Hearing Enhancement through ARtificially Intelligent NeurotechnoloGy (HEARING)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has issued a Special Notice for the Hearing Enhancement through ARtificially Intelligent NeurotechnoloGy (HEARING) Program. This notice announces a Proposers' Day on June 8, 2026, in Arlington, VA, to inform potential bidders about the program's goals and facilitate teaming for the forthcoming Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO). ARPA-H anticipates making multiple awards using Other Transaction Authority (OTA).
Purpose & Scope
The HEARING program aims to develop a novel, closed-loop hearing-assistive platform that directly engages the brain's hearing centers to significantly improve hearing, particularly in complex environments. This platform will address hearing loss by enabling safe access to the auditory cortex, capturing brain signals, and filling in missing sound information.
The program is structured around three key Technical Areas (TAs):
- TA1: Intracortical Device(s) for minimally invasive neural interfaces.
- TA2: Dynamic Sound Modulator, a wearable device acting as a central hub.
- TA3: Auditory Read & Write Algorithm for brain-computer interfaces.
Proposers' Day Details
A Proposers' Day event will be held on June 8, 2026, in Arlington, VA, with hybrid attendance options. The event's purpose is to inform the scientific community about the program's technical areas and goals, detail the structure of the forthcoming ISO, and facilitate teaming among potential proposers. Activities will include overview presentations, a Q&A session, a poster session, and virtual teaming profiles. Optional deliverables for participants include physical posters and 3-minute lightning talks. Registration is required via https://solutions.arpa-h.gov/HEARING, with deadlines of June 3, 2026 for in-person attendance and June 5, 2026 for virtual attendance.
Contract & Timeline
This is a Special Notice for informational purposes, not a formal solicitation. ARPA-H anticipates making multiple awards under Other Transaction Award types. The Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) for the HEARING program is forthcoming, with its release expected no later than May 7, 2026. The general response date for this Special Notice is August 14, 2026. Attendance at the Proposers' Day is optional and not a prerequisite for future submissions.
Set-Aside
No set-aside designation has been specified for this opportunity.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact the HEARING Team at HEARING@ARPA-H.GOV.