The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has released a funding opportunity, BAA Call Number N0001425SBC02, for the Neutralization In Challenging Environments Using Lethal Effects (NICELE) program. This initiative is part of the Seabed and Underwater Explosive Ordnance Disposal program, aiming to advance technologies for detecting, accessing, manipulating, and neutralizing seabed and underwater threats with high confidence and effectiveness in complex undersea environments. The NICELE program focuses on developing technologies such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), diver teaming systems, advanced target sensing and localization tools, and energetic/reactive payloads for operations at depth. These technologies are intended to improve the ability of Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to manage threats like deep-water mines and water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs).

The objectives of the program include enhancing the capabilities of Navy ExMCM (Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures) forces to neutralize deep-water threats in a controlled manner, using detonation, deflagration, or safe rendering options. Additionally, NICELE seeks to advance sensing technologies for localizing underwater threats and their critical components. The program also emphasizes extending operational ranges, enabling collaboration between ROVs and divers, and integrating supervised autonomy to reduce workload while improving performance. Technologies developed under this program may be integrated into the EOD Maritime Expeditionary Standoff Response (MESR) program of record, supporting broader naval and expeditionary objectives.

The program invites participation from defense contracting firms experienced in maritime deep-water response technologies. An Industry Day will be held on January 31, 2025, at the Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta, GA, to provide more information on project goals, concepts of operation, and submission requirements for white papers. Advance registration and a valid security clearance at the SECRET level are required to attend, and no on-site clearance verification will be conducted. Specific submission instructions, including deadlines for visit requests and restricted electronics policies during classified briefings, are outlined in the announcement.

Offerors are encouraged to submit unclassified white papers by March 20, 2025, via FedConnect. These papers should detail technical concepts, naval relevance, operational improvements, utility assessments, and a rough cost estimate. ONR will provide feedback on whether the concepts proposed are of particular value to the Navy, with final funding decisions based on available budgets and the alignment of proposals with Navy objectives. White papers should be no longer than five pages, with an additional one-page resume for the principal investigator. Full proposals, due by May 12, 2025, can be submitted even if a white paper was not submitted or initially evaluated favorably.

Evaluation and award timelines include white paper reviews by April 15, 2025, notification of full proposal selection by May 27, 2025, and project awards expected by October 10, 2025. Projects are anticipated to have performance periods of three to five years. The ONR encourages small businesses interested in subcontracting opportunities to provide their details for potential collaboration with larger contractors. Specific questions regarding the announcement must be submitted via email to designated technical and business points of contact.