performance and ruggedness.

  • Relevance to the selected Line of Effort.

Because the Phase 1 submission deadline is July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time, companies should begin preparing their submissions as soon as possible.

How can BW&CO help?

Preparing a competitive submission requires more than simply responding to the solicitation requirements. BW&CO works with technology companies to develop proposals that clearly communicate technical capabilities, commercialization potential, and alignment with Department of Defense priorities.

For the Specular MIST Prize Challenge, BW&CO can help your team:

  • Determine the most appropriate Line of Effort for your technology.

  • Develop a compliant White Paper that addresses the evaluation criteria.

  • Prepare a compelling Pitch Deck for the Phase 1 review.

  • Clearly communicate your technology's operational value, production readiness, and scalability.

  • Position your company for potential follow-on opportunities, including Prototype Other Transaction (OT) agreements, if selected.

With the July 22, 2026 at 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time submission deadline, companies should begin preparing application materials immediately.

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

DIU - Massed Modular Aircraft CSO

Deadline: July 23, 2026

Funding Award Size: $500k+

Description: Apply for the Defense Innovation Unit's Massed Modular Aircraft solicitation. Learn eligibility, prototype OTA requirements, evaluation criteria, application deadline, and follow-on production opportunities.

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 commercial solutions for Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA)—cost-effective, theater-range unmanned aircraft designed to operate in large numbers despite expected combat losses. The Joint Force is looking for modular platforms capable of carrying a variety of payloads, including Full Motion Video (FMV) sensors, while supporting long-range strike, intelligence, electronic warfare, and communications missions.

DIU is specifically interested in technologies that can provide affordable, rapidly manufacturable unmanned aircraft capable of overwhelming sophisticated air defenses through mass rather than relying on small numbers of high-cost platforms.

Applications are due by 2026-07-23 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time. Companies should begin preparing immediately, as DIU rarely grants extensions and solution briefs must be submitted electronically through the DIU website.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify the amount of the award but typically these opportunities range from about $500,000 to about $5 million

What could I use the funding for?

Funding may support prototype projects for technologies that address the Massed Modular Aircraft Area of Interest, including solutions that provide:

  • Cost-effective, theater-range modular unmanned aircraft

  • Long-range payload delivery

  • Full Motion Video (FMV) sensor integration

  • Weapons employment

  • Intelligence collection

  • Electronic warfare

  • Communications relay

  • Modular payload integration

  • Rapid technology integration using Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles

  • Prototype development and flight testing

The solicitation identifies the following desired capabilities:

  • Payload capacity of at least 2,800 lbs

  • Unrefueled combat radius of at least 2,300 nautical miles

  • One-way self-deployment of at least 8,000 nautical miles

  • One-to-many operator-to-UAS control

  • Hybrid SATCOM/mesh networking

  • Operation from 6,000-foot or shorter prepared or semi-improved runways

  • Approximately 25kW available power and 5kW cooling for payloads

  • Full-scale prototype flight testing within 21 months of award

  • Target Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in FY2031 consisting of 20 mission-ready aircraft delivered to an operational unit.

Capabilities Sought:

Primary Attributes Sought

  • Risk Tolerance: Designed for affordable, high-rate manufacture, and minimized total ownership cost

  • Sufficient Munition and Sensor Payload Capacity: Payload capacity of at least 2800 lbs

  • Meaningful Range: Unrefueled combat radius of at least 2300 nautical miles while carrying payload and ability to self-deploy one-way at least 8,000 nautical miles

  • Maximum Interoperability, and Integration: Capable of rapid integration and upgrades via exploitation of the following Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) tenets: a) Government Reference Architectures; b) Model Based Systems Engineering; c) formal methods-based software verification

Secondary Attributes Sought

  • Autonomy for Control: a one-to-many operator-to-UAS control ratio

  • Sufficiently Resilient and Integrated Communications: Hybrid SATCOM/mesh network connecting to Department of the Air Force-Battle Network (DAF-BN); execution of local airfield operations (taxi, takeoff, landing, and divert) under highly degraded or denied primary C2/SATCOM conditions

  • Tactically Relevant: At least 200 knots true airspeed; operation from 6,000-foot runway or shorter, semi-improved or prepared

  • Sufficient SWaP-C: Sufficient available size, weight, power (25kW), and cooling (5kW) to host a variety of internal and/or external payloads. Enables rapid payload exchange

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

The solicitation states that a successful Prototype Other Transaction Agreement may result in the direct award of a follow-on production contract or agreement without further competitive procedures if the prototype project is successfully completed.

The follow-on production effort may be used by one or more Department of Defense organizations and could be significantly larger than the Prototype OT agreement.

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

Application deadline

  • 2026-07-23 23:59:59 US/Eastern Time

After submission:

  • DIU evaluates Phase 1 Solution Briefs.

  • Selected companies are invited to a Phase 2 virtual or in-person pitch.

  • Companies selected after the pitch may be invited to submit a full written proposal for a Prototype OTA.

  • Full-scale prototype flight testing is expected within 21 months of award.

  • The target Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is FY2031.

The solicitation does not specify when awards or funding will be issued.

DIU states it will generally notify companies within approximately 30 days if it is interested in moving forward with a pitch.

Where does this funding come from?

Funding comes from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) using the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process.

Awards are made as Prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation states it is open to:

  • U.S. vendors

  • International vendors

To utilize an Other Transaction Agreement, the requirements of 10 U.S.C. 4022 must be satisfied, including at least one of the following:

  • At least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participates to a significant extent;

  • All significant non-government participants are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors; or

  • At least one-third of the prototype project cost is funded from non-federal sources.

Companies selected for award that do not already have a CAGE code are required to register in SAM.gov.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not identify specific categories of organizations that are prohibited from applying.

However, companies must satisfy the statutory eligibility requirements for Prototype Other Transaction Agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022, and companies receiving awards must register in SAM and meet federal responsibility requirements.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on the stated evaluation criteria, DIU is seeking solutions that:

  • Directly address the Massed Modular Aircraft problem statement

  • Demonstrate strong technical merit

  • Are technically feasible

  • Offer a unique or innovative commercial approach

  • Show company viability

  • Demonstrate manufacturability

  • Present acceptable pricing and schedules during Phase 2

  • Address modularity, affordability, long-range performance, and operational relevance

The solicitation also emphasizes demonstrated commercial technology rather than conceptual ideas whenever possible.

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation indicates that DIU routinely receives more Solution Briefs than it has resources to award.

Only a select number of companies will be invited to the Phase 2 pitch, even if multiple submissions are considered technically meritorious.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Applicants should note:

  • Solution Briefs should be approximately 5 pages or 15 slides.

  • Submissions must be submitted electronically through the DIU website.

  • Late submissions will not be evaluated.

  • Only one concept may be included in each Solution Brief.

  • Solution Briefs must be unclassified.

  • Companies must certify submission requirements, including compliance regarding Controlled Unclassified Information.

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

  • Prototype projects generally should have periods of performance no greater than 24 months.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation does not specify the expected preparation time.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare a concise Solution Brief that is approximately five pages or fifteen slides and includes company information, an executive summary, technology description, commercialization information, and company viability details.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help your team prepare a competitive DIU submission by:

  • Assessing alignment with the Area of Interest

  • Developing a compliant Solution Brief

  • Positioning your commercial technology against DIU evaluation criteria

  • Strengthening technical and commercialization messaging

  • Preparing your team for the Phase 2 pitch

  • Supporting proposal development if invited to submit a full written proposal

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

Rapid Prototyping and Flight Demonstration of Medium-Range Affordable Mass Munition Air Vehicle Configurations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft and Fighter Platforms

Deadline: October 8, 2026

Funding Award Size: $500k+

Description: Rapid Prototyping and Flight Demonstration of Medium-Range Affordable Mass Munition (MRAMM) Air Vehicle Configurations opportunity supporting affordable mass air-to-air weapon prototypes for collaborative combat aircraft, fighter platforms, and future operational systems through the ONIX OTA.

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

Executive Summary:

The Rapid Prototyping and Flight Demonstration of Medium-Range Affordable Mass Munition (MRAMM) Air Vehicle Configurations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft and Fighter Platforms challenge seeks prototype solutions that increase missile density, reduce cost, and improve operational flexibility for air-to-air engagements in contested environments. The effort focuses on designing, integrating, and flight demonstrating affordable mass air-to-air weapon configurations that support collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), autonomous collaborative platforms (ACP), tactical fighter aircraft, and future manned or unmanned operational platforms.

The Government intends to rapidly prototype representative MRAMM air vehicle configurations capable of improving magazine capacity, aerodynamic performance, scalable manufacturing, and operational integration while generating data to support future force design and fielding decisions.

Application deadline: Oct 08, 2026, 09:32 AM, as listed in the Marketplace challenge. Reviews begin 17 Jul and occur biweekly, making early submission advantageous.

How much funding would I receive?

The solicitation does not specify the amount of the award but typically these opportunities range from about $500,000 to about $5 million

What could I use the funding for?

Prototype efforts may include:

  • Designing prototype MRAMM air vehicle configurations

  • Fabricating representative prototype systems

  • Developing modular open system architectures

  • Validating rail-launch compatibility

  • Demonstrating scalable manufacturing approaches

  • Integrating prototypes onto platforms such as the XQ-58A or other CCA/ACP assets

  • Conducting captive-carry and flight demonstrations

  • Evaluating aerodynamic performance and maneuverability

  • Generating operational, manufacturing, aerodynamic, and integration data

  • Supporting future force design and operational employment concepts

Desired solutions are intended to increase missile density while maintaining tactically relevant medium-range performance and reducing cost through scalable manufacturing.

Are there any additional benefits I would receive?

If successful, prototype efforts are intended to:

  • Support future force design decisions

  • Inform operational employment concepts

  • Support future transition pathways

  • Generate evidence for future operational experimentation

  • Reduce technical and operational risk through rapid prototyping

The solicitation does not specify any commercialization assistance, mentoring, follow-on funding, or other participant benefits beyond the prototype effort.

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

Key dates listed in the solicitation include:

  • Reviews begin: 17 Jul and occur biweekly

  • Application deadline: Oct 08, 2026, 09:32 AM

  • ONI anticipates a rapid down-select within 30–45 days of posting.

The solicitation does not specify when awards will be made or when funding will be received.

Where does this funding come from?

This opportunity is sponsored by:

  • Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Engineering Prototyping & Experimentation (ODASW(P&E))

The contracting path states that award will be made under the ONIX OTA in coordination with ACC-RI.

Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation states that the opportunity is open to:

  • U.S.-based industry organizations

  • Academic organizations

  • Nonprofit organizations

Respondents must register on gocolosseum.org to submit.

Who is not eligible to apply?

The solicitation does not specify additional ineligible applicant categories beyond stating eligibility is limited to U.S.-based industry, academic, and nonprofit organizations.

What companies and projects are likely to win?

Based on the stated evaluation criteria, competitive proposals are likely to demonstrate:

  • Strong aerodynamic performance

  • Rail-launch compatibility

  • Medium-range performance and maneuverability

  • Modular open system architecture

  • Increased magazine density

  • Performance in contested, jammed, and stealth-enabled environments

  • Lower unit cost

  • Scalable manufacturing

  • Successful flight demonstration

  • Integration with XQ-58A or other CCA/ACP platforms

Evaluation emphasizes technical performance (40%), operational effectiveness (24%), cost and manufacturing (20%), and integration and demonstration (16%).

How competitive will this solicitation be?

The solicitation does not specify:

  • Expected number of submissions

  • Number of anticipated awards

  • Historical success rates

Submissions will be evaluated through subject matter expert review and ONI's AI-powered rubric generation tools using the published evaluation criteria.

Are there any restrictions I should know about?

Applicants should note:

  • Responses should be 2–10 pages maximum

  • Registration on gocolosseum.org is required

  • Proposals should include:

    • Company information

    • Past performance

    • Period of performance

    • Technical approach

    • Deliverables

    • Schedule and milestones

    • Payment schedule

    • Patents and data rights

    • Costs by milestone (ROM at a minimum)

The solicitation does not specify additional restrictions regarding cost share, TRLs, intellectual property requirements, or security clearances.

How long will it take me to prepare an application?

The solicitation requests a relatively concise submission of 2–10 pages together with company information, past performance, technical approach, milestones, costs, and supporting proposal information.

The solicitation does not specify an estimated proposal preparation time.

How can BW&CO help?

BW&CO can help organizations prepare a competitive submission by:

  • Interpreting the solicitation requirements

  • Developing a compliant technical narrative

  • Aligning the proposal with the published evaluation rubric

  • Highlighting prototype maturity, manufacturing scalability, and operational impact

  • Preparing milestones, schedules, and cost narratives

  • Reviewing the submission for compliance before submission

Additional Resources

Review the solicitation here.

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Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner Broad Topic, Active Josiah Wegner

Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for NSWC Crane - N0016424SNB35

Deadline: July 7, 2027

Funding Award Size: $500k+

Description: Apply for the NSWC Crane Long Range Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), an open defense R&D funding opportunity supporting electronic warfare, AI, hypersonics, sensors, power systems, microelectronics, and other national security technologies. Rolling submissions accepted through July 7, 2027.

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:

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.

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Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner

Event-Based Sensing Hardware and Algorithms for Navigation - SBIR Topic MDA26BZ04-NV008

Deadline: August 19th

Funding Award Size: $314k

Description: Apply for up to $314,000 in MDA SBIR funding to develop GPS-denied event-based navigation for missile defense and space systems. Deadline: August 19, 2026.

Funding Amount:

$314,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

ITAR:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

Objective:

Develop novel and innovative low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) event-based sensing navigation solution suitable for hostile flight and/or space environments that is not reliant on Global Positioning System (GPS) or Global navigation Satellite System (GNSS) inputs.

Description:

The proposed initiative focuses on the development of event-based sensing technology that utilizes advanced neural network models to enhance the navigation capabilities of kill vehicles and satellites. This system aims to operate independently of GNSS yet synergistically with existing inertial navigation systems (INS) or units, providing critical inputs that improve overall navigational accuracy and responsiveness in dynamic environments.

By leveraging neural networks, the technology will process event-driven data—such as changes in the vehicle's surroundings or mission-specific stimuli—allowing for real-time decision-making and adaptive navigation. Solutions should enhance the vehicle's ability to react to unforeseen circumstances but also allows for the integration of various sensor modalities, thereby enriching the situational awareness of the system.

The performance benchmarks for this technology are set to align with the precision of current GPS standards, ensuring that the navigation capabilities meet or exceed the existing levels of accuracy required for advanced military operations. Development should plan on integration into current Missile Defense Agency platforms to maintain compatibility with established navigation frameworks.

PHASE I:

Design and develop innovative solutions, methods, and concepts for an advanced visual navigation system utilizing event-based sensing technologies capable of low-earth orbit and/or extremely highspeed flight environments. Deliverables will include, description and data supporting initial design through modeling, experimentation, and/or testing.

PHASE II:

-Refine and document detailed requirements in collaboration with the platform(s) system integrator.

-Develop a functional system prototype or algorithm able to perform on representative hardware.

-Conduct comprehensive testing of prototypes in representative operational environments.

-Demonstrate successful navigation operation without GPS inputs.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

-Define clear navigation system requirements and interface specifications in collaboration with the system integrator.

-Produce flight ready prototype in accordance with test required volumes, power needs and interfaces.

-Demonstrate successful navigation outputs during powered flight that mirror GPS within acceptable tolerances stated by platform engineers and security allowances

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

  • For-profit company

  • U.S.-owned and controlled.

  • 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

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Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner

Ground-Based Affordable Mass (G-BAM) Challenge - SBIR Topic ARM26BX04-DV010

Deadline: August 19th

Funding Award Size: $2,000,000

Description: The United States currently faces an "unprecedented" military buildup by China and increasing air and missile threats that demand a robust deterrent. However, the current inventory of longrange strike weapons is dominated by high-cost, low-volume systems or aging strategic assets like the Minuteman III, which dates back to the 1960s. The lack of a cost-effective, ground-launched payload delivery system prevents the Joint Force from achieving producibility at scale, leaving the U.S. vulnerable in high-intensity, multi-domain environments where high-end munitions would be rapidly depleted. The objective of this topic is to facilitate innovative research on low-cost, rapidly manufacturable, payload delivery systems.

Funding Amount:

$2,000,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

Note:

The following topic number, ARM26BX04-DV010 – Ground-Based Affordable Mass (GBAM), in this release is tied to a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Challenge Commercial Solutions Opening.

The DIU G-BAM Prize Challenge will be used to identify small business concerns that meet the criteria for a potential SBIR Direct-to-Phase II (DP2) award under this topic.

Finalists selected from the DIU G-BAM Prize Challenge will be the only firms eligible to submit an SBIR DP2 proposal under this topic.

Proposals submitted to this topic by non-winners of the DIU Prize G-BAM Challenge will not be evaluated.

How to Apply

Visit the DIU Open Solicitations page to read the full Challenge Announcement, topic details, and application instructions:

https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/open-solicitations

Key Dates

  • July 2, 2026: White paper submission window opens via the link above.

  • July 14, 2026 at 11:59:59 PM ET: Response deadline via the link above.

(Challenge Submission Window Subject to Change. Please refer to the DIU Open Solicitations page for the latest information.)

DIU Prize Challenge applications are NOT submitted through DSIP.

Small business concerns that do not submit an application through the DIU Open Solicitations page (https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/open-solicitations) before the deadline will be ineligible to compete or submit a full SBIR proposal to DSIP.

The DSIP proposal submission window tied to this topic is for the winners of the competition only.

Objective:

The United States currently faces an "unprecedented" military buildup by China and increasing air and missile threats that demand a robust deterrent. However, the current inventory of longrange strike weapons is dominated by high-cost, low-volume systems or aging strategic assets like the Minuteman III, which dates back to the 1960s. The lack of a cost-effective, ground-launched payload delivery system prevents the Joint Force from achieving producibility at scale, leaving the U.S. vulnerable in high-intensity, multi-domain environments where high-end munitions would be rapidly depleted. The objective of this topic is to facilitate innovative research on low-cost, rapidly manufacturable, payload delivery systems.

Description:

The Department of War (DoW) is pivotally shifting toward "affordable mass" to counter peer adversaries who are rapidly expanding their military capabilities.

While hypersonic systems offer high speeds, their exorbitant costs—exceeding $50 million per round—limit the military's ability to achieve the "magazine depth" necessary for prolonged conflict.

This project proposes a ground-based, non-hypersonic, long-range precision payload delivery system that leverages low-cost production methods and commercial technologies to provide a scalable, high-volume alternative that is a tenth of the price of current high-end munitions.

PHASE I:

This topic is accepting DP2 submissions for a cost limit up to $2,000,000 and a 12-18 month period of performance.

(DIRECT TO) PHASE II:

This topic is a DP2 topic.

In order for proposers to submit a DP2 proposal, they must provide justification documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility described above has been met and describes the potential military and/or commercial applications.

Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to:

  • Technical reports.

  • Test data.

  • Prototype designs/models.

  • Performance goals/results.

This justification must be provided during the DIU G-BAM Challenge in order to be selected as a winner and eligible to submit a DP2 proposal under this topic.

The results from the DIU G-BAM Challenge demonstration event will be used to determine eligibility for DP2.

The objectives during Phase II are to produce prototype solutions that will be easy to operate by a Soldier.

These products will be provided to select Army or other Department of War (DoW) units for testing and experimentation with end Users in a realistic field environment.

Feedback from testing and experimentation will be provided directly to Small Businesses to iterate rapidly on recommended modifications or improvements for Army operational use.

In addition, companies will work with Army partners to develop a draft technology transition and commercialization plan for DoW and commercial markets.

Prototype capabilities sought include:

  • Cost Efficiency: Achieve a "flyaway" unit cost of less than $2 million, representing a significant reduction from current advanced tactical missiles.

  • Producibility: Demonstrate a company manufacturing process capable of producing at least 500 units annually.

  • Operational Range: Validate a ground-launched threshold range exceeding 300 nm, matching or exceeding the capabilities of the Precision Strike Missile Increment One.

  • Employment: Should not require the Army to develop or modify other systems for employment. Should be a “plug and play” system that easily integrates with existing transport, targeting, and situational awareness systems.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

The sub-system technologies developed for low-cost, long-range payload delivery have significant applications in the civilian/commercial aerospace and logistics sectors.

The artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous navigation systems required for these munitions can be adapted for commercial cargo delivery drones and autonomous maritime vessels.

Additionally, the push for additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping in the Indo-Pacific region to support these systems can revitalize domestic high-tech manufacturing, providing private companies with advanced production techniques that reduce costs for civilian infrastructure projects.

Additionally, this space lends itself to the potential for development of low-cost alternate fuel technologies.

Companies participating in the shoot-off are encouraged to propose tech development for manufacturing methods, materials, guidance, seekers, alternate propulsion, etc. to enhance their products.

These are the primary opportunities for commercialization.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

  • For-profit company

  • U.S.-owned and controlled.

  • 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Read More
Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner

UH-60M Patient Handling System - SBIR Topic ARM26BX04-DV009

Deadline: August 19th

Funding Award Size: $2,000,000

Description: This topic will explore optimizing the UH-60M interior to provide improved capability over the existing HH-60M in terms of survivability, functionality, and patient access by designing a modular Patient Handling System (PHS) that could be tailored to fit a multitude of aircraft.

Funding Amount:

$2,000,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

Objective:

This topic will explore optimizing the UH-60M interior to provide improved capability over the existing HH-60M in terms of survivability, functionality, and patient access by designing a modular Patient Handling System (PHS) that could be tailored to fit a multitude of aircraft.

Description:

All U.S. Army COMPOs face a technical problem concerning the ability to augment the MEDEVAC fleet to reach the end strength goal of 446 MEDEVAC aircraft.

The capability gap is driven by the reduction of the HH-60M fleet numbers, cancellation of the UH-60V program, and the divestment of the UH-60L MEDVAC variant.

A new MEDEVAC PHS is required to support a MEDEVAC capability on the UH-60M aircraft and support the end strength goal of 446 MEDEVAC aircraft.

The UH-60M aircraft will require an all-new technological solution that does not currently exist due to the design differences of the internal cabin structure between the UH-60M and HH-60M aircraft.

PHASE I:

This topic is accepting Direct to Phase II submissions for a cost limit up to $2,000,000 and a 12-18-month period of performance.

In order for proposers to submit a DP2 proposal, they must provide the justification documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility described above has been met and describes the potential military and/or commercial applications.

Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to:

  • Technical reports.

  • Test data.

  • Prototype designs/models.

  • Performance goals/results.

(DIRECT TO) PHASE II:

During Phase II, in addition to the standard SRR, PDR, and CDR reports, key milestones for this effort will include:

  • Solid Models of new I/PHS design.

  • Airworthiness Qualification Specification (AQS) for the new design.

  • Technology Demonstrator/Prototype of the new design.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

The optimized, lightweight Patient Handling System will lend itself to commercial medical evacuation missions on aircraft, ground vehicles, and developing heavy lift Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

Specific to the aircraft market collectively known as Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), there are over 1,000 aircraft serving this mission in the United States, providing critical transports to nearly 300,000 patients annually.

Further broken down, there is an estimated 230,000 critical care transports by ground vehicles, and 40,000 by fixed wing aircraft.

The opportunity nearly triples when the global HEMS fleet is considered.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

  • For-profit company

  • U.S.-owned and controlled.

  • 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Read More
Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner

Asymmetric Collaborative Counter Swarm - SBIR Topic ARM26BX04-NV008

Deadline: August 19th

Funding Award Size: $300k

Description: Develop and integrate a distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively command and control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm.

Funding Amount:

$300,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

Objective:

Develop and integrate a distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively command and control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm. AI system must be able to interface with existing, standard platform autonomy and perception systems. System must also not rely on a centralized control node

Description:

Develop and integrate distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior attacking enemy swarm.

The vast majority of counter-UAS systems are optimized for a 1 vs 1 scenario, in which the interceptor UAS seeks to destroy, degrade, disable, or capture a single enemy UAS.

This approach typically relies on a sensor package and kinetic or non-kinetic effector optimized to degrade/destroy a single enemy UAS of a specific class (size, range, speed, etc.).

To defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm, individual UAS platforms must collaborate to determine the optimal strategy for many individual 1 vs N scenarios.

Individual UAS platforms must demonstrate the ability to target a cluster of enemy platforms through AI algorithms and active or passive inter-drone communication for targeting information from other friendly platform perspectives.

The UAS platform employed can be an off-the-shelf OEM or custom-built.

Key system attributes include:

  • Must be able to collaborate across a homogeneous set of Group 1 or Group 2 UAS platforms to actively inform each friendly platform (given permissive network environment) of enemy UAS location, velocity, track, etc.

  • Must be able to execute algorithms under extreme SWaP-C constraints with a total compute payload under 2 lbs.

  • Must be able to passively collaborate and achieve similar, but degraded performance within a non-permissive network/communications environment.

  • A single UAS platform must demonstrate the ability to degrade/destroy N enemy UAS within a range of 10 meters through either kinetic or non-kinetic effectors.

  • Friendly UAS swarm must be able to severely degrade the combat power of the enemy to a fraction of X% of its original size.

  • Although 100% degradation of the enemy swarm is ideal, depending on the degree of asymmetry, it may not be realistic. Therefore, a target final enemy combat power goal is achieved from the degree of enemy/friendly asymmetry. As shown in Figure 1, in a scenario where there is no initial asymmetry and our 1 v 1 capabilities are superior, the enemy should retain 0% of its original combat power. However, if that enemy/friendly initial combat power ratio were 4/1, final enemy combat power might be 75% of its original. The ideal curve is one in which final enemy combat power is 0% regardless of the initial asymmetric combat power advantages the enemy possesses.

This effort is not designed to create, design, or deliver a new UAS platform as the end item.

Rather, it is meant to develop technology that will leverage the existing capabilities of OEM drone platforms or, if necessary, custom-built drones by the performer.

The key deliverable is a suite of AI and other software algorithms that continuously plan and take optimal actions in a decentralized manner.

The algorithms run on each individual UAS platform, take advantage of active communications with other friendly platforms when operating in a permissive network environment, but can still operate under a denied or degraded network environment by communicating passively.

PHASE I:

This topic is accepting Phase I submissions for a cost limit up to $300,000 and a 1-6-month period of performance.

Conduct a feasibility study to assess what is in the art of the possible that satisfies the requirements specified in the above “Objective” and “Description” paragraphs.

Propose multiple algorithmic approaches, sensors packages, and assess tradeoffs in performance according to different combinations of such parameters.

PHASE II:

Develop, install, and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study on a Group 1 or Group 2 Program of Record UAS (or custom-built drone).

Simulation may be used for demonstration at very large scale for cost purposes.

However, demonstrations of swarm behavior must include hardware for smaller swarms.

The primary demonstrable capability is the decentralized execution of AI algorithms that enable active or passive collaboration of a friendly swarm of homogeneous UAS platforms that reduce the combat power of a numerically superior enemy swarm to a maximum degree.

Multiple evaluations in hardware demonstrating effective 1-N targeting will be conducted to ensure core capability can scale to larger swarms.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

Protection of critical infrastructure in CONUS.

These are considered soft targets even if they are government facilities.

We have recently seen the threat domestically launched drones can have on any structure given how easily unidentified drones have been able to fly unencumbered in CONUS.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

  • For-profit company

  • U.S.-owned and controlled.

  • 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Read More
Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner

Asymmetric Collaborative Counter Swarm - STTR Topic ARM26TX04-NV001

Deadline: August 19th

Funding Award Size: $300k

Description: Develop and integrate a distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively command and control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm.

Funding Amount:

$300,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

Objective:

Develop and integrate a distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively command and control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm. AI system must be able to interface with existing, standard platform autonomy and perception systems. System must also not rely on a centralized control node.

Description:

Develop and integrate distributed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can collaboratively control a multi-agent Group 1 or Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) swarm to defend an area against a numerically superior attacking enemy swarm.

The vast majority of counter-UAS systems are optimized for a 1 vs 1 scenario, in which the interceptor UAS seeks to destroy, degrade, disable, or capture a single enemy UAS.

This approach typically relies on a sensor package and kinetic or non-kinetic effector optimized to degrade/destroy a single enemy UAS of a specific class (size, range, speed, etc.).

To defend an area against a numerically superior enemy swarm, individual UAS platforms must collaborate to determine the optimal strategy for many individual 1 vs N scenarios.

Individual UAS platforms must demonstrate the ability to target a cluster of enemy platforms through AI algorithms and active or passive inter-drone communication for targeting information from other friendly platform perspectives.

The UAS platform employed can be an off-the-shelf OEM or custom-built.

Key system attributes include:

  • Must be able to collaborate across a homogeneous set of Group 1 or Group 2 UAS platforms to actively inform each friendly platform (given permissive network environment) of enemy UAS location, velocity, track, etc.

  • Must be able to execute algorithms under extreme SWaP-C constraints with a total compute payload under 2 lbs.

  • Must be able to passively collaborate and achieve similar, but degraded performance within a non-permissive network/communications environment.

  • A single UAS platform must demonstrate the ability to degrade/destroy N enemy UAS within a range of 10 meters through either kinetic or non-kinetic effectors.

  • Friendly UAS swarm must be able to severely degrade the combat power of the enemy to a fraction of X% of its original size.

  • Although 100% degradation of the enemy swarm is ideal, depending on the degree of asymmetry, it may not be realistic. Therefore, a target final enemy combat power goal is achieved from the degree of enemy/friendly asymmetry. As shown in Figure 1, in a scenario where there is no initial asymmetry and our 1 v 1 capabilities are superior, the enemy should retain 0% of its original combat power. However, if that enemy/friendly initial combat power ratio were 4/1, final enemy combat power might be 75% of its original. The ideal curve is one in which final enemy combat power is 0% regardless of the initial asymmetric combat power advantages the enemy possesses.

This effort is not designed to create, design, or deliver a new UAS platform as the end item.

Rather, it is meant to develop technology that will leverage the existing capabilities of OEM drone platforms or, if necessary, custom-built drones by the performer.

The key deliverable is a suite of AI and other software algorithms that continuously plan and take optimal actions in a decentralized manner.

The algorithms run on each individual UAS platform, take advantage of active communications with other friendly platforms when operating in a permissive network environment, but can still operate under a denied or degraded network environment by communicating passively.

PHASE I:

This topic is accepting Phase I submissions for a cost limit up to $300,000 and a 1-6-month period of performance.

Conduct a feasibility study to assess what is in the art of the possible that satisfies the requirements specified in the above “Objective” and “Description” paragraphs.

Propose multiple algorithmic approaches, sensors packages, and assess tradeoffs in performance according to different combinations of such parameters.

PHASE II:

Develop, install, and demonstrate a prototype system determined to be the most feasible solution during the Phase I feasibility study on a Group 1 or Group 2 Program of Record UAS (or custom-built drone).

Simulation may be used for demonstration at very large scale for cost purposes.

However, demonstrations of swarm behavior must include hardware for smaller swarms.

The primary demonstrable capability is the decentralized execution of AI algorithms that enable active or passive collaboration of a friendly swarm of homogeneous UAS platforms that reduce the combat power of a numerically superior enemy swarm to a maximum degree.

Multiple evaluations in hardware demonstrating effective 1-N targeting will be conducted to ensure core capability can scale to larger swarms.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

Protection of critical infrastructure in CONUS.

These are considered soft targets even if they are government facilities.

We have recently seen the threat domestically launched drones can have on any structure given how easily unidentified drones have been able to fly unencumbered in CONUS.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

  • For-profit company

  • U.S.-owned and controlled.

  • 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Read More
Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner Active, specific topic, DSIP Josiah Wegner

Very Low-Cost Kinetic Defeat for C-sUAS - SBIR Topic DAF26BX04-DP025

Deadline: August 19th

Funding Award Size: $2m

Description: Development and application of highly dispersible, survivable, and scalable kinetic defeat mechanisms capable of neutralizing Group 1-3 UAS threats.

Funding Amount:

$2,000,000

Deadline to Apply:

August 19th, 2026

ITAR:

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

Objective:

Development and application of highly dispersible, survivable, and scalable kinetic defeat mechanisms capable of neutralizing Group 1-3 UAS threats.

Description:

This Department of the Air Force (DAF) focused open topic seeks C-sUAS defeat options for transition into the USAF and USSF, with a specific focus on transitioning technologies to AFLCMC/ES and the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) marketplace.

We seek the development and application of highly dispersible, survivable, and scalable kinetic defeat mechanisms capable of neutralizing Group 1-3 UAS threats.

This includes, but is not limited to, novel interceptor/munitions designs that achieve a <$6K cost per engagement and an effective engagement range of at least 800 meters.

Firing $30,000 interceptors at $500 commercial drones is financially unsustainable, especially against mass or swarm tactics.

Interceptors/Munitions must feature autonomous "fire-and-forget" terminal guidance with no user involvement required after launch.

System should be able to operate in a contested, GPS-denied environment.

It should feature the ability for simultaneous engagements.

Systems must demonstrate the potential to seamlessly integrate into various C-sUAS command and control frameworks.

Such systems include but are not limited to Medusa (SUADS).

It is preferred that systems are capable of operating in low collateral areas but not strictly required.

PHASE I:

This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II.

Therefore, Phase I awards will not be made for this topic and Phase I proposals will not be accepted for this topic.

The applicant is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a “Phase I-type” effort, including a feasibility study.

This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential of a very low-cost kinetic defeat mechanism.

The applicant should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution.

The feasibility study should have:

  1. Describe the pathway to integrating with DAF operations, to include how the applicant plans to accomplish core technology development, navigate applicable regulatory processes, and integrate with other relevant systems and/or processes discussed in the Topic Description.

  2. Describe if and how the solution can be used by other DoD, Governmental, or non-Federal customers.

  3. Describe how the solution can neutralize Group 1-3 UAS threats.

PHASE II:

Deliver a field-ready, production-representative interceptor system demonstrating a strict sub $6k cost per unit.

Demonstrate engagement of Group 1−3 threats at 800m (Threshold) and 5km (Objective).

Proposals should include development, demonstration, and/or test and evaluation of the proposed solution prototype.

The relevant use case will be the defense of base assets, which will include integration with other defensive measures (munitions, non-kinetic weapons, and persistent ISR methods) using a system-of-systems and multi-layer detect and defeat system approach.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS:

Transition to AFLCMC/ES and the JIATF-401 C-UAS marketplace for Base Defense.

Commercial dual-use applications include:

  • Airport security.

  • Critical infrastructure protection.

  • Border patrol.

Who will win?

If you can achieve the objective above better than any other company on the market, you have a very high-likelihood of success and should apply.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any company that meets the following criteria:

  • For-profit company

  • U.S.-owned and controlled.

  • 500 or fewer employees (including affiliates)

How Can BW&CO Help?

1) End-to-end support including, strategy, writing of the full proposal, and administrative & compliance support.

2) Proposal strategy and review.

3) Administrative & compliance support.

Request to talk with a member of our team by completing the form below:

Read More