One Comprehensive Universal Radiotherapy for Everyone (1-CURE)
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 National Institutes of Health, has issued an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) for the One Comprehensive Universal Radiotherapy for Everyone (1-CURE) program. This initiative seeks to develop a revolutionary radiotherapy approach for all cancers by integrating ultra-high dose rate (FLASH)-RT with multifunctional immunogenic smart radiotherapy biomaterials (SRBs) to boost the abscopal effect, aiming for universal curative treatment with minimal toxicities. ARPA-H anticipates awarding multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.
Scope of Work
The program is structured around two critical Technical Areas (TAs), and proposals must address both:
- TA1: Immunogenic Nanoparticle SRBs: Focuses on developing multi-functional nanoparticle SRBs capable of guiding FLASH-RT, enhancing abscopal responses, and delivering immunoadjuvants for high therapeutic efficacy.
- TA2: Abscopal Treatment Planning System (ATPS): Involves creating an ATPS that integrates FLASH-RT and immunogenic SRBs to plan 1-CURE treatments, targeting over 90% effective abscopal responses with minimal toxicities.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.
- Period of Performance: A total of 60 months, divided into three phases: Phase I (18 months), Phase II (18 months), and Phase III (24 months).
- Eligibility: Open to universities, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and other than small businesses. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and other Government entities are ineligible as prime or sub-performers. For-profit organizations not qualifying as small businesses are required to provide a meaningful cost share.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
Submission & Evaluation
The submission process involves an optional Proposers' Day, a mandatory Solution Summary, and then a Full Proposal 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: Proposals will be assessed based on Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Proposer's Capabilities and/or Related Experience, Potential Contribution to Relevance to the ARPA-H Mission and User Experience, and Price/Cost.
Key Submission Requirements
Proposers must adhere to detailed instructions provided in several appendices, including:
- Appendix A: Solution Summary Content and Instructions (4-page limit).
- Appendix B: Full Proposal Content and Instructions (four volumes, 20-page limit for core technical sections).
- Appendix C: Target Product Profile (TPP) Guidelines.
- Appendix D: Task Description Document (TDD) Template.
- Appendix E: Data Management and Sharing Plan (DMSP) requirements.
- Appendix F: Administrative & National Policy Requirements (covering OCI, IP, HSR/ASR, Cybersecurity, Biosecurity).
- Appendix G: Security Attestation Form (regarding Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs).
- Appendix H: Dangerous Gain of Function Assessment.
- Appendix I: Draft Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) template, providing insight into contractual terms.
Contact Information
For questions, contact The 1-CURE Team at 1-CURE@ARPA-H.GOV. Proposers are encouraged to monitor the 1-CURE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page at https://arpa-h.gov/explore-funding/programs/1-cure/faqs for updates.