DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV004: Long Rod Delivery System

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV004 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a launching system that fires high length-to-diameter (long rod) projectiles at 1,400 m/s to more than 2,300 m/s with controlled orientation and no structural damage, to improve Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) data. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Phase I is a feasibility study comparing launch technologies such as advanced light-gas, hybrid electromagnetic, and pneumatic approaches.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV004
• Title: Long Rod Delivery System
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Materials; Sustainment and Logistics
• Keywords: missile fragments, projectile, LFT&E, survivability
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

There is currently no reliable way to control the flight of a long rod projectile so it consistently reaches a target location at a specific orientation. That gap degrades LFT&E fidelity, compromises survivability assessments of aircraft, and adds acquisition risk and cost.

The Air Force wants a non-destructive, high-precision launcher that delivers long rods at controlled angle of attack to support vulnerability assessments and engineering designs for current and next generation combat aircraft.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I evaluates alternative launch technologies against the requirement to launch high L/D projectiles from 1,400 m/s to above 2,300 m/s without structural degradation, develops a conceptual design, models internal ballistics, acceleration, and exit velocity, and identifies risks and mitigations.

Phase II builds and tests a sub-scale or full-scale prototype, runs live-fire demonstrations with inert long rods, and uses diagnostics such as flash X-ray and high-speed imaging to verify integrity, pitch, and yaw at muzzle exit, then validates the system for LFT&E use such as ballistic limit testing.

Phase III transitions the launcher to Army, Navy, and Air Force LFT&E ranges and pursues dual-use markets including materials science, spacecraft micrometeoroid shielding, and hypervelocity impact research.

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Ballistics, light-gas gun, and electromagnetic launcher specialists are the core audience, along with test range engineering firms. University hypervelocity labs can be strong partners even on an SBIR.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV004?

DAF27BZ01-NV004, Long Rod Delivery System, is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a precise, non-destructive launcher for high length-to-diameter projectiles used in live fire test and evaluation.

How much funding is available?

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

When is the deadline?

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

How long can the technical volume be?

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

What velocity range must the launcher reach?

The Phase I study evaluates launching high L/D projectiles from 1,400 m/s to more than 2,300 m/s without structural degradation.

Can I talk to the topic author?

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

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV003: Multiple Telemetry Site Signal Source Synchronization

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-NV003 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for a networked system that synchronizes telemetry signal simulators across geographically separated ground stations, so test ranges can check the full telemetry chain, including best source selection, before a live flight. Phase I awards are up to $300,000 over 6 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

The end goal is a product standardized in IRIG-106 and adopted at major Air Force, Army, and Navy test ranges.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV003
• Title: Multiple Telemetry Site Signal Source Synchronization
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Space Technology
• Keywords: signal synchronization, best source selection, test and training ranges, flight test, data quality metrics, hypersonic vehicles, telemetry infrastructure
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Flight tests that cross multiple ranges, such as hypersonic, cruise missile, and long-range weapon tests, rely on telemetry receive stations along the flight path relaying data to a control room. Best source selectors (BSS) now time-align these streams and pick the best data bit by bit using data quality metrics.

The problem: pre-flight checks still test each site individually with an uncorrelated boresight simulator, so the BSS cannot correlate the streams and its configuration is unknown until the mission. The Air Force wants signal sources at multiple sites to simulate the test article as if every station could see it at once, enabling an end-to-end checkout of antennas, networks, BSS, and control room displays.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I describes the shortfall with all components, interfaces, standards, and use cases; proposes an architecture with spatially diverse signal sources synchronized to a precise common time and frequency reference; derives a master-client network with a central command and control GUI; and develops a protocol that aligns the pseudo-random bit sequences (PRBS) from every simulator.

Phase II delivers a prototype with time-aligned signal generation, a web GUI for central control, multi-site BER testing through a BSS including simulated latency and jitter, lab verification, and field validation with at least three signal sources at three geographically diverse locations (for example Edwards AFB, China Lake, and Point Mugu).

Phase III matures the system from TRL 6 to TRL 8 with the ranges and the Range Commanders Council Telemetry Group. Named customers include the 412th Test Wing, 96th Test Wing, NAWCAD, and White Sands Missile Range, with commercial markets at primes and launch providers.

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Telemetry, RF test equipment, and precision timing companies are the natural fit, especially those familiar with IRIG-106, data quality encapsulation, and range operations. A team that pairs RF signal generation with network timing expertise will read well.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV003?

DAF27BZ01-NV003 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Phase I topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 to synchronize telemetry signal simulators across multiple range sites so the full receive chain, including best source selection, can be verified before a flight test.

How much funding is available?

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

When is the deadline?

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

How long can the technical volume be?

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

What does the Phase II field test require?

A prototype of at least three signal sources controlled by a central hub, installed and tested at three geographically diverse locations, with PRBS synchronization, remote GUI control, and passing multi-site BER testing at the BSS output.

Can I talk to the topic author?

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

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

Quick Answer

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

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

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV002
• Title: Optimally Packaged Assembly for Laser Systems (OPALS)
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Directed Energy
• Keywords: beam control, high energy laser, opto-mechanical packaging
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

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

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

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

How the Phases Are Structured

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

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

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

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV002?

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

How much funding is available?

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

When is the deadline?

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

How long can the technical volume be?

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

Does this topic fund new turret designs?

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

Can I talk to the topic author?

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

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-NV001: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model

Quick Answer

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

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

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-NV001
• Title: Shallow Jet Spurt Engineering Model
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Phase I
• Award ceiling: $300,000
• Period of performance: 6 months
• Technical volume limit: 20 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software
• Keywords: warhead, engineering model, hydrodynamic spurt
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

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

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

How the Phases Are Structured

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

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

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

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-NV001?

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

How much funding is available?

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

When is the deadline?

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

How long can the technical volume be?

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

What should Phase I deliver?

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

Can I talk to the topic author?

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

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV013: Advanced Reserve Power Source Technologies

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV013 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for weapon reserve power sources that meet or beat current thermal battery performance. Targets include 20+ year storage life, activation to full voltage within 600 ms, 5+ minutes of activated life, at least 40 Wh/kg (goal above 100 Wh/kg), and pulse power of at least 2.5 kW/kg over 60 seconds. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, closing November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Safety is non-negotiable. Lithium chemistries must show no venting under NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010 test conditions because of the NOSSA certification path for ordnance.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV013
• Title: Advanced Reserve Power Source Technologies
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Materials; Emerging Threat Reduction; Hypersonics
• Keywords: weapons power source, reserve battery, thermal battery, electrochemical power source, specific energy, specific power
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

Air Force Armament Directorate programs need power for avionics, guidance, and ordnance initiation across the full flight profile. Thermally activated reserve batteries risk obsolescence as power and energy requirements rise, and other chemistries suffer failure modes, short storage life, or a poor fit to weapon requirements.

Power and energy density is the primary objective, with affordability, safety, and reliability close behind. The source must stay inert and maintenance free in storage for 20+ years without inadvertent activation and survive shock, vibration, and MIL-HDBK-310 1 percent hot and cold temperatures across carriage, high-speed free flight, and storage.

Performance targets

• Storage life of 20+ years with no maintenance or significant energy loss.
• Rise to full voltage within 600 ms of activation and 5+ minutes of activated life.
• Specific energy of at least 40 Wh/kg, with a goal above 100 Wh/kg.
• Pulse power averaging at least 2.5 kW/kg, with a goal above 5 kW/kg, over 60 seconds.
• Inherently safe with no thermal runaway; lithium designs must show no venting under NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. Prior work must identify candidate materials, technologies, and designs with the rationale for each and supporting performance data.

Phase II delivers a prototype power source providing 2.5 kW/kg for 60 seconds, performance characterization including captive carry and free flight shock and vibration (Wh/kg, Wh/L, power, temperature range, safety), and a manufacturing assessment of a concept design. Government data may be provided after selection.

Phase III ranges from qualification to possible program of record transition, with production in the hundreds to thousands. Named PEO customers include AFLCMC/EB, Army PEO M&S TAGM, Navy PMA-242, and SOCOM.

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

Thermal battery makers, reserve battery developers, and advanced electrochemistry startups with storage-stable, high-power designs are the right audience. Companies focused on rechargeable lithium for commercial markets should look hard at the no-venting requirement before committing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV013?

It is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1 for advanced reserve power sources for weapons with high specific energy and power, 20+ year storage, and inherent safety.

What are the key performance targets?

Full voltage within 600 ms, 5+ minutes of activated life, at least 40 Wh/kg with a goal above 100 Wh/kg, and pulse power of at least 2.5 kW/kg over 60 seconds.

Can lithium chemistries compete?

Yes, but lithium battery technologies must demonstrate no venting under NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010 test conditions to support NOSSA certification.

How much funding is available?

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

When is the deadline?

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

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

Quick Answer

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

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

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV012
• Title: Agile Autonomous Technical Data Package to Path Robotic Task Specification
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software; Advanced Manufacturing; Hypersonics; Space Technology; Sustainment and Logistics; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: autonomous path planning, technical data package, automated inspection, enterprise data ingestion, semantic feature extraction, digital manufacturing
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

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

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

Benchmarks and use cases

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

How the Phases Are Structured

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

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

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

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV012?

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

Do I need to build a robot?

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

How much funding is available?

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

What happens if my feasibility evidence is weak?

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

Is this topic export controlled?

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

When is the deadline?

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

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

Quick Answer

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

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

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV011
• Title: Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Advanced Manufacturing; Hypersonics; Space Technology; Trusted AI and Autonomy
• Keywords: robotic wire routing, deformable material manipulation, autonomous harness installation, single-arm workcell, blind-mate connector insertion, tactile feedback, computer vision alignment
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

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

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

Minimum deliverables

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

How the Phases Are Structured

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

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

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

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV011?

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

How much funding is available?

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

What performance targets matter most?

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

What starting maturity is required?

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

When is the deadline?

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

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

Quick Answer

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

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

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV010
• Title: Low SWaP, 2-micron Fiber Amplifiers
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Directed Energy
• Keywords: directed energy, laser weapon system, low SWaP, electro-optical efficiency, power scaling, 2 micron high-power fiber amplifier
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

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

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

Phase II verification targets

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

How the Phases Are Structured

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

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

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

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV010?

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

How much funding is available?

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

What performance must the prototype meet?

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

Does 1-micron experience count as feasibility?

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

When is the deadline?

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

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV007: Reusable Illumination System

Quick Answer

DAF27BZ01-DV007 is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. The Air Force needs a modern, reusable replacement for the PF300 flash bulb, which provides high-intensity illumination for high-speed video on the Holloman High Speed Test Track and other sled tracks and is no longer in production. Awards are up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months. The topic pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, 2026, and closes November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET in DSIP.

No Phase I awards will be made. The ideal solution leverages commercial off-the-shelf or near-COTS lighting technology that must be adapted to the unique test track environment, so firms with proven high-intensity illumination products and ruggedization experience are best positioned.

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV007
• Title: Reusable Illumination System
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Materials; Hypersonics
• Keywords: illumination, photo-optic, hypersonic, sled test
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

The 846th Test Squadron relies on PF300 flash bulbs for the light needed to capture high-speed photo-optic data during sled tests. With the bulbs out of production, the Air Force faces an obsolescence problem and a recurring consumable cost. It wants a small business to engineer, design, and manufacture a robust, reusable system that meets or surpasses the illumination and performance of the original bulbs and integrates with existing high-speed video systems.

The topic notes that prior Phase I type work by other companies has produced similar illumination methods, but not to the requirements of the test track environment. The technology exists; what does not exist is a product built for that operating environment. The Test Track is ready to define requirements including illumination levels, illumination duration, connectivity, and ruggedness.

Upside capabilities the Air Force calls out include adjustable light intensity and longer duration illumination for better high-speed video data quality.

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. Your feasibility package should show a working illumination approach and the engineering judgment to adapt it to sled test conditions.

Phase II develops a detailed design and operational procedures for a prototype reusable illumination system that meets requirements set by 846 TS customers. Component level prototypes are built and tested first to retire risk, and the effort culminates in a demonstration of an operational reusable illumination sled on the test track that shows both performance and reusability.

Phase III refines the design from Phase II lessons learned so the system is ready for operational use at HHSTT and other DoW test tracks, through non-SBIR funded R&D or production contracts.

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

This topic suits lighting, strobe, and high-speed imaging companies with a COTS or near-COTS high-intensity source that can be ruggedized for shock, vibration, and sled test conditions. If your strength is optics research without a product baseline, a Direct to Phase II topic is a hard place to start.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV007?

DAF27BZ01-DV007, Reusable Illumination System, is a Department of the Air Force SBIR Direct to Phase II topic in DoW SBIR 2027 BAA Release 1. It seeks a reusable replacement for the out-of-production PF300 flash bulb used for high-speed video on the Holloman High Speed Test Track and other sled tracks.

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months. The DAF may also provide up to $50,000 in Technical and Business Assistance per Phase II award, in addition to the topic amount.

When is the deadline?

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

Can I submit a Phase I proposal?

No. This is a Direct to Phase II topic and no Phase I awards will be made. You must document completed Phase I type feasibility that is not based on prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR or STTR work.

Is this topic export controlled?

Yes. It is restricted under ITAR or EAR. You must disclose any proposed foreign nationals, their countries of origin, visa type, and assigned tasks, and their participation may be restricted.

Can I talk to the topic author?

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

DAF SBIR DAF27BZ01-DV008: Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange

Quick Answer

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

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

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV008
• Title: Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Restricted under ITAR (22 CFR 120-130) or EAR (15 CFR 730-774). Foreign national participation must be disclosed and may be restricted.
• Focus areas: Advanced Computing and Software; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Trusted AI and Autonomy; Sustainment and Logistics; Advanced Manufacturing
• Keywords: technical data packages, information assurance, secure data exchange, trusted AI, digital twin, model-based definition, configuration management, zero trust architecture
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

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

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

Minimum deliverables named in the topic

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

How the Phases Are Structured

Phase I is skipped. Because this is Direct to Phase II, your proposal must prove feasibility already exists. The DAF will not consider a proposal that fails to show technical merit and feasibility, or whose feasibility was not substantially performed by your firm or principal investigator. The topic lists acceptable evidence such as validated data, performance metrics, technical reports, prototype success, or demonstrated capability in relevant operational environments, along with alignment to Trusted AI and Zero Trust standards.

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

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

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV008?

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

How much funding is available?

Up to $2,000,000 over up to 24 months, plus up to $50,000 in TABA per Phase II award if requested in Volume 5.

What TRL does the topic expect?

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

When is the deadline?

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

Is this topic export controlled?

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

Can I use prior SBIR work as feasibility?

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

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

Quick Answer

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

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

Topic at a Glance

• Topic number: DAF27BZ01-DV009
• Title: US Production of Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic-Yielding Preceramic Polymers
• Component: Department of the Air Force
• Solicitation: DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1
• Program and phase: SBIR Direct to Phase II
• Award ceiling: $2,000,000
• Period of performance: 24 months
• Technical volume limit: 35 pages or slides
• Projected CMMC level: Level 2 (Self)
• Export control: Not marked as ITAR restricted on DSIP
• Focus areas: Hypersonics
• Keywords: preceramic polymer, ultra-high temperature ceramics, UHTC, precursors, ceramic matrix composites, CMC, scaled production
• Pre-release: October 7, 2026
• Opens: October 28, 2026
• Closes: November 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
• Submission portal: DSIP at dodsbirsttr.mil

What the Air Force Is Looking For

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

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

Phase II deliverables named in the topic

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

How the Phases Are Structured

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

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

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

Funding and Proposal Limits

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

Who Is Eligible

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

Key Dates and How to Apply

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

Is This Topic a Fit for Your Company?

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DAF SBIR topic DAF27BZ01-DV009?

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

How much funding is available?

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

What production rate is required?

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

What feasibility evidence does the Air Force want?

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

When is the deadline?

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

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

What is the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

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

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

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

Key dates and funding

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

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

Who is eligible?

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

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

What focus areas is IARPA looking for?

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

1. Secure Communications

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

2. Cyber and Super Intelligence (SI) Security

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

3. Automating the Business of Research and Development

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

4. Biometric Recognition and Multimodal Privacy Preservation

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

5. Economic Security

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

6. Power and Energy Solutions

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

7. Agentic Super Intelligence Infrastructure, Integration, and Governance

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

8. Other Intelligence Community Relevant Solutions

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

How do you apply?

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

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

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

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

Is this a fit for your company?

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

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

When is the deadline for the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

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

How much funding can an IARPA Solutions Marketplace award provide?

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

Who can submit to the IARPA Solutions Marketplace?

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

What do I need to submit?

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

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

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

DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition

Overview

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

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

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

Key dates and funding

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

Who is eligible

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

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

Focus areas

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

Prototype

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

First-generation SRQC

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

Scientific relevance

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

How to apply

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

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

Is this a fit for your company?

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition?

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

When is the Genesis Q application deadline?

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

How much funding can a Genesis Q performer receive?

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

Who is eligible to apply for Genesis Q?

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

Is Genesis Q limited to one qubit technology?

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

Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC)

What is the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC)?

The Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC) is a Department of Defense Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) consortium that funds prototype medical countermeasures, diagnostics, delivery devices, and enabling technologies against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. Members compete for awards through Requests for Prototype Projects (RPPs).

The main customer is the Medical Countermeasures Systems (MCS) Joint Project Management Office within the Joint Program Executive Office for CBRN Defense (JPEO-CBRND). Other customers, including the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Science and Technology Office (DTRA JSTO), also release solicitations through MCDC. Advanced Technology International (ATI) manages the consortium.

Because MCDC awards are made under an OTA instead of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, they can be executed faster than traditional contracts, and the consortium actively recruits non-traditional defense contractors. That makes it one of the most direct routes for commercial biotech, pharma, diagnostics, and medical device companies to win DoD prototype funding for dual-use products.

Key dates and funding

• Deadline: Rolling. Membership is open year-round. Each RPP sets its own due date, and every RPP closes at 12:00 noon with no late submissions.
• Current status: As of early October 2026, MCDC lists no open RPPs, draft Statements of Objectives, or RFIs. Two opportunities are forecast for FY2027.
• Award size: Varies by RPP. Prototype awards MCDC posted in 2025 and 2026 ranged from about $3.2 million to $47.8 million. Member commercialization awards are up to $50,000.
• Funding instrument: Prototype project agreements under the MCDC OTA, executed through the consortium management firm.
• Membership fee: $250 per year, renewed each fiscal year.

What MCDC opportunities are coming next?

MCDC publishes a forecast of possible future solicitations. These dates are tentative, and the Government decides later whether to run each one through MCDC.

Threat Agnostic Host Directed MCMs (tentative Q2 FY2027)

Requiring office: JPM CBRN Medical. A CBRN resilience effort seeking medical countermeasures that act on the host rather than a single threat, helping the body withstand, mitigate, and recover from the overlapping physiological effects of CBRN exposure.

Advanced Differential Diagnostics (tentative Q4 FY2027)

Requiring office: JPdL-Diagnostics and JRO-CBRND. A host response based test that predicts how severe an illness will become.

What technologies does MCDC fund?

MCDC's published technical areas of interest include:

• Therapeutic medical countermeasure prototypes against viruses, bacteria, and biological toxins, plus the technologies that enable them
• Single and multiple drug autoinjector delivery devices
• Vaccine manufacturing platforms
• Products for prophylaxis, treatment, and diagnosis of CBRN threats, including Acute Radiation Syndrome and chemical nerve agents
• Systems that make agent identification and disease diagnosis faster, more accurate, and more reliable
• Advanced development and manufacturing capabilities

Past MCDC RPPs show the range: mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibody platforms, broad spectrum therapeutics, autoinjectors, point of need and breath-based diagnostics, multi-organoid toxicity models, animal model development, and manufacturing optimization.

Who is eligible?

• Large businesses, small businesses, traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, academic research institutions, and nonprofits can join MCDC.
• Membership is limited to U.S. companies or U.S.-based affiliates of foreign companies, because every member must hold a DD Form 2345 (Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement).
• You must be an active member in good standing to submit as the prime on an RPP.
• Applications move fastest when your SAM.gov, UEI, CAGE, and DD2345 are already current.

How do I apply to MCDC?

• Step 1: Get your registrations in order. Confirm SAM.gov, UEI, and CAGE are active and obtain a DD Form 2345 if you do not have one.
• Step 2: Join the consortium. Submit the online member application and pay the $250 annual fee. A complete application can be processed in 1 to 2 business days.
• Step 3: Engage on the draft Statement of Objectives. Before most RPPs, the Government posts a draft SOO to members. Submitting a one-page abstract can earn a one-on-one session with the requirement owner and candid feedback before you invest in a full proposal. MCDC calls this step imperative if you plan to propose.
• Step 4: Submit to the RPP. Final RPPs go to members and are submitted through the MCDC BIDS portal by 12:00 noon on the due date.
• Step 5: Selection and negotiation. Selected offerors receive a Selection Announcement Letter, followed by statement of work and cost negotiations. Some proposals not selected right away go into a basket and can be pulled for award later.

Communication with the Government is permitted and encouraged, except during the evaluation period after a submission deadline.

Is MCDC a fit for your company?

MCDC is a strong fit for biotech, pharma, diagnostics, and medtech companies whose products serve both a commercial health market and a military CBRN need: infectious disease therapeutics and vaccines, host response and point of need diagnostics, drug delivery devices, and biomanufacturing platforms. Companies working on host directed therapeutics or severity-predicting diagnostics should join now so they are ready for the FY2027 draft SOO engagements.

Not sure whether your technology maps to an MCDC requirement, or how to position a commercial product for a DoD prototype award? Book a call with BW&CO to talk through your funding fit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC)?

MCDC is a Department of Defense Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) consortium that funds prototype medical countermeasures, diagnostics, delivery devices, and enabling technologies against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. Its main customer is the Medical Countermeasures Systems (MCS) Joint Project Management Office under JPEO-CBRND, and DTRA also releases solicitations through it.

How much funding does MCDC award?

Award size depends on each Request for Prototype Projects (RPP). Prototype awards MCDC posted in 2025 and 2026 ranged from about $3.2 million to $47.8 million, and its member commercialization awards are up to $50,000.

Who can join MCDC and how much does it cost?

Large and small businesses, traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, universities, and nonprofits can join. Membership is limited to U.S. companies or U.S.-based affiliates of foreign companies, because every member needs a DD Form 2345. The membership fee is $250 per year.

Do I have to be an MCDC member to submit a proposal?

Yes. You must be an active MCDC member in good standing to submit as the prime on an RPP. Subcontractors and research partners can support a member's proposal.

Is there an open MCDC solicitation right now?

As of early October 2026, MCDC lists no open RPPs, draft Statements of Objectives, or RFIs. Two opportunities are forecast for FY2027: Threat Agnostic Host Directed MCMs (tentatively Q2 FY2027) and Advanced Differential Diagnostics (tentatively Q4 FY2027).

How long does it take to become an MCDC member?

MCDC says a complete application can be processed in as little as 1 to 2 business days. It can take several weeks if you still need a DD2345, need to renew SAM.gov, UEI, or CAGE registrations, or operate under foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI).

Additional resources

• About MCDC
• MCDC business opportunities, forecasts, and past awards
• How to join MCDC

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

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

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

Why This Opportunity Matters

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

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

Key Facts at a Glance

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

What the Program Funds

Each award supports three things at once:

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

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

Is Your Company a Fit?

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

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

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

How to Prepare Now

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

How BW&CO Helps

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

When is the deadline?

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

Who can be the PI?

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

Is a mentor required?

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

How much funding is available?

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

What happened to the previous version of this program?

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

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

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

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

Why This Opportunity Matters

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

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

Key Facts at a Glance

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

What SPECTRA Funds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TA3: Precision Intervention and Trajectory Testing (coming)

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

Is Your Company a Fit?

TA4 is a strong fit for:

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

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

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

How to Apply

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

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

How BW&CO Helps

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H SPECTRA program?

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

When is the SPECTRA deadline?

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

What does SPECTRA TA4 fund?

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

Can startups apply to SPECTRA?

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

How much funding does SPECTRA provide?

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

How long is the SPECTRA TA4 Solution Summary?

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

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

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

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

Why This Opportunity Matters

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

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

Key Facts at a Glance

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

What UNIQUE Funds

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

Technical Area 1: Imaging Core

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

Technical Area 2: Quantum AI Interpretation and Fusion

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

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

Is Your Company a Fit?

UNIQUE is a strong fit for companies working in:

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

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

How to Apply

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

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

How BW&CO Helps

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H UNIQUE program?

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

When is the UNIQUE deadline?

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

How much funding does UNIQUE provide?

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

Can small businesses apply to UNIQUE?

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

Do I need to address both technical areas?

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

Does UNIQUE involve human subjects research?

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

ARPA-H Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) 2026, ARPA-H-SOL-26-150: Up to $1.05M for Early-Career Researchers

ARPA-H's Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) initiative funds bold, early-stage health research led by early-career investigators, and pairs every award with an ARPA-H Program Manager who acts as project manager and mentor. Companies, universities, and nonprofits can all lead, as long as the Project Lead is within 8 years of their first terminal degree. Each award is worth up to $1,050,000 over three years, across 16 topic areas spanning devices, diagnostics, biotech, and clinical AI.

Deadline: Solution Summaries are due October 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET through the ARPA-H Solutions site. Full proposals are due February 10, 2027 at 2:00 PM ET.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Most ARPA-H programs are built for large, experienced teams. EHI is the exception. It is designed to bring new researchers into the ARPA-H model, fund ideas that are still too early for traditional grants, and train the next generation of ARPA-H performers and Program Managers. For a startup with a young technical lead, it is one of the few ways to win a direct ARPA-H award without competing against established multi-institution teams.

EHI also comes with something money cannot buy: a monthly working relationship with an ARPA-H Program Manager. For a company planning to pursue larger ARPA-H programs later, that relationship and the track record of delivering on an ARPA-H agreement can be a meaningful advantage.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), Office of Commercialization
• Solicitation: ARPA-H-SOL-26-150, Innovative Solutions Opening (Amendment 1)
• Award type: Fixed-price Other Transaction (OT) agreements paid on milestones
• Award size: Up to $1,050,000 total, including indirect costs
• Structure: 24-month base period (up to $350,000 per year) plus an optional 12-month Director's Award (up to $350,000) for top performers
• Number of awards: Multiple. ARPA-H expects to fund 20 or more awards per year through EHI
• Proposers' Day: October 13, 2026 (virtual, register by October 12)
• Solution Summary due: October 30, 2026, 2:00 PM ET (required)
• Full proposal due: February 10, 2027, 2:00 PM ET
• Tentative selections: April 30, 2027, with awards starting around June 30, 2027
• Cost share: Not required

The 16 EHI Topic Areas

Every submission must target exactly one topic. Ideas outside these topics are not accepted.

Devices, Implants, and Neurotechnology

• Topic 1, Precision Control of Skin Inflammation: Networked biomaterials in the skin that sense inflammation and deliver localized, reversible therapy without systemic exposure.
• Topic 2, Internal Sensing and Targeted Control of Inflammation: Injectable or ingestible micro and nano scale platforms that sense inflammation and deliver therapy under closed-loop or external control.
• Topic 3, Deep Brain Stimulation for Sleep (Deep Sleep): Using DBS to record and modulate deep brain activity during sleep and test personalized, closed-loop therapy.
• Topic 15, ICAT In-Cavity Adjuvant Therapy: Implantable systems placed in the tumor resection cavity that deliver steep, tunable therapy and sense residual disease, with glioblastoma as the example model.

Diagnostics and Women's Health

• Topic 9, SMILE: Low-cost detection of early tooth decay and oral microbiome imbalance, or bio-inspired enamel repair that outlasts fillings.
• Topic 10, Ectopic Pregnancy First-Visit Diagnosis: Same-day point-of-care tools, biomarker panels, or imaging approaches that distinguish viable pregnancy, early loss, and ectopic pregnancy.
• Topic 11, Transforming the Well-Woman Exam: Objective at-home or primary care screening for conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and perimenopause. Standalone AI tools are discouraged.
• Topic 14, Non-Contact Sterility Testing: Measuring sterility in sealed containers fast enough for in-line distributed manufacturing, replacing tests that take 3 to 14 days.

Biotech, Immunology, and Tissue Platforms

• Topic 4, CLEAR-MIND: Preclinical work to restore the brain's drainage system and rebalance immune response after injury.
• Topic 5, HIND: Host-pathway interventions, biomarkers, and CNS delivery for neurotropic diseases such as rabies, EEEV, and prion disease.
• Topic 7, Engineering DRTs: Programmable, protein-templated DNA synthesis as a new medical countermeasure strategy.
• Topic 8, Alpha-Gal Syndrome: Mapping, predicting, preventing, and treating tick-bite triggered alpha-gal allergy.
• Topic 12, Biotransport for Organ Preservation: Uniform, low-toxicity delivery and removal of cryoprotectants through thick tissues and whole organs.
• Topic 13, Organs-in-Action: Organ and system scale human tissue platforms, beyond organoids and chips, for aging, disease, and therapy discovery.

Artificial Intelligence and Data

• Topic 6, Protecting Patient Data in Life Science AI: Defenses against membership inference and model inversion, leakage measurement, machine unlearning, and agentic AI security.
• Topic 16, Causally Grounded Alignment for Clinical Generative AI: Causal alignment constraints, evaluators, and mechanistic auditing for clinical generative AI tools.

Is Your Company a Fit?

EHI is a strong fit if most of these are true:

• Your proposed Project Lead completed their first terminal degree (typically a PhD, MD, or equivalent professional degree) within the last 8 years. Leave, postdoc, residency, and fellowship periods can be excluded.
• The Project Lead is a working researcher, not an administrator, and is not currently a postdoc or clinical trainee.
• The Project Lead has never been the prime lead on an award from any ARPA agency (ARPA-H, DARPA, IARPA, ARPA-E).
• Your organization and every team member are employed at a U.S. institution.
• Your idea fits one of the 16 topics and aims for a revolutionary advance, not an incremental improvement.
• Your company has, or can quickly get, an active SAM.gov registration and UEI.

Things that rule a team out: FFRDCs, UARCs, national labs, and government entities cannot apply or team. Subawards, consultants, and vendors together cannot exceed 30 percent of the total agreement value. The concept cannot already be funded or selected for funding by another agency.

How to Apply

1. Register on the ARPA-H Solutions site. All submissions go through solutions.arpa-h.gov. Start your SAM.gov registration now if you do not have one, since it can take more than 14 business days.
2. Submit a Solution Summary by October 30, 2026. The summary is limited to 2 pages plus a cover sheet, names one topic, and must be completely anonymized. Identifying information about the Project Lead, company, or team goes on the cover sheet only, and references are not allowed.
3. Wait for an encourage or discourage decision. ARPA-H does not provide written feedback. Discouraged proposers may still submit but are strongly advised not to.
4. Submit the full proposal by February 10, 2027. It includes pitch slides, an 8-page technical and management proposal, a task description document, a milestone payment schedule, administrative and research security forms, and a signed organizational letter of support.

Each organization may submit more than one proposal, but each must have a different Project Lead, and each Project Lead may submit to only one topic.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO helps deep tech and life science companies decide whether EHI is the right ARPA-H entry point, choose the strongest topic, and write a Solution Summary that stands out in a blind review. We also build milestone payment schedules that ARPA-H can approve and help teams prepare the full proposal package if they are encouraged. With $350M+ in non-dilutive funding secured for our clients, we know how to position early-stage ideas for agencies that fund breakthroughs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ARPA-H Emerging Health Innovators (EHI) initiative?

EHI is an ARPA-H mentorship and funding initiative for early-career investigators. It funds revolutionary health research across 16 topic areas through Other Transaction agreements, and each award is paired with an ARPA-H Program Manager who serves as mentor and project manager.

How much funding does EHI provide?

Each award can be worth up to $1,050,000, including indirect costs. That includes a 24-month base period of up to $700,000 and an optional 12-month Director's Award of up to $350,000 reserved for exceptional performers.

When is the EHI 2026 deadline?

Solution Summaries are due October 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. Full proposals are due February 10, 2027 at 2:00 PM ET. A Solution Summary is required before submitting a full proposal.

Can a startup or small business apply to EHI?

Yes. EHI accepts proposals led by early-career investigators at industry, academic, and nonprofit organizations. There is no small business size requirement, but the organization and all team members must be employed at a U.S. institution.

Who counts as an early-career investigator for EHI?

An individual within 8 years of completing their first terminal degree. Leaves of absence, postdoctoral, residency, and fellowship periods can be excluded. Current postdocs and clinical trainees cannot serve as Project Lead, and anyone who has already led an award from any ARPA agency is not eligible.

Is cost share required for EHI?

No. The solicitation does not require cost share.

How long is the EHI Solution Summary?

Two pages, not counting the cover sheet. It must be fully anonymized, with identifying information only on the cover sheet, and it cannot include references.

NASA NIAC Phase I FY2027: Up to $225K for Visionary Aerospace Concepts

Status: Open. Step A due October 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET through NSPIRES (solicitation amended October 15, 2026).

Book a Free Fit Call

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) funds early-stage feasibility studies of visionary aerospace concepts that could change what NASA, other government agencies, and the commercial space sector are able to do. NIAC is run by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). The FY2027 Phase I solicitation (NNH26ZTR001N-27NIAC_A1) offers awards of up to $225,000 for feasibility studies of about nine months, and NASA expects to make 12 to 16 awards.

Deadline: Step A proposals are due October 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern through NSPIRES. Invited Step B proposals are due January 13, 2027.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Most federal R&D money goes to ideas that already have data behind them. NIAC deliberately funds the opposite: concepts at TRL 2 or lower that are unexplored, highly innovative, and credible enough to study. For startups and small companies, it is one of the few federal programs that pays to test a far-out aerospace idea before a prototype exists. The Step A proposal is short, all categories of U.S. organizations can lead, and a NIAC award builds a NASA track record that supports NIAC Phase II and later NASA SBIR/STTR proposals.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Sponsor: NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
• Solicitation: NNH26ZTR001N-27NIAC_A1, NIAC Phase I for FY2027
• Award size: Up to $225,000 per award
• Duration: About 9 months
• Expected awards: 12 to 16
• Who can lead: All categories of U.S. organizations, including small businesses, larger companies, universities, nonprofits, and government labs
• Foreign participation: Non-U.S. organizations may join on a no-exchange-of-funds basis
• Step A due: October 28, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern, through NSPIRES
• Step B due: January 13, 2027, by invitation only (invitations issued December 8, 2026)
• Awards: Targeted for July 2027
• Contact: hq-niac@mail.nasa.gov

What NIAC Funds

NIAC looks for visionary, yet credible, concepts that address national, government, and commercial aerospace goals. Strong concepts sit at TRL 2 or lower, are framed in a mission or architecture context, and take a radically different approach rather than an incremental one. Concepts can come from any discipline, including:

• Advanced propulsion and power
• In-space manufacturing, assembly, and large structures
• Robotics and autonomous exploration systems
• Human exploration, habitation, and life support
• New approaches to sensing, communications, and science instruments
• Novel mission architectures for the Moon, Mars, and deep space

Is Your Company a Fit?

NIAC Phase I is a strong fit if your company:

• Has a bold aerospace concept that is still early, at TRL 2 or lower
• Can describe the concept as a system, architecture, or mission, not only a single component
• Has a credible technical basis and a team that can run a nine-month feasibility study
• Can lead the proposal through a U.S. organization
• Wants a NASA relationship that can grow into NIAC Phase II, NASA SBIR/STTR, or other STMD funding

NIAC is usually not the right fit for near-term product development, incremental upgrades, or technologies that already have working prototypes. Those projects often fit NASA SBIR/STTR better.

How to Apply

1. Attend the proposers' forum. NASA is hosting a virtual NIAC Phase I forum on October 7, 2026.
2. Submit a Step A proposal. Submit a short concept proposal through NSPIRES by October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern. Step A is a 1-page overview chart and a 3-page technical section, with no budget or team. Per Amendment 1 (October 15, 2026), it must also include a top-level list of your Phase I objectives. Step A screens for innovation, potential impact, and credibility.
3. Prepare a Step B proposal if invited. NASA issues Step B invitations on December 8, 2026, and full proposals are due January 13, 2027.
4. Selection and award. NASA targets awards in July 2027.

How BW&CO Helps

BW&CO has helped deep-tech, aerospace, and space tech founders secure $350M+ in non-dilutive funding, including NASA awards. We help you frame a visionary concept so reviewers see it as credible, write a sharp Step A, and connect a NIAC study to NIAC Phase II, NASA SBIR/STTR, and other federal funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NASA NIAC?

NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) is a program in NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate that funds early-stage feasibility studies of visionary aerospace concepts that could transform future NASA, government, and commercial missions.

How much funding does NIAC Phase I provide?

NIAC Phase I awards are up to $225,000 each for a feasibility study of about nine months. NASA expects to make 12 to 16 awards in the FY2027 cycle.

What is the NIAC Phase I deadline?

Step A proposals are due October 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern through NSPIRES. Proposers invited to Step B must submit full proposals by January 13, 2027.

Can companies apply for NIAC?

Yes. All categories of U.S. organizations may lead a NIAC proposal, including small businesses, larger companies, universities, nonprofits, and government labs. Non-U.S. organizations may participate on a no-exchange-of-funds basis.

What technology readiness level does NIAC require?

NIAC funds concepts at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 or lower. Projects that already have working prototypes or are close to product development usually fit NASA SBIR/STTR better.

How does the NIAC two-step process work?

Proposers first submit a short Step A concept proposal. NASA reviews Step A submissions and invites the strongest concepts to submit a full Step B proposal, which is the basis for selection.

What comes after a NIAC Phase I award?

Phase I awardees can compete for NIAC Phase II funding to mature their concepts further, and the results often support later NASA SBIR/STTR and other NASA proposals.

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

Executive Summary

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

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

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

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Solicitation at a Glance

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

What Is the HERMES BAA?

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

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

What Problem Is AFRL Trying to Solve?

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

Priority Capability Areas: What AFRL Is Looking For

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

Funding and Award Information

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

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

Eligibility Requirements

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

How to Apply

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

What Happens After You Submit?

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

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

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

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

How BW&CO Can Help

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

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

Plan Your HERMES White Paper

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HERMES BAA open right now?

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

Do I need to wait for a call?

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

How much funding is available?

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

What award types can AFRL use?

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

Do I need a DD Form 2345?

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

Can a non-U.S. company apply?

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

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

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

How long is the white paper?

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

What data rights does AFRL expect?

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

Can BW&CO help with a HERMES submission?

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

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