SBIR / STTR #DAF27BZ01-DV009

USAF SBIR: U.S. Production of UHTC Preceramic Polymers

The Department of the Air Force is seeking small-business research proposals to establish U.S. production of an advanced ceramic precursor for aerospace defense applications. - Government buyer and opportunity - Department of War (DoW), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program; the specific topic is issued by the Department of the Air Force under Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). - Solicitation DAF27BZ01-DV009 is a Direct to Phase II topic under the DoW SBIR 2027 Broad Agency Announcement. The broader announcement also identifies the Department of the Navy and the OSW Direct Report Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems as participating organizations. - Eligible small businesses are invited to propose defense-related research and development. CMMC Level 2 (Self) is specified. - Requested material and quantities - Develop U.S. production of AFRL-patented ultra-high-temperature ceramic (UHTC)-yielding preceramic polymers for aerospace defense uses, including propulsion and aeroshell components. - Deliver five 1 kg samples to AFRL for analysis and deliver 75 kg of qualified polymer to the Government. - Technical and business requirements - Establish a safe, robust, scalable manufacturing process and dedicated production capability of at least 50 kg per month (more than 600 kg per year). - Characterize each production lot using NMR, elemental analysis, rheology, and ICP/MS for the polymer, and XRD, TEM/EDS, and SEM for the polymer-derived ceramic. - Provide a cost analysis and business plan for production above 1,000 kg per year, targeting a retail price below $5,000 per kg and preferably below $4,000 per kg. - Named OEMs and vendors - No commercial OEMs, vendors, or named product brands are identified. AFRL is referenced as the patent holder and sample-analysis organization, not as a commercial supplier. - Value and performance period - The solicitation does not state an award value or a topic-specific performance period. A rough planning estimate for a Direct to Phase II SBIR effort is $750,000–$2,000,000; this is not a stated government estimate. - The general announcement describes Phase II performance as typically 24 months. No option years or annual subscription are specified.

Description

The solicitation seeks proposals under the SBIR program for US production of ultra-high-temperature ceramic-yielding preceramic polymers. It is a Direct to Phase 2 (D2) topic under the DoW SBIR 2027 BAA, Release 1, for the USAF. The topic is open, and the response deadline is December 26, 2026. The source also specifies CMMC Level 2 (Self).

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