SAM #DARPA-PS-26-129

DARPA Solicitation for Programmable Protein Engineering Platform (PENG Program)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Defense Sciences Office, is seeking proposals for the Protein ENGineering (PENG) program to develop a universal, multifunctional platform for programmable editing of endogenous proteins. - Government Buyer: - Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) - Defense Sciences Office - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the solicitation - Products/Services Requested: - Development and integration of a multifunctional, target-agnostic platform for precise, programmable editing of endogenous proteins - Platform must integrate: - Modular, programmable targeting systems - Generalizable effector chemistries (e.g., splicing, ligation, co-translational techniques) - Multiplexed control systems - Validation in high-fidelity cellular models (e.g., organoids) to demonstrate proof-of-concept at the tissue level - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Platform must be target-agnostic and software-defined - Excludes permanent genomic editing and traditional pharmacology approaches - Emphasis on modularity, generalizability, and multiplexing - Program is structured in three phases: 18 months (Phase 1A), 6 months (Phase 1B), 18 months (Phase 2), totaling 42 months - Multiple awards anticipated - No specific part numbers, products, or purchase quantities are listed; technical details are in the attachments

Description

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.

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