The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is seeking innovative defense-related dual-purpose health and medical technologies through its Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR opportunity, specifically targeting Airmen Health and Medical Technology solutions. Proposals must align with one of four subcategories: Biotechnology, Combat Casualty Care, Military Infectious Diseases, or Medical Force Readiness, and should demonstrate a mature non-defense technical solution ready for adaptation to meet Air Force needs. This initiative aims to explore and prototype validated concepts that can enhance both defense and non-defense markets, with a focus on applied research and development rather than basic research. Interested parties must submit their proposals by June 5, 2025, with further details available at the DOD SBIR/STTR website.

## Description

The DAF is a large and complex organization consisting of many functions, a vast majority of which have similar counterparts in the commercial sector. It is important that potential solutions have a high probability of keeping pace with technological change. Thus, solutions should be closely tied to commercial technologies and solutions supporting the proposed development. This topic is meant for non-defense commercial solutions to be adapted to meet Air Force stakeholders' needs. Proposed technical solutions should focus on the characteristics outlined in the Evaluation Criteria section of this solicitation. This is accomplished most effectively through a proposal with a mature non-defense technical solution and a clear understanding of its adaptation to meet a DAF customer's specific need, supported by documentation from a specific motivated, empowered DAF end-user, customer, and technical point of contact (TPOC) ready and willing to participate in the proposed prototype solution's trial. Proposals should identify which of the OUSD(R&amp;E) Critical Technology Areas the proposed solution addresses and include an explanation of the solution's ability to provide increased strategic capability within the context of DAFSpace Force, national, and global constraints.Additional information on OUSD(R&amp;E) Critical Technology Areas can be found at https://dod-critical-technology-area-roadmaps.zoiclabs.io/.The AF SBIR Program follows the policies and practices of the Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR/STTR Policy Directive (3 May 2023): https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBA%20SBIR_STTR_POLICY_DIRECTIVE_May2023.pdf.

## Objective

This focused open topic is specific tofor Airmen Health and Medical Technology,. Proposed solutions must fall within at least one of the followingincluding the subcategories; Biotechnology, Combat Casualty Care, Military Infectious Diseases, and Medical Readiness. If your technology solution is not applicable to any of the four (4) aforementionlisted subcategories within the Airmen Health and Medical Technology focused open topic do not apply to this topic., please reference the other open topics included in this solicitation. This Department of the Air Force (DAF) focused open topic seeks Airmen Health and Medical Technologies for transition into the United States Air Force (USAF). This topic is offered in partnership with AFWERX. Primary objectives of this focused open topic include exploring innovative medical technology solutions applicable to both defense and non-defense markets, scaling capability, and growing the industrial base for defense. This topic seeks companies with capability to prototype validated concepts under an accelerated Phase II schedule. This topic is aimed at applied research and development efforts rather than &ldquo;front-end&rdquo; or basic Research (R)/Research &amp; Development (R&amp;D). Airmen Health and Medical Technology Subcategories and DefinitionsThere are four (4) subcategory areas for this Airmen Health and Medical Technology focused open topic as follows:BiotechnologyBiotechnology is an emerging engineering discipline that uses living systems to produce a wide range of technologies and capabilities. From fighting global pandemics and avoiding surprises to reducing logistics and sustainment costs and increasing energy efficiency, biotechnology can help change the way the Department conducts missions, performs in contested logistics environments, and adapts to major global changes.Combat Casualty CareInnovations are funded to reduce mortality and morbidity resulting from injuries on the battlefield through the development of new life-saving strategies, new surgical techniques, biological and mechanical products, en route medical care for patient movement, and the timely use of remote physiological monitoring.Military Infectious DiseasesInnovations are funded to prevent, predict, and treat infectious disease threats to the total force, maximizing Service Member readiness and performance.Medical Force ReadinessIn conjunction with readiness support, the Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) remains focused on its strategic imperative to invest in advanced medical, dental, allied health education and prioritizes proficiency in medical capabilities while maintaining the necessary education and skill sets to optimize readiness, recruitment, and retention.Applications for the Focused Open Topic on Airmen Health and Medical Technology must clearly demonstrate the proposed solution fits within one of the four defined subcategories. Applications failing to reasonably validate their alignment with these subcategories will not be evaluated.Focused Open Topic applications that do not clearly fall into one of the aforementioned four (4) Airmen Health and Medical Technology subcategories will not be evaluated. 

## Phase I

This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II. Therefore, Phase I awards will not be made for this topic. The applicant is required to provide detail and documentation in the D2P2 proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a “Phase I-type” effort, including a feasibility study. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential. It must have validated the product-mission fit between the proposed solution and a potential Air Force stakeholder. The applicant should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the DAF customer, end-user, and TPOC.&nbsp;The feasibility study should have:<ol><li>Clearly identified the potential stakeholders of the adapted solution for solving the Air Force need(s).</li><li>Described the pathway to integrating with DAF operations, to include how the applicant plans to accomplish core technology development, navigate applicable regulatory processes, and integrate with other relevant systems and/or processes.</li><li>Describe if and how the solution can be used by other Department of Defense (DoD) or governmental customers.</li></ol>

## Phase II

Proposals should include development, installation, integration, demonstration and/or test and evaluation of the proposed solution prototype system.&nbsp;These activities should focus specifically on:<ol><li>Evaluating the adapted solution against the proposed objectives and measurable key results.</li><li>Describing in detail how the installed solution differs from the non-defense commercial offering to solve the Air Force need(s), as well as how it can be scaled for wide adoption, i.e., modified for scale.</li><li>Identifying the proposed solution's clear transition path, taking into account input from affected stakeholders, including but not limited to, end users, engineering, sustainment, contracting, finance, legal, and cyber security.</li><li>Specifying the solution's integration with other current and potential future solutions.</li><li>Describing the solution's sustainability, i.e., supportability. Identifying other specific DoD or governmental customers for the solution.</li></ol>

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

Some solutions may go from Phase II to Phase III as soon as the product-market fit is verified. Potential Phase III awardees will transition to the adapted non-Defense commercial solution to provide expanded mission capability for a broad range of potential governmental and civilian users and alternate mission applications.

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Direct-to-Phase-II Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Airmen Health and Medical Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Need

Direct-to-Phase-II Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Airmen Health and Medical Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Need

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

SBIR Documents

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Opportunity Snapshot

Key Dates