How to bid on environmental research for the Dept of the Army (SERDP Open Topics BAA)

What the Army is buying and why it matters to your business

The Department of the Army, through its Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) Office, is seeking research proposals for environmental technologies. This includes areas like Environmental Restoration, Munitions Response, Resource Conservation and Resilience, and Weapons Systems and Platforms.

They are looking for innovative solutions that improve environmental performance, manage risks, or reduce costs for the Department of Defense. This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which means the agency is looking for novel approaches to specific research needs. Multiple awards are expected, with a total value up to $10 million.

This opportunity is open to both small and large businesses, offering a chance to contribute to significant environmental advancements for the DoD.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This solicitation was published on August 22, 2025. The deadline for submitting white papers is August 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. This BAA will remain open for approximately one year or until a successor BAA is published.

At the deadline, all submitted white papers will be evaluated based on Technical Merit and SERDP Relevance. If your white paper is selected, you will be invited to submit a full proposal. There will be no debriefs for white papers not selected for full proposal submission.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for businesses, including small and large firms, with expertise in environmental research and development. Specifically, firms specializing in environmental restoration, munitions response, resource conservation, resilience, and weapons systems technologies are encouraged to respond.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this opportunity is 541715, with a small business size standard of 1000 employees. This indicates a focus on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences.

How to respond to this solicitation

To respond, you must submit a white paper through the DoD SERDP website. No faxed or hard copy submissions will be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure your white paper is properly received by SERDP.

You can access the full program announcement and submission instructions on the DoD SERDP website. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, further instructions will be provided at that time.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Focus your white paper on clearly demonstrating both the technical merit of your proposed research and its direct relevance to SERDP's mission areas. Since these two criteria are weighted equally, ensure both aspects are strong and well-articulated.

Thoroughly review all instructions on the SERDP website before preparing your white paper. Adhering strictly to formatting and content requirements is crucial for consideration. Remember that the government will not pay for costs associated with preparing white papers or presentations.

If your firm is an Other than Small Business and your eventual proposal exceeds $750,000, be prepared to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan. Information on preparing this plan and finding small business partners is available on the Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity (HECSA) Small Business Office website.