Deep Thoughts

DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office (DARPA‑PS‑26‑05 “Deep Thoughts”) seeks innovative, hardware‑centric solutions to dramatically shrink and accelerate the development of deep‑ocean autonomous undersea vehicles (AUVs) and pressure vessels. The 24‑month, single‑phase program will fund prototype agreements (Other Transaction) that advance novel materials, advanced manufacturing, non‑traditional subsystem architectures, and a multi‑level secure digital‑engineering ecosystem to enable full‑ocean‑depth, mission‑relevant AUVs at a fraction of current size, cost, and producibility. Multiple awards are anticipated; cost‑sharing may be required. Proposers must elect either Technical Area 1 (CUI only) or Technical Area 2 (CUI + SECRET collateral) and cannot submit to both. All participants must be U.S. citizens or U.S. entities, comply with ITAR/EAR, implement CUI safeguards, and for TA2 maintain SECRET‑level facility and personnel clearances and a comprehensive program security plan. Key milestones: abstract submission by May 21 2026, OPP submission (invitation‑only) by July 20 2026, oral presentations in late July 2026, and performance start in November 2026. Requests for the CUI addendum and attachments must be submitted by May 14 2026.

Notice ID

65b69f4e78eb442abb53df9fbb68686d

Solicitation Number

DARPA-PS-26-05

NAICS Code

541715

Classification Code

AC12