Protein Palace

DARPA solicits innovative proposals for tunable purification of any protein from complex feedstocks through Other Transaction for Research agreements, with optional abstracts due December 4, 2026, intent-to-propose notices due January 12, 2027, and full proposals due January 22, 2027 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No set-aside is used. Multiple awards are anticipated.

The program runs 42 months in two phases. Phase 1 (24 months) requires purifying eight protein categories, including at least one protein with a multi-subunit quaternary structure, with performance thresholds of 80% purity and 50% yield. Phase 2 (18 months, designated Option 1 in the milestone schedule) emphasizes scalability and throughput, requires purifying two challenge proteins, and raises thresholds to 95% purity and 75% yield. Program start is May 1, 2027, and anticipated oral presentations are February 1-5, 2027. Excluded methods include affinity tags, single-category-only methods, protein doping, extensive feedstock pre-processing, denaturation, and extensive post-purification processing. Research must pursue revolutionary advances, not evolutionary improvements.

Technical and Management volumes are limited to 15 pages, and abstracts to five pages. Abstracts require a CAGE code, and DARPA responds within 30 days. Oral presentations are in person, 30 minutes plus a 30-minute Q&A, limited to 20 slides, with pre-recorded presentations prohibited. Performers must achieve CMMC Level 1 (Self-Assessment) at award and CMMC Level 2 by month 12 or milestone 5. Technology is developed at TRL 4 with hardware at the Unclassified level. CUI, including Distribution Statement C technical information, must be processed on DFARS 252.204-7012 and NIST 800-171 compliant systems.

Pricing uses fixed-price milestone payments across 15 milestones, with fully burdened rates and separate Price Summary Spreadsheets for the prime and each subawardee. Performers retain Background and Foreground IP but grant Government Purpose Rights for verification and validation, with commercialization periods not exceeding four years post-award. Successful Phase 2 performers may be considered for follow-on procurement under 10 U.S.C. 4023.

Evaluation factors are Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, Potential Contribution and Relevance to DARPA Mission, and Budget, Price, and Schedule. Submissions route through the Broad Agency Announcement Tool at baa.darpa.mil, and inquiries go to Protein_Palace@darpa.mil.