Crystal Palace Program Announcement

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to technical and logistical questions regarding the DARPA-PA-26-03: Crystal Palace program.

• Target Applications & Material Choices: No specific target applications or preferred material choices are prioritized; proposals should focus on generalizable technology, tools, techniques, and processes for growing materials that meet the constraints table.
• Elemental Complexity: Adding an alloying element counts as increasing elemental complexity if the complex materials meet the constraints table.
• "Possible Crystal Structures" & "Structural Complexity": "Possible crystal structures" refers to the crystalline phase (unit cell structure) of a material. "Structural complexity" requires that all possible crystal structures have the same composition (polymorphs of the same inorganic compound), with phase selectivity demonstrated for synthesized samples.
• 2D Materials: While not emphasized, 2D materials may be considered if novel, relevant to DARPA/DoW, and meet program requirements. Ultrathin 2D materials require a characterization plan for single crystal quality across a 2-inch scale. Proposals solely addressing 2D material growth will not be considered.
• Growth Area & Nanostructures: Approaches that grow on defined areas are open, provided they can be scaled to at least 2 inches. The program focuses on directly grown single crystal thin films, not nanostructures like nanowires.
• Material Types & Classes: A single proposed/grown material can only satisfy one material type. Proposals must cover at least two different material types and at least two different material classes in total across all materials.
• Substrate Size & Heterogeneous Stacking: Substrates larger than 2 inches can be used if uniformity is demonstrated across a 2-inch scale. Mounting adjacent substrates to cover a 2-inch area is permissible. Heterogeneous stacking is outside the scope of the program.
• Technical Challenges: Both technical challenges must be addressed simultaneously in the proposal. Thickness requirements are at least 20 nm, with at least one complex material grown at 500 nm by the end of the program.
• Commercialization & Team Composition: A commercialization plan is open to any reasonable justification, though DARPA will retain Government use rights. No preference is given to specific team compositions, but required capabilities must be met. Industry partners are not mandatory but a technology transition plan is required.
• Abstracts & Proposals: Abstract feedback does not include budget. Abstract submission and intent to propose are separate actions. Abstract submission does not guarantee award selection.

These clarifications provide specific guidance on material properties, growth techniques, proposal requirements, and program scope, directly impacting how potential bidders should prepare their submissions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the Schedule of Milestones and Payments for the "Crystal Palace" opportunity. It details the specific milestones, their definitions, due dates, and the associated payment allocations for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 (Option 1).

Phase 1 Milestones (Months after award):

• Milestone 1 (Month 1): Kickoff Meeting and Program Execution Plan. Includes deliverables like a kickoff slide package and detailed program execution plan.
• Milestone 2 (Month 6): Novel tool/technique demonstration. Requires demonstration report, design review, and raw data.
• Milestone 3 (Month 9): First complex material (CM) produced at sample scale. Requires raw data, analysis, and report.
• Milestone 4 (Month 12): Initial commercialization plan. Requires a presentation and report detailing transition path.
• Milestone 5 (Month 15): First CM produced at 2” scale and second, third, and fourth CMs produced at sample scale. Requires reports and delivery of CM 1 at 2" scale.
• Milestone 6 (Month 16): Materials Fair. Requires presentation of Phase 1 progress and analysis of materials developed.
• Milestone 7 (Month 18): Phase 1 final technical report. Requires a draft report detailing technical progress.

Phase 2 (Option 1) Milestones (Months after award):

• Milestone 8 (Month 24): Second CM produced at 2” scale. Requires report and delivery of CM 2 at 2" scale.
• Milestone 9 (Month 30): Third CM produced at 2” scale. Requires report and delivery of CM 3 at 2" scale.
• Milestone 10 (Month 33): Transition Tank. Requires presentation of Phase 2 progress.
• Milestone 11 (Month 36): Fourth CM produced at 2” scale and updated commercialization plan. Requires report and delivery of CM 4 at 2" scale.
• Milestone 12 (Month 36): End of program final technical report. Requires a draft final report.

Each milestone includes specific exit criteria and deliverables. Payment amounts are allocated as percentages of the total contract value, with specific DARPA and Performer Share amounts to be determined.

This document is critical for bidders as it defines the payment structure and performance expectations tied to specific, measurable achievements throughout the contract period. Understanding these milestones, their deadlines, and associated deliverables is essential for developing a compliant and competitive proposal and for project planning.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides mandatory proposal instructions and a template for Volume I (Technical and Management) for DARPA-PA-26-03: Crystal Palace. It outlines the required format, content, and submission guidelines for all proposers.

• Format Requirements: Submissions must be in PDF or Microsoft Word, written in English, formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins and a minimum 12-point font size (8 or 10 points allowed for figures, tables, charts).
• Content Requirements: Proposers must include Attachments C through H and oral presentation slides. Specific sections required for the Technical and Management Volumes include: Cover Sheet, Proposal Summary, Table of Contents, Goals and Impact, Official Transmittal Letter, Technical Approach, Commercialization Plan, Security Plan, Management Plan, Personnel, Qualifications, and Commitments, Capabilities, Organizational Conflict of Interest Affirmations and Disclosure, Novelty of Proposed Work, References/Bibliography (Optional), Representations and Certifications, and Intellectual Property.
• Page Limitations: Technical and Management Volumes are limited to a maximum of 15 pages. Oral presentations are limited to 10 slides and 10 minutes.
• Submission: Proposals must be submitted via the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) by the due date specified in the Overview Information section.
• Oral Presentations: Will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Slides cannot be modified after the proposal due date. Government will not review information in the notes section of slides. Recordings are for internal use only.
• Q&A Session: A 50-minute interactive Q&A session will follow the oral presentation. Answers cannot be deferred, and proposals cannot be modified in response.

This document is critical for bidders as it dictates the mandatory structure, content, formatting, and submission process for their proposals. Adherence to these instructions is essential for a compliant and competitive submission. It details what information must be included in each section, page limits, and specific requirements for oral presentations and Q&A sessions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "Controlled Unclassified Information Guide," provides guidance on identifying, protecting, and marking Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) associated with the Crystal Palace program. It is intended for DARPA personnel, support contractors, mission partners, and industrial performers.

• Program: Crystal Palace
• Purpose: To ensure the protection of Crystal Palace information IAW DoDI 5200.48, consistent with federal requirements and NIST guidance.
• Applicability: Applies to all DARPA personnel, support contractors, mission partners, and industrial performers supporting Crystal Palace.
• CUI Categories: Includes Defense (Controlled Technical Information - CTI), Export Controlled (EXPT), Export Controlled Research (EXPTR), Operations Security (OPSEC), and Proprietary Business Information (PROPIN).
• Protection Requirements: CUI must be protected from disclosure to unauthorized persons, stored properly, and processed on DIB systems compliant with DFARS 252.204-7012.
• Reporting: Unauthorized disclosures or security incidents involving CUI must be reported immediately.
• Information Protection Guidance Charts: Details specific elements of information, their index, category, reason for control, distribution statement, and remarks, including applicability of FOIA exemptions and export control warnings.

This guide is crucial for potential bidders and contractors involved with the Crystal Palace program. It outlines the types of information that will be considered Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), the specific requirements for handling, protecting, and marking such information, and the implications for disclosure and export. Understanding these CUI requirements is essential for compliance and successful participation in the program.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed instructions and a template for preparing the Price Volume (Volume II) for the DARPA-PA-26-03: Crystal Palace opportunity. It outlines the required format, content, and submission guidelines for pricing proposals, including the use of a mandatory spreadsheet.

• Format: 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper, 1-inch margins, minimum 12-point font (smaller for figures/tables). Submissions must be in English, PDF or Microsoft Word for the Price Volume, and spreadsheets as separate files.
• Content: Must address the full program (base + options). Includes sections for Cover Sheet, Price Details (Direct Labor, Materials, Fabrication, Equipment, Travel, ODCs, Resource Sharing, Consultant Costs, Subawardee Costs), and an optional Value Assessment.
• Mandatory Spreadsheet: Proposers must use Attachment E: DARPA Price Summary Spreadsheet. All tabs and tables must be editable with intact formulas for traceability. This applies to both the prime and all subcontractors.
• Traceability: Price must be traceable between prime and sub-awardees, and between the Price Volume and the Task Description Document (TDD).
• Subcontractor Proposals: Prime is responsible for compiling non-proprietary sub-awardee cost proposals. Proprietary proposals can be included in the Price Volume or emailed separately by the sub-awardee.
• Cover Sheet: Requires specific information including organization details, POCs, award instrument, period/place of performance, team members, total proposed cost, UEI, TIN, CAGE code, and administrative/audit office POCs.

This document is critical for bidders to understand how to structure and submit their pricing proposals. Adherence to the specified format, content requirements, and the mandatory use of Attachment E is essential for proposal completeness and will facilitate the government's analysis and negotiation process. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in proposals not being considered complete.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a template for submitting pricing information for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the "Crystal Palace" opportunity. It outlines the required format for detailing costs, including direct labor, subcontractors, materials, and other direct costs (ODCs) over an 18-month period.

• Phase 1 and Phase 2 Budget by Month: Separate sheets for detailing costs across 18 months.
• Cost Categories: Direct Labor (hours, rate, amount), Subcontractors & Consultants, Materials, Characterization Costs, Equipment, Travel, and Other Direct Costs (ODCs).
• Totals: Subtotals for direct labor, subcontractors, and a combined subtotal for Materials, Equipment, Travel, and ODCs.
• Overall Totals: Total Price, Government Share, and Recipient Share (if applicable).
• Notes: Specific instructions for proposers, including requirements for including Phase 1 and Phase 2 costs, adherence to the 18-month format, prohibition of LOE calculations, and the need for fully burdened costs. It also clarifies that awards will be Fixed Payable Milestone Other Transactions.

This spreadsheet is critical for bidders to understand the required cost breakdown and format for their proposals. Bidders must populate this template with their proposed costs for both Phase 1 and Phase 2, ensuring all cost elements are fully burdened and adhere to the specified structure and 18-month timeframe. Failure to follow these pricing guidelines may impact proposal evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an abstract template that must be used for all abstract submissions related to the Crystal Palace solicitation. It outlines the required format and content for abstracts, which are encouraged before submitting a full proposal.

• Formatting Requirements: Submissions must be in .pdf, .odx, .doc, or .docx formats, written in English, and formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins and a minimum 12-point font size (smaller for figures, tables, charts).
• Page Limits: Abstracts must not exceed 5 pages. This limit includes all text, figures, tables, and charts, but excludes the Cover Letter, Proposed Approach, Title Page, Technology Challenges, Table of Contents, Technical Ability, Estimated Budget and Price, Bibliography (Optional), and Technical Papers (Optional, max 2).
• Content Sections: The template includes sections for:
  • Abstract Cover Sheet (with fields for organization, POCs, estimated cost, etc.)
  • Table of Contents
  • Proposed Approach
  • Technology Challenges
  • Technical Ability
  • Estimated Budget and Price
  • Bibliography
• Submission Instructions: Abstracts must be submitted via the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) by the due date and time specified in the Overview Information. Late submissions may not be reviewed.

This template is critical for any bidder intending to submit an abstract. It dictates the structure, content, and length of the abstract, as well as the submission method and deadline. Adhering to these requirements is essential for the abstract to be considered by DARPA. DARPA aims to respond to abstracts within 14 calendar days, providing feedback on whether a full proposal is recommended. This feedback does not guarantee future award but can inform proposal development.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "Task Description Document (TDD) Template," is intended to guide the performer in detailing the specific project tasks and deliverables for the Crystal Palace opportunity. It serves as a template for outlining the technical approach, objectives, and metrics.

• Project Overview: Requires a description of the project, its importance, goals, objectives, and defined metrics.
• Technical Tasks & Deliverables: Mandates clear identification of tasks and deliverables, including technical goals, approach, timelines (start/end dates in program months), responsible parties and organizations, and contribution to program milestones. Deliverable format and content details should be included here, delineated by phase.
• Program Management: Outlines requirements for program management tasks, such as subcontractor management and reporting.
• Meeting & Travel Requirements: A section for specifying any required meetings and travel.
• Government Furnished Information (GFI)/Government Furnished Property (GFP): A section to capture assumptions regarding GFI/GFP, noting that at the program's start, no GFI/GFP is expected.

Bidders should use this template to structure their technical proposals, ensuring all required elements such as project scope, objectives, tasks, deliverables, and management plans are clearly articulated. It helps in understanding the detailed expectations for the work to be performed and the format for presenting this information.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an "Other Transaction" agreement template between DARPA and a performer for research and development efforts. It outlines the terms and conditions governing the collaboration, including scope, term, management, payment, intellectual property rights, data rights, and other legal and administrative clauses.

• Agreement Structure: Defines the relationship between DARPA (Government) and the Performer.
• Scope of Agreement: Details the research and development effort, referencing a Task Description Document (TDD) and requiring specific reports.
• Term and Termination: Specifies the agreement duration and conditions for termination.
• Management: Outlines program management responsibilities and planning processes.
• Obligation and Payment: Details milestone-based payments, invoicing procedures via Wide Area Workflow (WAWF), and funding limitations.
• Intellectual Property & Data Rights: Covers patent rights for subject inventions and data rights, including government licenses and performer obligations.
• Foreign Access to Technology: Addresses restrictions on transferring technology to foreign entities.
• Cybersecurity: Mandates safeguarding Covered Defense Information (CDI) and reporting cyber incidents per NIST SP 800-171.
• Property: Defines title and disposition of property acquired under the agreement.
• Certifications: Requires performer certifications regarding debarment, drug-free workplace, lobbying, and tax liabilities.
• Attachments: References several attachments including Task Description Document (TDD), Report Requirements, Schedule of Milestones and Payments, Funding Schedule, Certifications, and Property/Equipment.

This document establishes the contractual framework for the opportunity. Bidders should review the terms, particularly regarding scope, deliverables, payment schedules, intellectual property, data rights, and reporting requirements, to understand their obligations and the government's expectations if they are awarded this Other Transaction.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "Other Transaction Certifications," is a form required for offerors responding to Solicitation No. DARPA-PA-26-03, "Crystal Palace." It requires the offeror to certify compliance with several federal regulations and statutes.

• Debarment/Suspension Certification: Certifies that the institution and its principals are not debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from federal transactions.
• Drug-Free Workplace Certification: Requires a commitment to provide a drug-free workplace, with a space to specify the place of performance.
• Nondiscrimination Compliance: Certifies compliance with DoD Directive 5500.11 regarding nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs.
• Lobbying Restrictions (for actions > $100,000): Certifies that no appropriated funds have been used to influence federal contracting and financial transactions, and outlines requirements for disclosing lobbying activities if non-appropriated funds are used.
• Tax Liability and Felony Conviction Representation: Requires corporations to represent whether they have unpaid Federal tax liabilities or have been convicted of a felony under Federal law within the preceding 24 months.

Completion and submission of this form are prerequisites for participating in this "Other Transaction" agreement. Bidders must carefully review each certification and representation to ensure their organization meets the required standards. Failure to comply or accurately certify may impact eligibility for the award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for a Proposal Summary Slide, intended to guide bidders on the essential information to include in their proposal presentations for DARPA-PA-26-03 Crystal Palace.

• Full Proposal Title
• Organization Name(s)
• Technical POC Name(s)
• Need and problem being addressed
• Goal
• Technical approach and ability
• Innovations beyond the current state of the art

Bidders must use this template to structure their proposal summary slide. It outlines the critical components required to effectively communicate the core aspects of their proposed solution to DARPA, including the problem statement, objectives, technical strategy, and innovative elements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Program Announcement (PA) solicits proposals for the "Crystal Palace" program, aiming to develop new tools and techniques for the rapid development of single crystal complex inorganic materials at scale. The research should focus on innovative approaches enabling revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems, rather than evolutionary improvements. The goal is to bridge the gap between AI-driven material design and the ability to grow complex inorganic materials.

• Develop local and generalizable controls for material growth.

• Focus on single crystal quality and relevant scale for microsystems.

• No metal substrates, material transfer techniques, or bulk growth.

• Phase 1: Prove feasibility of controlling composition, structure, and uniformity over a large area.

• Phase 2: Demonstrate generalizability of controlled growth to synthesize multiple materials with increasing complexity.

• Deliverables include fabricated complex materials (minimum 2-inch scale), detailed reports on tools and methodologies, and commercialization plans.

• Other Transaction (OT) for Research agreements.

• 36-month program duration, split into an 18-month Phase 1 and an 18-month Phase 2.

• Anticipated multiple awards.

• NAICS Code: 541713

• Key Dates:

  • Posting Date: December 4, 2025
  • Proposers Day: December 5, 2025
  • Proposal Abstract Due Date: December 19, 2025
  • Question Submittal Closed: January 16, 2026
  • Intent to Propose Deadline: January 16, 2026
  • Proposal Due Date: January 30, 2026

• Evaluation Criteria (descending order of importance):

  • Overall Scientific and Technical Merit
  • Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission
  • Budget and Price

• Proposals will be evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, team expertise, risk mitigation, and alignment with DARPA's mission.

• All responsible sources (U.S. and non-U.S.) are encouraged to submit proposals.

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Minority Institutions are encouraged but no portion is set aside.

• UARCs, FFRDCs, and government laboratories are prohibited from proposing as performers but may participate as part of the government team.

• Resource sharing (cash and in-kind) is encouraged and will be considered.

• Proposals are anticipated to be unclassified.

• Program subject to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) guidelines.

• Potential for follow-on agreements under 10 U.S.C. § 4023 for successful performers.