Generative Optogenetics (GO)

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains representations and certifications required from potential bidders. It ensures compliance with federal regulations regarding debarment, drug-free workplaces, non-discrimination, lobbying restrictions, and corporate tax liabilities or felony convictions.

• Debarment/Suspension Certification: Confirms the institution is not debarred, suspended, or declared ineligible by any federal agency.
• Drug-Free Workplace Certification: Affirmation to provide a drug-free workplace.
• Nondiscrimination Compliance: Compliance with DoD Directive 5500.11.
• Lobbying Certification (for actions > $100,000): Certifies that no appropriated funds have been used to influence federal contracting and requires disclosure of any non-federal funds used for lobbying.
• Representation on Tax Liability/Felony Conviction: Bidders must represent whether their corporation has unpaid Federal tax liabilities or has been convicted of a felony within the preceding twenty-four months.

Completion and submission of these certifications are prerequisites for participating in the contract award. Bidders must carefully review and accurately complete these sections to ensure eligibility and compliance with federal requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a mandatory template for submitting abstracts for the DARPA Generative Optogenetics (GO) Program Solicitation (DARPA-PS-26-10). It outlines the required format and content for abstract submissions.

• Format Requirements: Submissions must use Attachment A, be in PDF or Microsoft Word, written in English, formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins, and use a minimum 12-point font size (8 or 10-point for figures, tables, charts).
• Page Limits: Abstracts are limited to a maximum of 5 pages. This limit includes figures, tables, and charts but excludes the Cover Sheet, Table of Contents, Bibliography, and optional Technical Papers (max 3).
• Content Sections: The template includes sections for a Cover Sheet, Table of Contents, Executive Summary, Proposed Technical Approach, Technology Challenges, Technical Expertise/Management Plan, and Bibliography.
• Submission Process: Abstracts must be submitted prior to an Oral Presentation Package (OPP). DARPA will respond to abstracts, indicating whether an OPP submission is invited. OPPs submitted without an abstract and invitation will not be reviewed.

Proposers must use this template for their abstract submission to the GO Program. Adherence to the specified format, page limits, and content requirements is mandatory for the abstract to be reviewed. The abstract submission is a prerequisite for submitting a full Oral Presentation Package (OPP).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a model "Other Transaction" (OT) agreement template provided by DARPA for proposer review. It outlines the general terms and conditions that DARPA intends to include in awards made under this authority. Proposers are informed that final terms and conditions will be specific to each award and may differ from this model.

• Agreement Structure: Details the articles and attachments governing the agreement, including Scope, Term, Management, Obligation and Payment, Disputes, Patent Rights, Data Rights, Foreign Access to Technology, Property, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information, Follow-On Production Contracts, Civil Rights, Public Release, Order of Precedence, Execution, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, and Nontraditional Defense Contractor or Nonprofit Research Institution Partner.
• Key Articles: Covers critical areas such as intellectual property rights (Articles VI and VII), data rights, and restrictions on foreign access to technology (Article VIII).
• Attachments: Includes requirements for reports (Attachment 1), invoicing procedures (Attachment 2), definitions (Attachment 3), agreement administration contacts (Attachment 4), AOR appointment memo (Attachment 5), performer attestations (Attachment 6), and intellectual property assertions (Attachment 7).
• Proposer Input: Proposers may suggest edits to the model OT by providing a copy with track changes, along with rationale for non-administrative changes. These suggestions are subject to DARPA's discretion.

This document is crucial for potential bidders to understand the contractual framework and key legal and administrative requirements associated with potential awards. It highlights areas like intellectual property, data rights, and reporting obligations, which are essential for proposal development and bid decisions. Bidders should review this model OT carefully to assess its alignment with their capabilities and to formulate any proposed modifications.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a spreadsheet template for bidders to submit their cost proposals. It includes sections for direct labor, subcontracts, consultants, other direct costs (materials, equipment, travel, etc.), G&A/F&A, and fee/profit. Bidders must use this template to detail their proposed costs for the opportunity.

• Total Amount Sheet: Main cost breakdown including Direct Labor, Subcontracts, Consultants, Other Direct Costs (Materials/Supplies, Equipment, Travel, Other ODCs), G&A/F&A, Facilities Capital Cost of Money (COM), and Fee/Profit. Requires specific details on hours, rates, and costs for Base and Option phases.
• Materials/Supplies Sheet: Details for proposed materials and supplies, including quantity, unit price, vendor, basis of estimate, and supporting documentation.
• Equipment List Sheet: Details for proposed equipment, including justification, type, quantity, unit price, vendor, basis of estimate, and supporting documentation for items over $10,000.
• Travel Sheet: Breakdown of proposed travel costs, including purpose, destination, number of people, days, airfare, lodging, per diem, and other transportation costs.
• Other ODCs Sheet: Details for other direct costs not covered in Materials, Equipment, or Travel, such as tuition, rental fees, or shipping.
• Milestone Sheets: For Other Transaction (OT) awards, these sheets detail proposed milestones, due dates, deliverables, and payments.
• Phase 2 BET Sheet: A budget estimation table for Phase 2, summarizing cost categories.
• User Guide & LCAT Picklist: Provides instructions and a list of labor categories for completing the cost proposal.

This spreadsheet is critical for bidders to accurately and comprehensively detail their proposed costs. It requires specific information on labor, materials, equipment, travel, and other direct costs, broken down by contract phase (Base and Options). Bidders must follow the detailed instructions and notes within each sheet, ensuring all calculations have traceable formulas and supporting documentation is provided as required. The format must be strictly adhered to, and no cells, rows, or columns should be deleted.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a template for an abstract, outlining the required components for a presentation or proposal submission. It guides users on what information to include regarding the title, organization, technical points of contact, problem statement, goals, novel ideas, and existing approaches.

• Title
• Organization Name(s)
• Technical POC Name(s)
• Graphic (placeholder)
• Description of the need and problem being addressed
• Description of the goal
• Description of new ideas
• Description of existing approaches/state of the art
• DARPA GO (likely a section for agency-specific guidance)
• Information Competition Sensitive (classification notice)

This template is crucial for bidders as it dictates the format and content required for an abstract submission. Understanding these requirements will help bidders prepare a concise and compliant abstract that effectively communicates their proposed solution and its alignment with the opportunity's objectives.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Guide for the Generative Optogenetics (GO) program. It establishes guidelines for identifying, protecting, and marking information and material designated as CUI associated with the GO program, specifically concerning the DNA sequence of the nucleic acid compiler (NAC).

• Program: Generative Optogenetics (GO)
• Objective: To develop a nucleic acid compiler (NAC) capable of creating a direct interface between computers and living cells for template-free synthesis of genetic sequence information using optical signals.
• Authority: Executive Order 13556 and DODI 5200.48.
• Scope: Applies to information, material, and processes generated by GO, particularly the NAC DNA sequence. It prohibits public disclosure or publication of the NAC sequence during the program.
• CUI Protection Duration: CUI designation remains for 24 months after the final program milestone achievement, with potential extensions.
• CUI Categories: Includes Defense (Controlled Technical Information - CTI), Export Control (Export Controlled Research - EXPTR), and Patent (Inventions - INVENT, Patent Application - APP).
• Disclosure: Public disclosure must follow the DISTAR process. Foreign disclosure is possible with government approval. Disclosure timeline is detailed, with specific restrictions on the NAC sequence.
• Protection Requirements: CUI must be stored in accordance with DODI 5200.48 and processed on systems compliant with DFARS 252.204-7012 (NIST 800-171). A Science & Technology Protection Implementation Plan (S&TPIP) is required.
• Unauthorized Disclosure: Personnel must report unauthorized disclosures or incidents to the GO PSO and PSR.

This guide is crucial for any potential bidder or performer involved in the Generative Optogenetics program. It outlines the strict requirements for handling sensitive program information, particularly the NAC DNA sequence, and the associated timelines for protection and potential disclosure. Understanding these CUI guidelines is essential for compliance with program security and dissemination protocols, patent filing procedures, and any external engagements or publications. It highlights the need for performers to protect intellectual property while balancing innovation and national security interests.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation from DARPA's Biological Technologies Office (BTO) seeks innovative concepts for the Generative Optogenetics (GO) program. The program aims to develop a protein complex (nucleic acid compiler or NAC) that can be expressed within living cells. This NAC will enable the synthesis of DNA or RNA sequences directly within the cell, using optical signals as the sole input for information encoding, thereby facilitating a template-free mechanism for genetic information transfer. The ultimate goal is to create a direct interface between computers and living cells for genetic programming.

• Research Objective 1 (RO1): De Novo Synthesis: Develop the core capability for template-free DNA or RNA synthesis, dictated by optical inputs.

• Research Objective 2 (RO2): Error Mitigation (Optional): Develop mechanisms to detect and filter out sequence errors during synthesis to ensure high fidelity.

• Phase 1 (12 months): Focus on refining molecular components and de-risking integration strategies. Key milestone at month 9 includes demonstrating optogenetic domains responding to four wavelengths with minimal co-activation and an opto-gated polymerase.

• Phase 2 (30 months): Focus on integration and demonstration of the NAC platform in vivo, with milestones including synthesis of longer nucleic acid sequences with reduced error rates and short-latency sequential synthesis.

• Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.

• Funding: Phase 1 fixed-price awards of $1.7M (RO1 only) or $1.99M (RO1 + RO2).

• Instrument Type: Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype agreements.

• Acquisition Process: Two-stage process: 1) 5-page Abstracts, followed by invitations for 2) Oral Proposal Packages (OPPs) and Oral Presentations.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Proposer Workshop: January 7, 2026
  • Questions Due: January 12, 2026
  • Abstracts Due: January 16, 2026
  • Oral Presentations: By Government request (approx. 29 days after abstract submission).

• Open to responsible sources, including large and small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors, and research institutions.

• Specific requirements for FFRDCs and Government Entities regarding demonstration of unique capabilities and eligibility.

• The program encourages interaction with the Independent Commercialization and Consulting Group (ICCG) for commercialization strategies.

• Security requirements include adherence to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) guidelines.

• Attachments include templates for abstracts, cost spreadsheets, and representations/certifications.