First, combine the soaked navy beans with 1/4 tsp baking soda and a bay leaf. Cook these beans on medium-low heat for 1 to 2 hours until they are very soft. While the beans are cooking, cook the 4-5 slices of thick-cut bacon until crispy, then remove and chop. In the bacon fat, sauté the chopped onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and garlic until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, draining any excess fat. Stir in the paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Once the beans are cooked, drain them and combine them with the cooked bacon, beef mixture, 16 oz can tomato sauce, 1 1/2 cups bbq sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon mustard, 2 tablespoons ACV, and 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce in a large baking dish. Bake the mixture at 400°F (200°C) for an hour and a half, or until the sauce becomes creamy and thickened.
