SBIR Signal

Modernization of Flash X-Ray Simulated Environments

SBIR topic from AFWERX, solicitation 26.BZ. Closes 2026-06-24.

Component (WERX)
AFWERX
Agency
USAF
Program / Phase
SBIR
Solicitation #
26.BZ
Topic #
DAF26BZ02-DV013
Status
Closed
Pre-release date
2026-05-06
Open date
2026-05-27
Close date
2026-06-24 · Add to calendar · See all deadlines
Set-aside
—
NAICS
—
Direct-to-Phase II brief

Topic brief

This looks like a Direct-to-Phase II (or Phase II-heavy) opportunity. Agencies expect a mature prototype path and evidence you can execute without a classic Phase I on DAF26BZ02-DV013.

Direct-to-Phase II focus: Treat maturity and transition evidence as gate criteria. Phase II-scale budget and schedule realism matter more than exploratory R&D framing.

Who this is for

  • Firms with a working prototype or strong TRL evidence already
  • Teams that can fund or evidence prior R&D equivalent to Phase I
  • Companies ready for a larger budget and tighter delivery schedule

Capture playbook

  1. Inventory prior art, demos, and test data that substitute for Phase I
  2. Budget and schedule like a Phase II from day one
  3. Identify transition customer and path before writing the abstract
  4. Study median Phase II award sizes in this agency (competitive intel)
  5. Only bid if you can show execution risk is controlled

pWin cues

  • Demonstrated system or subsystem, not a paper concept
  • Credible Phase II cost realism and staffing
  • Named transition stakeholder or follow-on vehicle

Watch-outs

  • D2P2 is not a shortcut for early-TRL ideas
  • Incumbents with prior Phase I on related topics may dominate
  • Underestimating Phase II documentation load sinks first-time bidders

Topic brief FAQ

What is Direct-to-Phase II?

A path that allows firms meeting eligibility and maturity criteria to propose Phase II without a new Phase I award on that topic.

Do I still need a Phase I somewhere?

Rules vary by agency; many D2P2 paths require equivalent prior work. Read the solicitation carefully.

How do I compare award sizes?

Use competitive intel and related awards on this page for Phase II dollar context in the same agency/domain.

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Go / No-Go decision pack

One-click pack: competitive field, conversion signal, related awards, and (Pro) a full GO / MAYBE / NO-GO verdict against your capability.

Open scorecard Match my capability

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Incumbent detector

No adjacent award history found for this topic yet. Use the decision pack and scorecard to build your own go/no-go case, and re-check after the next data refresh.

Description

The program goal under the offered D2P2 topic is to design and build two new flash x-ray test capabilities. To reduce cost, both would be built on non-functioning capability platforms (CXS and PI 538 flash x-ray) with completely new output profiles. The CXS would be redesigned as a cold x-ray source. The PI 538 would be redesigned to reduce the Full-Width-Half-Max (FWMH) pulse width. For both machines, perform an evaluation of components that could be replaced using different materials for targets, switches, or resistors, etc. This could increase operational time between maintenance cycles, allowing for higher annual operating capacity. Both proposed capabilities represent unique output profiles of high value to nuclear modernization test and evaluation work across the DoW.

View / apply on DoD DSIP ↗

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