2026 MXO Spark Tank Special Notice

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued Special Notice DARPA-SN-26-73 to announce the Multi X Office (MXO) Spark Tank event, taking place from November 2-4, 2026, at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. This in-person event is designed for prospective proposers and collaborators to learn about the MXO mission, which focuses on three primary thrusts: expanding foundations through beyondCMOS materials and components, strengthening industrial resilience via indigenous development tools and processes, and developing new modalities for mission effects in sensing, computing, and communicating. The event will feature presentations by DARPA personnel and opportunities for fifteen-minute sidebar meetings with MXO leadership and program managers. Registration for the event opens on August 10, 2026, and closes on October 18, 2026, via the designated Cvent portal. All attendees must submit a text-only capability summary of no more than 500 words at the time of registration and present government-issued photo identification upon entry. This notice is issued solely for information and program planning purposes under FAR 15.201(e) and does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals; consequently, responses are not offers and cannot form a binding contract. All event activities and submitted materials will be conducted at the unclassified level, and the inclusion of classified, ITAR-controlled, or proprietary information is strictly prohibited. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs associated with responding to this notice.