Anticipatory and Adaptive Anti-Money Laundering (A3ML)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking innovative algorithms and research proposals for the Anticipatory and Adaptive Anti-Money Laundering (A3ML) program, which aims to revolutionize anti-money laundering techniques through advanced graph-search and machine learning technologies. The program will develop rapid algorithms to extract illicit financial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) from complex financial transaction data across heterogeneous sources. Proposers must have top secret clearance capabilities, with most work performed at unclassified or top secret/sensitive compartmented information (TS/SCI) levels, depending on the technical track. The solicitation is structured with a Research Track (Technical Areas 1 and 2) and a Competition Track, with submissions evaluated based on technical comprehension, technical ability, and cost considerations. Key submission deadlines include an abstract submission date of April 18, 2025, with potential oral presentations estimated around May 23, 2025.

The solicitation is not set aside for any specific business category and is open to traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, including large and small businesses, research institutions, and academic laboratories. The program anticipates multiple awards using Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype agreements, with an 18-month Phase 1 and potential 12-month Phase 2. While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the program involves cost-sharing arrangements, with performers expected to contribute approximately one-third of total funding. The ultimate goal is to develop technology that makes money laundering prohibitively expensive by creating algorithmic methods to detect and predict illicit financial activities. Most work is expected to be performed in unclassified environments, with some components requiring higher security clearance levels, suggesting a flexible approach to research and development across different technical capabilities and security environments.