Open Topics Broad Agency Announcement

The Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) environmental science and technology initiative, managed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It funds research and development that advances innovative technologies or methods to enhance military readiness, improve installation resilience, and strengthen national defense infrastructure. Its role is to identify and support solutions that mitigate environmental risks, lower long-term costs, and improve the operational performance of DoD facilities and missions. SERDP’s work spans four program areas: Environmental Restoration, Munitions Response, Resource Conservation and Resilience, and Weapons Systems and Platforms. This broad approach ensures that research addresses both immediate and long-term challenges faced by military installations and operations. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), Notice ID W912HQ25S0004, issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity, invites private sector organizations to submit white papers proposing innovative, cost-effective solutions in the stated program areas. Both small and large businesses are encouraged to respond. The BAA serves as an open solicitation, remaining active for approximately one year from its release on August 22, 2025, with a final response deadline of August 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards will be made in the form of contracts, with an anticipated collective maximum funding of up to $10,000,000. The solicitation emphasizes innovation, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in addressing DoD’s most pressing environmental and resilience challenges. The application process is multi-staged. Initial submissions consist of a concise white paper of no more than two pages that describes the project’s objectives, technical approach, cost estimates, and relevance to SERDP’s mission. White papers are to be submitted electronically through the SERDP and ESTCP Management System (SEMS). No faxed or mailed submissions are accepted. Based on review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Instructions for full proposals are provided only upon invitation. Some proposals may require oral presentations to the SERDP Technical Review Board (TRB), which meets quarterly in October, March, June, and September. Awards are expected to follow within three to six months of final review, depending on funding availability. Evaluation criteria differ between white papers and full proposals. White papers are judged primarily on technical merit and SERDP relevance, with relevance serving as a pass/fail threshold. Full proposals are reviewed on technical merit, personnel qualifications, cost reasonableness, and transition plan. Transition plans must demonstrate how project outcomes will move toward implementation and practical use within DoD contexts. Due to the high number of anticipated submissions, unsuccessful applicants will not receive detailed feedback at the white paper stage. For full proposals, the review process may involve external peer reviewers or technical experts. Eligibility for this BAA is broad, including for-profit entities, small businesses, universities, nonprofits, tribal organizations, and state and local governments. However, organizations other than small businesses that submit proposals exceeding $750,000 must include a Small Business Subcontracting Plan in accordance with FAR 52.219-9. SERDP strongly encourages collaboration with small businesses in subcontracting arrangements. The HECSA Small Business Office provides resources for preparing subcontracting plans. Importantly, no costs associated with white paper preparation, proposal development, or travel for presentations will be reimbursed by the government. Interested applicants may consult program managers listed in Appendix A of the BAA for technical guidance specific to each program area. Procedural questions may be directed to the SERDP Office at 571-372-6565. Contract-related inquiries should be addressed to Shannon Benson at 703-428-7407 or via email at shannon.n.benson@usace.army.mil. Questions regarding small business participation or subcontracting plans can be directed to Monique Holmes at 202-934-1816 or via email at HECSASmallBusinessProgram@usace.army.mil. An alternative contracting contact is Danielle Richard at 530-302-3745 or danielle.k.richard@usace.army.mil. All proposal submissions must comply with the formatting and content requirements provided in the official instructions document available at https://serdp-estcp.mil/workwithus. In summary, SERDP’s Open Topics BAA represents a significant funding opportunity for organizations engaged in environmental research and development relevant to DoD missions. With an emphasis on technical innovation, cost-effectiveness, and operational impact, the program seeks to fund projects that address persistent challenges in environmental restoration, munitions response, natural resource resilience, and sustainable weapons systems. Applicants must carefully adhere to submission guidelines and deadlines, as well as evaluation criteria, to be considered for funding under this competitive solicitation.

The HECSA Small Business Office provides resources for preparing subcontracting plans and finding small business partners.