Branch Technology Earns $2M USAF TACFI Award on SBIR Contract to Develop 3D-Printed, Custom-Fit, Energy-Efficient Retrofit System
Company to Continue Its Innovation in Building-Scale 3D Printing on Kirtland AFB
(Chattanooga, TN) – Branch Technology announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) Award on a previous SBIR Phase II Contract in the amount of $2,000,000 focused on Energy Efficiency, Force Protection, and Resilient Basing through Custom, On-Demand Building Retrofits to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now as of January 20th, 2026, Branch Technology has begun its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
“The whole Branch team is thrilled to be selected for this award as a validation of a solution concept to a market need both within the military ecosystem and the broader US building stock. Stewardship of energy is a critical endeavor for both national security and economic growth – especially now with the growth of energy demands related to AI infrastructure. Our 3D-printed retrofit solution greatly reduces energy loss through a building’s envelope and can restore decades of useful life to dilapidated buildings within the Air Force and beyond. We’re excited to continue optimizing this solution through the TACFI Award and bring the improved system to market. With it, we will begin to address the nation’s most pressing energy and building challenges and positively influence our nation’s approach to energy consumption.”
– David Goodloe, Program Manager | Branch Technology
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of War, or the U.S. government.
About Branch Technology
Branch Technology is an advanced 3D-printing technology company on a mission to create a beautiful built world. Their work combines computer aided design, advanced robotics, and digital fabrication to bring elegant and precise solutions to a wide variety of industries. For more information, visit: Branchtechnology.com
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit afresearchlab.com.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFWERX employs military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $1.4 billion annual budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: afwerx.com.
Company Press Contact:
Abby Hanners
Marketing Associate
Abby.hanners@branchtechnology.com
