Organoid Cytomorphic Intelligence Resulting from Convergent Understanding and Information Transfer (O-Circuit)

The O-Circuit program, solicited by DARPA under solicitation number DARPA-PS-26-28, aims to develop an integrated biological processing unit (BPU) leveraging neural tissue systems to overcome power inefficiencies inherent in semiconductor-based computation, particularly for edge applications in austere Department of War environments. The program seeks to enhance the learning, inference, and computational memory capacities of synthetic biological intelligence systems to support advanced AI/ML workloads with reduced energy consumption. This 32-month Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) prototype effort includes milestone-based deliveries that require demonstrable technical progress verified via government-led inspection at designated test and evaluation sites on the West Coast. Key deliverables encompass prototype hardware, milestone reports, final technical and executive summaries, and property reports, all submitted through DARPA’s VAULT system and fully compliant with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) marking and safeguarding standards per NIST SP 800-171. As a research and development initiative funded under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, the agreement employs a trade-off award process emphasizing problem comprehension, execution capability, and budget alignment rather than lowest-price criteria. The contract mandates comprehensive organizational conflict of interest disclosures, rigorous security and export control compliance, and prior government approval before any public information release. Proposers must submit encrypted, unclassified abstracts by May 20, 2026, to a designated DARPA email, following specific format and content guidelines that include a technical understanding, approach, capability, and budget estimate. Administrative requirements include registration in SAM with UEI and CAGE codes, certifications related to socioeconomic status, and adherence to continuous reporting on lobbying, tax liabilities, and use of covered telecommunications equipment. Payments are milestone-tied and processed through DFAS via the Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) system, with invoicing and acceptance tightly controlled by government representatives. The contract’s scope extends to potential future follow-on production awards, while all work remains conditional on government collaboration, successful milestone validation, and further regulatory reviews.