Solid-State Energy Conversion from Heat to Electricity Request for Information (RFI)
Updated
Sources Sought from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Due Nov 23, 2026, 30 days left.
| Solicitation number | DARPA-SS-27-01 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) |
| Office | Def Advanced Research Projects Agcy |
| Notice type | Sources Sought |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715) |
| Product or service code | AC11 |
| Posted | Oct 23, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 23, 2026 (30 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is requesting information on the current state of the art and technological limitations of solid-state direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion technologies. We define solid state energy conversion as systems that convert a temperature differential directly into electrical energy without utilizing mechanical moving parts (e.g., pistons, turbines, or rotary alternators).
This RFI seeks to identify the best possible solid state heat engine performance across a wide operating temperature range, factors that limit performance, and the most attractive use cases if these highly efficient solid state heat engines could be made today. This survey of limits, challenges and use cases will identify opportunities for research and development to inform potential program(s) in this area.
Contracting contact
- BAA Coordinator · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 541715, a business counts as small if it has no more than 11 employees (SBA size standard, with exceptions in the notes). This notice is not set aside, but the size decides your small business status on it. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Companies that win this kind of work
Federal contractors paid for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences work, who also hold DARPA contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC $1.9 billion in this trade
- Raytheon Company $1.7 billion in this trade
- The Pennsylvania State University $483.0 million in this trade
- Leidos, Inc. $420.8 million in this trade
- Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation $420.0 million in this trade
About the buyer
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded $1.2 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Lockheed Martin Corporation, Securigence LLC and The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC. See what DARPA is buying now.
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences contracts right now
There are 258 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541715), 40 posted in the last 7 days; 32% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Most of the work with a stated place is in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia. A notice in this trade gives a median of 77 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 31 days.
All open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
Coming up in this trade
Planned contracts from the agencies' procurement forecasts, often months before a solicitation. Plans can change.
Recent awards in this trade
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From the award notices agencies publish.