Request for Information (RFI): Formal Learning and Abstractions for System Heterogeneity (FLASH)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Information Processing Techniques Office (IPTO) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) under solicitation number DARPA-SN-27-17 regarding Formal Learning and Abstractions for System Heterogeneity (FLASH). The objective is to gather research on operationalizing robustness in cyber-physical engineering systems by decoupling high-level system requirements from instance-level design details. Specifically, DARPA is seeking information on national-security applications that benefit from heterogeneous engineering solutions and techniques for the automated synthesis of high-assurance systems from formal specifications. Key technical goals include formalizing semantic invariants, developing models for functionally equivalent design instances with provable correctness, and co-generating assurance artifacts. This is a special notice and not a formal solicitation for proposals; therefore, responses are not offers and cannot form a binding contract. Interested parties must submit their responses by November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. While responses can be submitted at any classification level, those intending to provide classified information must send an unclassified notification to [email hidden] by November 13, 2026. Submission methods vary by classification: unclassified responses are sent via email, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) via DoD SAFE, and classified materials through approved channels such as the DARPA Savannah Network, JWICS, or Secure Integration Cloud. All submissions must adhere to strict marking and handling standards, including DoDI 5200.48 for CUI and EO 13526 for classified national security information.