Autonomous Interventions and Robotics (AIR) Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), under the National Institutes of Health, has issued an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) for the Autonomous Interventions and Robotics (AIR) program. This solicitation seeks proposals to develop advanced autonomous robotic surgery systems, including endovascular robotics and microbots, to enhance accessibility and reduce invasiveness of medical interventions. Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements are anticipated.
Scope of Work
The program is divided into two technical areas:
- Technical Area 1 (TA1): Autonomous Endovascular Robotics
- TA1-A: Develop fully autonomous robotic systems for endovascular procedures such as diagnostic imaging, embolization, and thrombectomy. Systems must integrate robotic control, navigation algorithms, and treatment delivery devices. Teams must include at least one endovascular neurosurgeon.
- TA1-B: Create an in silico simulation environment and a comprehensive medical imaging dataset to support the development, validation, and regulatory approval of TA1-A systems. This environment will be broadly released.
- Technical Area 2 (TA2): Microbots
- Develop untethered, autonomous surgical microbots (ranging from 200 nm to 2 cm) for interventional procedures like biopsy, ablation, or drug delivery. Proposed solutions must incorporate a mechanical or electronic component, and teams must define a specific target clinical indication.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements
- Period of Performance: 5 years (2-year Phase 1, 3-year Phase 2)
- Set-Aside: None specified; open to all responsible sources including universities, non-profits, small businesses, and other than small businesses. FFRDCs and Government entities are ineligible as prime or sub-performers.
- Key Deadlines:
- Proposer's Day: December 16, 2025
- Questions & Answers Due: January 20, 2026
- Solution Summaries Due: January 20, 2026
- Full Proposals Due: March 18, 2026
- Published Date: March 13, 2026 (latest amendment)
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals follow a two-step process: an encouraged Solution Summary submission, followed by a Full Proposal submission. Full proposals require four volumes: Technical and Management, Cost Proposal, Administrative & Policy, and Draft OT Response. The latest Cost Proposal Worksheet (rev01 20260313.xlsx) must be used. Evaluation criteria include:
- Overall Scientific and Technical Merit
- Proposer's Capabilities and/or Related Experience
- Assessment of Proposed Cost/Price
Additional Notes
ARPA-H prioritizes awards to entities conducting work in the United States. Proposers must have an active SAM.gov registration. Teams can be prime for one technical area and subcontractor for another, but cannot be prime for both TA1-A and TA1-B. FDA collaboration is integrated for regulatory assessment.