ERIS Special Topic Area – Ag x BTO
Closed Special Notice Posted
A newer special notice was posted. See the latest special notice from .
- Solicitation number
- DARPA-PS-25-02-BTO-01
- Agency
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Place of performance
- United States
- Points of contact
-
- Dr. Jeffrey Zaleski eris@darpa.mil
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a Special Notice for the ERIS Special Topic Area: Ag x BTO, seeking innovative ideas to develop novel capabilities for national security through agricultural defense technologies. This solicitation is published by DARPA's Biological Technologies Office (BTO) and represents a supplementary, limited-period announcement under the broader Expedited Research Implementation Series (ERIS) program. The notice specifically targets new or non-traditional submitters who can bring breakthrough technological advancements to address both naturally occurring and manmade threats to agricultural systems. The opportunity focuses on five key technical areas including early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance, rapid-response agricultural countermeasures, accelerated crop engineering, threat prediction and modeling, and methods to assess human intervention and provenance. Multiple updates to the notice have been made since its initial posting, including the addition of FAQ documents dated August 1 and August 8, 2025.
The primary objective of this Special Topic Area is to catalyze future efforts to defend agriculture against various threats while advancing national food security interests through innovative research and development. Contractors must submit their proposals through the ERIS Marketplace between June 1, 2025, and August 31, 2025, using a specific submission format that includes a 7-minute video pitch, ERIS supplemental slides, and a completed submission form. Awards are anticipated to be up to $500,000 per selected proposer for performance periods ranging from nine months to one year. The solicitation encourages multiple submissions from individual performers, though each must address a separate problem statement within the five technical areas. Eligibility currently excludes proposals involving direct animal use, though an alternative ERIS BTO Enduring Topic notice is expected in September 2025 for such submissions. The program includes potential follow-on opportunities such as workshops and Pitch Day events in the Washington DC area, with compelling submissions potentially serving as springboards for further DARPA program development.
Notice text
5 versions
Update #5 · Latest ·
ERIS Special Topic Area: Ag X BTO
*New Attachments: FAQ dated 8 August.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for innovative ideas to develop novel capabilities for national security. DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) wishes to catalyze future efforts to defend agriculture against threats both naturally occurring and manmade. Areas of interest include:
(1) advances to early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance and detection;
(2) rapid-response agricultural countermeasures to defend against threats;
(3) massively accelerated and expanded crop engineering for long-term threat defeat;
(4) integrated and comprehensive threat prediction and modeling for our agricultural systems; and
(5) novel methods to assess the occurrence of human intervention and to attribute provenance.
Ag x BTO employs an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new or non-traditional submitters that bring innovations to BTO.
This Special Topic Opportunity Page provides the content requirements and instructions for your submission. The actual submission, must be made through the ERIS Marketplace located here: https://www.darpaconnect.us/eris. After navigating to the ERIS Marketplace Page, click on the “Request ERIS Account” button to register for an ERIS account. Once registered, click on the “Access ERIS” button to begin the correct submission workflow.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) long-term, open call for new and novel technology solutions entitled the “Expedited Research Implementation Series” seeking solutions or capabilities that deliver breakthrough technological advancements. This Special Topic Area (STA) is a supplementary, limited period announcement to solicit, collect, and assess disruptive solutions, and make those solutions available through rapid acquisition pathways. This STA will be open for submissions from 1 June 2025 through 31 August 2025.
The ERIS long-term, open call Solicitation can be found here: https://sam.gov/opp/ceb71172068a4ac1b74b3e423b1a4cf1/view
Update #4 ·
ERIS Special Topic Area: Ag X BTO
*New Attachments: Changes noted in yellow highlights and a FAQ document.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for innovative ideas to develop novel capabilities for national security. DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) wishes to catalyze future efforts to defend agriculture against threats both naturally occurring and manmade. Areas of interest include:
(1) advances to early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance and detection;
(2) rapid-response agricultural countermeasures to defend against threats;
(3) massively accelerated and expanded crop engineering for long-term threat defeat;
(4) integrated and comprehensive threat prediction and modeling for our agricultural systems; and
(5) novel methods to assess the occurrence of human intervention and to attribute provenance.
Ag x BTO employs an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new or non-traditional submitters that bring innovations to BTO.
This Special Topic Opportunity Page provides the content requirements and instructions for your submission. The actual submission, must be made through the ERIS Marketplace located here: https://www.darpaconnect.us/eris. After navigating to the ERIS Marketplace Page, click on the “Request ERIS Account” button to register for an ERIS account. Once registered, click on the “Access ERIS” button to begin the correct submission workflow.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) long-term, open call for new and novel technology solutions entitled the “Expedited Research Implementation Series” seeking solutions or capabilities that deliver breakthrough technological advancements. This Special Topic Area (STA) is a supplementary, limited period announcement to solicit, collect, and assess disruptive solutions, and make those solutions available through rapid acquisition pathways. This STA will be open for submissions from 1 June 2025 through 31 August 2025.
The ERIS long-term, open call Solicitation can be found here: https://sam.gov/opp/ceb71172068a4ac1b74b3e423b1a4cf1/view
Update #3 ·
ERIS Special Topic Area: Ag X BTO
*New Attachment: Changes noted in yellow highlights.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for innovative ideas to develop novel capabilities for national security. DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) wishes to catalyze future efforts to defend agriculture against threats both naturally occurring and manmade. Areas of interest include:
(1) advances to early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance and detection;
(2) rapid-response agricultural countermeasures to defend against threats;
(3) massively accelerated and expanded crop engineering for long-term threat defeat;
(4) integrated and comprehensive threat prediction and modeling for our agricultural systems; and
(5) novel methods to assess the occurrence of human intervention and to attribute provenance.
Ag x BTO employs an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new or non-traditional submitters that bring innovations to BTO.
This Special Topic Opportunity Page provides the content requirements and instructions for your submission. The actual submission, must be made through the ERIS Marketplace located here: https://www.darpaconnect.us/eris. After navigating to the ERIS Marketplace Page, click on the “Request ERIS Account” button to register for an ERIS account. Once registered, click on the “Access ERIS” button to begin the correct submission workflow.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) long-term, open call for new and novel technology solutions entitled the “Expedited Research Implementation Series” seeking solutions or capabilities that deliver breakthrough technological advancements. This Special Topic Area (STA) is a supplementary, limited period announcement to solicit, collect, and assess disruptive solutions, and make those solutions available through rapid acquisition pathways. This STA will be open for submissions from 1 June 2025 through 31 August 2025.
The ERIS long-term, open call Solicitation can be found here: https://sam.gov/opp/ceb71172068a4ac1b74b3e423b1a4cf1/view
Update #2 ·
ERIS Special Topic Area: Ag X BTO
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for innovative ideas to develop novel capabilities for national security. DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) wishes to catalyze future efforts to defend agriculture against threats both naturally occurring and manmade. Areas of interest include:
(1) advances to early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance and detection;
(2) rapid-response agricultural countermeasures to defend against threats;
(3) massively accelerated and expanded crop engineering for long-term threat defeat;
(4) integrated and comprehensive threat prediction and modeling for our agricultural systems; and
(5) novel methods to assess the occurrence of human intervention and to attribute provenance.
Ag x BTO employs an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new or non-traditional submitters that bring innovations to BTO.
This Special Topic Opportunity Page provides the content requirements and instructions for your submission. The actual submission, must be made through the ERIS Marketplace located here: https://www.darpaconnect.us/eris. After navigating to the ERIS Marketplace Page, click on the “Request ERIS Account” button to register for an ERIS account. Once registered, click on the “Access ERIS” button to begin the correct submission workflow.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) long-term, open call for new and novel technology solutions entitled the “Expedited Research Implementation Series” seeking solutions or capabilities that deliver breakthrough technological advancements. This Special Topic Area (STA) is a supplementary, limited period announcement to solicit, collect, and assess disruptive solutions, and make those solutions available through rapid acquisition pathways. This STA will be open for submissions from 1 June 2025 through 31 August 2025.
The ERIS long-term, open call Solicitation can be found here: https://sam.gov/opp/ceb71172068a4ac1b74b3e423b1a4cf1/view
Update #1 ·
ERIS Special Topic Area: Ag X BTO
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for innovative ideas to develop novel capabilities for national security. DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) wishes to catalyze future efforts to defend agriculture against threats both naturally occurring and manmade. Areas of interest include:
(1) advances to early warning systems for chemical and biological threat surveillance and detection;
(2) rapid-response agricultural countermeasures to defend against threats;
(3) massively accelerated and expanded crop engineering for long-term threat defeat;
(4) integrated and comprehensive threat prediction and modeling for our agricultural systems; and
(5) novel methods to assess the occurrence of human intervention and to attribute provenance.
Ag x BTO employs an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new or non-traditional submitters that bring innovations to BTO.
This Special Topic Opportunity Page provides the content requirements and instructions for your submission. The actual submission, must be made through the ERIS Marketplace located here: https://www.darpaconnect.us/eris. After navigating to the ERIS Marketplace Page, click on the “Request ERIS Account” button to register for an ERIS account. Once registered, click on the “Access ERIS” button to begin the correct submission workflow.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) long-term, open call for new and novel technology solutions entitled the “Expedited Research Implementation Series” seeking solutions or capabilities that deliver breakthrough technological advancements. This Special Topic Area (STA) is a supplementary, limited period announcement to solicit, collect, and assess disruptive solutions, and make those solutions available through rapid acquisition pathways. This STA will be open for submissions from 1 June 2025 through 31 Aubust 2025.
The ERIS long-term, open call Solicitation can be found here: https://sam.gov/opp/ceb71172068a4ac1b74b3e423b1a4cf1/view
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FAQ dated 8 August.pdf | ||
| DARPA-PS-25-02-BTO-02.pdf | ||
| FAQ_dated 1 August.pdf | ||
| DARPA-PS-25-02-BTO-01.pdf | ||
| DARPA-PS-25-02-BTO-01.pdf | ||
| DARPA-PS-25-02-BTO-01.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| ERIS Special Topic Area – DARPAVERSE | Special Notice | |
| ERIS Special Topic Area – Ag x BTO | Special Notice | |
| ERIS Special Topic Area – Industrial Base Research and Experimentation Events | Special Notice | |
| Expedited Research Innovation System (ERIS) | Solicitation |
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