Active Solicitation · DEPT OF DEFENSE

    Promethean Clay

    Sol. DARPA-PS-26-16SolicitationARLINGTON, VA
    Open · 13d remaining
    DAYS TO CLOSE
    13
    closes May 6, 2026
    POSTED
    Mar 18, 2026
    Publication date
    NAICS CODE
    541715
    Primary industry classification
    PSC CODE
    AC12
    Product & service classification

    AI Summary

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking proposals for innovative energy storage systems that enhance performance, safety, and operational stability. The focus is on mechanical co-design frameworks that improve energy storage without relying on rigid materials. Proposals should aim for generational advancements and include pathways for domestic sourcing and manufacturing.

    Contract details

    Solicitation No.
    DARPA-PS-26-16
    Notice Type
    Solicitation
    Posted Date
    March 18, 2026
    Response Deadline
    May 6, 2026
    NAICS Code
    541715AI guide
    PSC / Class Code
    AC12
    Contract Code
    97AE
    Primary Contact
    PS Coordinator
    State
    VA
    ZIP Code
    222032114
    AI Product/Service
    service

    Description

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for new and innovative energy storage systems. Proposed research should investigate approaches that enable revolutionary advances in energy storage at scales relevant to integration into systems. Promethean Clay rethinks energy storage systems in a mechanical co-design framework to enable performance, safety, and operational stability in electrically powered technologies. Specifically, by thinking of energy storage systems as mechanical systems in addition to chemical systems, this program will ameliorate the need for the rigid, heavy exoskeletons used in energy storage systems today, resulting in (1) a generational improvement in energy storage performance through obviation of rigid materials, (2) a design that incorporates thermal resilience and safety needed for integration into systems, and (3) a pathway for domestic sourcing of materials and manufacturing. Improvements in energy storage – paired with safety and thermal viability – will be evaluated and demonstrated on a government-provided platform. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice, or research that pivots on exceptional claims that cannot be technically justified in the proposal. This includes: • Proposals outlining improvement of individual energy storage components without consideration for the complete energy storage system and its performance, safety, and thermal resilience considering all included materials (active and inactive) • Proposals aiming to design new chemistries for energy storage (e.g. new battery and/or fuel cell chemistries) or new concepts for energy storage without addressing the need to overcome the inclusion of inactive rigid materials In addition to technical achievements, Promethean Clay aims to transition the manufacturing and design of solutions to commercial production and government systems.

    Key dates

    1. March 18, 2026Posted Date
    2. May 6, 2026Proposals / Responses Due

    AI search tags

    Frequently asked questions

    Promethean Clay is a federal acquisition solicitation issued by DEPT OF DEFENSE. Review the full description, attachments, and submission requirements on SamSearch before the response deadline.

    SamSearch Platform

    Stop searching. Start winning.

    AI-powered intelligence for the right opportunities, the right leads, and the right time.