Pre-Award Synopsis Texas Shield

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency issued a sources-sought notice on October 16, 2026, announcing its intent to enter into an agreement with The University of Texas System consortium for the Biological Technologies Office LiveChain Program (Texas Shield), a research initiative addressing autonomous medical care, casualty evacuation, clinical decision support, and resilient medical supplies in austere and contested environments. This is not a competitive solicitation. Other university systems or equally structured entities with comparable capabilities may submit information describing their ability to perform integrated research activities by November 15, 2026, to TexasShieldxBTO@DARPA.mil. Research areas include autonomous and semi-autonomous medical systems, robotic surgical systems, artificial-blood and supply innovation, AI-enabled clinical decision support, and mass-casualty science and simulation. Submissions should address integrated research infrastructure, resource sharing potential, clinical-validation capabilities, multi-institutional coordination capacity, consortium organizational structure, technical expertise, commercialization and transition capabilities, facility clearance levels, and ability to handle Controlled Unclassified Information. DARPA intends to execute the agreement primarily under 10 U.S.C. 4021, with potential use of 10 U.S.C. 4022 and 4023. The government will not reimburse submission preparation costs, is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt or provide feedback, and will disclose submission contents for review purposes only, potentially using SETA support contractors.