Special Program Announcement for Office of Naval Research Research Opportunity: FY27 Communications and Networking Applied Research | N0001426SBC11

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the purpose of this ONR Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)?

This BAA solicits FY27 applied research proposals in communications and networking technologies that directly support Naval operations, with an emphasis on enabling reliable, resilient connectivity for distributed maritime operations (DMO).

2) What operational concept is driving this opportunity?

The opportunity is framed around the Navy's distributed maritime operations (DMO) concept, as described in "A Design for Maritime Superiority" (2018). DMO emphasizes delivering accurate, timely, and analyzed information across units, warfighting groups, and fleets, even when forces are dispersed, moving, and operating under contested conditions.

3) What is the Naval Tactical Grid (NTG) and why is it central to this BAA?

The Naval Tactical Grid (NTG) is described as the connective "backbone" intended to link distributed units into groups and groups into fleet-level formations. This BAA highlights NTG enablement as a central objective, with a focus on resilient networking that holds together under realistic operational stressors and adversary actions.

4) What kinds of technical solutions is ONR looking for?

ONR is seeking communications and networking approaches that provide seamless and resilient connectivity across diverse platforms and missions, designed to work under real-world constraints such as limited infrastructure, high mobility, spectrum limitations, interference, multipath, atmospheric impacts, adversary jamming/intercept, and size/weight/power (SWaP) constraints.

5) Is this basic research or applied research?

This opportunity is explicitly focused on applied research, aimed at developing and maturing communications and networking capabilities closer to fieldable use in contested, multi-domain Naval operations.

6) Which operational environments and domains should proposals account for?

Proposals should address multi-domain operations and account for technologies functioning across land, maritime (surface and undersea), cyber, and space domains.

7) Do proposed technologies need to work on both manned and unmanned platforms?

Yes. ONR highlights that the technologies should function on both manned and unmanned platforms.

8) What stressors or threats should proposers assume in their designs?

ONR expects proposers to anticipate realistic operational stressors, including limited or absent infrastructure, high mobility, spectrum constraints, interference and multipath effects, atmospheric impacts, adversary jamming and electronic intercept, and SWaP limitations.

9) How does ONR describe the operational importance of robust communications and networking?

ONR describes robust communications and networking as critical enablers for command and control (C2) and decision-making at every level of command within a DMO environment, where forces must coordinate and adapt quickly under pressure.

10) Who is eligible to apply as a prime (non-government performer)?

Eligibility is broad for non-government performers. Responsible sources from academia, industry, and the global research community may apply.

11) Are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) encouraged to apply?

Yes. ONR explicitly encourages proposals from HBCUs and Minority Institutions (MIs).

12) Are small businesses encouraged, and is there a set-aside?

ONR notes that both small and large businesses are encouraged to compete. However, there is no set-aside or reserved funding allocation for any socio-economic category.

13) Which organizations are not eligible to receive awards directly under this BAA?

Several categories are not eligible to receive awards directly, including Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) (such as Department of Energy national labs), as well as Navy laboratories, military universities, warfare centers, and other DoD or civilian government labs.

14) Can an eligible prime team with an FFRDC?

Yes. ONR allows teaming arrangements where an eligible prime offeror partners with an FFRDC, as long as the arrangement is permitted under the FFRDC's sponsoring agreement.

15) Can University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) submit proposals?

UARCs may submit proposals unless their specific DoD UARC contract prohibits it.

16) Does ONR encourage collaboration and teaming?

Yes. ONR encourages team proposals and expects offerors to be willing to cooperate within an integrated program environment.

17) What does "integrated program environment" mean for awardees?

It means awardees should be prepared to coordinate and cooperate with other contractors and with system integrators selected by ONR, including exchanging software, data, and other information to support interoperability and system-relevant outcomes.

18) Should proposers expect an emphasis on interoperability and transition-oriented outcomes?

Yes. The collaboration and information-exchange expectations signal ONR is aiming for interoperable, system-relevant results rather than isolated demonstrations, with coordination during the period of performance to support integration and transition.

19) What type of award is this and what is the CFDA number?

This program is offered as a discretionary grant under CFDA 12.300 (Defense Research Sciences).

20) What is the funding opportunity number and who is the issuing agency?

The funding opportunity number is N0001426SBC11, and it is published by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

21) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount listed for this opportunity?

The opportunity lists an award ceiling of $500,000.

22) How many awards does ONR expect to make?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of approximately six awards.

23) What is the closing date for submissions?

The original closing date is November 16, 2026.

24) What are the disclosure requirements related to current and pending support?

ONR warns that disclosures made in the application can affect eligibility. DoD may request updated current and pending support information both before award and throughout the performance period.

25) Why is current and pending support reporting described as a continuing obligation?

ONR states that continued review of current and pending support information may result in discontinuation of funding. That makes accuracy and timely updates an ongoing compliance requirement, not a one-time submission item.

26) What characteristics are implied for a competitive proposal under this BAA?

Based on the description, competitive proposals will likely demonstrate a clear path to resilient connectivity for the NTG under real-world constraints, show an integration-minded design, and reflect an understanding of contested operational environments and threats that can degrade or deny communications in DMO.