Carderock BAA

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) under the Research Opportunity Number N0016726S0001, seeking proposals for basic and applied research that aligns with the Navy’s technological innovation needs. This BAA functions as a merit-based competitive process under the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARS). It invites participation from eligible academic institutions and research organizations across a range of thematic technology areas integral to naval engineering, with potential awards made as grants or cooperative agreements. The Carderock Division, a branch of the U.S. Navy focused on ship and submarine design, hydrodynamics, structures, and materials, supports foundational and cutting-edge research to enhance maritime capabilities. The funding opportunity focuses on six priority research areas: Digital Ecosystems, Hydrodynamics, Naval Platform Integrity, Ship and Submarine Design, Signature Management, and Unmanned Systems. Each of these fields addresses core operational concerns of the Navy and supports advancements in data-driven decision making, hull and propulsor interaction, structural materials and composites, design processes for novel platforms, sensor technologies, and AI-powered autonomy for unmanned systems. Proposals should be well-structured with a clear statement of work, milestones, risk analysis, and innovative approaches that improve state-of-the-art solutions. Awards made under this BAA will not be used for the procurement of services or hardware for the federal government’s direct use. This BAA allows proposals to be submitted on a rolling basis through February 27, 2026. All proposals must remain valid until December 31, 2026. While a specific number of awards is not predetermined, the volume and quality of submissions, along with available funds, will determine the number of projects funded. Funding levels will vary depending on the nature and scope of the research proposed. Applicants should state whether their proposal constitutes fundamental research and provide rationale accordingly. Intellectual property rights, publication rights, and government use will be subject to the applicable terms depending on whether the research is categorized as fundamental or not. Eligibility is open to academic institutions and teams involving public or private universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs). Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and U.S. government laboratories are not eligible to apply directly but may participate via teaming arrangements if allowed by their primary government contracts. While no cost share or match is required, proposals must demonstrate value and alignment with the Navy’s strategic interests. All proposals must comply with federal reporting and certification requirements, including lobbying disclosures and conflict of interest statements. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. Applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM), obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and complete the Grants.gov registration process prior to submission. Proposals must include two volumes: a technical proposal (Volume I) with a detailed program narrative, statement of work, resumes, and milestone chart; and a cost/business proposal (Volume II) with labor substantiations, indirect cost justifications, and material and travel budgets. NSWCCD will not accept hardcopy, faxed, or emailed proposals. Evaluation will be conducted through a scientific peer review, assessing proposals based on technical merit, relevance to NSWCCD objectives, and cost reasonableness. Final awards will be contingent upon available funding and successful negotiation of award terms. Debriefings will be available upon request within ten calendar days of notification of award decision. The BAA supports the U.S. Navy’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced technologies into its operational platforms through academic research and partnership.