One Comprehensive Universal Radiotherapy for Everyone (1-CURE)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, "One Comprehensive Universal Radiotherapy for Everyone (1-CURE)", seeks innovative solutions to develop a revolutionary radiotherapy (RT) approach for all cancers. The program aims to integrate ultra-high dose rate (FLASH)-RT with multifunctional immunogenic smart radiotherapy biomaterials (SRBs) to boost the abscopal effect, leading to regression of both local and metastatic tumors with minimal toxicities. The goal is to achieve a universal curative treatment approach.

This solicitation is divided into two Technical Areas (TAs):

• TA1: Immunogenic Nanoparticle SRBs: Develop multi-functional nanoparticle SRBs that can guide FLASH-RT, boost abscopal responses, and deliver immunoadjuvants for high therapeutic efficacy.

• TA2: Abscopal Treatment Planning System (ATPS): Develop an ATPS that integrates FLASH-RT and immunogenic SRBs to plan 1-CURE treatments for effective abscopal responses (>90%) with minimal toxicities.

• Anticipated Awards: Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.

• Period of Performance: 60 months, structured into three phases (Phase I: 18 months, Phase II: 18 months, Phase III: 24 months).

• Submission Process: Includes optional Proposers' Day, mandatory Solution Summary submission, followed by Full Proposal submission for selected teams.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Questions & Answers (Q&A) due: April 8, 2026
  • Solution Summaries due: April 15, 2026
  • Full Proposals due: May 22, 2026

• Evaluation Criteria:

  1. Overall Scientific and Technical Merit
  2. Proposer's Capabilities and/or Related Experience
  3. Potential Contribution to Relevance to the ARPA-H Mission and User Experience
  4. Price/Cost

• Eligible Proposers: Universities, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and other than small businesses are eligible. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and other Government entities are prohibited from responding as prime or sub-performers.

• Cost Share: For-profit organizations not qualifying as small businesses are required to contribute a meaningful cost share.

• Proposals must address both TA1 and TA2.

• Teams must include a Lead Principal Investigator (PI), Project Manager, and Product Development Lead (PDL).

• Proposers are encouraged to team across geographies.

• Awards are expected to result in Other Transactions (OTs).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "APPENDIX A: SOLUTION SUMMARY CONTENT AND INSTRUCTIONS," provides detailed guidance for proposers on how to prepare and submit a Solution Summary for the ARPA-H 1-CURE program (ISO-26-147). It outlines the required content, formatting, and submission procedures.

• General Instructions: Specifies English language, minimum 12-point font (except for figures/tables), 0.5" margins, and deletion of all formatting instructions prior to submission. Solution Summaries are limited to four (4) pages, excluding cover page, basis of estimate, team qualifications, target product profile (TPP), and references.
• Submission Format: Must be submitted in PDF format to the ARPA-H Solution Submission Portal. Attachments and embedded links are not allowed.
• Content Requirements: Must address relevance to ARPA-H mission and 1-CURE program, technical merit, team organization, capabilities, and qualifications. Proposers must frame responses using the first four Heilmeier questions and include Team qualifications, R&D timeline, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM), and Basis of Estimate (BOE).
• Cover Page: Specific format required, including Solution Summary Title, Technical Approach (TA) Selection, Team Lead/Organization, Type of Organization, UEI, POCs (Technical and Administrative), Basis of Estimate (Total $), and Place(s) of Performance.
• Other Sections: Includes guidance on Concept Summary, Innovation and Impact, Proposed Work, Target Product Profile (TPP), Team Organization and Capabilities, and Basis of Estimate (BOE).

This document is critical for bidders as it dictates the structure, content, length, and submission method for the Solution Summary. Adhering to these instructions is essential for a compliant and competitive submission. It highlights the specific information ARPA-H expects to evaluate, including technical approach, team strength, innovation, and cost estimates.