Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency (SPECTRA)
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF.NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY FOR HEALTH (ARPA-H) · Response deadline: Wed, 21 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
ARPA-H is soliciting proposals for the SPECTRA program—Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency. This program supports creating advanced systems to better evaluate patient phenotypes (observable traits and clinical characteristics), model how diseases progress over time, understand how patients respond to interventions, and increase patient agency in health decisions.
NAICS 541715 covers Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). This classification typically encompasses research services that translate scientific knowledge into new or improved methods, products, or processes across medical and health domains.
The agency's focus on "clinical trajectories" and "response" suggests work at the intersection of computational modeling, health data science, and clinical research—areas where ARPA-H has actively invested in high-risk, high-reward projects that traditional research funding mechanisms may not support.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | ARPA-H-SOL-26-163 |
| NAICS | 541715 (Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) |
| Set-aside | None (full and open competition) |
| Response deadline | October 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | Not specified in notice; see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This is a full and open competition with no set-aside. Small businesses, large businesses, nonprofit research institutions, universities, and other eligible entities may submit proposals. No preference for small business participation is indicated in the metadata.
ARPA-H solicitations typically seek performers with demonstrated capabilities in:
- Computational biology or health data science
- Clinical research and patient-centered study design
- Systems engineering for biomedical applications
- Machine learning or artificial intelligence applied to health trajectories
If you are a small business, you will compete directly against well-resourced research organizations, including national laboratories and major academic medical centers that frequently partner with ARPA-H. Consider whether your firm brings unique capabilities, intellectual property, or specialized expertise in phenotypic evaluation that larger institutions cannot easily replicate.
Entities without a DUNS number (transitioning to Unique Entity ID) and active SAM.gov registration cannot bid. Verify your registration status immediately if planning to respond.
How to put together a competitive bid
For ARPA-H R&D solicitations, proposals typically require technical volume, cost volume, and sometimes a teaming plan. Given SPECTRA's scope, competitive bids should demonstrate:
Technical credibility. ARPA-H programs operate under tight timelines with ambitious milestones. Clearly articulate your technical approach to phenotypic evaluation systems, including validation strategies and measurable outcomes. Reference any prior successful demonstrations in similar disease areas or computational frameworks.
Patient agency considerations. The "Agency" element in SPECTRA indicates ARPA-H values solutions that meaningfully engage patients in their health trajectories. Address how your proposed system integrates patient-generated data, preferences, or decision support—see the solicitation for specific requirements.
Realistic teaming. Few small businesses possess all capabilities internally. Identify gaps in clinical expertise, regulatory knowledge, or data access, and propose substantive partnerships with academic medical centers or patient advocacy organizations.
Cost realism. ARPA-H scrutinizes cost proposals against technical scope. Avoid underbidding to win—this risks subsequent performance issues. Conversely, demonstrate efficiency advantages over institutional performers through lean management or novel methodologies.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number ARPA-H-SOL-26-163. The notice was posted October 14, 2026. The solicitation document will contain: complete technical requirements, proposal preparation instructions, evaluation criteria, contract type, anticipated award instrument(s), and any amendments.
Confirm the deadline. Responses are due October 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time—only seven days from posting. This extremely compressed timeline demands immediate action if you intend to bid. Begin SAM.gov registration verification and team outreach today.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →