Acquisition
How DoD SBIR topics are released, and when a proposer may contact the topic author
How the DoD SBIR and STTR broad agency announcements schedule pre-release, open and close dates, when proposers may contact topic authors directly, and how the DSIP Topic Q&A works after that.
Oct 21, 20264 min read5 sources
Why it matters
Under the 2026 DoD SBIR BAA, direct contact with a topic author is allowed only during pre-release; after that, questions go through a public Q&A that closes two weeks before the topic closes.
The short version
- 1Each release has three dates: pre-release, open and close. For the 2026 BAA's Release 6 they were September 2, September 23 and October 21, 2026.
- 2During pre-release only, proposers may phone or email topic authors with technical questions about a topic's requirements, not about their solution approach.
- 3DSIP Topic Q&A opens at pre-release, posts answers publicly without attribution, and closes to new questions two weeks before the topic close date.
The Department of Defense (DoD) buys Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) work through a broad agency announcement (BAA): one standing solicitation, with research topics added in releases that can come once a month. The current texts are issued under the Department of War name. Each release moves through three periods. In pre-release, topics are public and proposers may talk to the topic author. In the open period, the portal accepts proposals and questions go only through a public Q&A. At close, proposals are due by noon Eastern time. The rules are in section 6.2 of the 2026 SBIR BAA, Amendment 3, dated September 2, 2026.
Pre-release, open and close
The 2026 BAA lists six releases:
| Release | Pre-release | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 13, 2026 | May 6, 2026 | June 3, 2026 |
| 2 | May 6, 2026 | May 27, 2026 | June 24, 2026 |
| 3 | June 3, 2026 | June 24, 2026 | July 22, 2026 |
| 4 | July 1, 2026 | July 22, 2026 | August 19, 2026 |
| 5 | August 5, 2026 | August 26, 2026 | September 23, 2026 |
| 6 | September 2, 2026 | September 23, 2026 | October 21, 2026 |
Release 1 pre-released on April 13, 2026, the day Public Law 119-83, which extends the SBIR and STTR programs, was approved. The BAA says new topics pre-release on the first Wednesday of each month, and that unless a topic states otherwise, proposals must be certified and submitted in the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) by 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on the close date. A proposal left "In Progress" or "Ready to Certify" is not considered submitted.
For Release 6, the BAA gives four dates: topics pre-released September 2, opened September 23, Topic Q&A closed to new questions at noon on October 7, and topics closed at noon on October 21, 2026.
Talking to the topic author during pre-release
Section 6.2(a) of the BAA allows direct contact only in pre-release. During that period, the names, phone numbers or email addresses of topic authors are published with each topic on DSIP, and proposers may call or email them with technical questions about specific topics. Three limits apply:
- Questions must be limited to understanding a particular topic's requirements.
- Proposers may not ask for advice or guidance on their solution approach.
- Proposers may not send additional material to the topic author.
If a topic author gives information that is necessary for proposal preparation, the BAA says it will be made available to all parties through DSIP Topic Q&A. Once pre-release ends, no further direct contact is allowed, unless the topic author is responding to a question asked during pre-release. The 2026 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) BAA, also at Amendment 3, carries the same section.
The DSIP Topic Q&A once a topic opens
After pre-release, questions go through DSIP Topic Q&A, under section 6.2(b). Questions are submitted in writing on the topic page, and all questions and answers are posted on a non-attribution basis for public viewing. The Q&A opens on the pre-release date and closes two weeks before the topic close date. Answers are generally posted within seven business days and also emailed to the person who asked.
Topic Q&A is limited to technical questions about a topic's requirements. The BAA says questions on solution approach, eligibility, proposal structure and page count, budget and duration limits, or the due date will not receive a response; administrative questions go to the Service or Component instructions. Once submission closes, no communication of any kind is allowed with the topic author or through Topic Q&A about submitted proposals.
Component rules and the 2027 BAA
The Release 6 instructions show that a Component can be stricter. The Navy's table points topic-specific technical questions to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) listed in each topic during pre-release, and to Topic Q&A once the BAA opens. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) states that it does not allow direct communication with topic authors, takes all technical questions through Topic Q&A during both pre-release and open periods, and permits no physical site visits in those periods.
The 2027 SBIR BAA keeps section 6.2 unchanged and lists twelve releases. Release 1 pre-released October 7, 2026, opens October 28, closes Topic Q&A on November 11, and closes November 25, 2026. The 2027 BAA also limits each small business to one proposal per topic, effective October 1, 2026. The table prints the Release 2 close date as January 6, 2026, earlier than its December 2, 2026 open date.
What to check
- Which release does the topic belong to, and what are its pre-release, open, and close dates on DSIP?
- Is the question going to the topic author during pre-release, or through DSIP Topic Q&A after it?
- Does the question ask about the topic's requirements, or about a solution approach the BAA bars?
- Do the Component instructions forbid direct contact, as USSOCOM's do?
- Has the Topic Q&A closed to new questions, two weeks before the topic close date?
- Is the proposal certified and submitted in DSIP by noon Eastern time on the close date, not left "Ready to Certify"?
Sources
- 1Department of War Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, 2026 SBIR Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), Amendment 3 (September 2, 2026), Release 6 preface · Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP)
- 22026 SBIR Broad Agency Announcement, Release 6, with Service and Component instructions and topics · Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP)
- 3Department of War Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program, 2026 STTR Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), Amendment 3 (September 2, 2026), Release 6 preface · Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP)
- 4Department of War Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, 2027 SBIR Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), Release 1 preface · Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP)
- 5Public Law 119-83: Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act · U.S. Government Publishing Office (approved April 13, 2026)
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