DARPA APM Solicitation Opens for Programmable Precision Polymers

APM seeks synthesis techniques that precisely control monomer sequence, orientation, and composition within polymeric materials. These programmable precision polymers, or PPPs, would give researchers greater control over how materials behave, from individual molecules to larger coordinated structures.

The initial application is nonlinear optical (NLO) materials, which support defense and commercial capabilities such as LiDAR and optical communications. DARPA wants teams to develop scalable synthesis methods, produce materials with substantially improved optical properties, and demonstrate performance in a functional, government-provided electro-optic modulator.

Proposals must address four connected priorities:

• Generalizability: Demonstrate sequence and orientation control across a range of monomer compositions.

• Polymer design: Use modeling and simulation to guide synthesis toward desired performance.

• Material design: Model how molecular interactions, packing, orientation, and self-assembly affect material behavior.

• Technology sustainability: Demonstrate scalability and compatibility with device-production processes.

Teams must substantiate their technical claims with quantitative evidence, such as modeling, simulation, or preliminary experimental results. The solicitation excludes solely inorganic approaches without a polymeric component, incremental modifications of existing NLO materials, and exceptional claims that lack technical justification.

Program Structure and Demonstrations

APM consists of two phases, with an anticipated performer down-select after Phase I. For planning and budgeting, DARPA instructs teams to assume an April 1, 2027, program start date.

The work must connect chemical synthesis with material performance, scale-up, and manufacturing integration. Proposers should define measurable targets for properties such as yield, purity, quantity, and polymer characteristics, explain their relevance to optical performance, and compare them against the state of the art.

DARPA’s Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) team will characterize samples and verify performance throughout the program. For the final demonstration, performers will collaborate with IV&V on a compatible modulator design; IV&V will fabricate the device, integrate the material, and test it. Proposals should exclude device-fabrication costs.

The proposal must also explain how the synthesis approach could scale to application-relevant quantities and how materials could enter commercial foundry processes that produce fully packaged devices.

Deadlines and Submission Process

Full proposals follow DARPA’s Broad Agency Announcement Tool submission instructions. Each conforming full proposal will receive a scheduled live virtual presentation consisting of a 30-minute presentation and a 45-minute Q&A. Prerecorded presentations, narrated decks, and videos are not permitted.

DARPA requests an intent-to-propose email with the subject “APM Intent to Propose” to help schedule presentations. This notification is optional for proposal eligibility, although omitting it may limit scheduling preferences. Required eForm 60 documentation for U.S. permanent residents and foreign nationals participating in oral presentations is due by December 4.

Technical, contractual, and administrative questions should be sent to [email protected]. Teams should monitor the DARPA APM program page and solicitation updates during preparation.

Eligibility and Award Requirements

DARPA anticipates multiple Other Transaction for Prototype agreements under 10 U.S.C. § 4022. Non-U.S. organizations cannot participate. Other responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements may submit, subject to the solicitation’s eligibility and conflict-of-interest provisions.

FFRDCs, University Affiliated Research Centers, government entities, and national laboratories cannot serve as prime proposers. They may participate as subcontractors under specified conditions and should contact DARPA before the abstract deadline to discuss eligibility, unique capabilities, and technology-transition requirements.

Milestone-Based Payments

APM will use fixed-price payable milestones. Payments depend on government technical verification and written acceptance of defined deliverables. Teams must align milestone values with technical progress, working-capital needs, and demonstrable government value. Disproportionately large payments for kickoff meetings or planning activities may be challenged during negotiations.

Cost sharing generally is not required unless a traditional defense contractor participates without significant participation by a nontraditional defense contractor. The solicitation does not state a total program funding amount.

Cybersecurity and Data Rights

The required cybersecurity level is CMMC Level 2 Self-Assessment. Teams may demonstrate the required compliance at proposal submission or propose an optional Phase I compliance milestone, with up to $25,000 available for its successful completion. Teams using that option must meet CMMC Level 1 at award and achieve government-validated Level 2 compliance before subsequent project milestones can begin.

Performers retain ownership of IP developed under APM and may commercialize it. DARPA expects at least Government Purpose Rights in foreground data and sufficient rights in background IP to support independent testing and verification. The solicitation also anticipates publication restrictions requiring DARPA permission before releasing program information or results. These terms deserve early review by both the technical and business teams.

Preparing a Competitive APM Proposal

DARPA will evaluate proposals on scientific and technical merit, contribution to its mission, budget and price, and technology-transition plans, in descending order of importance. Reviewers will consider the evidence supporting technical claims, team integration, risk mitigation, milestone feasibility, and the proposed IP structure’s effect on verification and transition.

A strong response needs to connect the synthesis mechanism to measurable material performance and eventual device integration. Modeling should inform experimental decisions, analytical methods should verify the claimed properties, and the scale-up plan should account for the quantities and quality needed at each demonstration.