Atomically Precise Molecules (APM)

What they want

• Synthesis methods for programmable precision polymers where monomer sequence, orientation and composition are controlled, and that can scale up
• Phase I (12 months): make an NLO material that meets the program metrics, with demonstrations at month 6 and month 11 checked by the Government's independent verification and validation (IV&V) team
• Phase II (24 months): improve the synthesis, then work with the IV&V team, which builds the modulator, integrates your material and tests it (demonstrations at month 23 and month 35)
• Targets in the Q&A: demonstrate 3000 pm/V by the end of Phase I and 8000 pm/V by the end of Phase II; the CUI guide also cites bandwidth above 1 THz and VpiL below 0.0005 V*cm for the device
• Computer modeling and simulation that guides the synthesis and the material design
• A plan to scale production and fit the material into commercial foundry (chip factory) processes for packaged devices
• Analytical methods, quantitative metrics, risks and mitigation for every demonstration
• Store program data in systems that meet Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 (Self-Assessment); an optional Phase I milestone of up to $25,000 covers getting there

What to include when you submit

• Submit the abstract first on the mandatory Attachment A template (7 pages maximum, 12-point type, 1-inch margins) by October 27, 2026, 1:00 PM Eastern; the prime organization submits it
• Notify DARPA of your intent to propose by December 4, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern, following the solicitation's instructions (not in the text read)
• Full proposal: Volume 1 technical and management proposal on the mandatory Attachment C template, in PDF or Word
• Include oral presentation slides (20 slides maximum, PDF or PowerPoint) with the proposal; slides cannot change before the presentation
• Volume 2 price proposal (Attachment D) with the Attachment E price spreadsheet, plus Attachment F (Other Transaction certifications), Attachment G (Task Description Document) and Attachment H (schedule of milestones and payments)
• Provide each subawardee's price proposal and price spreadsheet; proprietary subawardee prices may be emailed to APM@darpa.mil with "Subawardee Price Proposal" in the subject line
• State a proposal validity period of at least 120 days and say whether AI tools were used
• Give CMMC Level 2 (Self) evidence from the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS), or the required security documents if you need the optional $25,000 Phase I CMMC milestone
• Leave out the cost of materials and fabrication of the nonlinear optical test articles; the IV&V team builds the test modulators

Current contractor

No incumbent is named. The announcement type is Initial Solicitation and multiple awards are anticipated; no total program budget is given.

Not in the notice text

• Attached but not read in full: the main solicitation (DARPA-PS-26-141.pdf) is missing its middle section, which likely holds Section II evaluation criteria and Section III submission details; check it on SAM.gov for the evaluation factors, how awards are decided, and how to give notice of intent to propose.
• Attached but not read: Attachment E (Price Detail Spreadsheet), Attachment B (Proposal Summary Slide), Attachment H (Schedule of Milestones and Payments) and Attachment I (Model Other Transaction); milestone payment terms and agreement terms are in them.
• The total program budget and the number of awards are not given; the Q&A says only that multiple awards are anticipated.
• Place of performance is not stated.
• Section II evaluation factors are only referred to in the Q&A (a Budget and Price criterion and team integration), so the full list and its order are unknown.