Ocean Explorer (OEX) Large Underwater Vehicle Demonstrator
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- N0001425SBC04
- Agency
-
Office of Naval Research
Secretary of the Navy, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Place of performance
- Arlington, Virginia 22203, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is seeking potential performers to design, build, and test the Ocean Explorer (OEX), an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean-scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) solicitation emphasizes innovation in both ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and rapid prototype design and fabrication. The effort will be structured in two phases: a Preliminary Design phase (Phase 1A) focusing on establishing technical feasibility of the vehicle with a payload module and laying out operational and maintenance infrastructure for a hypothetical OEX "squadron," followed by an optional Detailed Design phase (Phase 1B). Key technical challenges that proposers must address include reliability, two-way external communications, extended endurance, and robust autonomous operations. Proposals will be evaluated on technical merit, management approach, team qualifications, past program performance on comparable complexity efforts, and cost reasonableness, with proposers required to submit five-page white papers followed by full technical proposals not exceeding 50 pages plus exempt graphics. The final deadline for full proposal submission is January 30, 2026, at 1630 Eastern Time, with funding decisions expected by February 27, 2026, and contract awards anticipated on May 29, 2026.
This solicitation carries no set-aside designation and identifies no incumbent contractors. ONR anticipates awarding up to two contracts totaling $30 million for project performance periods ranging from 1 to 3 years, with Phase 1A (Preliminary Design) having a desired 12-month duration. The effort requires proposers to develop designs for both a production vehicle and a prototype vehicle, with the government providing critical Government Furnished Information including battery systems, propulsor components, and payload specifications at contract award. Interested parties with appropriate Facility Security Clearance must submit requests for classified GFI by August 1, 2025, and all proposals may be submitted at either classified or controlled unclassified information levels. Other-than-small businesses are required to submit a subcontracting plan as part of their proposals. The place of performance is listed as Arlington, Virginia, with Industry Days held on June 30 – July 1, 2025.
Notice text
7 versions
Update #7 · Latest ·
Amendment 006 - Posted 30 January 2026 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 005 - Posted 22 December 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 004 - Posted 26 September 2025 (Please see updated attachment)
Amendment 003 - Posted 20 Aug 2025 (Please see updated attachment)
Amendment 002 - Posted 24 Jul 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 001 - Posted 24 Jun 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks potential performers who are interested in pursuing the rapid design, build, and testing of OEX, an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. Innovation is sought both in terms of ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and in rapid prototype design and fabrication. The BAA Call initially seeks white papers followed by a full costed proposal covering an OEX “Preliminary Design” phase (Phase 1A) with a “Detailed Design” option (Phase 1B). The purpose of the OEX Preliminary Design is to establish the technical feasibility of the vehicle (with a payload module) and to lay out the operational and maintenance infrastructure required to support a hypothetical OEX “squadron”.
Update #6 ·
Amendment 005 - Posted 22 December 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 004 - Posted 26 September 2025 (Please see updated attachment)
Amendment 003 - Posted 20 Aug 2025 (Please see updated attachment)
Amendment 002 - Posted 24 Jul 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 001 - Posted 24 Jun 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks potential performers who are interested in pursuing the rapid design, build, and testing of OEX, an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. Innovation is sought both in terms of ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and in rapid prototype design and fabrication. The BAA Call initially seeks white papers followed by a full costed proposal covering an OEX “Preliminary Design” phase (Phase 1A) with a “Detailed Design” option (Phase 1B). The purpose of the OEX Preliminary Design is to establish the technical feasibility of the vehicle (with a payload module) and to lay out the operational and maintenance infrastructure required to support a hypothetical OEX “squadron”.
Update #5 ·
Amendment 004 - Posted 26 September 2025 (Please see updated attachment)
Amendment 003 - Posted 20 Aug 2025 (Please see updated attachment)
Amendment 002 - Posted 24 Jul 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 001 - Posted 24 Jun 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks potential performers who are interested in pursuing the rapid design, build, and testing of OEX, an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. Innovation is sought both in terms of ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and in rapid prototype design and fabrication. The BAA Call initially seeks white papers followed by a full costed proposal covering an OEX “Preliminary Design” phase (Phase 1A) with a “Detailed Design” option (Phase 1B). The purpose of the OEX Preliminary Design is to establish the technical feasibility of the vehicle (with a payload module) and to lay out the operational and maintenance infrastructure required to support a hypothetical OEX “squadron”.
Update #4 ·
Amendment 003 - Posted 20 Aug 2025 (Please see updated attachment)
Amendment 002 - Posted 24 Jul 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 001 - Posted 24 Jun 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks potential performers who are interested in pursuing the rapid design, build, and testing of OEX, an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. Innovation is sought both in terms of ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and in rapid prototype design and fabrication. The BAA Call initially seeks white papers followed by a full costed proposal covering an OEX “Preliminary Design” phase (Phase 1A) with a “Detailed Design” option (Phase 1B). The purpose of the OEX Preliminary Design is to establish the technical feasibility of the vehicle (with a payload module) and to lay out the operational and maintenance infrastructure required to support a hypothetical OEX “squadron”.
Update #3 ·
Amendment 002 - Posted 24 Jul 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
Amendment 001 - Posted 24 Jun 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks potential performers who are interested in pursuing the rapid design, build, and testing of OEX, an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. Innovation is sought both in terms of ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and in rapid prototype design and fabrication. The BAA Call initially seeks white papers followed by a full costed proposal covering an OEX “Preliminary Design” phase (Phase 1A) with a “Detailed Design” option (Phase 1B). The purpose of the OEX Preliminary Design is to establish the technical feasibility of the vehicle (with a payload module) and to lay out the operational and maintenance infrastructure required to support a hypothetical OEX “squadron”.
Update #2 ·
ONR will hold Industry Days on 30 June – 1 July 2025
Amendment 001 - Posted 24 Jun 2025 (Please see updated attachments)
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks potential performers who are interested in pursuing the rapid design, build, and testing of OEX, an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. Innovation is sought both in terms of ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and in rapid prototype design and fabrication. The BAA Call initially seeks white papers followed by a full costed proposal covering an OEX “Preliminary Design” phase (Phase 1A) with a “Detailed Design” option (Phase 1B). The purpose of the OEX Preliminary Design is to establish the technical feasibility of the vehicle (with a payload module) and to lay out the operational and maintenance infrastructure required to support a hypothetical OEX “squadron”.
Update #1 ·
ONR will hold Industry Days on 30 June – 1 July 2025
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) seeks potential performers who are interested in pursuing the rapid design, build, and testing of OEX, an ultra-large autonomous undersea vehicle capable of conducting extended ocean scale missions while carrying a large modular payload. Innovation is sought both in terms of ultra-large undersea vehicle technology and in rapid prototype design and fabrication. The BAA Call initially seeks white papers followed by a full costed proposal covering an OEX “Preliminary Design” phase (Phase 1A) with a “Detailed Design” option (Phase 1B). The purpose of the OEX Preliminary Design is to establish the technical feasibility of the vehicle (with a payload module) and to lay out the operational and maintenance infrastructure required to support a hypothetical OEX “squadron”.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Q_A 1.pdf | ||
| Attachment 4 Rev1.pdf | ||
| N0001425SBC04 Amendment 006.pdf | ||
| N0001425SBC04_Amendment 005.pdf | ||
| Attachment 4.pdf | ||
| N0001425SB04_Amendment 004.pdf | ||
| N0001425SBC04_Amendment003.pdf | ||
| Attachment 1 Rev1.pdf | ||
| N0001425SBC04_Amendment_002.pdf | ||
| Attachment 3. OEX Memo.pdf | ||
| N0001425SBC04_Amendment 001.pdf | ||
| Attachment 1.pdf | ||
| Q_A.pdf | ||
| N0001425SBC04.pdf |
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