High-efficiency Nitrogen Oxidation (HNO3)

The contract solicited by DARPA under solicitation number HR001126S0005 seeks innovative, foundational research proposals aimed at developing high-rate, energy-efficient, decentralized nitric acid manufacturing technologies. This effort targets enhancing resilience in the defense industrial base’s critical supply chains and seeks revolutionary breakthroughs beyond incremental improvements to prevailing nitrogen oxidation methods like the Haber-Bosch and Ostwald processes. Research proposals are expected to explore novel scientific, device, or systems approaches, particularly those that leverage electrochemical nitrogen oxidation from air and water, to redefine energetics manufacturing in contested logistics environments. The program is managed by DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office out of Arlington, VA, with a proposal submission deadline of February 5, 2026. This procurement is structured primarily as a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract and includes multiple contract line items covering technical tasks, reports, and contractor-acquired property, with inspection and acceptance conducted at destination locations. The contract incorporates relevant Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS) clauses addressing standard requirements such as inspection of R&D cost work, stop-work orders, payment instructions via Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF), and addresses special contract provisions covering key personnel notification requirements, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) safeguarding, and security clauses applicable if classified information is involved. Proposals must include a technical and management volume (limited to 30 pages) and a separate, detailed cost volume with no page limit, including a mandatory DARPA cost spreadsheet for cost breakdown and traceability. Submission is facilitated through DARPA’s Broad Agency Announcement Tool, with strict formatting and electronic submission requirements. The contract references performance periods defined in attached Statement of Work documents, though exact dates and pricing details are not disclosed, pointing to discretionary award values and multiple anticipated awards. Overall, the contract emphasizes transformational research with a strong compliance framework for administration, reporting, and security, designed to accelerate disruptive advancements in nitrogen oxidation technologies critical for defense capabilities.