Perrseus

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is soliciting innovative proposals for the Perrseus program to develop compact cold-atom devices and environmentally-decoupled ultra-high Q microelectromechanical and photonics devices through microscale ultra-high-vacuum systems, with proposals due September 23, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. ET. This procurement carries no set-aside and is available to all eligible entities.

Place of performance is not geographically restricted. The solicitation requires development of microscale ultra-high-vacuum systems maintaining pressures below 101 mbar in packages constrained to 5 milliliters or less, with integrated atomic sources and pressure sensors. All contractor personnel must achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance by Phase 1 start (estimated January 15, 2027), with a three-month Phase 0 baseline for security preparation preceding award. Atomic source integration is mandatory regardless of pressure-sensing methodology; both vacuum integrity and atomic source operational performance must be sustained for continuous three-year operational lifetimes. Absolute pressure measurement within the physics package is required. Single-mode photonic interconnects compatible with atomic source cooling and readout are specified.

The program is structured as three phases: Phase 0 (security setup, up to three months, pre-award, no funding); Phase 1 (process development, 24 months); and Phase 2 (UHV demonstration, 18 months, optional). Awards are Other Transaction agreements for prototypes under 10 U.S.C. 4022, with multiple awards anticipated. The predetermined fee range is 9.0 to 10.5 percent. Cost sharing is generally not required unless the proposer is a traditional defense contractor lacking at least one non-traditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participant. Companies and universities may serve as prime contractors; FFRDCs, UARCs, and National Labs may participate only as subcontractors. Intent to Propose is due September 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. Oral presentations are scheduled September 30 through October 8, 2026, with estimated award in January 2027. Abstract submissions (optional but strongly encouraged) were due August 3, 2026. NAICS 541715; PSC AC12.