SBIR / STTR #DPA26BZ05-DV018

DARPA SBIR XL Solicitation: Advanced R&D for Underwater Construction, ISR, Cell Culture, AUVs, and UAS Subsystems

This opportunity from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks innovative research and development proposals from small businesses under the SBIR XL program, with a focus on high-risk, high-reward science and technology for national security. - Government Buyer: - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of War (DoW) - Sub-agency: DARPA Small Business Programs Office - Office: Contracts Management Office (CMO) - Technical Topics/Products & Services Requested: - Underwater 3D Concrete Printing Subsystems - Development of subsystems for integrated underwater 3D concrete printing using local sediments and seawater - Includes sediment harvesting, adaptive concrete formulation, marinized printing hardware, and real-time quality control - Four tracks: underwater 3D printer, sediment transportation, in-line mixing/quality control, and AI-driven concrete formulation - Mission-Aware Semantic Communications for Tactical ISR Platforms - Low-SWaP semantic communication systems for reducing multimodal ISR data transmission while preserving mission context - Universal Species-Agnostic Cell Culture Platform - Platform for rapid, reproducible cell line establishment from diverse species, with autonomous closed-loop culture and gene-drive validation - Open Architecture Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Platform - Modular, open-architecture AUVs for rapid payload adaptation, scalable deployment, and resilient navigation - Ultra-High Payload-to-Weight UAS Subsystems - UAS subsystems with payload-to-weight ratios exceeding 4:1, focusing on manufacturability and certification - Notable Requirements: - Direct to Phase II (DP2) option: eligible small businesses may apply directly for Phase II funding if feasibility is demonstrated - Proposals must comply with ITAR/EAR export controls and updated cybersecurity/foreign risk evaluation guidance - Electronic submission via DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal - Award amounts range from $1,250,000 to $3,000,000 - Periods of performance: 18 to 24 months, with some topics offering 6-month option periods - No specific OEMs, vendors, or part numbers are named in the solicitation - Each technical topic includes defined milestones, deliverables, and demonstration events

Description

This solicitation is part of the Department of War's 2026 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Release 5, issued by DARPA. It invites proposals for innovative research concepts within DARPA's technical domains, focusing on high-risk, high-reward science and technology investments that support national security. The solicitation includes a Direct to Phase II (DP2) option, allowing awards without prior Phase I funding if scientific and technical merit and feasibility are demonstrated. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal by the specified deadlines, with no late submissions accepted.

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