Future Program: Fleetwood
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) Biological Technologies Office (BTO) has issued a Special Notice (SN) for the forthcoming Fleetwood program. This notice provides public notification of additional research areas of interest, specifically focusing on the development of novel catalysts to convert biomass resources into carbon-containing chemicals, with a particular emphasis on revolutionizing lignin valorization. This is for information and program planning purposes; a formal solicitation will follow. Responses to this SN are due March 13, 2026.
Scope of Work
The Fleetwood program aims to develop novel catalysts to convert biomass waste streams, particularly lignocellulosic biomass and lignin, into valuable chemicals and materials for resilient global chemical manufacturing. Key areas of interest include:
- Investigating catalytic pathways to access lignin from real biomass (e.g., agricultural residues, woody biomass, pulp and paper waste).
- Achieving complete delignification and depolymerization to monomers.
- Exploring various catalysis pathways, including biocatalysis, thermocatalysis, and electrocatalysis.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice (SN) - for information and planning
- Program Duration (Planned): 24 months (12-month Phase 1 Base Period, 12-month Phase 2 Option)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Date (SN): March 13, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
- Published Date: February 13, 2026
- Product Service Code: AC12 (National Defense R&D Services; Department Of Defense Military; Applied Research)
Additional Notes
DARPA encourages teaming to ensure necessary expertise for this program. This notice provides early insight into DARPA's research interests. Interested parties can sign up for future updates, including Proposers Day announcements and the eventual solicitation release, by emailing Fleetwood@darpa.mil. DARPA also offers a resource called DARPAConnect for those new to doing business with the agency.