Standardized Micro- and Nano- Plastics

Sources Sought Notice

This Sources Sought notice is issued by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Health Science Futures Office (HSF) to gauge industry interest and capabilities in providing standardized micro- and nanoplastics (MNP). The goal is to support technology research and development activities.

The government is seeking vendors capable of providing MNP materials with specific attributes:

• Size Distribution: Centering at ~150 nm, with categories < 200 nm, 200 nm - 1 µm, and 1 µm - 5 µm.
• Shape: Irregular, non-spherical, and fibers.
• Chemical Composition: Single MNP types, including but not limited to PE, PP, PVC, PET, Ny-6, PMMA, PU, and SBR.
• Additives: Standard additives found in typical consumer products are acceptable.
• Quantity/Scale: 5-10 grams annually for 5 years.

Responses are for market research purposes only and will be evaluated for technical details indicating capability to meet the government's needs. Interested parties must provide:

• Entity name, POC, contact information.

• Cage Code, Unique Entity ID, DUNS Number.

• Anticipated NAICS Codes (326199, 325211, or 541713) and business size/type.

• Technical description of MNP synthesis/manufacturing capabilities and characterization methods.

• Indication of interest in responding to a future RFP (prime or subcontractor).

• Description of relevant past performance (contracts/orders within the last 36 months).

• Information on active U.S. Government contracts.

• Rough estimate or cost range of annual cost.

• Estimated lead time for delivery.

• Response length: Max 3 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins.

• Format: UNCLASSIFIED.

• Submission Deadline: March 25, 2026, by 3:00 pm Eastern.

• Submission Method: Email to elaine.wong@arpa-h.gov with subject line "Microplastics Sources Sought 75N992-26-SS-104".

• This is NOT a solicitation for proposals.

• Submission is voluntary; no reimbursement for costs incurred.

• The government will NOT acknowledge receipt or provide feedback.

• Submit non-proprietary information where possible; clearly label proprietary data.

Sources Sought Notice

This Sources Sought notice is issued by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Health Science Futures Office (HSF) to gauge industry interest, capabilities, and experience in providing standardized micro- and nanoplastics (MNP). The goal is to support technology research and development activities.

ARPA-H is seeking vendors capable of providing MNP materials with the following attributes:

• Size Distribution: Statistical distribution of fragments centering at ~150 nm. An option exists for at least three size categories: < 200 nm, between 200 nm and 1 µm, and between 1 µm and 5 µm.

• Shape: Irregular, non-spherical. An option exists for fibers.

• Chemical Composition: Each sample should contain only one MNP type (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene). An option includes polymers such as PE, PP, PVC, PET, nylon 6, PMMA, PU, and SBR.

• Additives: Standard additives found in typical consumer products are acceptable. An option is to minimize additives, using weathered materials as a starting point.

• Quantity/Scale: 5-10 grams annually for 5 years.

• Responses are for market research purposes only and will be evaluated for technical details indicating how a source can meet the Government's needs.

• Interested parties must provide:

  • Entity name and point of contact details.
  • Vendor Cage Code, Unique Entity ID, and DUNS Number.
  • Business size and type, applicable socioeconomic categories, and employee count in relation to proposed NAICS Codes (326199, 325211, or 541713).
  • Concise technical description of capabilities, including current proven ability to synthesize/manufacture MNP types, methods used for characterization, and any required R&D timelines.
  • Indication of whether the entity would respond to a Request for Proposal (RFP) as prime or subcontractor.
  • Information on subcontracting possibilities.
  • Description of at least 2 relevant past contracts/orders (within the last 36 months) or prior performance summaries.
  • Details of any active U.S. Government contracts/orders.
  • Rough estimate or cost range of the annual cost.
  • Indication of how quickly the requirement could be provided post-award.

• Responses must not exceed 3 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins.

• Deadline: Responses must be received electronically no later than 3:00 pm (Eastern) on March 24, 2026.

• Submission Email: elaine.wong@arpa-h.gov with the subject line "Microplastics Sources Sought 75N992-26-SS-104".

• Proposed NAICS Codes include 326199 (All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing), 325211 (Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing), and 541713 (Research and Development in Nanotechnology).

• Business size standards apply to these NAICS codes (750 employees, 1,250 employees, and 1,000 employees, respectively).

• This announcement is voluntary and not a formal solicitation for proposals.

• It does not constitute a solicitation, and no solicitation exists.

• The Government will not acknowledge receipt of submissions or provide feedback.

• The Government will not reimburse costs incurred in responding.

• Submissions should be non-proprietary and non-personally identifiable. Proprietary information must be clearly marked.