Hearing Enhancement through ARtificially Intelligent NeurotechnoloGy (HEARING)
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 Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has issued a Special Notice for the Hearing Enhancement through ARtificially Intelligent NeurotechnoloGy (HEARING) Program. This notice announces a Proposers' Day on June 8, 2026, in Arlington, VA (hybrid), to inform potential bidders about the program's goals and the forthcoming Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO). ARPA-H anticipates multiple awards using Other Transaction Authority (OTA).
Program Overview
The HEARING program aims to develop a novel, closed-loop hearing-assistive platform that directly engages the brain's hearing centers. This platform will improve hearing in complex environments by enabling safe access to the auditory cortex, capturing brain signals, and filling in missing sound information.
Technical Areas of Interest
The program focuses on three key technical areas:
- TA1: Intracortical Device(s) for minimally invasive neural interfaces.
- TA2: Dynamic Sound Modulator as a wearable device hub.
- TA3: Auditory Read & Write Algorithm for brain-computer interfaces.
Proposers' Day Details
- Date: June 8, 2026
- Location: Arlington, VA (Hybrid event)
- Purpose: To provide an overview of the HEARING program, detail the structure of the upcoming ISO, and facilitate teaming among potential proposers.
- Activities: Includes overview presentations, Q&A sessions, a poster session, and virtual teaming profiles.
- Registration: Required via
https://solutions.arpa-h.gov/HEARING.- In-person registration closes: June 3, 2026
- Virtual registration closes: June 5, 2026
- Note: Attendance is optional and not a prerequisite for future submissions to the ISO.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (ARPA-H-SN-26-154)
- Anticipated Award Type: Other Transaction Authority (OTA)
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Upcoming ISO: Expected no later than May 7, 2026. The overall response date for the program is August 14, 2026.
- Published Date: May 7, 2026
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact the HEARING Team at HEARING@ARPA-H.GOV.