DARPA-SN-27-08.pdf

Special Notice Information Processing Techniques

Office

Nassau Proposers Day

DARPA-SN-27-08

October 20, 2026

DARPA-SN-26-127

Opportunity Nassau Proposers Day

Event Proposers Day

Event Date/Time December 10, 2026 Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Session: 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) Classified Session (SECRET): 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

Event Physical Location Strategic Analysis Executive Conference Center 4075 Wilson Blvd.

Arlington, Virginia 22203

Fee to Attend There is NO fee to attend

Who can Attend This event is open to potential proposers only; not open to the public.

Registration Website For CUI session (US citizens only):

https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/8eebef0a-5305-4af1- 8bbd-c26388d99a0c

For classified session (US citizens with SECRET (or higher) personnel security clearance):

https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/7d87d809-29b3-45c8-b495-a1166fc0559b

Registration Deadline November 7, 2026 by 5:00 PM (ET)

Administrative POC Nassau@darpa.mil

DARPA Program Manager

David Dewhurst

PROPOSERS DAY

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) is sponsoring a Proposers Day with a CUI session and a classified (SECRET) session in support of the anticipated Nassau Program Solicitation (PS). The purpose of this event is to provide information on the Nassau technical goals and challenges, address questions from potential proposers, and provide an opportunity for potential proposers to consider how their research may align with the Nassau program objectives. Attendance is voluntary and is not required to propose to the Nassau PS.

https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/8eebef0a-5305-4af1-8bbd-c26388d99a0c https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/8eebef0a-5305-4af1-8bbd-c26388d99a0c https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/7d87d809-29b3-45c8-b495-a1166fc0559b https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/7d87d809-29b3-45c8-b495-a1166fc0559b

PROGRAM BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Nassau is a critical infrastructure resilience program. Further details will be available in the anticipated PS. The PS will include two addendums – one at the CUI level and the other at the classified (SECRET) level.

The Nassau program has two technical areas. Technical Area 1 (TA1) entails modeling a specific class of critical infrastructure. Further details about TA1 are available in the CUI PS addendum and will be discussed at Proposers Day. Information on Technical Area 2 (TA2) will be available in the classified (SECRET) PS addendum and will be discussed in the classified (SECRET) session of the Proposers Day.

Requirements and instructions for requesting the CUI and/or classified (SECRET) PS addendums are included below. Potential performers are responsible for demonstrating eligibility to receive the addendums by following the instructions; organizations who fail to demonstrate eligibility will not receive the addendums.

PROPOSERS DAY

A Proposers Day will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2026, at the Strategic Analysis Executive Conference Center, 4075 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia 22203. The Proposers Day will have a CUI session and a classified (SECRET) session. The CUI session will be held from 9:00AM to 12:00PM ET in-person only. The classified (SECRET) session will be held from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM ET in-person only.

Each session of the Nassau Proposers Day will consist of overview presentations by the DARPA Program Manager (PM), David Dewhurst, and DARPA support offices; and a Question & Answer (Q&A) session. All attendees are encouraged to use the Proposers Day as an opportunity to explore teaming with other attendees, though this is not necessary and will not be specifically facilitated by DARPA. There may be opportunities for additional discussions with the PM at the event, however, these will be informal and impromptu if time permits.

During the CUI session, notetaking will be allowed. During the classified session, notetaking will NOT be allowed.

PROPOSERS DAY REGISTRATION

Only U.S. citizens are eligible to attend the CUI session of the Proposers Day. Only U.S. citizens with an active SECRET (or higher) personnel security clearance are eligible to attend the classified session of the Proposers Day. All attendees of the classified (SECRET) session must also attend the CUI session; absence at the CUI session will disqualify your admittance to the classified (SECRET) session.

All attendees must register for the Proposers Day to be eligible to attend. Registration for the Proposers Day must be completed no later than 5:00 PM ET on November 7, 2026. Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis with a limit of 136 total participants for each session, and a limit of five (5) personnel representing each organization for each session. If necessary for security, DARPA reserves the right to further limit attendance to no more than two (2) personnel representing each organization for each session. Should this limitation be needed DARPA will contact registered organizations to determine which personnel will be in attendance. All attendees will be required to present a valid, U.S. Government-issued photo identification at the time of the event to be allowed entry. If you plan to attend the classified (SECRET) session, you must register for and attend the CUI session also.

Registration after the deadline may be considered on a case-by-case basis at DARPA’s discretion, with a default position that late registration will not be allowed.

• Attendees of the CUI session must register by completing the form at this link by the deadline: CUI session registration link

• Attendees of the classified (SECRET) session must register by completing the form at this link by the deadline: SECRET session registration link

Additionally, potential proposers attending the classified (SECRET) session must be representing an organization with a valid SECRET (or higher) Facility Clearance Letter (FCL) issued by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Only participants from cleared organizations may attend the classified session.

Those seeking to attend the classified session must submit appropriate clearances no later than 5:00 PM ET, November 7, 2026. Clearances must be passed by one of the following processes:

- Sent via DISS (preferred method) to SMO Code 44609 for Collateral. Attention: Carl Clayton/Nassau Proposers Day

- Faxed – 703-527-5445 (unclassified) for Collateral

PROPOSERS DAY LOGISTICS

Parking is available at the Ballston Mall Parking Garage directly across the street from DARPA.

There are two entrances to the garage; one on Glebe Road and the other on Randolph Street.

Parking information can be found at https://abmparking.com/facilities/ballston-mall-parking-garage/ Other parking and ride-sharing options typical in cities are also available. If you prefer to take the metro, the Ballston metro station is within walking distance to DARPA.

Everyone is HIGHLY encouraged to review and understand DARPA’s visitor information prior to arriving. The best and most up to date information for visitors can be found at this link:

https://www.darpa.mil/policies/visitor-information Please read all the visitor information sections to ensure you are prepared to visit. Especially note the section on “what to bring” which lists valid forms of identification that you will need to present to attend Proposers Day.

Being registered for the Nassau Proposers Day (see registration section above) fulfills the requirement to have an appointment with DARPA staff prior to visiting.

REQUESTING THE CUI ADDENDUM

DARPA anticipates that the CUI PS addendum will be released to eligible requesting organizations only on December 10, 2026.

Note that the anticipated PS addendums will contain all the technical information relevant for producing an eventual proposal. Therefore, DARPA encourages anyone with interest in Nassau to proactively request the addendums. The CUI addendum will contain sufficient technical https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/8eebef0a-5305-4af1-8bbd-c26388d99a0c https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform104/visitor/7d87d809-29b3-45c8-b495-a1166fc0559b https://abmparking.com/facilities/ballston-mall-parking-garage/ https://abmparking.com/facilities/ballston-mall-parking-garage/ https://www.darpa.mil/policies/visitor-information information for proposing at the CUI level. The classified addendum will contain additional program details and technical information for producing a classified proposal.

Potential proposers wishing to receive a copy of the CUI PS addendum must ensure personnel and information systems processing CUI meet the safeguarding requirements established in NIST SP 800-171, DoDI 8582.01 and DFARS 252.204-7021. The CUI PS must be requested no later than 5:00 PM ET on November 2, 2026 to be able to receive the CUI PS on December 10, 2026. Late requests will not be accepted. To request the CUI PS addendum, email the following required information to nassau@darpa.mil (do not send classified information to this email address):

1. Organization name:

2. Physical address where CUI work will be performed:

3. Email address to receive CUI PS electronic transfer information:

4. Facility Security Officer (FSO)/Contractor Special Security Officer (CSSO) or other security Point of Contact (POC) on site (include name, phone number, and email):

5. Screenshot or PDF copy of the requesting organization’s current Supplier Performance

Risk System (SPRS) affirmation of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification CMMC level 2 compliance.

DARPA will determine each requesting organization’s eligibility. Once requirements have been met, DARPA will deliver the CUI PS addendum via DoD SAFE (https://safe.apps.mil/).

REQUESTING THE CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM

DARPA anticipates releasing a classified (SECRET) addendum to the PS to eligible requesting organizations on December 10, 2026. This classified addendum will be released to eligible requesting organizations only on December 10, 2026. The classified addendum is SECRET and will only be transmitted via the DARPA Savannah ASCEND network (SAV), the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS), or DARPA Secure Wide Area Network (DSWAN). Therefore, organizations intending to receive the classified addendum or submit classified proposals must have access to SAV, JWICS, or DSWAN. Proposers receiving or responding to the classified addendum must be issued a Nassau Security Classification Guide (SCG) and a solicitation DD-254 “DoD Contract Security Classification Specification” prior to receiving or preparing any classified materials. Proposers will not further disseminate any classified information related to this solicitation to other potential subcontractor proposal team members without first issuing a solicitation subcontractor DD-254 approved by DARPA.

Subcontractor DD-254s are required to be submitted by December 19, 2026.

DARPA anticipates issuing solicitation DD-254s on December 10, 2026. The classified addendum must be requested no later than 5:00 PM ET on November 2, 2026. Proposers who fail to meet this deadline will not be able to receive the classified addendum on December 10, 2026. Late requests shall not be accepted. To request the classified addendum, email the following required information to nassau@darpa.mil (do not send classified information to this email address):

1. Organization name (listed on Facility Clearance Letter):

2. CAGE Code:

3. Physical address where classified work will be performed:

mailto:nassau@darpa.mil https://safe.apps.mil/ mailto:nassau@darpa.mil

4. FSO/CSSO or other security POC on site (include name, phone number, and email):

5. Classified email address to receive classified addendum

6. The same information above for all alternate work locations where the classified addendum will be transmitted/stored within your organization DARPA will determine each requesting organization’s eligibility. Once requirements have been met, DARPA will deliver the classified addendum by email on the eligible network address provided by the requesting organization.

DARPACONNECT

DARPAConnect offers free resources to potential performers to help them navigate DARPA, including “Understanding DARPA Award Vehicles and Solicitations,” “Making the Most of Proposers Days,” and “Tips for DARPA Proposal Success.” Join DARPAConnect at www.DARPAConnect.us to leverage on-demand learning and networking resources.

NOTE: This Special Notice does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. This notice is issued solely for information and program planning purposes and is not a Request for Information (RFI). DARPA will not accept any submissions against this notice. Interested parties to this notice are cautioned that nothing herein obligates DARPA to issue a solicitation.

NO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN ANY

COMMUNICATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THIS SPECIAL NOTICE.

http://www.darpaconnect.us/