Solicitation
Atomically Precise Molecules (APM)
Dept of Defense · Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) · Sol. DARPA-PS-26-141
Due in 69 days
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DARPA's Multi X Office wants new ways to make precisely controlled polymers (programmable precision polymers) that can be used as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, ending in a prototype material put into a Government-built electro-optic modulator. It is a 36-month research program with multiple awards expected, and DARPA plans to use Other Transaction for Prototype agreements instead of a standard contract. Proposals are due December 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET, and a short abstract is due earlier on October 27, 2026.
Watch out for
- Heavy cybersecurity (CMMC Level 2) requirement. You must actually implement all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls and attest to it, and the optional Phase I milestone pays only up to $25,000 and blocks other work until the Government verifies compliance.
Completion of this milestone serves as a gate for the remaining technical effort.
- Advanced chemistry R&D with a Phase I down-select. This needs specialized polymer chemistry, modeling and scale-up capability, and the Government can drop performers after Phase I or stop funding later milestones.
the effort is unlikely to achieve the desired outcomes, the Government may decide not to fund
- Large proposal package with a live oral presentation. You need a 25-page technical volume, price volume with spreadsheet, task description, milestone schedule, certifications, a 20-slide talk and a 45-minute live Q&A, which is a lot of effort for a small team.
The oral presentation shall not exceed 20 slides with fonts no smaller than 12-point and must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft PowerPoint formats.
- Abstract due soon. A mandatory-format abstract is due October 27, 2026 and the Proposers Day (September 30, 2026) has already passed.
Proposers are required to submit an abstract before submitting a full proposal.
- Publication limits and controlled information. Results may need DARPA permission before you publish, and program data is treated as Controlled Unclassified Information that may be export controlled, limiting foreign nationals and academic partners.
Therefore, the Government anticipates restrictions on the resultant research that will
- Government rights to your IP. The Government expects at least Government Purpose Rights to technology developed under the award, which can matter for your commercial plans.
the Government will require Government purpose rights (GPR) to IP developed and delivered under this program.
- False Claims Act exposure on cyber self-attestation. Your CMMC self-assessment is a legal representation, and a false one can lead to civil penalties.
false attestation may subject the proposer to civil prosecution, treble damages, and penalties under the
- Award size and evaluation weights are not visible. The notice and readable attachments give no dollar value and the evaluation section was cut off, so you cannot judge fit or effort versus payoff yet.
Read from the notice and 11 attachments. 2 not read in full.
- DARPA-PS-26-141.pdf
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Enclosure_2_Proposer_Checklist.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Enclosure_1_DARPA_BAAT_Submission_Portal_Guide.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_C_Proposal_Instructions_and_Volume_I_Template_Technical.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_D_Proposal_Instructions_and_Volume_II_Template_Price.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_J_APM_CUI_Guide.pdf
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_A_Abstract.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_G_Task_Description_Document__TDD__Template.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_F_Other_Transaction_Certifications.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_I_Model_Other_Transaction_for_Prototype.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_H_Schedule_of_Milestones_and_Payments.docx
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_E_Price_Detail_Spreadsheet.xlsx: spreadsheet: not read yet
- DARPA-PS-26-141_APM_Attachment_B_Proposal_Summary_Slide.pptx: .pptx files aren't read yet
Full brief
What they want
- New synthesis methods for polymers where monomer sequence, orientation and composition are tightly controlled and can scale to useful quantities
- A prototype nonlinear optical (NLO) material that beats today's state of the art, shown in demonstrations at months 6, 11, 23 and 35
- Computer modeling and simulation (for example DFT, molecular dynamics) to guide synthesis and predict material and device performance
- Analytical methods and quantitative metrics, compared with the state of the art, to prove quality and performance
- A plan to scale material production and to fit it into commercial foundry device manufacturing
- Support for Government independent testing (IV&V): the Government team builds the modulator and tests the performer's material in Phase II
- Monthly technical reports, demonstration reports, design reviews and data/code deliverables
- Compliance with CMMC Level 2 (Self-Assessment) cybersecurity rules for handling Controlled Unclassified Information
- Contract type
- Other Transaction for Prototype Agreement under 10 U.S.C. 4022, with fixed payments per milestone (not a standard FAR contract); multiple awards anticipated
- Period of performance
- 36 months in two phases: Phase I (12 months) and Phase II (24 months). Proposers should assume a program start of April 1, 2027.
- Contract vehicle
- Program Solicitation DARPA-PS-26-141 (initial solicitation); not limited to a schedule or existing vehicle
- How they'll choose
- Not visible in the provided text (the evaluation section of the main solicitation was cut off). Proposals are reviewed by a Government evaluation panel using a written volume and a 30-minute oral presentation with a 45-minute Q&A.
- Offers due
- Full proposal: December 18, 2026, 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Abstract: October 27, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET. Questions and intent to propose: December 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET. Oral presentations expected January 5 to 20, 2027.
- How to submit
- Upload a .zip or .zipx file through DARPA's Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) at https://baa.darpa.mil; questions go to APM@darpa.mil
- Page limits
- Written technical volume: 25 pages (executive summary 1 page, management plan, schedule, personnel and capabilities 1 page each). Oral presentation: 20 slides, 12-point minimum font. Abstract: 7 pages. Price volume: no page limit.
What to include when you submit
- Submit an abstract first using the mandatory Attachment A template (DARPA says you may still submit a full proposal whatever it replies)
- Full proposal package: Attachment C (technical and management volume) with oral presentation slides, Attachment D (price volume), Attachment E (price spreadsheet), Attachment F (Other Transaction certifications), Attachment G (Task Description Document) and Attachment H (milestones and payments)
- Use 8.5 x 11 inch pages, 1-inch margins, 12-point minimum font, English only, PDF or Word
- Proposal must stay valid for at least 120 days
- Do not include costs for device fabrication; the Government IV&V team builds the modulators
- State pre-existing IP and data rights, and accept Government Purpose Rights for newly developed IP
- If you lack a current CMMC Level 2 (Self) posting in SPRS, include the security artifacts for the Optional Phase I CMMC milestone (System Security Plan, POA&M, signed commitment letter and others)
- Include an organizational conflict of interest disclosure
- Tell DARPA your intent to propose by December 4, 2026 per the solicitation instructions
- Optionally send suggested edits to the model OT agreement with tracked changes (these are not evaluated)
You must have
- No set-aside: small businesses are welcome but get no reserved share
no portion of this solicitation will be set aside for these organizations’ participation due to
- U.S. organizations only; non-U.S. organizations cannot participate
Non-U.S. organizations cannot participate in this solicitation.
- CMMC Level 2 (Self-Assessment) listed as the required level; either show a current status posted in SPRS at proposal time or use the Optional Phase I milestone to reach it (CMMC Level 1 is needed at award either way)
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Required Level: Level 2 (Self-Assessment)
- A valid CAGE code is needed to submit through BAAT; the proposal cover sheet also asks for a SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI)
A valid Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code is required in order to submit via the BAAT.
- For the Other Transaction, the team must include a non-traditional defense contractor, nonprofit research institution or small business, or the offeror must contribute at least a one-third cost share
Do any team members (to include prime or sub) qualify as non-traditional defense contractors
- Certify you are not debarred or suspended, plus other Other Transaction certifications (lobbying, drug-free workplace, telecom equipment, tax and felony representations)
are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded
- Performers cannot also be providing SETA/advisory support to DARPA at the same time unless a written waiver is granted; FFRDCs, UARCs and Government entities can only be subcontractors
Entities are not eligible to submit proposals as prime proposers under this solicitation.
Not in the notice text
- Evaluation criteria and their order of importance (the middle of the main solicitation PDF, about 24,000 characters, was left out)
- Total program funding, number of awards, and any price ceiling
- Table 1 program metrics and Figure 1 schedule (tables and figures did not come through as text; the CUI guide mentions goals such as electrooptic coefficients over 8000 pV/m, bandwidth over 1 THz and VpiL under 0.0005 V*cm)
- Place of performance (the notice field is blank)
- Exactly how and where to submit the intent to propose due December 4, 2026
- Contents of Attachment E (price detail spreadsheet) and Attachment B (proposal summary slide), which were not read
- Middle sections of Attachment C and the model Other Transaction agreement (Attachment I), which were partly left out
- Whether DARPA expects Phase II to be a funded option or competed again after the Phase I down-select
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Key facts
- Response due
- Dec 18, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
- Posted
- Oct 8, 2026
- Notice type
- Solicitation
- Solicitation
- DARPA-PS-26-141
- Agency
- Dept of Defense · Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa)
- Office
- Def Advanced Research Projects Agcy
- NAICS
- 541715
- Product/service code
- AC12
- Business type
- Engineering, architecture & research
- Contracting contact
- APM PS CoordinatorAPM@darpa.mil
- Versions
- 2 (amended since first posted)
Before you respond
Full notice text from SAM.gov
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals in the areas of new synthesis techniques for polymeric materials and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in material synthesis with the ability to scale to quantities relevant for application integration, culminating in the development of a prototype demonstration of a revolutionary NLO material integrated into a functional government-provided electro-optic modulator. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice, or research that pivots on exceptional claims that cannot be technically justified in the proposal. This includes: • Proposals aiming to employ solely inorganic materials without a polymeric component • Proposals aiming to modify/repurpose existing NLO materials resulting in incremental improvements to the state-of-the-art (SoA)
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