This Solicitation opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on April 23, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Deep Thoughts
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
Active Opportunities Like This One
AI Contract Overview
DARPA is seeking innovative research and development through solicitation DARPA-PS-26-05, titled Deep Thoughts, to revolutionize uncrewed deep-ocean access by creating compact Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and pressure vessels capable of operating at full ocean depths while significantly reducing size and cost compared to existing systems. The effort focuses on breakthroughs in materials science, advanced manufacturing, embedded subsystems, structural design, and digital engineering to enable rapid design-build-test-learn cycles. Proposals must align with one of two technical areas: TA1 for Controlled Unclassified Information handling or TA2 for SECRET-level data and systems, with no proposer eligible to pursue both. Participation is restricted to U.S. citizens and U.S.-based organizations only, requiring facility and personnel clearances at the SECRET level for TA2 performers. All proposers must comply with ITAR and EAR regulations and implement a Program Security Plan addressing operational security, supply chain integrity, export controls, and communications protocols. Submission requires four key deliverables—an Abstract Summary Slide, Abstract Template, Oral Proposal Package, and Cost Proposal Spreadsheet—along with adherence to strict security protocols for Controlled Unclassified Information, accessed only through the restricted CUI Addendum. The solicitation is not a traditional government contract but an Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype Agreement under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, allowing for flexible award terms and potential cost-sharing obligations. Proposals must be submitted by May 21, 2026, with an initial abstract deadline, followed by an invitation-only Oral Proposal Package submission in July, and full access to critical documentation like Attachment G on milestones, payments, and administrative data requires a formal request for the CUI Addendum by May 14, 2026. The anticipated award is a single 24-month program beginning in November 2026, leading to fully integrated, mission-capable AUV prototypes tested in deep-ocean environments, with all technical and administrative details governed by the non-public CUI Addendum and delivered via DoD SAFE.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
VASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
More opportunities from Department Of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agcy
Same awarding agency
Find Active Opportunities Like This
Get AI-powered intelligence on the opportunities still open
Every page of the solicitation package shredded into a compliance breakdown
AI-powered matching based on your capabilities and past performance
Competitor and incumbent history on the requirement
Automated alerts on amendments, Q&A deadlines, and award
Join 650+ contractors already using CLEATUS
