Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO)

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The DARPA-PA-25-01 Price Summary Spreadsheet, Version 2 (06/21/2022), is a template designed for proposers to detail costs for government solicitations across two phases. This spreadsheet is critical for federal government RFPs, grants, and state/local RFPs, requiring proposers to itemize direct labor, subcontractor/consultant costs, materials, equipment, travel, and other direct costs (ODCs) for each month over an 18-month period per phase. It includes sections for profit, total price, government share, and recipient share, with specific instructions to add Phase 1 and 2 costs and maintain the existing structure. The document is marked as "Source Selection Information" and "Competition Sensitive," indicating its use in evaluating proposals and the need for controlled distribution.

The DARPA-PS-26-13 PICASSO program outlines procedures for requesting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) materials, including the CUI Guide, CUI Addendum, and Proposers Day Presentations. Proposers can request these materials electronically via DoDSAFE or as physical copies by submitting specific forms via email to PICASSO@darpa.mil. Electronic requests require compliance with NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 and a valid SPRS score between 88 and 110, assessed within the last three years. Proposers without the required SPRS score or assessment date must request physical copies. Physical requests necessitate affirmation of the organization's capability to protect CUI, including secure storage, access control, and compliant disposal. Both methods require completion of specific forms (Appendix A for electronic, Appendix B for physical) and adherence to submission deadlines. Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with incomplete forms being returned for correction. Prime proposers are responsible for ensuring subcontractors' CUI handling compliance.

This government file, DARPA-PS-26-13 Attachment I, outlines a model "Other Transaction for Prototypes" agreement between DARPA and a performer for research and development. It details the agreement's scope, including the program's vision, purpose, and technological goals, and defines key terms like "Data" and "Subject Invention." The document specifies a fixed-payment structure based on milestone completion, managed through the DARPA Vault website. It also covers intellectual property rights, safeguarding of covered defense information, restrictions on foreign access to technology, and procedures for dispute resolution. A significant part of the agreement addresses the prohibition on contracting for certain telecommunications and video surveillance equipment and services, particularly from covered foreign countries, and includes reporting requirements for any identified use of such equipment.

This document, "Attachment H: Schedule of Milestones and Payments" for DARPA-PS-26-13_PICASSO, outlines a structured payment and deliverable schedule for a government agreement. It details twelve milestones across an initial phase and an optional Phase 2, each requiring specific tasks, due dates (in months after award), milestone definitions, exit criteria, and deliverables. For each milestone, the document specifies DARPA payment and performer share, along with contract line item numbers (CLIN), accounting classification reference numbers (ACRN), funding lines, and funding dates. The agreement term begins on the effective date and continues for a specified number of months. While informational in its description, it emphasizes that payments must reflect comprehensive costs to achieve milestone completion. This framework ensures clear progress tracking and financial allocation for government projects.

Attachment G of DARPA-PS-26-13_PICASSO outlines the task description document for the PICASSO program, focusing on catalyzing future photonic capabilities through scalable photonic circuits. The document details project overview, technical tasks, deliverables, program management, meeting and travel requirements, and government-furnished information/property. The core objective is to achieve system-level performance gains by expanding the focus from individual photonic components to a holistic circuit and system-level orientation, addressing current limitations where photonic circuits are confined to narrow, isolated functions. The project aims to revolutionize photonic circuit architectures and improve bandwidth, latency, and energy efficiency for applications in computing, analog signal processing, and sensing.

This DARPA program solicitation outlines essential certifications and representations required from offerors for the PICASSO program. Key requirements include certifications against debarment and for a drug-free workplace, compliance with non-discrimination provisions, and a lobbying certification for actions exceeding $100,000. Additionally, the document addresses prohibitions on contracting with corporations having unpaid delinquent tax liabilities or felony convictions, and those requiring internal confidentiality agreements that restrict reporting fraud, waste, or abuse. Offerors must also make representations regarding the use of certain telecommunications and video surveillance services or equipment, disclosing any use of covered equipment or services. Finally, the solicitation details requirements for 'Other Transactions for Prototypes,' including information on team members qualifying as non-traditional defense contractors, nonprofit research institutions, or small businesses, and cost-sharing contributions.

The DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) has released a program solicitation, DARPA-PS-26-13, for Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO). This initiative seeks innovative proposals for very large-scale photonic circuits, focusing on circuit-level innovation rather than individual device improvement, to achieve revolutionary advances in computing, analog signal processing, and sensing. The program aims to overcome limitations in current photonic systems by improving optical signal integrity and controlling spurious wave interactions. PICASSO is structured into two technical areas (TA), with TA1 (Fundamentals) being the focus of this solicitation. TA1 involves two phases: Phase 1 (Base effort) to develop circuit-level strategies for signal integrity and parasitic interaction suppression, and Phase 2 (Option) to generalize these approaches for distinct circuit functionality. Multiple awards are anticipated with an estimated funding of $35 million. Proposals will be evaluated on scientific and technical merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and budget. Key dates include a proposal abstract due date of February 2, 2026, and a full proposal due date of March 6, 2026.

Attachment D: DARPA-PS-26-13 Volume 2 outlines the requirements for submitting a pricing proposal for the PICASSO program, focusing on Other Transaction (OT) requests. Proposers must use this template and Attachment E: DARPA Price Summary Spreadsheet for all price proposals, including those from prime organizations and subcontractors. The document specifies formatting guidelines and mandates the use of editable spreadsheets with intact calculation formulas to facilitate government analysis. Key components of the price volume include a cover sheet, a detailed price summary, and breakdowns of direct labor, materials, equipment, travel, other direct costs, cost sharing, and consultant/subawardee costs. An optional value assessment section allows proposers to demonstrate the unique value and benefits of their solution and the OT agreement. The proposal must address the full program (base + options) and include all described components, emphasizing transparency and supporting documentation for all proposed costs.

The DARPA-PS-26-13 PICASSO Proposal Summary Slide Template outlines key requirements for submitting proposals, focusing on high-impact applications, technical approaches, and team capabilities. Proposers must clearly describe their targeted application, its significance to DARPA, and projected performance improvements, aiming for orders of magnitude enhancement. The template emphasizes detailing the innovative technical approach, highlighting groundbreaking aspects. Furthermore, it requires a comprehensive overview of the team, including roles, technical strengths, and unique capabilities. This structure ensures that proposals effectively communicate the project's concept, potential impact, and the expertise of the proposing team, aligning with government RFP expectations for clarity and compelling justification.

The DARPA-PS-26-13 Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO) Q&A document clarifies critical aspects of the program. It confirms that PICASSO circuits must integrate both processing and signal regeneration, with retiming being application-dependent. The CUI package distributed at Proposers Day is complete as of 1/16/2026, and additional CUI will be released. Deadline extensions are not available, and milestone payments are tied to observable technical achievements rather than best effort. ROI is not an evaluation criterion, and teaming is encouraged but not required. The document outlines expectations for hardware demonstrations in Phases 1 and 2, anticipates funding multiple projects, and details intellectual property requirements. It also specifies rules for non-U.S. citizen participation, the use of DARPA LUMOS technology, and the collaboratively developed Interface Control Document (ICD). Additionally, it clarifies that integrated optical amplification is within scope, electronic control circuitry is allowed, and quantum computing and Terahertz silicon photonics are acceptable applications. Proposers define wavelength, bandwidth, and reconfigurability, with power considered as part of application-specific Figures of Merit. The document differentiates between TA1 and TA2 participation, confirms the availability of a design repository, and addresses questions on foundry usage, cost inclusion, and integration technologies. It also clarifies intellectual property rights, subcontractor guidelines (including foreign entities), and the ineligibility of FFRDCs as subs.

Attachment C: DARPA-PS-26-13 Volume I outlines the mandatory template and instructions for submitting technical and management proposals for the PICASSO program. This document is crucial for federal government RFPs, federal grants, and state and local RFPs. Proposals must include an oral presentation (max 20 slides, 40 minutes, followed by a 20-minute Q&A) and written content (max 10 pages). The oral presentation should focus on technical discussion, innovative claims, technical approach, risks, and mitigation strategies, with quantitative justification. The written content expands on programmatic details, including an Executive Summary, Goals and Impact, Technical Approach, Management Plan, Schedule and Milestones, Personnel, Qualifications, and Capabilities. It also requires information on Intellectual Property, Organizational Conflict of Interest, and Novelty of Proposed Work, which do not count towards the page limit. All submissions must be in English and adhere to strict formatting and page count limitations. Non-compliant proposals may not be reviewed. The document details specific content requirements for each section, emphasizing quantitative analysis, risk mitigation, commercialization strategies, and compliance with CUI guidelines.

The DARPA-PS-26-13 Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO) Q&A document clarifies various aspects of the program. It confirms that photonic circuits must include both processing and signal regeneration, with retiming being application-dependent. The CUI package is complete as of January 16, 2026, and additional CUI material will be distributed upon request via Attachment K. Deadlines for abstracts and proposals are firm, and milestone payments are tied to observable technical achievements rather than being

DARPA-PS-26-13, also known as Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO), is a federal program solicitation from DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). The program seeks innovative proposals for very large-scale photonic circuits, aiming to achieve system-level performance gains by focusing on circuit-level innovation rather than individual component improvement. The solicitation, amended on January 27, 2026, details two technical areas (TA1 and TA2), with only TA1 being solicited. TA1,

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) has issued Amendment 02 to Program Solicitation DARPA-PS-26-13, titled "Photonic Integrated Circuit Architectures for Scalable System Objectives (PICASSO)." This amendment extends due dates, incorporates eForm 60 submission for oral proposals, and clarifies Attachment C. The solicitation seeks innovative proposals for very large-scale photonic circuits, focusing on circuit-level innovation rather than individual components to overcome limitations in current photonic systems. The program, with an anticipated $35M funding and multiple awards, is divided into two phases for Technical Area 1 (Fundamentals), which aims to develop circuit-level strategies for optical signal integrity and parasitic interaction suppression. Technical Area 2 (Applications) is for informational purposes only and will be solicited separately. Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific/technical merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and budget/price. The program emphasizes the use of domestic foundries and requires adherence to CUI protection standards. Key dates include a March 9, 2026, deadline for intent to propose and a March 17, 2026, proposal due date.

Attachment C: DARPA-PS-26-13 Volume I outlines the mandatory technical and management proposal template for the PICASSO program. Proposers must submit both oral presentation content (20 slides, 40 minutes with 20-minute Q&A) and written content (10 pages) along with a price proposal and other attachments. The oral presentation should focus on technical discussion, innovative claims, technical approach, risks, and mitigation strategies, with all claims quantitatively justified. The written content, which excludes a cover sheet, executive summary, goals and impact, management plan, schedule and milestones, personnel qualifications, capabilities, intellectual property, organizational conflict of interest, novelty of proposed work, and an optional bibliography from the page count, provides detailed programmatic information. Proposals must adhere to strict formatting and submission guidelines, with late submissions not being reviewed. The document details requirements for each section, including technical approach, management plan, schedule, personnel, capabilities, intellectual property, and conflict of interest disclosures, emphasizing thoroughness, quantitative analysis, and adherence to program metrics and government regulations.

The DARPA-PS-26-13: PICASSO solicitation outlines mandatory instructions and a template for abstract submissions. Abstracts, limited to six pages, must include sections like Innovative Claims, Technical Approach, Capabilities/Management Plan, and Budget, Price, and Schedule. Proposers are required to submit an abstract before a full proposal, and DARPA will provide feedback, although a favorable response does not guarantee an award. The document details formatting requirements, submission deadlines, and emphasizes the inclusion of a cover sheet with proposer and project information, including estimated costs and performance periods. Additionally, it requires information on the proposer's ability to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).