SBIR / STTR #DPA26BZ05-DV021

DARPA SBIR: Open Architecture Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Platform Development

This opportunity seeks innovative small business solutions for an open architecture platform for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) under the DARPA SBIR program. - Government Buyer: - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Department of War (DoW) - Managed by the DARPA Small Business Programs Office and Contracts Management Office (CMO) - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named; the solicitation is open to all qualified small businesses - Products/Services Requested: - Research and development of a modular, open-architecture AUV platform - Must enable rapid payload adaptation, scalable fleet deployment, multi-vehicle collaboration, and resilient autonomous navigation - Key technical requirements: - Modular hardware and software interfaces - Multimodal mesh communications - AI-driven mission planning - Physics-based pre-deployment simulation - Two-person portability and 24-hour operational capability - In-water prototype demonstration and plans for commercial transition - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Direct to Phase II SBIR (no Phase I required) - Proposals must demonstrate prior feasibility and comply with ITAR/EAR export controls - Electronic proposal submission via the DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal - Milestone-based deliverables with a focus on demonstration and transition to commercial/defense deployment - Estimated contract value: $1,250,000 to $3,000,000 - Period of performance: 24 months, with milestone reviews and a potential Phase III for fleet-wide deployment

Description

This solicitation is for the development of an open architecture platform for underwater vehicles that enables rapid adaptation, collaborative sensing, navigation, and autonomy. The project aims to advance technology in underwater vehicle platforms to support enhanced operational capabilities. It is managed by DARPA under the SBIR program and encourages innovative research in this technical domain. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the DoW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal.

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