Ultra-Low-Power Computing Architecture Design

The contract seeks the design of novel computing architectures that operate under extreme power constraints, prioritizing non-von Neumann designs, asynchronous circuits, or seamless integration of energy-harvesting technologies to enable computation in environments where conventional power sources are unavailable or unsustainable. The work must push the boundaries of current computational paradigms by eliminating reliance on traditional clocked, memory-centric architectures and instead leverages innovative circuit topologies and power-efficient mechanisms to perform critical operations with minimal or ambient energy inputs. Success will require groundbreaking approaches that balance performance, reliability, and ultra-low power consumption, targeting applications where size, weight, and energy are primary limitations. This subcontract, issued under the NAICS code 541715 by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency within the Department of Defense, is open for proposal until July 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM. While no set-aside classification is specified, the effort is aimed at advancing defense-relevant technologies through next-generation computing solutions. The place of performance and point of contact information are not provided, but proposers are expected to align their technical approach with the agency’s strategic objectives for autonomous, field-deployable systems requiring persistent operation without conventional power infrastructure.