Smash Program Announcement

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is soliciting innovative research proposals under the Smash Program to develop transformative materials processing technologies capable of efficiently separating multiple elements across the periodic table in a scalable, energy-efficient manner. The goal is to establish a foundational capability for domestic resource independence by enabling parallel processing of diverse feedstocks with near-zero waste and high-purity elemental output. Proposals must go beyond incremental improvements and instead offer revolutionary advances in science, devices, or systems that align with DARPA’s mission to create or prevent technological surprise. The program requires a two-year performance period from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028, with milestone-driven payments tied to specific technical demonstrations including kick-off, preliminary and critical design reviews, test readiness, and a final demonstration. Proposals must be submitted through the Broad Agency Announcement Tool by April 29, 2026, and must include a concise executive summary, a technically detailed 12-page Volume I with a 20-slide oral presentation, and a separately submitted price proposal using the DARPA Standard Price Summary Spreadsheet. All submissions must comply with strict formatting requirements, including minimum 12-point font, and must adhere to Controlled Unclassified Information safeguards per DoDI 5200.48 and DFARS 252.204-7012, with proper labeling for export control, proprietary data, and government purpose rights. Evaluation will prioritize scientific and technical merit, including innovativeness, feasibility, team expertise, and risk mitigation, followed by relevance to national security and technological surprise, with price considered only after technical excellence is established. The award will be made under an Other Transaction for Research authority, not a standard FAR contract, and requires full compliance with intellectual property disclosures, organizational conflict of interest certifications, and mandatory use of WAWF for all invoicing. Offerors must provide their Unique Entity ID, self-certify small business status if applicable, and disclose any lobbying activities, felony convictions, or unpaid federal tax liabilities. All deliverables, including progress reports, test data, and final documentation, must be submitted electronically and will be reviewed against government-provided standard feedstock compositions and program-specific metrics, with government review and acceptance conducted solely by designated Agreements Officers.