This Solicitation opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on March 18, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.

Top

Promethean Clay

Closed

DARPA-PS-26-16Federal

Submission Closed05/06/2026, 12:00:00 PM UTC

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

Active Opportunities Like This One

NAICS: 541715

New

International

Science, Technology & Innovation Data ProviderThis subcontract opportunity with the Government of Canada seeks a Science, Technology and Innovation Data Provider to support prime contractors on Public Services and Procurement Canada information product projects. The selected provider will be responsible for delivering technical datasets, innovation reports, patent data, technical specifications, and comprehensive R&D trend analysis. A critical requirement for this engagement is the provider's ability to enter into a Provider’s Master License Agreement. The project falls under NAICS code 541715 and will be performed within Canada. Interested parties must submit their responses by the deadline of March 31, 2027. This contract focuses on equipping prime contractors with the necessary technical data and innovation metrics to enhance the delivery of government information products.

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

POSTED

DEADLINE

Highway Safety Research & AnalysisThis subcontract opportunity involves providing specialized research and analysis for prime contractors working on South Dakota Department of Transportation highway safety projects. The primary objective is to evaluate flagger operations to identify safety gaps and establish effectiveness metrics. The selected provider will utilize traffic simulation software to generate data-driven operational recommendations and deliver comprehensive research reports and data analysis summaries. The project is managed under the South Dakota State Government with a response deadline of December 17, 2026. Classified under NAICS code 541715, the contract focuses on technical research and analysis to enhance highway safety protocols within the state.

South Dakota State Government

POSTED

DEADLINE

Computer Vision Algorithm Development for Aerial RefuelingThis subcontract for the U.S. Air Force focuses on the development and training of computer vision AI/ML models to support aerial refueling projects. The scope of work involves implementing object detection and tracking for aircraft and refueling booms, as well as utilizing spatial analysis to ensure precise alignment measurements. To execute these tasks, the contractor must utilize high-compute GPU clusters and advanced AI frameworks to train models based on aerial footage. The project is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 541715, specifically targeting firms with fewer than 500 employees. Key deliverables include the final trained AI models, all associated source code, and comprehensive validation reports. Due to the nature of the defense work, strict adherence to DFARS 252.204-7012 and CMMC cybersecurity standards is mandatory. Responses are due by November 25, 2026.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Optical Design & Photonics ConsultingThis subcontract for Optical Design and Photonics Consulting supports U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research HUD projects by providing specialized optical engineering and design services for prime contractors. The scope of work involves utilizing Zemax or Code V software to design light-engine configurations, holographic optical elements, and waveguides. Key deliverables include feasibility analyses, simulation reports, and detailed optical design specifications. The opportunity is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 541715, specifically mandated for SBIR/STTR entities with fewer than 500 employees. Contractors must adhere to NIST SP 800-171 cybersecurity requirements to ensure data protection. The response deadline for this requirement is November 25, 2026.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Information Assurance (IA) and Secure Data Exchange SpecialistThis subcontract opportunity for the U.S. Air Force focuses on research and development for Technical Data Package modernization projects. The selected specialist will develop technical frameworks for secure data exchange, conduct feasibility studies on Information Assurance protocols, and design secure transmission workflows. Key deliverables include secure exchange architecture designs and technical feasibility reports intended to support prime contractors. The contract is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 541715, specifically mandating SBIR/STTR compliance for firms with fewer than 500 employees. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, strict adherence to ITAR and EAR regulations is required, and all data handling systems must be CMMC-compliant. Responses are due by November 25, 2026.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Technical Research Subcontractor / ConsultantThis subcontract opportunity, issued by the U.S. Air Force under the Department of Defense, seeks a Technical Research Subcontractor or Consultant to support prime contractors on Department of War SBIR projects. The selected entity will be responsible for conducting specialized research and technical analysis to determine feasibility, developing methods to meet technical objectives, and delivering comprehensive data and research findings for final reports. The contract is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 541715, requiring the subcontractor to have fewer than 500 employees. Key compliance requirements include adherence to CMMC standards for handling Controlled Unclassified Information and Federal Contract Information, the implementation of OCI mitigation plans, and strict following of protocols regarding Recombinant DNA or Human and Animal Subjects. Responses are due by November 25, 2026.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Senior Advisor Consultant (Biological Therapeutics SME)The Senior Advisor Consultant (Biological Therapeutics SME) is a small business set-aside subcontract under the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically within the Omas Strategic Buying Center for Professional Services. The selected consultant will provide subject matter expertise to prime contractors supporting NIH NINDS BPN-Biologics program projects. Primary responsibilities include leading biologic drug discovery for nervous system conditions, reviewing operations, and offering strategic recommendations and technical feedback on biotherapeutics trials and project milestones. Qualified candidates must possess specialized expertise in pharmaceutical development, pain management, and FDA regulatory review processes concerning toxicology and safety pharmacology. This engagement focuses on delivering high-level technical guidance to ensure the success of biologic drug discovery and development initiatives. The opportunity was posted on October 28, 2026, with a response deadline of November 5, 2026.

Omas Strategic Buying Center - Professional Services

POSTED

DEADLINE

Epidemiological Analysis & Public Health ResearchThis subcontract, titled Epidemiological Analysis and Public Health Research, supports prime contractors on CDC DNPAO projects through the Department of Health and Human Services. The scope of work involves performing advanced epidemiological analyses and public health research, specifically focusing on maternal-child nutrition. Key responsibilities include downloading and formatting surveillance data from sources such as NHANES, NHIS, BRFSS, YRBS, and NSCH, as well as designing hypothesis tests using regression models, conducting microsimulation modeling, and performing systematic reviews. The successful provider must demonstrate proficiency in R and Python to deliver critical outputs, including data tables, scientific manuscripts, and surveillance reports. The work is based in Atlanta and falls under NAICS code 541715. Interested parties should note the response deadline of November 10, 2026.

CDC Office Of Acquisition Services

POSTED

DEADLINE

Research Institution Partner (Non-Profit)This subcontract opportunity is for a registered non-profit research institution to partner with prime contractors on U.S. Air Force STTR projects. The primary objective is to conduct core scientific research to evaluate the technical feasibility of cyber resiliency within edge computing environments. Selected partners will be expected to leverage university laboratories, high-performance computing clusters, and specialized academic research software to produce research data, peer-reviewed findings, and contributions to technical reports. The opportunity is designated as a total small business set-aside under the SBIR/STTR mandate for organizations with fewer than 500 employees, falling under NAICS code 541715. Interested parties must submit their responses by November 25, 2026, at 5:00 PM. This effort is managed through the U.S. Department of Defense on behalf of the U.S. Air Force.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Edge and Fog Computing Architecture SpecialistThis subcontract opportunity for the U.S. Air Force focuses on research and development for cyber resiliency projects, specifically targeting the design of resilient architectures for fog and edge computing devices. The selected provider will be responsible for conducting feasibility studies, establishing technical milestones, and utilizing edge gateways, fog computing nodes, and embedded hardware. Key deliverables include a technical feasibility report and a Final Scientific or Technical Report. The project is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 541715, requiring the contractor to have fewer than 500 employees. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, strict security compliance is mandatory, including CMMC Level 2 and adherence to NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-172 standards. Responses are due by November 25, 2026.

POSTED

DEADLINE

Quantum Algorithm & Benchmark DevelopmentThe Quantum Algorithm and Benchmark Development subcontract involves performing technical research and development for prime contractors on projects for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The scope of work focuses on developing benchmark instances for commercial application workloads, defining resource estimates, and translating high-value use cases into technical quantum algorithm requirements. These tasks will be executed using quantum computing simulators or early-stage quantum hardware, requiring specialized expertise in algorithm optimization and quantum complexity theory. The primary objective of the contract is the delivery of validated commercial application benchmarks. This opportunity is categorized under NAICS code 541715 and is associated with the Department of Defense. Interested parties should note the response deadline of December 30, 2026.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agcy

POSTED

DEADLINE

Research Institution / University Partner (STTR)This subcontract opportunity is for a Research Institution or University Partner to support prime contractors on Department of Defense 2027 SBIR/STTR Phase I projects for the U.S. Air Force. The selected partner will be responsible for performing fundamental research, technical validation, and experiments to determine the feasibility of proposed concepts. Key deliverables include contributing to the Phase I technical volume, providing research data, and submitting detailed technical reports and feasibility findings. The solicitation was posted on October 28, 2026, with a response deadline of November 25, 2026. This is a total small business set-aside under the SBIR/STTR mandate for entities with fewer than 500 employees, falling under NAICS code 541715. The primary objective is to provide the academic and analytical rigor necessary to validate technical concepts during the initial phase of the program.

U.S. Air Force

POSTED

about 13 hours ago

DEADLINE

in 28 days

AI Contract Overview

The contract solicitation from DARPA, titled Promethean Clay, seeks innovative proposals aimed at fundamentally rethinking energy storage systems through a mechanical co-design framework. The goal is to achieve revolutionary advances in energy storage performance, safety, and operational stability at scales suitable for integration into electrically powered technologies. By treating energy storage not only as a chemical process but also as a mechanical system, the program intends to eliminate the need for the traditional rigid and heavy exoskeleton materials currently used in these systems. This approach is expected to deliver significant improvements including enhanced energy storage performance, greater thermal resilience, and improved safety, all of which are critical for successful system integration. Additionally, the program emphasizes domestic sourcing for materials and manufacturing to facilitate transition to commercial and government production systems. Technical advancements will be demonstrated on government-provided platforms. The solicitation explicitly excludes proposals focused on incremental improvements to existing energy storage components or new chemical formulations that do not address the mechanical design challenges posed by rigid inactive materials. Proposals must consider the complete energy storage system, including performance, safety, and thermal resilience across all materials involved. Research focusing solely on the development of new battery or fuel cell chemistries without tackling the mechanical design constraints will not be considered. The call for proposals carries a submission deadline of April 22, 2026, and falls under NAICS code 541715, with DARPA’s office in Arlington, Virginia as the contracting agency. Interested parties are encouraged to submit comprehensive research plans that align with the innovation and system-level focus mandated by this solicitation.

General Info

DARPA seeks proposals rethinking mechanical design of energy storage for improved performance, safety, and thermal resilience.

Agency

Department Of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agcy

NAICS

541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Place of Performance

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

DARPA Promethean Clay Controlled Unclassified Information Guide v1.0

11 pages · cui-guide

High

DARPA Promethean Clay Model Other Transaction for Prototype Agreement

28 pages · other-transaction-model

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Amendment 01 to Promethean Clay Solicitation

26 pages · amendment

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Abstract Instructions and Template

4 pages · abstract-instructions-template

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Abstract Summary Slide Template

supporting-document

High

DARPA PS-26-16 PrometheanClay Cost Summary Spreadsheet Phase 0

29 pages · cost-summary-spreadsheet

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay FAQ Document

11 pages · q-and-a

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay FAQ Document Version 2

q-and-a

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Other Transaction Certifications

5 pages · other-transaction-certifications

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Phase 0 Cost Proposal Instructions

5 pages · cost-proposal-instructions

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Pricing Proposal Instructions and Volume II Template

6 pages · proposal-instructions

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Program Solicitation

25 pages · rfp

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Proposal Instructions and Volume I Template

10 pages · proposal-instructions

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Proposal Summary Slide Template

specifications

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 PrometheanClay Schedule of Milestones and Payments

9 pages · schedule-of-milestones-and-payments

High

DARPA PS-26-16 Promethean Clay Task Description Document

2 pages · task-description-document

High

DARPA-PS-26-16 Promethean Clay FAQ Document Version 3

q-and-a

Low

DARPA-PS-26-16 PrometheanClay Price Summary Spreadsheet

3 pages · price-summary

Low

Promethean Clay Proposers Day Recording

1 page · industry-day

Low

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Timeline

5 updates

PhaseClosed

PostedFeb 18

Solicitation

Deadline changedFeb 27

Response deadline changed from Apr 22, 2026 to May 6, 2026.

Notice updatedMar 2

Notice details unchanged. Attachments may have changed.

Notice updatedMar 5

Notice details unchanged. Attachments may have changed.

Notice updatedMar 17

Notice details unchanged. Attachments may have changed.

Notice updatedMar 18

Notice details unchanged. Attachments may have changed.

Response DeadlineMay 6

Deadline has passed

Submission Closed

05/06/2026, 12:00:00 PM UTC

Find active opportunities like this

Get full access to discover similar active contracts, track opportunities, and build proposals with AI assistance.

Organization & Contact Information

AgencyDepartment Of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agcy

Contacts1 person available

OfficeARLINGTON, VA, 222032114, USA

Organization / AgencyDepartment Of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agcy

Office AddressARLINGTON, VA, 222032114, USA

Contacts

PS Coordinator

contact@example.gov

Full Description

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for new and innovative energy storage systems. Proposed research should investigate approaches that enable revolutionary advances in energy storage at scales relevant to integration into systems.

Promethean Clay rethinks energy storage systems in a mechanical co-design framework to enable performance, safety, and operational stability in electrically powered technologies. Specifically, by thinking of energy storage systems as mechanical systems in addition to chemical systems, this program will ameliorate the need for the rigid, heavy exoskeletons used in energy storage systems today, resulting in (1) a generational improvement in energy storage performance through obviation of rigid materials, (2) a design that incorporates thermal resilience and safety needed for integration into systems, and (3) a pathway for domestic sourcing of materials and manufacturing. Improvements in energy storage – paired with safety and thermal viability – will be evaluated and demonstrated on a government-provided platform.

Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice, or research that pivots on exceptional claims that cannot be technically justified in the proposal. This includes:

• Proposals outlining improvement of individual energy storage components without consideration for the complete energy storage system and its performance, safety, and thermal resilience considering all included materials (active and inactive)

• Proposals aiming to design new chemistries for energy storage (e.g. new battery and/or fuel cell chemistries) or new concepts for energy storage without addressing the need to overcome the inclusion of inactive rigid materials

In addition to technical achievements, Promethean Clay aims to transition the manufacturing and design of solutions to commercial production and government systems.