DARPA contracts: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, part of the Department of Defense, posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov. Below are the ones open right now, what DARPA buys, how much of its money goes to small businesses, and who wins its work.
- Open contracts now
- 28
- Contract spending, FY2026
- $1.2 billion
- Share to small businesses
- 23%
Open DARPA contracts, due soonest
- DARPA Modernization Project: Request for Qualifications for A&E Services
Due in 4 daysOct 9, 2026
- Selective Harnessing of Intrinsic Neuroplasticity Engineering (SHINE)
Due in 4 daysOct 9, 2026
- DARPA "Venture Horizons" Request for Information
Due in 4 daysOct 9, 2026
- 2026 MXO Spark Tank Special Notice
Due in 14 daysOct 19, 2026
- Resilient
Due in 14 daysOct 19, 2026
- Protein ENGineering (PENG)
Due in 14 daysOct 19, 2026
What DARPA is buying right now
NAICS codes on DARPA's open notices. Each notice's code sets the size standard for who counts as small.
| Code | Industry | Open now |
|---|---|---|
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | 21 |
| 541714 | Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) | 3 |
| 541310 | Architectural Services | 1 |
| 541713 | Research and Development in Nanotechnology | 1 |
DARPA contract spending by year
| Fiscal year | Contract obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | $1.8 billion |
| FY2025 | $1.8 billion |
| FY2026 | $1.2 billion |
| FY2027 (so far) | $0 |
The federal fiscal year starts October 1, so FY2027 began October 1, 2026.
What DARPA spends the most on
Industries with the most DARPA contract dollars over the last three fiscal years:
| NAICS | Industry | Obligated |
|---|---|---|
| 541715 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) | $3.1 billion |
| 541990 | All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $653.2 million |
| 541511 | Custom Computer Programming Services | $429.3 million |
| 541714 | Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) | $140.4 million |
| 541519 | Other Computer Related Services | $127.2 million |
| 541690 | Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services | $106.1 million |
| 541712 | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology) | $45.4 million |
| 541611 | Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services | $41.2 million |
Small business contracts at DARPA
About 23% of DARPA's contract dollars over the last three fiscal years went to small businesses. The government-wide goal is 23%.
Dollars awarded under each kind of set-aside in the same period:
- Small business: $626.1 million
- 8(a): $44.7 million
- Service-disabled veteran-owned: $15.6 million
Set-asides on DARPA's open notices right now:
- No set-aside (full and open): 27
- Total small business set-aside: 1
See which set-asides you may qualify for with the free SBA certification screener.
Who wins DARPA contracts
Companies with the most DARPA contract dollars over the last three fiscal years, per USAspending.gov:
| Company | Obligated |
|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin Corporation | $655.4 million |
| The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC | $641.7 million |
| Securigence LLC | $428.6 million |
| Strategic Analysis, Inc. | $163.5 million |
| Booz Allen Hamilton Inc | $148.8 million |
| Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation | $125.1 million |
| Schafer Government Services, LLC | $120 million |
| Ecs Federal, LLC | $115.8 million |
| Systems & Technology Research LLC | $102.2 million |
| System High Corporation | $99.3 million |
Large primes subcontract part of their work to small businesses. Look up any small business's registration with the free CAGE code and UEI lookup.
Where DARPA's open work is
By place of performance, the most open DARPA contracts are in Virginia.
- Virginia: 2 open
Frequently asked questions
How do I find DARPA contract opportunities?
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency posts its contract opportunities on SAM.gov, the free official site. 28 are open right now. You can search them here by NAICS code, set-aside and state, and set up a free email alert for new ones.
How much does DARPA spend on contracts?
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency obligated about $1.2 billion on contracts in fiscal year 2026, according to USAspending.gov. About 23% of its contract dollars over the last three fiscal years went to small businesses.
Who are DARPA's biggest contractors?
Over the last three fiscal years, the companies with the most DARPA contract dollars were Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC and Securigence LLC, per USAspending.gov. Smaller firms often work as their subcontractors.
Who do I talk to about small business contracts at DARPA?
Federal law requires every agency with buying power to have an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), sometimes called the Office of Small Business Programs. Its staff help small businesses understand what the agency buys and how. Free counseling is also available from APEX Accelerators.
Keep going
- Contracts from other agencies
- How to find government contracts
- How to research an agency on USAspending.gov
- Free help from APEX Accelerators
FedReady is an independent company, not affiliated with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, SAM.gov or any government agency. Open-contract counts come from SAM.gov and update daily; spending figures come from USAspending.gov and cover contracts only.