Deep Thoughts Industry Day
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 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office (TTO) is sponsoring an in-person Industry Day for the Deep Thoughts Program Solicitation on February 6, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET at the DARPA Conference Center in Arlington, VA. This event aims to introduce the science and technology community to the program's vision and goals, facilitate interaction, and encourage collaboration.
Purpose & Scope
The "Deep Thoughts" program seeks to develop novel small autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs) that are quick to design, produce, integrate, and test, and easy to deploy. Key innovation areas include pressure-vessel design and novel approaches to the design, production, or integration of onboard components. The program is envisioned as a single-phase, 24-month effort, divided into Technical Area 1 (agile hardware development for AUVs) and Technical Area 2 (payload prototyping, integration, and mission studies).
Event Details
- Date & Time: February 6, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: DARPA Conference Center, 675 N Randolph St, Arlington, VA, 22203
- Attendance: Open to U.S. Citizens representing U.S. companies. A portion of the event will be SECRET level, requiring appropriate clearance, while main sessions are Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
- Registration: Required by February 2, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET, via a provided website. Attendance is limited to the first 150 registrants, with a maximum of three representatives per organization.
Key Information
DARPA has released a CUI Technical Attachment for the Deep Thoughts program. Organizations with the ability to handle CUI can request this attachment via a provided link. Requests must be submitted no later than February 4, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET.
Important Notes
Attendance is voluntary and does not constitute a solicitation. No submissions will be accepted, and DARPA will not reimburse costs. DARPA encourages participation from non-traditional proposers, including small businesses and academic institutions. Attendees must present Government-issued photo ID, and ITAR restrictions apply.
Contact
For inquiries, contact the TTO BAA Coordinator at DeepThoughts@darpa.mil.