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 revolutionary radiotherapy approaches to treat all cancers by integrating ultra-high dose rate (FLASH)-RT with multifunctional immunogenic smart radiotherapy biomaterials (SRBs) to enhance the abscopal effect. ARPA-H anticipates awarding multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.
Scope of Work
Proposals must address two Technical Areas (TAs):
- TA1: Immunogenic Nanoparticle SRBs: Develop multi-functional nanoparticle SRBs to guide FLASH-RT, boost abscopal responses, and deliver immunoadjuvants.
- 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.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: 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).
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Eligibility: 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.
- Cost Share: Required for for-profit organizations not qualifying as small businesses.
Submission & Evaluation
- Submission Process: Involves an optional Proposers' Day, a mandatory Solution Summary submission, followed by a Full Proposal submission for selected teams.
- Key Deadlines:
- Solution Summaries due: April 15, 2026
- Full Proposals due: May 22, 2026
- Q&A due: April 8, 2026
- Evaluation Criteria: Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Proposer's Capabilities, Relevance to ARPA-H Mission and User Experience, and Price/Cost.
Key Attachments & Instructions
Proposers must review the main solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-26-147) and numerous appendices, including:
- Appendix A: Solution Summary Content and Instructions (4-page limit, PDF format).
- Appendix B: Full Proposal Content and Instructions (4 volumes, specific formatting and page limits).
- 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 (OCI, Research Security, IP, HSR/ASR, Cybersecurity, Biosecurity).
- Appendix G: Security Attestation Form (Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs).
- Appendix H: Dangerous Gain of Function Assessment.
- Appendix I: Draft Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) Template.
- Appendix J: Cost Proposal Spreadsheet Template.
- Appendix K: Gantt Chart Sample.
Additional Notes
Proposers are encouraged to monitor the 1-CURE FAQs page (https://arpa-h.gov/explore-funding/programs/1-cure/faqs) for updates. A separate Special Notice (ARPA-H-SN-26-152) provides information on the 1-CURE Proposers’ Day.