National Security Economic Theory (NASCENT)
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 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a Solicitation for the National Security Economic Theory (NASCENT) program. This initiative aims to establish a principled theoretical foundation for geoeconomics, enabling evidence-based economic statecraft and defining a rigorous scholarly field of quantitative geoeconomics. Proposals are due by April 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
Scope of Work
The NASCENT program seeks to achieve two primary objectives:
- Technical Hypothesis Testing: Combine economic mechanism design, computer science formal methods, and experimental economics to construct a robust scientific framework for geoeconomics.
- Strategic Surprise Prevention: Develop methodologies and tools to anticipate and mitigate unintended consequences of economic statecraft.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Solicitation
- Product Service Code: AC12 (National Defense R&D Services; Department Of Defense Military; Applied Research)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Published Date: February 23, 2026
- Response Date: April 24, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to contribute to the program's objectives, specifically in establishing a theoretical foundation for geoeconomics and developing tools for evidence-based economic statecraft.
Additional Notes
This opportunity is managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). For inquiries, contact the Solicitation Coordinator at NASCENT@darpa.mil.