Transient Reducing Active Power System (TRAPS) Research Opportunity

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is soliciting white papers and full proposals under the solicitation number N0001426SBC01 for the Transient Reducing Active Power System (TRAPS) research opportunity, aimed at developing an advanced power system architecture to manage and smooth transient power demands from shipboard mission loads. The goal is to convert continuously fluctuating low-voltage direct current (LVDC) load profiles into stable, MIL-STD-1399 Section 300 compliant profiles, with a nominal interface target of 1000VDC as defined by MIL-STD-300 Part 3 Type 3. The effort focuses on conceptual design and modeling using MATLAB, followed by hardware demonstration of high-risk subscale components and subsystems at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3-4, with the objective of reaching TRL4+ and producing a development plan to mature the technology to TRL 5/6 or higher. Proposals must address the development of a conceptual TRAPS design including size and weight projections, electrical and life models, identification of demonstration components, an Operational Naval Concept, and an Operational Utility Assessment Plan. The work is anticipated to be conducted at an unclassified level, but performers must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and eligible to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). All resulting publications require prior approval from ONR under DFARS 252.204-7000. White papers, limited to five pages plus a one-page principal investigator resume, must be submitted through the ONR Submission Portal by 17 July 2026 at 1400 Eastern Time, and must include the offeror’s capabilities, experience integrating novel technologies from universities or small businesses, commercialization potential, and a rough order of magnitude cost estimate. Full proposals, due 25 September 2026 at 1400 Eastern Time, may be submitted by any offeror regardless of white paper status, and must be submitted in accordance with Appendix 2 of the underlying N0001425SB001 Long Range BAA. Base program awards will not exceed $2.5 million per contract and will support a two-year period of performance, while an optional phase exists for a detailed design of a full-scale TRAPS prototype, with a potential two-year performance period upon option exercise. Innovation from universities and small businesses is favored, though small business participation is