The Department of Defense, specifically the Navy's NAVSEA, is seeking proposals from small businesses for the development of modular mine warfare components under the SBIR program. The objective is to create innovative hardware, software, or firmware solutions that enhance the modularity and adaptability of naval mines, focusing on five specific module categories: Sensing, Core Computing and Processing, Power and Data Bus, Energy Supply, and Electronic Safe and Arming Device (ESAD). This initiative aims to modernize maritime mining capabilities, ensuring interoperability and sustainability in various operational environments. Interested parties should prepare to submit their proposals by September 24, 2025, with a Phase I budget of up to $140,000 for a six-month performance period, and further details can be found at the provided source link.

## Description

NOTE: A small business concern may only submit one (1) proposal to each Open Topic. If more than one proposal from a small business concern is received for a single Open Topic, only the most recent proposal to be certified and submitted in DSIP prior to the submission deadline will receive an evaluation. All prior proposals submitted by the small business concern for the same Open Topic will be marked as nonresponsive and will not receive an evaluation.&nbsp;Develop innovative hardware, software, firmware, or a combination to enhance modularity in naval mines across five categories (listed below). The Navy seeks mature (Technology Readiness Level [TRL] 5 or higher) technologies that, when integrated, will enhance mine capability and adaptability. Proposed solutions must adhere to specified cylindrical form factors, support interoperability via standard interfaces, and be watertight. This modular mine technology aims to modernize maritime mining, facilitate mission capability, and enhance maintenance and sustainability.&nbsp;&nbsp;The overall system level architecture consists of a set of Modules. The Space, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWAP-C) for the modules is provided below.<ol><li>Sensing Module</li><li>Core Computing and Processing Module</li><li>Power and Data Bus Module</li><li>Energy Supply Module</li><li>Electronic Safe and Arming Device (ESAD) Module</li></ol>Note: The dimensions and power figures listed for each of the modules are objectives for the system. If a small business concern assesses that more physical space and/or power draw is required, that assessment will be entertained if the combined size of the Sensing Module, Support Module, Core Computing and Processing Module, and ESAD does not exceed a cylindrical form factor of 2.8 inches in diameter and 6.0 inches in height.&nbsp;1. Sensing Module: This SBIR topic seeks an innovative and modular Sensing Module for naval mines, capable of identifying, locating and ranging potential targets. The module should integrate one or more subsurface sensors, can include but are not limited to: magnetometers, Underwater Electric Potential (UEP) devices, passive/active acoustic sensors, and seismic sensors, or other novel sensor technologies that address current mine warfare challenges. Sensors must be low-cost, low-power, compact, and highly dependable, with standard, non-proprietary interfaces. The Sensing Module must adhere to a cylindrical form factor (less than or equal to 2.8 inches diameter, less than or equal to 6 inches length), operate within a power budget of less than or equal to 20 Watts peak and less than or equal to 1 Watt average, and provide data to other modules through shared interfaces. Proposals should emphasize the modularity of the design and the potential for incorporating future sensor technologies.&nbsp; Please note: The Navy is interested in novel and innovative solutions that might exceed the provided form factor limitations.&nbsp; Companies with novel and innovative sensor module solutions may propose a larger form factor (up to 20 inch diameter and 6 inch height) however, only groundbreaking and high-impact capabilities will be considered for this larger size.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;2. Energy Supply Module: This SBIR topic seeks innovative approaches that would be able to provide a minimum of 250 Watt-Hours of power and serve as the power source for other modules defined within this SBIR topic. This module must be designed for prolonged underwater operation and packaged in a cylindrical form factor no larger than 2.8 inches in diameter and 6.0 inches in height. For battery-based energy solutions, the Navy seeks to leverage and optimize existing, shipboard approved battery technologies.&nbsp;3. Power and Data Bus Module: This SBIR topic seeks an innovative and modular Power and Data Bus Module able to efficiently manage power distribution within the mine, optimizing overall power consumption. This module will route power from the Energy Supply Module to other system components and condition/distribute power from external 28VDC and 48VDC sources. Proposers are also encouraged to suggest an additional, optimized voltage level. The module must provide robust power and data support to other modules via shared interfaces and conform to a compact cylindrical form factor (less than or equal to 2.8 inches diameter, less than or equal to 1.0 inch height).&nbsp;4. Core Computing and Processing Module: This SBIR topic seeks an innovative and modular Core Computing and Processing Module that is able to provide the mine's core computing, processing, logic, and data storage capabilities, utilizing hardware, software, firmware, and algorithms. To ensure future adaptability, the module must support Central Processing Units (CPUs), Graphical Processing Units (GPUs), and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The module must fit within a cylindrical form factor no greater than 2.8 inches in diameter and 1.0 inch in height, and its power draw must not exceed 40 Watts.&nbsp;5. ESAD:&nbsp; This SBIR topic seeks to explore the development of a next-generation ESAD for naval mines, emphasizing modularity, low cost, compact size, and exceptional dependability. The ESAD must process inputs from environmental sensors and command signals to generate the necessary output for lead explosive initiation. Proposed design(s) must incorporate multiple independent safety features and comply fully with relevant portions of MIL-STD-1316F, MIL-STD-331C, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Technical Publication 8431, and Weapon System Explosive Safety Review Board (WSESRB) Technical Guidance for ESADs with non-interrupted explosive trains. Critical design constraints include a cylindrical form factor (less than or equal to 2.8 inches diameter, less than or equal to 0.7 inches height) and ultra-low power consumption. The ESAD's quiescent power draw must be less than or equal to 0.1 mWatts, with an objective of approaching 0 Watts. Power draw after sensing arming conditions must not exceed 50 Watts.&nbsp;Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

## Objective

Develop modular mine components to facilitate configurable mining capability adaptable for various environmental and operational conditions.

## Phase I

The DON is planning to issue multiple Phase I awards for this topic but reserves the right to issue no awards. Each Phase I proposal must include a Base and Option period of performance. The Phase I Base must have a period of performance of six (6) months at a cost not to exceed $140,000. The Phase I Option must have a period of performance of six (6) months at a cost not to exceed $100,000.&nbsp;Develop a concept for a module that meet the requirements described above. Establish feasibility by developing system diagrams, as well as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models that illustrate the module concept and provide the estimated weight, dimensions, and power of the conceptual system. Feasibility will be established by either or both testing and analytical modeling.&nbsp;The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities description to build a prototype solution in Phase II.&nbsp;Phase I deliverables include:- Kick-Off Briefing, due 15 days from start of Base award- Progress Report, due 90 days from start of Base award- Final Report, due 180 days from start of Base award- Quad Chart, due 180 days from start of Base award- Initial Phase II Proposal, due 180 days from start of Base award

## Phase II

All Phase I awardees may submit an Initial Phase II proposal for evaluation and selection. The evaluation criteria for Phase II are the same as Phase I (as stated in this BAA). The Phase I Final Report and Initial Phase II Proposal will be used to evaluate the small business concern’s potential to adapt commercial products to fill a capability gap, improve performance, or modernize an existing capability for DON and transition the technology to Phase III. Details on the due date, content, and submission requirements of the Initial Phase II Proposal will be provided by the awarding SYSCOM either in the Phase I contract or by subsequent notification.&nbsp;The scope of the Phase II effort will be specific to each project but is generally expected to develop and deliver a prototype system for in-water testing and measurement/validation of the Phase I performance attributes. Perform detailed analysis and live demonstration in a test environment as part of the evaluation. Provide detailed technical documentation of the design, including an interface control drawing and interface specification, to allow successful transition of the product.&nbsp;Work in Phase II may become classified. Please see note in Description section.

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

Support the Navy in transitioning the technology for Navy use.&nbsp;Although a fully operational module is initially targeted for use in maritime mining, technology(ies) proposed should have the ability to support additional Navy applications and be suitable for shipboard use. Application of this product could provide commercial Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUVs) a longer duration to explore, map, survey (pipelines, cables, piers, bridges), and perform work (repair, salvage) in underwater.

NAVSEA Open Topic for Modular Mine Warfare Components

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

SBIR Documents

Related SBIR/STTR Opportunities

Opportunity Snapshot

Key Dates