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 an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) for the Hearing Enhancement through ARtificially Intelligent NeurotechnoloGy (HEARING) Program. This program seeks to develop a new class of minimally invasive, brain-connected hearing devices. ARPA-H anticipates multiple Other Transaction (OT) awards. Full Proposals are due August 14, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
The HEARING program aims to restore hearing close to normal for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss by shifting the focus from an ear-only problem to a neurological one, engaging the brain's auditory cortex. The program requires the integration of three Technical Areas (TAs) into a single, functioning platform:
- TA1: Intracortical Device(s): Develop minimally invasive neural interfaces for auditory cortical regions, suitable for chronic use without requiring surgical access through the skull.
- TA2: Dynamic Sound Modulator: An external, wearable hub that wirelessly powers and communicates with TA1 devices, adjusting sound in real-time based on algorithmic control informed by neural signals.
- TA3: Auditory Read & Write Algorithms: Develop algorithms to decode listener intent from brain signals and control audio amplification or deliver restorative code via stimulation. The end deliverable is a fully integrated platform with a bidirectional brain-computer interface (BCI) system demonstrated in a first-in-human (FIH) trial.
Contract Details
- Award Type: Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.
- Period of Performance: Approximately 4.5 years, structured into three phases (Phase 1: R&D, 18 months; Phase 2: Pre-clinical, 24 months; Phase 3: Clinical, 12 months).
- Cost Sharing: Encouraged (Optional).
- Set-Aside: None specified. Open to universities, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and other than small businesses. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government entities are not permitted as prime or sub-performers.
Submission & Evaluation
The submission process is two-step:
- Solution Summary: Required (mandatory) for parties interested in submitting a full proposal. No awards will be made or funding provided as a result of solution summary submissions.
- Full Proposal: Required if moving to Step 2.
- Key Deadlines:
- Proposers' Day: June 8, 2026 (held in Arlington, VA)
- Q&A Due Date: June 15, 2026
- Solution Summaries Due Date: June 29, 2026
- Full Proposals Due Date: August 14, 2026
- Evaluation Criteria (Descending Order of Importance):
- Overall Scientific and Technical Merit
- Proposer's Capabilities and/or Related Experience
- Potential Contribution to ARPA-H Mission and User Experience
- Assessment of Proposed Cost/Price
Amendments & Notes
Amendment 02, issued June 16, 2026, updates the language within the ISO to clarify out-of-scope efforts, update the program schedule, and clarify proposal review criteria. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged. Proposers are encouraged to attend Proposers' Day for teaming and information sharing. All proposals must address all three Technical Areas (TAs), and teams must include end-user, clinical, and regulatory expertise. Proposals must be led by a Principal Investigator (PI) under a single prime awardee.