How to bid on Precision Inertial Navigation & Positioning On an Integrated Tesseract (PINPOINT) for DARPA

What DARPA is buying and why it matters

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for research proposals for new inertial measurement unit (IMU) designs. These IMUs are intended for tactical and unmanned missions. The goal is to move beyond the current performance limits of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) IMUs by exploring revolutionary sensor architectures.

DARPA is interested in novel inertial sensors based on physics such as electromagnetically levitated proof masses, non-linear resonators, and high-velocity tethered microsystems. A key part of this program is the co-design of the physical sensor with advanced, real-time adaptive control systems to manage complex dynamics. This opportunity is for firms that can propose innovative approaches for significant advances in science, devices, or systems, rather than incremental improvements to existing technology.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This solicitation was published on August 19, 2026. The deadline for submitting proposals is September 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. All proposals must be submitted by this exact time and date.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for research organizations and firms with expertise in professional services, particularly in advanced physics, sensor design, and real-time adaptive control systems. It targets those capable of developing revolutionary inertial sensor architectures, rather than making small improvements to current MEMS IMUs. Firms with experience in concepts like levitated proof masses, nonlinear resonators, or tethered microsystems would be a good fit.

How to respond

To access the full solicitation, click “View original source” on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account to view all documents, though this is not always required for every bid.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Carefully review the solicitation to understand DARPA's specific interest in revolutionary designs and its explicit exclusion of evolutionary improvements. Your proposal should clearly articulate how your approach represents a significant departure from existing IMU technology and how it addresses the challenges of nonlinear sensor physics and real-time adaptive control.

Emphasize the tight co-design of the physical sensor package with advanced control systems. Provide concrete examples or theoretical frameworks for how your proposed sensor architecture and control mechanisms will achieve the desired performance for tactical and unmanned missions. Ensure your proposal is well-structured, clear, and directly addresses all requirements outlined in the solicitation.