Notice ID: 21f66561c62d4764a4c38d523dcc686eSolicitation
GUARDIAN
Archived on May 7, 2026. Solicitation posted by DEPT OF DEFENSE (DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)) on March 5, 2026. Solicitation DARPA-PS-26-17.
NAICS 541714 (Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)). Original response deadline: . Full description on SAM.gov.
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative approaches to controllably eliminate invasive species from defined areas, primarily focused on New World Screwworm (NWS) and Brown Tree Snake (BTS)(Guam), using genetic drive technologies (GDT). GUARDIAN is composed of three Technical Areas (TAs). The first Option TA is focused on BTS eradication. Proposers are expected to complete modeling and laboratory testing of genetic elements in the 18-month Phase 1 and contained (laboratory or greenhouse) testing during the 18-month Phase 2. Option TA1 will emphasize: genetic precision to ensure off-target effects and GDT resistance is minimized; GDT control by designing counter measures/GDT immunization to add additional safeguards; and fieldability by ensuring laboratory and contained testing meets regulatory agency requirements to proceed to field trials and that the GDT meets requirements needed for impactful population reduction goals. Option TA2 seeks to develop innovative cell cultures methods that accelerate the study of gene drives in eukaryotic organisms and should contain elements that support Option TA1. The third Option TA focuses on population modeling of gene drives, particularly that of NWS and BTS.
The purpose of Amendment 1 to DARPA-PS-26-17, the GUARDIAN (Genetic Utilization for Advanced Regulation and Defense of Indigenous and Native species) Program Solicitation (PS), is to clarify the submission instructions and proposal abstract content.
The purpose of Amendment 1 to DARPA-PS-26-17, the GUARDIAN (Genetic Utilization for Advanced Regulation and Defense of Indigenous and Native species) Program Solicitation (PS), is to clarify the submission instructions and proposal abstract content.
Overview
Agency:
Department of WarDEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)
Office:DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY
Posted:March 5, 2026
NAICS:541714: Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
Last Updated:Aug 21, 2026
PSC:AC12: NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; APPLIED RESEARCH
Response Deadline:
Set-Aside:Not specified
Type:Solicitation
Place of Performance:Not specified
Award Overview
Possible prior contracts
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Contacts
Contracting Officer
Primary Contact
Dr. Catherine Campbell, DARPA/BTO
Documents
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Showing 5 of 5 items
Document | Source | Agency | Posted Date | File Size | Actions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solicitation | DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) | Mar 5, 2026 | 79.48 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) | Mar 5, 2026 | 242.8 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) | Mar 5, 2026 | 360.58 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) | Mar 5, 2026 | 123.26 KB | |||
| Solicitation | DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) | Mar 5, 2026 | 65.83 KB |
Lifecycle
Solicitation:
DARPA-PS-26-17- Solicitation
Award typically follows within 30–90 days after the response deadline. (estimate)
- 2×
Similar Opportunities
Title | Phase | Agency | NAICS | Set Aside | Posted | Deadline | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals to develop an in-silico capability for mapping all protein-protein interactions. Utility of this capability will be demonstrated in identifying novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets within the interaction space underlying including traumatic brain injury. | Solicitation | 541714 | No Set-Aside | 10/08/2026 | 11/05/2026 | - | |
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has developed a non-invasive coherent optical system capable of recording neural signals in humans. To expand this foundational technology and enable the development of revolutionary, non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), DARPA's Firefox program is soliciting approaches to overcome key technological hurdles: 1) development of components enabling dynamic rastering/scanning of the incoming coherent optical signal to target multiple regions of interest and 2) development of new data processing architectures beyond the digital domain to handle the high data rates and computational burden inherent to scaling the amount of neural data recorded by the optical system. The ultimate goal of the Firefox program is to use these innovations to develop a 100-channel, non-invasive BCI with 50-micron spatial and 100-microsecond temporal resolution. | Solicitation | 541714 | No Set-Aside | 09/16/2026 | 11/09/2026 | - | |
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals for the development of a multifunctional, target-agnostic platform for precise, programmable editing of endogenous proteins. The goal of the Protein ENGineering (PENG) program is to transition proteome engineering from a collection of isolated, bespoke tools into a universal, software-defined discipline. The PENG program will establish a comprehensive, integrated platform composed of modular targeting, generalizable effector chemistries, and multiplexed control systems. Rather than developing isolated, target-specific tools, performers will integrate novel splicing, ligation, and co-translational techniques to directly recognize, modify, and rewrite endogenous proteins within complex biological architectures. Performers may explore multiple technical paths, progressively advancing their approaches from foundational validation to robust demonstrations of efficacy. Ultimately, this integrated platform will be validated in high-fidelity cellular models (e.g., organoids), to provide an integrated proof-of-concept at the tissue level. | Solicitation | 541714 | No Set-Aside | 08/21/2026 | 10/19/2026 | - | |
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals for the development of a multifunctional, target-agnostic platform for precise, programmable editing of endogenous proteins. The goal of the Protein ENGineering (PENG) program is to transition proteome engineering from a collection of isolated, bespoke tools into a universal, software-defined discipline. The PENG program will establish a comprehensive, integrated platform composed of modular targeting, generalizable effector chemistries, and multiplexed control systems. Rather than developing isolated, target-specific tools, performers will integrate novel splicing, ligation, and co-translational techniques to directly recognize, modify, and rewrite endogenous proteins within complex biological architectures. Performers may explore multiple technical paths, progressively advancing their approaches from foundational validation to robust demonstrations of efficacy. Ultimately, this integrated platform will be validated in high-fidelity cellular models (e.g., organoids), to provide an integrated proof-of-concept at the tissue level. | Solicitation | 541714 | No Set-Aside | 08/07/2026 | 10/19/2026 | - | |
UPDATE: The purpose of Amendment 1 to DARPA-SN-26-89, the Non-Optical Methods for High Speed Protein Control Special Notice (SN), is to clarify the notice deadline. DARPA BTO will be actively “shopping” the ERIS Marketplace for innovative, post-competitive, awardable solutions that address the need for a new class of rapidly switchable, non-optogenetic protein domains for real-time cellular control. This effort seeks to develop a robust and versatile molecular tool for massless information transfer across a cell membrane, intended to supplement existing synthetic biology platforms. | Special Notice | 541714 | No Set-Aside | 07/21/2026 | 01/01/2027 | - |
Additional Details
Solicitation Number
DARPA-PS-26-17
Archive Date
May 7, 2026
Office Address
ARLINGTON, VA, 222032114