Area-Multiplied Photonic-crystal Enhanced Devices (AMPED)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting research proposals under the Area-Multiplied Photonic-crystal Enhanced Devices (AMPED) program, aiming to develop single-mode, diffraction-limited, continuous-wave laser devices with unprecedented output power in a chip-scale form factor, representing a dramatic leap beyond existing photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser technology. This initiative is structured as a 42-month effort divided into two phases: Phase 1, lasting 24 months, focuses on design, modeling, and validation of novel 3D photonic crystal and gain structures to overcome fundamental scaling barriers, while Phase 2, spanning 18 months, supports the maturation of these designs into functional hardware prototypes and system-level integration. Proposals must be submitted via the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) by July 9, 2026, with a mandatory abstract due June 4, 2026, and a notice of intent required by June 25, 2026. The solicitation is issued under an Other Transaction for Prototype authority pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 4022, bypassing traditional FAR/DFARS regulations in favor of flexible, performance-based agreements designed to attract nontraditional defense contractors and innovative research entities. Cost sharing is generally not required unless the proposer is a traditional defense contractor without substantial collaboration with nontraditional partners. The program is funded at an estimated $53 million, with $39 million allocated for Phase 1 and $14 million for Phase 2, disbursed in milestone-based payments tied to specific deliverables and government acceptance criteria. Key deliverables include an initial program execution plan, physics and thermal management models, CUI compliance documentation, a final Phase 1 report with characterization results, and Phase 2 hardware validated by the Government’s Independent Verification and Validation team. Proposers must comply with stringent Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) protocols as outlined in the NIST 800-171 standard and the AMPED CUI Guide, requiring certification of information system compliance or a feasible plan to achieve compliance within four months of award. All submissions must be in English, adhere to strict page and format limitations, and disclose any use of AI tools in proposal preparation. Entities must be registered in SAM.gov with a Unique Entity ID, TIN, and CAGE code, and must complete the required Other Transaction Certification and other legal representations, including disclosures of organizational conflicts of