Missing a close date is the most expensive free mistake in SBIR. Open topics do not wait for your calendar. Here is a durable system for tracking open SBIR topics without living on DSIP all day.
Start at open SBIR topics or the full opportunities feed. Sort by close date, filter by WERX component (AFWERX, NavalX, SOFWERX), and open the topics that match your tech domain.
Air Force and Space Force innovation topics move on a monthly DSIP rhythm. Bookmark AFWERX open topics and read how the monthly drop works so you are ready before the window opens — not the day it closes.
The deadline calendar plots open and pre-release topics by close date. Use it in weekly BD standups so the whole team sees the same cliff dates.
On any opportunity page you can set a deadline alert or track the topic on a pipeline board (Pro). Topic watches email new open solicitations in your domain. Free accounts get limited watches and alerts — enough to start a habit.
Tracking is not bidding. Once a topic is on your radar, run the 15-minute go/no-go checklist, then a capability match and optional readiness scorecard.