Disruptioneering Program Announcement

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks proposals for rapid, focused exploratory investments in high-risk, high-payoff research across scientific and engineering disciplines through its Disruptioneering Program, with the umbrella announcement closing October 30, 2026, and individual Disruption Opportunities posted on sam.gov each open for a maximum of 60 calendar days. Awards will be made as Other Transactions for prototypes under 10 U.S.C. 4022, with DARPA targeting award execution within 120 calendar days of Disruption Opportunity posting.

No set-aside applies. Work is unclassified. All proposers must register in SAM.gov with a current UEI number, maintain CMMC compliance at minimum Level 1, comply with Section 889 telecommunications equipment prohibitions, and submit a redlined copy of the sample Other Transaction agreement or DARPA will assume acceptance of all articles. Proposals must include a Summary Slide, Volume 1 (Technical & Management with Task Description Document, 10-page maximum), Volume 2 (Price with DARPA Streamlined Cost Buildup Workbook and Schedule of Milestones and Payments), and Volume 3 (Administrative & National Policy Requirements). Unclassified submissions are submitted electronically via zip file (100 MB maximum) to https://baa.darpa.mil/. Proposal validity is requested for 365 calendar days to accommodate potential Phase 2 awards.

Individual Disruption Opportunities may specify one or two phases (Phase 1 base and Phase 2 option), with DARPA reserving the right to award Phase 1 only or combined Phase 1 and Phase 2, contingent on Phase 1 performance and fund availability. Cost sharing may be required; if applicable, proposers must include a minimum one-third cost share for each proposed phase. Evaluation criteria, in descending order of importance, are Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution and Relevance to DARPA Mission, and Price. Proposers requesting fundamental research OT status must comply with DARPA's Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Review Process. NAICS code 541715 applies with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.