Atomically Precise Molecules (APM)

DARPA is soliciting innovative proposals for new synthesis techniques for polymeric and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials under the Atomically Precise Molecules (APM) program, with abstracts due October 28, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET as extended by Amendment 01 and full proposals due December 18, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Awards will be Other Transaction agreements for prototypes under 10 U.S.C. 4022, with multiple awards anticipated, and the Set Aside line reads "No Set-Aside Used." Intent to Propose and questions are due December 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET, and oral presentations are anticipated January 5-20, 2027.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. organizations as primes, and foreign entities may not perform R&D, though foreign commercial vendors may supply standard products or services. FFRDCs, UARCs, and Government Entities are ineligible as primes and may participate as subcontractors only with demonstrated unique capabilities unavailable from the private sector. Excluded work includes evolutionary improvements, incremental modifications of existing NLO materials, solely inorganic materials without a polymeric component, and exceptional claims that cannot be technically justified.

Phase I (12 months) develops programmable precision polymer synthesis and demonstrates an NLO material meeting 3000 pm/V and 1 dB/cm optical loss, with a potential performer down-select at its conclusion. Phase II (24 months, option per the Proposers Day slides) targets 8000 pm/V, VpiL of 0.0005 V·cm, and 1 THz bandwidth through integration into a government-provided electro-optic modulator. The program totals 36 months with an estimated start of April 1, 2027. Proposals must address four pillars: generalizability, polymer design, material design, and technology sustainability. Abstracts require a CMMC Level 2 certification or compliance plan, and DARPA responds within fourteen calendar days.

All performers must achieve CMMC Level 2 (Self-Assessment) compliance, and an optional Phase I milestone provides up to $25,000. The program uses fixed-price milestone payments tied to written acceptance. No program ceiling is stated; DARPA states budgets will be commensurate with unique technical approaches. Performers retain IP ownership, and the Government receives minimum Government Purpose Rights to foreground data plus license rights for IV&V and performance evaluation. The IV&V team handles device fabrication, so proposals should exclude device fabrication costs. Proposals must include travel for four two-day in-person PI meetings and monthly teleconferences.

Submissions go through the BAAT portal at baa.darpa.mil, which requires a valid CAGE Code and a password-protected .zip or .zipx upload. Solicitation questions go to APM@darpa.mil. The NAICS code is 541715 and the PSC is AC12.