Carderock BAA

The Carderock Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), issued by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), invites research proposals under the funding opportunity number NSWCCD-26-S-0001. This BAA supports basic and applied research aligned with NSWCCD’s mission and is governed by a merit-based, competitive process in accordance with Department of Defense regulations. The announcement outlines NSWCCD’s interest in enhancing technological capabilities through innovation in digital ecosystems, hydrodynamics, naval platform integrity, ship and submarine design, signature management, and unmanned systems. Eligible applicants include both public and private institutions of higher education within the United States. The application window for this funding cycle closes on March 13, 2026, with proposals accepted on a rolling basis until that date. NSWCCD’s mission focuses on providing cutting-edge technical solutions for naval surface platforms, and this BAA seeks proposals that significantly advance these capabilities. In digital ecosystems, research is encouraged in areas such as intelligent decision-making, data discovery, and adaptive digital policy enforcement. Hydrodynamics-related topics include computational modeling, seakeeping, maneuvering, cavitation, and the interactions of hulls with propulsors under varying environmental conditions. The research scope also encompasses challenges in naval platform integrity, such as developing corrosion-resistant materials, enhancing structural monitoring, and improving environmental treatment systems. These priorities demonstrate NSWCCD’s commitment to strengthening the technological and operational effectiveness of naval platforms. The announcement permits awards in the form of either grants or cooperative agreements. Grants are utilized when limited federal involvement is anticipated, while cooperative agreements are selected if substantial collaboration between NSWCCD and the recipient is required. Proposals should reflect this distinction and explain the nature of the proposed research. The total funding amount available and the number of awards to be made remain unspecified and depend on the quality of submissions and availability of funds. However, the maximum funding per award is capped at $500,000. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, further broadening the accessibility of the opportunity. Eligible entities must adhere strictly to the application process outlined in the announcement. The technical proposal must not exceed 30 pages and must include a detailed statement of work, milestone chart, executive summary, technical methodology, description of facilities and equipment, prior relevant work, and resumes of key personnel. Additionally, intellectual property assertions must be clearly delineated in a separate, severable document. Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov using the specified forms and submission protocols. Proposals sent via email, fax, or hand delivery will not be considered. Evaluation criteria for this BAA emphasize the overall scientific and technical merit of the proposal, its relevance to NSWCCD’s mission, and the affordability of the proposed effort. Proposals will be reviewed through a peer or scientific evaluation process. Based on this review, proposals will be sorted into three categories ranging from well-conceived and fundable efforts to those that are not technically sound. Selection for award is contingent upon funding availability and successful negotiation of award terms. Contact for this opportunity is Egbert M. Goodman, the Agreements Officer at NSWCCD. Questions must be submitted via email by January 30, 2026, and the proposal submission deadline is March 13, 2026. Awards are expected to support performance periods variable by project, with proposal validity extending through December 31, 2026. This grant is issued annually, suggesting similar opportunities may recur in future cycles.

Ensure strong technical merit and alignment with NSWCCD research areas; comply exactly with Grants.gov submission procedures; incomplete or non-compliant proposals may be deprioritized.