Intelligent Generator of Research (IGoR)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) for the "Intelligent Generator of Research" (IGoR) program, issued by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The IGoR program aims to accelerate the development of effective therapies for complex diseases by creating an AI-enabled interoperable research ecosystem. This ecosystem will include mechanistic disease models, an AI orchestration layer, a layered protocol architecture, and a distributed marketplace of validated laboratories. The program is anticipated to award multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements over a 5-year period.

• Development of mechanistic disease models encoding causal biological relationships.

• Creation of an AI orchestration layer for identifying knowledge gaps and designing experiments.

• Establishment of a layered protocol architecture for reproducible experiments.

• Formation of a distributed marketplace of validated laboratories.

• The program is structured into three phases over five years.

• Anticipated Award(s): Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.

• Period of Performance: 5 years.

• Proposers' Day: Voluntary, but highly encouraged (date TBD).

• Solution Summaries Due: June 25, 2026, 12:00 PM ET.

• Proposals Due: August 6, 2026, 12:00 PM ET.

• Submission Platform: ARPA-H Solutions site (links provided for Solution Summaries, Questions, and Proposals).

• Process: Non-Gated Solution Summary process involving submission, feedback, and then proposal submission.

• Evaluation: ARPA-H will review Solution Summaries to provide feedback on interest. Proposals will be reviewed based on criteria detailed in Appendix C.

• Eligible proposers include universities, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and other commercial entities.

• Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and government entities are generally prohibited from participating as prime or sub-performers, unless they possess unique, unachievable capabilities.

• Entities providing current professional support services to ARPA-H are ineligible.

• Foreign entities may participate if they comply with relevant regulations, but certain entities are prohibited.

• Registration in System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is required.

• ARPA-H will not reimburse entities for costs incurred in responding to this ISO.

• Resource sharing is encouraged.

• Detailed program vision, technical requirements, milestones, metrics, and collaboration expectations are in Appendix A.

• Solution Summaries must be in English, sans-serif font (11-point minimum), and limited to five pages (excluding cover and references).

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "APPENDIX B_Solution Summary Format and Instructions," provides the required format and instructions for submitting a Solution Summary for the Innovative Solutions Opening Title opportunity. It outlines the specific sections and information bidders must include in their submission.

• Solution Summary Title: To be provided by the bidder.
• Prime Organization Name & Type: Details about the primary organization submitting the solution.
• SAM.gov Universal Entity Identifier (UEI): Required if already registered.
• Contact Information: Addresses, key personnel, and points of contact (POCs) for both prime and sub-awardees/consultants.
• Project Details: Estimated project duration, indication of animal or human subjects, and total funds requested.
• Resource Sharing: Details on government and performer contributions.
• Place(s) of Performance: Location where the work will be conducted.
• Sub-Awardee and Consultant Team Members: Information on any supporting organizations.
• Content Sections: Specific requirements for Concept Summary, Innovation and Impact, Proposed Work, Team Organization and Capabilities, Basis of Estimate (BOE), and References Cited.
• Formatting Guidelines: Requirements for submission format (.pdf, .odx, .doc, or .docx), language (English), page size (8-1/2 by 11-inch), margins (1-inch), and font size (minimum 11 point, 8-10 point for figures/tables/charts). Sections 1-4 are limited to 8 pages total.

This document is critical for bidders as it dictates the structure, content, and formatting requirements for the Solution Summary. Adhering to these instructions is essential for a compliant and well-received submission. Bidders must carefully review each section's requirements, including page limits and specific information to be provided, to ensure their submission meets the opportunity's expectations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Appendix C, provides detailed instructions for proposal format, submission, and evaluation for the IGoR program. It outlines requirements for conforming submissions, notices provided during the evaluation process, and specific submission instructions.

• Conforming Submission Requirements: Details what constitutes a conforming submission, including applicability to the solicitation, eligibility, content, formatting, addressing all technical areas and phases, and not having received prior funding for the same concept.
• Notices: Explains the types of notices proposers may receive, such as requests for clarifying details or notices of selection/non-selection.
• Proposal Submission Instructions: Specifies file formats (.pdf, .odx, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx), formatting requirements (8-1/2 by 11-inch paper, 1-inch margins, 11-point sans-serif font), and page limits for various proposal sections.
• Proposal Sections & Page Limits: A matrix outlines specific proposal sections (Technical & Management Proposal, Task Description Document, Cost Proposal, Admin National Policy Document, Draft Other Transaction Agreement) and their respective page limits or if they do not count against the limit.
• Draft Other Transaction Agreement: Proposers must include a copy of the draft agreement with any redlines/comments/proposed edits. No edits imply acceptance of the terms.
• Proposal Evaluation: Outlines the review process, handling of selection-sensitive information, and evaluation criteria (Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Proposer's Capabilities and/or Related Experience, Potential Contribution to Relevance to the ARPA-H Mission and User Experience, Assessment of Proposed Cost/Price).
• Policy Requirements: Covers Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), Intellectual Property (IP) rights, software component standards, Genomic Data Sharing (GDS) policy, Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI), Research Security Disclosures, Electronic Invoicing and Payments, and specific research types (synthetic nucleic acids, dangerous gain-of-function research, government-furnished property, human subjects research, vertebrate animal subjects research).

This document is critical for all potential bidders as it dictates the structure, content, formatting, and submission process for their proposals. It also details the evaluation criteria and various policy requirements that must be adhered to, directly impacting proposal preparation and the likelihood of award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a price proposal spreadsheet template intended for bidders to detail their proposed costs for the opportunity. It includes instructions for completing various sheets related to team structure, milestones, deliverables, labor, equipment, and travel.

• Team Structure Sheet: Requires listing all Prime, Sub-Performers, and Consultants involved.
• Milestones and Deliverables Sheet: Requires detailed breakdown of tasks, subtasks, prices, organizations involved, pricing details (labor, travel, etc.), description/approach, exit criteria, milestone deliverables, and start/end/milestone dates for each phase.
• Labor Sheet: Requires listing individuals, labor categories, organizations, hours, and associated tasks/subtasks for each phase.
• Equipment Sheet: Requires information on equipment with a unit price of $10,000 or more, including associated tasks, description, usage, quantity, unit price, and total price.
• Travel Sheet: Requires details on proposed travel, including purpose, destination, duration, and associated organizations and tasks.

Bidders must use this spreadsheet to provide a comprehensive cost proposal. Accurate and detailed completion of each section is crucial for the government's evaluation of the proposed pricing. The structure provided guides bidders on the expected level of detail for labor, materials, travel, and overall project phasing.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Administrative & National Policy Requirements Document, which must be completed in full and included as part of the proposal submission. It outlines administrative and national policy requirements for the proposal.

• Formatting: 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper, 1-inch margins, sans-serif font size not smaller than 11 points (8 or 10 point for figures, tables, charts). No page limit.
• Submission Formats: .pdf, .doc, or .docx. Submissions must be in English.
• Cover Page: Requires Proposal Title, Proposer Organization, Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), Administrative POC (APOC), Date of Proposal Submission, and Proposal Validity Period.
• Team Member Identification: List of organizations/institutions comprising the team, their status (U.S./non-U.S.), and role.
• Senior/Key Personnel: Details required for each Senior/Key Person, including Biographical Sketch, Current & Pending Support, and Collaborators and Other Affiliations (COA) document. ARPA-H recommends SciENcv for BioSketch and Current and Pending Other Support Form.
• Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Participation: Disclosure and justification if an FFRDC is included.
• Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Affirmations and Disclosure: Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and commitment, including specific questions regarding Internal Support Contractors (ISC)/Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) Agreements and other potential OCIs. Requires mitigation plans if applicable.
• Research Security Disclosure: Questions regarding participation in malign foreign talent recruitment programs (FTRP), ownership by foreign entities, research execution within Foreign Countries of Concern (FCOCs), and reliance on technology/data from FCOCs. Certifications regarding FTRP participation and accuracy of information are required.
• Novelty of Proposed Work: Disclosure if the proposed work has been submitted to or funded by other government solicitations.
• Intellectual Property (IP): Table to identify background IP or restricted data, its expected role, basis for assertion, associated government rights (Unlimited, Government Purpose, Limited, Specially Negotiated/Other), and the asserting entity. Specific guidance on IP rights based on funding and development is provided.
• Patents: Requirements for providing documentation for patents and IP developed with government funding.
• Human Subjects Research (HSR): Disclosure and documentation requirements if HSR is involved, including IRB review and Federal-wide Assurance.
• Animal Subjects Research (ASR): Disclosure and documentation requirements if ASR is involved, including IACUC review and Animal Welfare Assurance.
• Representations Regarding Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or Felony Conviction: Proposer must represent status regarding unpaid federal tax liability and recent felony convictions.
• Cybersecurity: Description of the organization's cybersecurity program, standards used, incident response capabilities, and experience managing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Biosecurity: Disclosure regarding dangerous gain-of-function research and procurement of synthetic nucleic acids or benchtop nucleic acid synthesis equipment.

This document is critical for proposal preparation. Bidders must complete all required sections accurately and adhere to all formatting and submission instructions. Failure to provide complete and accurate information, particularly regarding personnel, conflicts of interest, research security, IP, and required assurances, may impact proposal evaluation and award.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "APPENDIX A: PROGRAM AND TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION," provides a detailed overview of the Intelligent Generator of Research (IGoR) program. It outlines the program's objectives, background, technical areas, program structure, milestones, metrics, and independent verification and validation (IV&V) approach.

• Program Overview: Aims to create an Al-enabled interoperable research ecosystem to accelerate the development of effective therapies for complex diseases.
• Background: Highlights inefficiencies and irreproducibility in current biomedical research.
• Program Description: Details the four core components (TAs) of the IGoR system: Comprehensive Disease Models (TA1), New Science Engine (TA2), Interoperable Experimental Procedures (TA3), and Experiment Marketplace (TA4).
• Technical Areas (TAs): Defines the specific objectives and requirements for each of the four TAs.
• Program Structure: Outlines the 5-year, 3-phase program (Concept and Component Development, Integration and Interoperability, Scaling, Generalization, and Transition).
• Milestones and Metrics: Presents key performance indicators and deliverables for each phase and TA.
• Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V): Describes the process for ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of the system.
• Project Management, Integration, and Collaboration: Details requirements for team organization, cross-team interaction, and communication.
• Commercial Transition: Outlines strategies for the long-term sustainability and adoption of IGoR components.

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it provides the foundational technical and programmatic details of the IGoR initiative. It defines the scope of work, expected outcomes, and the structure of proposals required to participate in the program. Bidders must understand these details to formulate a responsive and competitive proposal that addresses all four Technical Areas (TA1-TA4).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document serves as a template for bidders to submit their technical and management proposals for the opportunity. It outlines the required sections, content, and page limits for a comprehensive proposal.

• Proposal Title, Prime Organization Name, Organization Type
• Contact Information: SAM.gov UEI, Address, Key Personnel (POCs, APOCs)
• Award Instrument Requested: Other Transaction
• Subject Matter: Animal Subjects, Human Subjects
• Funding: Total Funds Requested From ARPA-H
• Resource Sharing: Government vs. Performer contributions
• Place of Performance
• Submission Details: Date of Submission, Proposal Validity Period
• Sub-Awardee and Consultant Team Members: Organization details and Technical POCs
• Proposal Structure & Page Limits:
  • Proposal Summary (Overview, Innovative Claims Table)
  • Goals and Impact
  • Gantt Chart Timeline (Exempt)
  • Technical Plan
  • Risk Mitigation/Contingency Plans
  • Commercialization Strategy Narrative (Max 3 pages)
  • Capabilities/Management Plan (Max 2 pages)
  • Biographical Information (Exempt)
  • References Cited (Exempt)
• Total Page Limit: 40 pages for sections 1-7.

Bidders must use this template to structure and format their proposals. It details the specific information required in each section, including content prompts for the Proposal Summary, Goals and Impact, Technical Plan, and Commercialization Strategy. Adhering to the specified page limits and content requirements is crucial for proposal submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for bidders to describe their proposed technical tasks and subtasks when submitting a proposal to ARPA-H. It is strongly encouraged for use in detailing the planned technical approach.

• General Objective: A high-level summary of the proposal's aim.
• Tasks and Subtasks: Organized by Phase and Technical Area.
• For each Task/Subtask:
  • Objective description
  • Detailed approach
  • Performance location
  • Responsible organization (prime/sub/consultant)
  • Deliverables (with IP assertion if applicable)
  • Indication of Human/Animal Subject Research (Yes/No, with description if Yes)
  • Measurable milestones (specific, quantitative criteria)
• Cross-walk: Tasks and milestones must align with Cost Proposal requirements.

This template is crucial for structuring and detailing the technical proposal. Bidders must use this format to clearly outline their planned work, ensuring all required components (objectives, approach, location, organization, deliverables, human/animal subject research, and measurable milestones) are addressed. Adherence to this structure and the inclusion of specific, measurable milestones are key to a compliant and competitive proposal. The document also emphasizes the need to align technical tasks with cost proposal requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for bidders to submit their price proposal. It outlines the required format for detailing costs across different phases and resource sharing.

• Total Price: Inclusive of all phases and resource sharing.
• Phase Breakdown: Separate fields for Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III pricing.
• Resource Sharing: Details on government and performer cost sharing percentages and amounts.
• Table of Contents: Guides users through sections on Level of Effort, Equipment, Travel, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), and Resource Sharing.
• Price Details: Requires itemized information and supporting documentation for:
  • Level of Effort and Labor (labor categories, burdened rates, hours)
  • Equipment Purchases (itemized list, quantities, unit prices, vendors, basis of estimate, documentation for items > $10,000)
  • Travel (justification for necessity and task support)
  • Other Direct Costs (ODCs) (list with explanations of project contribution)
  • Resource Sharing (source, nature, amount, commitment details)

Bidders must use this template to structure and submit their pricing. It dictates the level of detail and supporting documentation required for the price proposal, directly impacting proposal completeness and evaluation.