Funder: Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific
Due Dates: June 10, 2025 (4:00pm PT – final deadline; white papers accepted on a rolling basis)
Funding Amounts: No specified ceiling; multiple awards anticipated; funding depends on proposal quality and available resources.
Summary: Supports innovative research advancing next-generation C4ISR, information operations, cyberspace operations, and IT systems for defense applications.
Key Information: White papers are strongly encouraged and may be submitted at any time; proposals without prior white paper submission are generally not considered.
Description
The Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC Pacific) is soliciting white papers and proposals for research, development, and prototyping in areas that advance Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities, as well as enabling technologies for information operations, cyberspace operations, and information technology systems. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks unique and innovative approaches to defining and developing next-generation, integratable C4ISR capabilities and command suites.
Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- General C4ISR concepts and infrastructure
- Command and control systems and human-machine interaction
- Advanced communications (including anti-jamming, secure RF, optical, and dynamic spectrum access)
- Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies
- Unmanned vehicles and autonomous systems
- Information and cyberspace operations (offensive/defensive cyber, electronic warfare, OPSEC)
- Ubiquitous communications and computing environments
- STEM education research relevant to defense
- Advanced power, energy production, and efficient use
- Cryogenics and quantum technologies
The BAA is open to a wide range of research, from basic and applied research to advanced technology development and prototyping. Awards may be made as contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions.
Due Dates
- Final deadline: June 10, 2025, 4:00pm Pacific Time (365 days from posting)
- White papers: Accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis throughout the open period; early submission is encouraged as there is no competitive advantage to waiting.
Funding Amount
- Award size: No specified minimum or maximum; funding is contingent on the quality of submissions and available resources.
- Number of awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.
- Award type: Contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions may be used.
Eligibility
- Who can apply: All responsible sources as defined at FAR 9.104-1 (including academic institutions, non-profits, for-profits, and others).
- Encouraged: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to apply, but no set-aside is provided.
- Foreign entities: May participate, but subject to foreign disclosure review and potential national security restrictions.
- FFRDCs and government entities: May participate as subcontractors/consultants under certain conditions, but not as prime recipients.
- Conflict of interest: Applicants must disclose any organizational conflicts of interest and provide mitigation plans if applicable.
Application Process
Step 1: White Paper Submission
- Strongly encouraged before full proposal submission.
- Submission portal: NAVWAR e-Commerce Central (for contracts/other transactions) or Grants.gov (for grants/cooperative agreements, if a Research Announcement is issued).
- Format: 5-page limit (excluding cover and executive summary), PDF format, specific content requirements (see BAA for details).
- Content: Project summary, technical approach, novelty, cost estimate, key personnel, teaming, and deliverables.
Step 2: Full Proposal Submission
- By invitation: Proposals are typically requested after favorable white paper review.
- Submission: Same portals as above.
- Format: Technical volume (≤50 pages) and cost volume (no page limit), with detailed instructions in the BAA.
- Evaluation criteria: Scientific/technical merit, potential to enhance C4ISR capabilities, team experience, execution plan, and cost realism.
Additional Notes
- No cost sharing required unless specified in a specific call.
- No reimbursement for proposal preparation costs.
- Human/animal research: Must comply with DoD and federal regulations; IRB/IACUC approvals required before funding.
Additional Information
- Award instruments: The government may select the most appropriate award type based on the nature of the proposed research.
- Security: Some projects may require facility/personnel clearances if classified work is involved.
- Export control: Compliance with ITAR/EAR may be required.
- Reporting: Regular technical and financial reports will be required for funded projects.
- Publication: Fundamental research is generally unrestricted, but pre-publication review may be required in some cases.
External Links
Contact Information
For technical/business questions, submit via NAVWAR e-Commerce Central referencing the BAA number.