Open Architecture Platform for Underwater Vehicles for Rapid Adaptation, Collaborative Sensing, Navigation, and Autonomy

Solicitation DPA26BZ05-DV021 is a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) effort managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop an open-architecture autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) platform. The objective is to create a two-person portable, modular system capable of 24-hour operations, featuring a flooded-hull design that allows payload housings to be swapped within 24 hours without specialized tools. The platform must prioritize reduced mechanical complexity, strict water-column control, and fixed-depth stationkeeping. Key technical requirements include the development of a physics-based pre-deployment simulation environment, AI-driven mission optimization, and a multimodal communications mesh supporting acoustic, RF, cellular, and SATCOM for automated data offloading and collaborative sensing across a heterogeneous fleet. The contract is valued at 1.8 million dollars with a performance period of 24 months. Proposals are evaluated on their own individual merit based on technical innovation, investigator qualifications, and commercial potential. Awardees must provide a functional prototype and a comprehensive prototype demonstration plan by the eighth month. Security requirements include Level 2 CMMC certification for those handling ITAR or CUI data, and the delivery of a software bill of materials. Notably, the scope explicitly excludes any capabilities related to weapon-release, lethal engagement, or named-person identification. Submissions must be made via the DSIP portal by September 23, 2026.