Fleetwood Industry Day

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a DRAFT Program Solicitation for the "Fleetwood" program, issued by DARPA's Biological Technologies Office (BTO). The program aims to develop stable, active, and selective catalysts capable of converting lignin-containing waste biomass feedstocks into value-added chemicals and precursors. The goal is to improve U.S. supply chains by reducing reliance on imported petrochemicals and utilizing abundant, but difficult-to-process, lignin resources. The program seeks to overcome limitations of current conversion methods by developing transformative catalytic technologies for atomic-level precision and control.

• The program is divided into two Focus Areas (FAs):

  • FA1: Novel Catalytic Pathways for Accessing Lignin from Real Biomass: Focuses on developing catalytic pathways to extract lignin from various biomass sources and convert it into monomers. Catalysts must be feedstock-agnostic.
  • FA2: Catalyst Development for the Conversion of Lignin to Value-added Chemicals: Focuses on developing catalysts to convert lignin-derived monomers into value-added chemicals (e.g., specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, lubricants). C1 and C2 chemicals are not considered value-added.

• Proposals must address both FAs in each phase.

• Performers will develop catalytic strategies to produce value-added chemicals across three production scales.

• Comprehensive Technoeconomic Analysis (TEA) and process modeling are required.

• Multiple awards are anticipated.

• The instruments awarded will be Other Transaction for Prototype (OT-P) Agreements.

• The program is structured as a 24-month effort, with a 12-month Phase 1 and a 12-month Phase 2.

• A performance incentive of $50,000 may be awarded to one performer per phase.

• Abstract submission deadline is anticipated to be April 6, 2026, 5:00 PM (Eastern Time).

• Selected proposers will be invited to submit an Oral Presentation Package (OPP) and participate in an oral presentation.

• Evaluation criteria for abstracts include Technical Approach, Technical Ability, and Technical Comprehension.

• Encourages solutions from all responsible sources, including large and small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors, and research institutions.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), and Government Entities are not eligible to propose.

• This is a DRAFT version and is subject to change.

• Industry Day is scheduled for March 12, 2026.

• Agency Contact: Fleetwood@darpa.mil

• Attachments include an Abstract Summary Slide Template and an Abstract Template.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides guidance for creating a "Lightning Profile Slide" to be presented during an Industry Day. It outlines the content, format, and submission requirements for these slides.

• Content: Summarize proposal overview, research capabilities, and teaming needs. Include only unclassified information. Do not include proprietary information.
• Format: Single slide, landscape orientation, PowerPoint and PDF formats required. No videos or animations.
• Presentation: Limited to 5 minutes per presenter. Presenters must attend in-person.
• Required Information on Slide:
  • PI Name, Institution, Team
  • Teaming Overview and Capabilities (existing members, relevant experience, institutional assets)
  • Project Overview (clear description of goals, proposed approaches, capabilities, technical challenges, unique metrics/milestones, transition plan)
  • Contact Information (Email, Phone)
  • Teaming Needs (specific technical challenges seeking collaborators)

This guidance is critical for potential bidders planning to participate in the Industry Day. It dictates how they should structure and present their capabilities and proposals, ensuring they meet DARPA's expectations for conciseness, clarity, and content. Adhering to these guidelines is essential for effective communication during the event.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Special Notice (SN) announcing an Industry Day hosted by DARPA for the "Fleetwood" program. The Industry Day is intended to introduce the scientific and technology community to the program's vision and goals, facilitate interaction among researchers, collect questions for a Q&A document, and encourage teaming arrangements. The Fleetwood program aims to develop catalysts for upgrading lignin-containing waste biomass into valuable products, addressing supply chain risks associated with petroleum-derived chemicals. The program has two focus areas: lignin extraction and catalyst development for conversion, excluding pyrolysis, gasification, and hydrothermal liquefaction.

This notice is for informational and potential new program planning purposes. It is not a solicitation for proposals. The Industry Day will be held on March 12, 2026, with registration deadlines in early March 2026. Attendees can register online and may opt-in to share contact information and submit "teaming profiles" to facilitate collaboration. A "lightning round" session will allow participants to showcase capabilities. All presentations must be unclassified. DARPAConnect resources are available for entities new to DARPA. Administrative and technical questions should be directed to Fleetwood@darpa.mil. The SN does not constitute a solicitation and DARPA will not reimburse for response costs.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the structure and content required for a proposal interest summary, intended for potential collaborators responding to a DARPA program. It guides bidders on what information to include regarding their proposed approaches, technical challenges, team experience, institutional assets, and anticipated impact.

• Project Overview: Clear, jargon-free description of the team's objectives and proposed contributions, including technical challenges and program phases.
• Teaming Overview and Objectives: Details on existing team members, relevant experience (accomplishments, publications), and institutional assets (facilities, permits). It also specifies the technical challenges for which collaborators are sought.
• Impact: Anticipated outcomes of the team's success, potential applications, unique metrics/milestones, and technology transition plans.
• Contact Information: Email address and phone number.

This attachment serves as a template and guidance for bidders to structure their proposal interest summaries. It highlights the specific areas DARPA is interested in, emphasizing the need for collaboration to meet program goals. Bidders should use this document to ensure their submissions are comprehensive and align with DARPA's expectations for team formation and technical contributions.