Active Government Funding Opportunities

DARPA seeks thin-film heat spreader technology for high-power microsystems operating in extreme conditions. The innovation must manage heat dissipation in semiconductor lasers and high-temperature electronics while remaining thermally conductive, electrically insulating, and compatible with existing manufacturing processes.

This RFP seeks innovative solutions using semantic overlay techniques to add new capabilities to existing military hardware without full system upgrades. By creatively repurposing current computational resources, the effort aims to bridge capability gaps where legacy systems can't be modernized through traditional procurement cycles.

The Navy seeks improved colloidal quantum dot nanocrystals for mid-wave infrared imaging sensors that can be directly deposited onto silicon substrates. This technology aims to reduce manufacturing costs and complexity by eliminating expensive hybrid bonding processes while achieving performance comparable to traditional infrared detectors.

The Navy seeks novel anti-fouling coatings for submarine topsides that prevent marine growth without being slippery or toxic to crew. The solution must remain effective for 6-8 years, survive alternating wet/dry conditions, and withstand foot traffic while maintaining propulsion efficiency.

The Navy seeks modular, low-cost seabed nodes to support unmanned underwater vehicles with standardized interfaces for diverse payloads like acoustic communications and sensors. These nodes fill a commercial gap by enabling persistent undersea networks capable of operating independently for extended periods in challenging maritime environments.

The Navy seeks a passive seabed logistics system for secure, long-term supply storage at depths up to 600 meters, reducing costly reliance on surface vessels and specialized underwater vehicles. The cylindrical package must autonomously operate for 24 months while maintaining payload protection and enabling acoustic-based monitoring and retrieval.

The Navy seeks innovative hardware, software, or algorithmic solutions to extend the detection range and depth capabilities of existing towed mine countermeasures sonar systems while maintaining strict size, weight, and power constraints. The solution must achieve 90% detection probability with minimal false alarms to enhance undersea mine detection effectiveness.

The Navy seeks an EO/IR sensing technology to rapidly determine ranges of multiple small, fast-moving airborne targets simultaneously—solving the limitation that current gimbal-mounted systems cannot track numerous maneuvering aircraft fast enough during complex raid scenarios.

The Navy seeks a small, high-frequency omnidirectional acoustic sensor compatible with open architecture telemetry for towed arrays. This sensor would improve undersea detection and localization capabilities while reducing the time needed for bearing determination without complex maneuvers.

The Navy seeks an active electro-optic/infrared sensing technology to detect small, hard-to-spot surface targets obscured by wave clutter and ocean conditions. The solution should complement existing shipboard cameras by reliably identifying low-observable objects like mines and sea drones at 100-500 meter ranges.

The Navy seeks innovative dual-band infrared camera technology combining extended short-wave and mid-wave imaging into a single focal plane array to reduce system size, weight, and cost while improving maritime surveillance performance and eliminating alignment issues between separate sensor channels.

The Navy seeks development of a UYK-43 computer emulator using COTS hardware and open-source code to enable land-based testing of Aegis Weapon System updates, since original systems are reserved for operational fleet use and no compatible commercial alternative exists.

The Navy seeks a mid-wave infrared detector combining resonant cavity and avalanche photodiode technologies to enable remote material identification and spectral analysis for shipboard imaging systems while operating at cryogenic temperatures with significantly improved sensitivity over current detectors.

DLA seeks a centralized, secure data system to provide real-time visibility into available manufacturing capacity at universities and research facilities. This capability enables rapid deployment of underutilized resources to support critical defense supply chain needs during emergencies or demand surges.

STRIKE AI is an AI-enabled mission planning system that automates rapid response coordination across cyber and physical domains to defend critical infrastructure. It interprets commander objectives and generates deconflicted, executable defense plans for operational technology environments with human oversight.

DLA seeks an AI-assisted tool to pre-review cybersecurity documentation artifacts and identify gaps or weaknesses before formal assessment. The solution should analyze control statements and architecture documents to provide confidence-scored feedback, helping R&D teams improve RMF package quality and reduce rejection rates.

DLA seeks an agentic AI framework with specialized agents to automate and strengthen defensive cybersecurity operations and penetration testing. The multi-agent system would autonomously execute complex security workflows, from network enumeration to vulnerability analysis, mimicking human cybersecurity team coordination.

DLA seeks an API-driven platform that integrates existing enterprise systems to create a unified digital thread with mission-aware decision intelligence. This capability will accelerate logistics decisions, strengthen supply chain resilience, and optimize ROI across DLA's hybrid cloud environment while maintaining security compliance.

DLA seeks a magnesium-free flameless ration heater to safely warm military meals while eliminating fire hazards in enclosed spaces. The alternative must use domestic materials, reduce hazardous waste concerns, and strengthen supply chain resilience.

DLA seeks novel rare earth element separation technologies that are cost-competitive and scalable to strengthen domestic supply chain resilience. The effort addresses critical defense platform dependencies on overseas rare earth sourcing by developing efficient, modular processes that reduce operational costs and manufacturing hazards.

DLA seeks domestic production capabilities for refractory powders used in aerospace and defense applications, addressing current supply chain reliance on imports. Proposals should demonstrate novel recycling or manufacturing techniques for refractory metals, carbides, and borides that meet defense specifications while offering modular, scalable solutions.

White Sands Missile Range seeks to complete development of a mobile L-Band Linear Accelerator that fits in a freight container for transport and standalone operation. This capability will enable combined environment testing by integrating with other test systems for survivability and vulnerability assessments.

This effort seeks to modernize two flash x-ray machines through research and development, improving their output, operational throughput, and maintenance requirements. Performers will advance cold/warm x-ray source modification and pulse width reduction technologies from TRL 6 to TRL 8 capability.

This RFP seeks bulk growth of InAsP crystal, a ternary alloy semiconductor critical for fabricating high-quality infrared detectors in the short-wave spectral range. The Air Force requires domestic production capacity for this material, as no commercial suppliers currently offer it.

The Air Force seeks production scaling of a high-purity ceramic powder (>99.9% pure) manufactured via reverse strike co-precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis. This effort requires demonstrating a 20-fold increase in production rate beyond laboratory capabilities while maintaining established quality control standards.