Multi Modal Materials Analysis (MMoMA)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking innovative proposals under the Multi Modal Materials Analysis (MMoMA) program to develop a revolutionary, field-deployable system capable of performing simultaneous molecular, elemental, and isotopic analysis of solids and liquids under ambient conditions without any sample preparation. This 36-month, two-phase effort aims to create an integrated platform using a single configurable excitation source to generate multiple analytical signatures, enabling real-time, in-situ detection of trace elements below 0.1 ppm, precise isotope ratios (δ ~20), and molecular structures with resolution under 0.1 nm, all while meeting strict size, weight, and power constraints for truck-mounted operations. The program excludes evolutionary improvements to existing technologies and prioritizes breakthroughs that fundamentally advance materials science and national security capabilities. Proposals must be submitted in two stages: an initial abstract limited to five pages, followed by a full proposal submitted through DARPA’s BAAT portal for procurement contracts and Other Transaction Agreements, or via Grants.gov for cooperative agreements. Evaluation of submissions will be based holistically on four equally critical factors: overall scientific and technical merit, alignment with DARPA’s mission, cost and schedule realism, and the proposer’s demonstrated capabilities. There are no numerical weights or adjectival ratings applied; awards will be made through a trade-off process that favors technical excellence and innovation over lowest cost, explicitly rejecting the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable approach. All offerors must be registered in SAM and comply with CMMC Level 1 cybersecurity requirements, including a mandatory self-assessment filed in the Supplier Performance Risk System, with non-compliance leading to immediate disqualification. Subcontractors handling Federal Contract Information must also meet this standard. The contract may include an optional Fundamental Defense Research Talent Award to support a U.S. citizen graduate student or postdoctoral researcher, with replacement personnel required to be U.S. citizens. Deliverables include quarterly technical reports, design reviews, prototype demonstrations, software libraries, and validation datasets, with performance primarily occurring at the contractor’s facility and oversight conducted by DARPA in Arlington, Virginia. No specific packaging, marking, or preservation standards are mandated, though supply chain integrity and sample provenance are emphasized. Contract vehicles may include procurement contracts, cooperative agreements, or Other Transaction Agreements, with final details to be communicated in the Invitation to Submit a Full Proposal after abstract selection.