The Army, Navy, Air Force, DHA, DLA, DMEA, NGA, OSD – ManTech, and USSOCOM, hereafter referred to as DoD Components, invite small business firms to submit proposals under this BAA for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Firms with the capability to conduct research and development (R&D) in any of the defense-related topic areas described in Section 12.0 and to commercialize the results of that R&D are encouraged to participate.
The objectives of the DoD SBIR Program include stimulating technological innovation, strengthening the role of small business in meeting DoD research and development needs, fostering and encouraging participation by minority and disadvantaged persons in technological innovation, and increasing the commercial application of DoD-supported research or research and development results.
More than half of the topics in this BAA address the DoD Research, Technology & Laboratory’s (RT&L) top priority technology focus areas, outlined below.
| Focus Area Description |
| 5G | Technologies enabling the 5G spectrum to increase speed over current networks, to be more resilient and less susceptible to attacks, and to improve military communication and situational awareness. |
Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning
(ML) | Systems that perceive, learn, decide, and act on their own. Machine-learning systems with the ability to explain their rationale, characterize their strengths and weaknesses, and convey
understanding of how they will behave in the future. |
| Autonomy | Technology that can deliver value by mitigating operational challenges such as: rapid decision making; high heterogeneity and/or volume of data; intermittent communications; high complexity of coordinated action; danger to mission; and high persistence and
endurance. |
| Biotechnology | Biotechnology is any technological application that harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes. Most current biotech research focuses on agent detection, vaccines, and treatment.
Future advances in biotechnology will improve the protection of both the general public and military personnel from biological agents, among numerous other potential applications. |
| Cybersecurity | Prevention of damage to, protection of, and restoration of computers, electronic communications systems, electronic communications services, wire communication, and electronic communications, including information contained therein, to ensure its availability,
integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation. |
| Directed Energy (DE) | Technologies related to production of a beam of concentrated electromagnetic energy, atomic, or subatomic particles. |
| Hypersonics | Innovative concepts or technologies that enable, or directly support, weapons or aircraft that fly at or near hypersonic speeds and/or innovation that allows for enhancing defensive
capability against such systems. |
| Microelectronics | Critical microcircuits used in covered systems, custom-designed, custom-manufactured, or tailored for specific military application, system, or environment. |
| Networked Command, Control, and Communications (C3) | Fully networked command control and communications including: command and control (C2) interfaces, architectures, and techniques (e.g., common software interfaces and functional architectures and improved C2 processing/decision making techniques); communications terminals (e.g, software-defined radio (SDRs)/apertures with multiple networks on the same band and multi-functional systems); and apertures and networking technologies (e.g., leveraging/managing a diverse set of links across multiple band and
software defined networking/ network slicing). |
| Nuclear | Technologies supporting the nuclear triad-including nuclear command, control, and communications, and supporting infrastructure. Modernization of the nuclear force includes developing options to counter competitors' coercive strategies, predicated on the threatened use of nuclear or strategic non-nuclear attacks. |
| Quantum Science | Technologies related to matter and energy on the atomic and subatomic level. Areas of interest: clocks and sensors; networks; computing enabling technologies (e.g., low temperature amplifiers, cryogenics, superconducting circuits, photon detectors);
communications (i.e., sending/receiving individual photons); and manufacturing improvements. |
| Space | Technologies supporting space, or applied to a space environment. |
| General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) | Warfighting requirements not meeting the descriptions above; may be categorized into Reliance 21 areas of interest. |
The SBIR Program is a three-phase program. Phase I is to determine, to the extent possible, the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of ideas submitted under the SBIR Program. Phase I awards are typically between $100,000-$167,500 The period of performance is generally between six to twelve months with twelve months being the maximum period allowable. Proposals should concentrate on research or research and development which will significantly contribute to proving the scientific and technical feasibility, and commercialization potential of the proposed effort, the successful completion of which is a prerequisite for further DoD support in Phase II. Proposers are encouraged to consider whether the research or research and development being proposed to DoD Components also has private sector potential, either for the proposed application or as a base for other applications.
Phase II awards will be made to firms on the basis of results of their Phase I effort and/or the scientific merit, technical merit, and commercialization potential of the Phase II proposal. Phase II awards are typically $500,000 to $1,100,000 in size and the period of performance is generally 24 months. Phase II is the principal research or research and development effort and is expected to produce a well-defined deliverable prototype. A Phase II contractor may receive up to one additional, sequential Phase II award for continued work on the project.
Under Phase III, the Proposer is required to obtain funding from either the private sector, a non-SBIR Government source, or both, to develop the prototype into a viable product or non-R&D service for sale in military or private sector markets. SBIR Phase III refers to work that derives from, extends, or completes an effort made under prior SBIR funding agreements, but is funded by sources other than the SBIR Program. Phase III work is typically oriented towards commercialization of SBIR research or technology.
While the Phase II proposal process is covered in this announcement, this BAA is for Phase I proposals only unless the Component is participating in the Direct to Phase II Program. Air Force, Navy, DHA, DLA, OSD – ManTech, and USSOCOM are offering Direct to Phase II topics for the SBIR 20.1 BAA – see the Component-specific instructions for more information. A separate BAA will not be issued requesting Phase II proposals, and unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. All firms that are awarded Phase I awards originating from this BAA will be eligible to participate in Phase II competitions and potential Phase III awards. DoD Components will notify Phase I awardees of the Phase II proposal submission requirements. Submission of Phase II proposals will be in accordance with instructions provided by individual Components. The details on the due date, content, and submission requirements of the Phase II proposal will be provided by the awarding DoD Component either in the Phase I award or by subsequent notification. If a firm submits their Phase II proposal prior to the dates provided by the individual Components, it may be rejected without evaluation. DoD is not obligated to make any awards under Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III, and all awards are subject to the availability of funds. DoD is not responsible for any monies expended by the proposer before the issuance of any award.
Phase I awards are typically between $100,000-$167,500
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