DARPAConnect

DARPA Ask-Me-Anything (July 22, 2026)

DARPA Ask Me Anything Date: July 22, 2026 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET Join DARPAConnect for a live DARPA Ask Me Anything session designed to help innovators, researchers, companies, and academic performers better understand how to engage with DARPA. This interactive session will give participants the opportunity to ask direct questions and get practical insight on topics such as: How to identify the right entry points into DARPA Where to find funding opportunities What program managers look for How to prepare stronger responses to DARPA opportunities Common dos and don’ts when approaching the agency Tips for organizations engaging with DARPA for the first time Who should attend: Innovators, researchers, startups, small businesses, academic teams, nonprofit organizations, and industry partners interested in learning how to work with DARPA. What to expect: A live, accessible conversation focused on participant questions, practical guidance, and real-world insight into DARPA pathways, funding opportunities, and engagement best practices. Register to attend and bring your questions !

National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) World Congress 2026

DARPA’S Contracts Management Office will present the topics below at the upcoming National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) World Congress 2026 in Orlando, Florida during the week of 26-29 July. NCMA is a professional organization dedicated to the field of contract management and acquisition. The NCMA World Congress 2026 offers a venue where Industry, academia, and Government collaborate to share best practices instructions, and discuss changes across the Government acquisition community. This event is an opportunity for DARPA Connect members to also hear more broadly from the acquisition community on topics of interest. Topic 1: OTs Creatively Pragmatic: A Practical Demonstration of Creative Acquisition Synopsis: This interactive session will move beyond theory and demonstrate how to leverage the full flexibility of Other Transaction (OT) authority. We will conduct a mock demonstration, walking participants through the entire OT lifecycle, from pre-solicitation and solicitation best practices to negotiation and award. This session will showcase how thoughtful program design directly informs effective solicitations, logical milestones, clear off-ramps, and forward-thinking intellectual property strategies. Attendees will leave with a pragmatic understanding of how DARPA creatively and effectively uses OTs to drive innovation. Topic 2: The Modern Acquirer's Toolkit: An Interactive Tour of Innovative Contracting Mechanisms Synopsis: Join us for a dynamic and hands-on exploration of the diverse contracting tools available to today's acquisition professionals. This interactive session will go beyond the standard panel format to showcase the practical application of various acquisition methods, including Rapid OTs, SBIR/STTR, and the ERIS Marketplace. Participants will engage in collaborative scenarios and gain a comprehensive understanding of how to select and utilize the right tool for the right situation to achieve mission success.