MXO Office-wide Innovative Solutions Opening

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an "Office-wide Innovative Solutions Opening" (ISO) from DARPA's Multi X Office (MXO). It is a long-term, open call for revolutionary research ideas that enable significant advances in science, devices, or systems, rather than incremental improvements. The ISO utilizes procurement authorities allowing agreements with industry, academia, and other organizations for research and development through Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) and Experimental Transaction Agreements (ETAs).

The solicitation outlines three technical thrust areas:

• Thrust 1: Materials and components to expand the foundation: Focuses on developing new materials and component technologies beyond current CMOS foundations to create resilient, secure, and scalable hardware for military and economic advantage.
• Thrust 2: Tools and processes for indigenous development: Aims to strengthen industrial resilience by advancing domestic tools, processes, and supply chains to reduce reliance on vulnerable sources and affirm industrial sovereignty.
• Thrust 3: New modalities to achieve mission effects: Seeks to expand technological approaches for sensing, computing, and communication beyond traditional electronics, exploring hybrid or entirely new methods for resilient mission effects.

Research involving human or animal subjects is out of scope.

• Anticipated Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.

• Instrument Types: Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) and Experimental Transaction Agreements (ETAs).

• NAICS Code: 541715

• Abstract Submission: An abstract is required first and must be submitted on a rolling basis until April 23, 2027, 4:00 p.m. ET. Abstracts will be evaluated for applicability to MXO's technical areas, importance to MXO's portfolio, alignment with Program Manager expertise, innovative approach, non-duplication, and lack of prior funding for the concept.

• Proposal Submission: Full proposals will only be accepted by invitation following the abstract review. The invitation will specify required content, scope, and deliverables.

• Evaluation Criteria: Abstracts are evaluated on Technical Concept and Understanding, and Potential to Achieve Proposed Goals. Invited proposals will be evaluated on Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution and Relevance to DARPA Mission, and Budget and Price.

• All responsible sources (U.S. and non-U.S.) are eligible. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Minority Institutions are encouraged to submit, but no portion is set aside.

• Prohibitions exist for entities concurrently providing Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) or Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) to DARPA.

• Dates: Posting Date: May 20, 2026. Abstract Due Date: April 23, 2027. Closing Date: June 4, 2027.

• Submission Portal: Abstracts must be submitted via DARPA's Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) website.

• Contact: Technical, contractual, and administrative questions should be emailed to DARPA-PS-26-115@darpa.mil.

• AI Usage: Proposers must disclose the use of AI tools in proposal preparation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides mandatory instructions and a template for submitting abstracts for the DARPA-PS-26-115: Multi X Office (MXO) Office-wide Innovative Solutions Opening. It outlines the required format, content, and submission process for abstracts.

• Format: Must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word, written in English, formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins and a minimum 12-point font size (8 or 10-point for figures, tables, charts).
• Page Limit: Abstracts shall not exceed 6 pages. This limit includes all text, figures, tables, and charts, but excludes the Cover Sheet, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost, Table of Contents, and Bibliography.
• Content Sections: Includes requirements for Innovative Claims, Technical Approach, Deliverables, Other Research, ROM Cost, Capabilities/Management Plan, and Bibliography.
• Cover Sheet: Requires specific information including Abstract Title, MXO Thrust Area, Type of Organization, Prime Organization, CAGE Code, Technical and Administrative Points of Contact (POCs), Other Team Members, ROM Cost, and identification of other solicitations.
• Submission: Abstracts must be submitted through the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) by the due date and time specified in the Overview Information section.

This template is crucial for potential bidders as it dictates the mandatory structure and content for abstract submissions. Adherence to these instructions is required for an abstract to be considered. Only proposers who submit an abstract and receive an invitation from DARPA are eligible to submit a full proposal. The abstract review process is the first step in the proposal evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, the "Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) Submission Portal Guide," provides instructions and guidance for users submitting proposals through DARPA's BAAT system. It is intended as a resource for navigating the portal and completing submissions.

• Account Creation: Steps for creating a new submitter account, including registration form completion and email verification.
• Organization Registration: Requirement for each account holder to register their organization's information, including contact details and identifying numbers (UEI, Taxpayer ID, CAGE Code).
• Submission Process: Guidance on selecting an announcement, completing submission forms (Executive Summary, Proposal Abstract, Full Proposal), and uploading required .zip or .zipx files.
• Key Information Fields: Details on required fields within submission forms, such as Submission Title, Proposed Cost, Duration, Proposer Information, Authorized Representative, and Team Members.
• File Uploads: Specifies that all submissions must be in a .zip or .zipx file format and cannot be password-protected.
• Finalization: Instructions on saving progress and the critical step of "Finalizing" the submission before the deadline.

This guide is crucial for any bidder intending to submit proposals through the BAAT system. It outlines the entire submission workflow, from initial account setup to final submission. Key takeaways for bidders include:

• Early Submission Recommended: Advised to start submissions early due to potential heavy traffic on deadline dates.
• Account Management: BAAT accounts are subject to inactivity deactivation and deletion; regular logins are recommended.
• Technical Support: Contact information for technical assistance (BAAT_Support@darpa.mil) and the importance of emailing the solicitation coordinator for content-related questions.
• CAGE Code Requirement: A valid CAGE code is mandatory for submission.
• Submission Edits: Procedures for unfinalizing and re-finalizing submissions before the deadline, and the need to notify coordinators for multiple submissions.