4-VentureWell DARPA GO ICCG RFQ Solicitation FAQs.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- RFQ #26-06
- Issued by
- Massachusetts
About this file
This document is a Frequently Asked Questions guide for a DARPA GO Independent Commercialization Consulting Group (ICCG) solicitation administered by VentureWell on behalf of the Department of Defense. The opportunity seeks independent consultants or companies to serve as members of a five-person advisory group providing commercialization support to DARPA performers developing solutions in Generative Optogenetics, a field focused on using light to direct DNA and RNA synthesis within living cells. The group will include representation from venture capital and corporate investment, venture creation and licensing, and technical sectors in synthetic biology, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and bioprogramming. Proposals must be submitted by August 17, 2026, and proposers will be notified of selection in mid-September 2026. Work will begin after contracting in October 2026.
Both independent consultants and companies are eligible to submit proposals. Eligibility requirements exclude named personnel on DARPA GO performer teams and entities with investments in adversarial capital from hostile foreign governments, including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and the Maduro regime. Direct experience in nucleic acid synthesis is not required. Payments are structured based on milestone and deliverable completion as outlined in the solicitation. Travel and lodging costs for in-person events will be covered by VentureWell. The engagement is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as it is intended to secure individual expert advice rather than form a committee providing collective recommendations to the Federal Government. No feedback will be provided to rejected proposers due to the anticipated volume of submissions.
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Frequently Asked Questions: DARPA GO Independent Commercialization Consulting Group (ICCG) Solicitation DARPA GO Program
Procurement Portal (Euna) Questions
Who should I contact for RFQ-related questions or inquiries?
Please use the built “Ask a question” function in the Euna portal.
Can I update my submission after I’ve submitted?
Yes. You may update your submission until the deadline.
Who should I contact for technical issues with the application portal? Please contact: vendormanager@venturewell.org
General Solicitation Questions
What is the submission deadline? The deadline is August 17, 2026.
When will proposers be notified of selection?
Proposers will be notified in mid-September 2026.
Will feedback be provided after submission?
No. Due to the large number of anticipated submissions, we will not be able to offer feedback for those who are rejected.
Can this opportunity be shared with other researchers or organizations?
Yes! This opportunity is open to anyone with experience that aligns with the eligibility and capability requirements in the solicitation.
Eligibility Questions
Can my company submit a proposal for this role or is it only for independent consultants?
We invite both independent consultants and companies to submit to this opportunity.
I, or my company, previously submitted and/or were selected to the DARPA Switch ICCG opportunity. Am I, or my company, eligible for this opportunity?
Yes. You or your company are still eligible to submit a proposal.
I, or my company, applied to be in the DARPA GO program but wasn’t selected. Am I or my company eligible for this opportunity?
Yes. You or your company are still eligible to submit a proposal.
I, or my company, are engaging with one of the DARPA GO performers.
Am I or my company eligible for this opportunity?
Selected panel members will be subject to a Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure process. If it is determined that you or your company’s COI cannot be effectively mitigated, you may not be selected for ICCG membership. Named personnel on technical DARPA GO Performer teams are ineligible to serve on the ICCG.
I, or my company, invest in non-domestic technologies, defense, or infrastructure companies. Am I or my company eligible for this opportunity?
Investment with any adversarial capital1 makes you or your company ineligible for this role.
Capability Questions
Should I submit a proposal if I or my company do not meet the eligibility or capability requirements?
No. Submissions that do not meet the eligibility or capability requirements will not be considered.
Do I or my company need to have direct experience working in nucleic acid synthesis to be considered for this role?
No. Experience with de novo nucleic acid synthesis is not required, but is nice to have.
How will proposals be evaluated?
Proposals will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria as outlined in Section 5 of the solicitation.
1 Funding from foreign governments/entities deemed hostile to the United States. This includes Foreign Adversaries as defined by 15 CFR 791.2 and updated as part of 15 CFR 791.4, representing the following:
(1) The People's Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region (China);
(2) Republic of Cuba (Cuba);
(3) Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran);
(4) Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea);
(5) Russian Federation (Russia); and
(6) Venezuelan politician Nicolás Maduro (Maduro Regime).
Role-Based Questions (If selected)
When will the work begin? Work will begin after contracting in October 2026.
How are payments structured for this role?
Payments will be made based on milestone and deliverable completion as outlined in the solicitation.
Will travel costs be covered for in-person events?
Yes, travel and lodging costs will be covered by VentureWell
FACA Notice: This consulting opportunity is intended solely to secure individual, expert advice and perspectives. Participants will provide independent input and will not form a committee, subcommittee, or group consensus intended to provide collective advice or recommendations to the Federal Government. Therefore, this engagement is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
Frequently Asked Questions: DARPA GO Independent Commercialization Consulting Group (ICCG) Solicitation
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