Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO)
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) is soliciting innovative proposals for Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO). This Solicitation seeks revolutionary advances in very large-scale photonic circuits, focusing on circuit-level innovation to achieve significant gains in latency, efficiency, and bandwidth. The program anticipates $35M in funding. Proposals are due March 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Purpose and Scope
DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) aims to develop scalable photonic circuits with predictable performance, enabling revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems. The focus is on circuit-level strategies to preserve optical signal integrity, minimize excess noise, and control modes for predictable behavior, rather than incremental improvements to existing components. Proposals must address Technical Area 1 (Fundamentals) in its entirety, which includes two phases: Signal Integrity and Generalizable Functions.
Contract Details
- Type: Other Transaction for Prototype (OT-P) agreements under 10 U.S.C. § 4022.
- Anticipated Funding: $35,000,000.
- Period of Performance Start: July 1, 2026.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Eligibility: Non-U.S. organizations/individuals cannot participate as lead proposers. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Minority Institutions are encouraged. FFRDCs, UARCs, and Government Entities are not eligible to propose. A 1/3 cost share is not required if a non-traditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participates significantly.
Submission Requirements & Evaluation
Proposers were required to submit an abstract by February 9, 2026. Full proposals must include a Volume I (Technical and Management Proposal), limited to 10 pages, and a Volume II (Price Proposal), utilizing Attachments D and E. An oral presentation (20 slides, 40 minutes) is also a key component of Volume I. Proposers must disclose the use of AI tools in proposal preparation. Evaluation criteria, in descending order of importance, are: Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission, and Budget and Price. Return on Investment (ROI) is not an evaluation factor.
Key Dates
- Proposal Due Date: March 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
- Proposers Day: January 16, 2026 (Past).
- Proposal Abstract Due Date: February 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET (Past).
- Requests for CUI Materials Closed: February 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET (Past).
- Question Submittal Closed: February 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET (Past).
- Deadline to Notify of Intent to Submit Proposal: March 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET (Past).
Important Notes
A Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Addendum contains key technical details and is available upon request via Attachment K. Proposals must address the goals of TA1 in their entirety; partial solutions will not be considered.