Cathode Advancements in Science and Technology for Oxygen Resistance (CASTOR)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document announces a DARPA Disruption Opportunity (DO) for "Cathode Advancements in Science and Technology for Oxygen Resistance (CASTOR)". The goal is to solicit innovative basic or applied research for efficient, high-performance, long-lived oxygen-compatible cathodes for air-breathing very low earth orbit (VLEO) electric propulsion (EP) systems. This opportunity is issued under the Program Announcement for Disruptioneering (DARPA-PA-25-07) and awards will be made as Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype projects.

• Develop new cathodes capable of supporting EP thrusters operating on air or water for 1,000 hours or more, matching the performance of current noble gas cathodes.

• Target operation in oxygenic environments with capacity, efficiency, and lifetime comparable to xenon-fed thermionic cathodes.

• May require leveraging multiple electron emission mechanisms (e.g., thermionic, field emission, photoemission, secondary electron emission, RF plasma).

• Deliver a cathode test article to the Government at the end of Phase 2.

• Two-phase, 21-month program: Phase 1 (9 months) for concept exploration and benchtop testing; Phase 2 (12 months) for design refinement and prototype delivery.

• Total award value for combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 is limited to $900,000.

• Phase 1 base award is limited to $350,000; Phase 2 option award is limited to $550,000.

• Awards will be Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype projects.

• Proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 27, 2026.

• Submissions must be electronic via the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Portal.

• Proposals must comply with content and format instructions in Section 5 of DARPA-PA-25-07 and use provided templates.

• Evaluation and selection will be in accordance with Section 6 of DARPA-PA-25-07.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Entities may be eligible under specific conditions, requiring clear segregation of costs and potential OCI mitigation plans.

• UARCs are eligible as performers only in fields where they do not serve in an advisory role, requiring an OCI mitigation plan.

• Performers must perform the majority of cathode testing in their own facilities.

• Supplemental testing facilities at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) may be leveraged.

• A Government independent verification and validation (IV&V) team will assist.

• Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) will be held in each phase.

• Program start date is anticipated to be June 29, 2026.

• The model OT for Prototype agreement should be reviewed prior to submission.

Amendment / Modification

• Corrected "both air and water" to "either air or water" on page 2 of the original solicitation.

• Provided a complete list of attachments required for a conforming proposal submission on page 9 of the original solicitation.

• Page 2

• Page 9

• This amendment clarifies specific wording and provides a definitive list of required attachments. Bidders should ensure their proposals align with these updated details, particularly regarding the required attachments.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Disruption Opportunity (DO) from DARPA's Defense Sciences Office (DSO) seeking innovative basic or applied research for efficient, high-performance, long-lived oxygen-compatible cathodes for use in air-breathing very low earth orbit (VLEO) electric propulsion (EP) systems. The goal is to develop cathodes that can operate using air or water as the primary working fluid, matching the performance of current noble gas-based EP systems, and extending the operational capabilities of EP systems.

• Develop cathodes capable of supporting EP thrusters operating on air or water for 1,000 hours or more.

• Achieve performance comparable to current noble gas-based cathodes.

• Explore multiple electron emission mechanisms (e.g., thermionic, field emission, photoemission, secondary electron emission).

• Deliver a cathode test article to the Government at the end of Phase 2.

• This is an "Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype project."

• The program is structured in two phases: Phase 1 (9 months, Feasibility Study) and Phase 2 (12 months, Proof of Concept).

• Total award value is limited to $900,000, including Government funding and performer cost share.

• Phase 1 award is limited to $350,000; Phase 2 option award is limited to $550,000.

• Program start date is anticipated to be June 29, 2026.

• Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27, 2026.

• Submissions must be electronic via DARPA's Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Portal.

• Proposals will be evaluated based on criteria outlined in Section 6 of DARPA-PA-25-07.

• Key milestones include kickoff meetings, conceptual design reviews, quarterly reviews, and final reviews for each phase.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government Entities may be eligible under specific conditions.

• UARCs are eligible as performers only in fields where they do not serve in an advisory role, and an OCI mitigation plan is required.

• The solicitation number is DARPA-PA-25-07-03.

• Performers may elect to utilize the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for supplemental testing.

• A Government independent verification and validation (IV&V) team will assist with the program.

• Proposers must review the model OT for Prototype agreement provided as an attachment.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a cost buildup workbook, provided as an Excel spreadsheet, designed to assist offerors in developing their cost proposals. It outlines the structure for calculating direct labor, indirect costs, and other direct costs across multiple fiscal years and contract options.

• Version Control: The 'Change Notes' sheet tracks revisions to the workbook, detailing specific modifications to formulas, labels, and data validation.
• Labor Categories: The 'Constants' sheet defines various labor groups and categories applicable to different business types (e.g., Academia, General), including specific roles within each.
• Indirect Rates: Lists various indirect rate categories such as Fringe, Overhead (Labor), G&A, and Facilities & Administrative Costs, along with Profit and Fee.
• Cost Calculation: The 'Summary Cost Table' and 'Total Amount' sheets provide a framework for itemizing direct labor hours and costs, subcontract costs, consultant costs, other direct costs, G&A, cost of money, and fee.
• Equipment & Travel: Separate sheets are provided for detailing proposed equipment purchases and travel expenses, including justifications and cost breakdowns.
• Milestones & Payments: The 'ScheduleOfMilestonesAndPayments' sheet outlines key project milestones, deliverables, due dates, and associated payments for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.

This workbook is critical for bidders to accurately structure and present their cost proposals in accordance with the government's requirements. It dictates the format for cost breakdowns, defines allowable labor categories and indirect rates, and provides a template for detailing project milestones and associated payments. Bidders must carefully follow the instructions and use the provided structure to ensure their cost proposals are complete and compliant.