DARPA Program Security Services

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is conducting a sources sought inquiry to identify contractors capable of providing Program Security Services for its Security & Intelligence Directorate, with responses due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on July 24, 2026. No set-aside is anticipated.

The requirement encompasses approximately 160 full-time equivalent contractor personnel supporting DARPA research and development programs. Services include deploying Program Security Representatives embedded within DARPA technical offices to develop security architectures and protection strategies; maintaining countering foreign intelligence, insider threat, and counterintelligence analyst capabilities; providing information technology security controls assessor support across space systems, aircraft, cyber weapons, directed energy systems, and communications; administering special access programs and compartmented information systems; managing personnel security operations including badge office and clearance processing; performing information and industrial security compliance activities; and providing policy oversight and security education.

All contractor personnel must possess Top Secret facility clearance and individual Top Secret personnel security clearances based on Tier 5 or Tier 5R background investigations current within five years, with SCI eligibility adjudication required.

The anticipated period of performance begins in the second quarter of fiscal year 2027, comprising a 12-month base period followed by four 12-month option periods. The Government anticipates issuing a single-award, cost-type or time and materials task order, potentially utilizing a GSA contract vehicle. The anticipated NAICS code is 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services).

Interested parties shall submit questions and responses via email to programsecurityrequirement@darpa.mil with subject line "Sources Sought HR001126QE005 DARPA Program Security Services." The inquiry includes an Experience Reference Sheet template and Requirement Feedback form for contractor responses.