Novel and Enhanced Modalities for Optic Nerve Imaging
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), under the Health Science Futures Office (HSF), has issued a Sources Sought notice for Novel and Enhanced Modalities for Optic Nerve Imaging. This initiative aims to identify technologies capable of tracking optic nerve growth in vivo to support the Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts Program (THEA). Responses are due by June 10, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.
Purpose & Scope
ARPA-H seeks to gauge industry interest and capabilities in advanced optic nerve imaging. The primary goal is to overcome current limitations in tracking optic nerve repair and regrowth, which is crucial for enabling whole eye transplantation. Specifically, the government is interested in:
- Technologies for single axon resolution imaging to track optic nerve growth.
- Potential enhancements to existing MRI/PET for single axon resolution.
- Modalities capable of capturing the optic nerve, chiasm, optic tract, and early visual system targets in a single image.
- Modalities ready for human clinical trials within two years.
- Methods to differentiate native retinal ganglion cells from transplanted cells.
Submission Requirements
Responses should not exceed 6 pages (single-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) and must be emailed to THEA@arpa-h.gov by the deadline. The subject line should be "Sources Sought Response: Novel and Enhanced Modalities for Optic Nerve Imaging" followed by the institution's name. Submissions should include:
- Contact information, CAGE Code, Unique Entity ID, and DUNS Number (if applicable).
- Anticipated NAICS Code: 541715.
- A concise technical description of capabilities or R&D needs.
- Indication of interest in a future Request for Proposal (RFP) as prime or subcontractor.
- Information on subcontracting possibilities.
- Summaries of at least two relevant past performance contracts (within 36 months).
- Information on active government contracts.
- A rough estimate or cost range of the annual cost.
- Indication of ability to provide the requirement post-award.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: June 10, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Published: May 18, 2026
- Product Service Code: AN13 (Health R&D Services; Health Care Services; Experimental Development)
- Department/Agency: Health And Human Services / ARPA-H
Important Note
This is a Request for Information only, intended for planning purposes. It does not constitute a commitment to a future procurement, and no reimbursement will be provided for response costs.